macct

It seems a number of posters have cars on order and I am curious on how you got comfortable with ordering the car without driving it. Is it based on past experience with MB? Did you come from a W205 C300 or 400 already? Did you consider the C63?

At this point, I am interested in the C63, C450 amg and Porsche Macan. I already have an order in for BMW M3 with my long time dealer, but they have't been able to secure an allocation. Given that, I started looking elsewhere and the list is now down to the 3 vehicles mentioned above.

C63 - I had a short test drive and the car was amazing. It was a nice balance, being more heavily waited to sport than luxury. This is by the most comparable to the M3. It was hard to guage ride quality on such a short test drive, though. I a not sure if the ride would be fatiguing over time.

C450 - seems to be a nice balance between sport and luxury from what I read. I am not sure if the added awd will reduce the fun factor. I know I would like something more engaging than the C300 sport and 335i M version. In terms of aesthetics, I am also not sure I am sold on the grill or wheel options for this version.

Macan - I thought is was more fun than a 435. Power delivery was great and the handing was surprisingly entertaining for the weight and height of the vehicle. The interior was also very sharp. The Macan maybe a bit too polished for me, though, being very quiet and less visceral than the M3 and C63.

So after a very wordy post, what motivated you to the C450? What other cars did you compare it to? Thank you

rbrylaw

I'm not getting a C450, but given it's really a C400 with about 20 extra horses, why not go test drive a C400? Chances are the few extra pony's won't be a significant difference.

macct

None of the dealers around me have a c400 for comparison. I am also under the impression there have been suspension changes to the c450.

rbrylaw

Yes, the suspension is also different in that it's an AMG Adaptive Sport suspension. Horsepower is 362 vs 329. Torque is 384 lb-ft vs 354 lb-ft.

It's a shame you can't find a C400 to test drive. My guess would be if you liked it, the C450 is only that much better.

Dr Chill

If you really want a M3, get one from another dealer. Don't settle for your second choice. You'll regret it in the long run.

c4004matic

I ordered a C400 without driving one. I even ordered the air suspension with eyes closed. It turned out great. The only thing different with the c450 is the magnetic suspension I don't know if optional or not. The magnetic suspension might be just fine too, however some testers have complained that on AMG models the magnetic suspension is very harsh even on comfort mode. Ride harshness would be my only fear but it might be different on the C class. I would ask your dealer if they have an AMG with the magnetic dampers you could try and see if you like it or not. Keep in mind the calibration might be different for the C class. The air suspension is excellent its extremely comfortable but stable in comfort and very, very stable but not harsh in sport plus. If the magnetic suspension is optional and you don't like its harshness on other magnetic suspension AMG models I might skip it. That is one thing I dislike about the MB ordering menu there are so many one off options, that its essentially impossible to keep enough cars on the lot with options you would like to try before ordering. Even whole models can be almost impossible to find. When I ordered my C400, there was just one C300 tester and it was the base model. There were no 400's anywhere in the state and you can just forget about air suspension models there were none in 3 states (IL, WI, MN).

Vipershade

I'm getting sick of this "they are the same except suspension" bs.

Here are the differences:

Germancar1

^^ Great post.

M

c4004matic

Tired? Well go take a nap

BTW you should read your own evidence. Though they use exactly the same transmission it still claims to be faster on the 450.
In regards to HP my C400 is 379 hp and 409lb of torque.

If and when you do own either a 400 or 450. Come back and let me know.

Vipershade

Sad

Xtrema

Tested a C400, it's really dull to drive compared to a 5 year old S4 with sport diff. I would say it's similar to a B7 A4 3.2L with more power than anything from this decade. The 4matic is just too neutral for any fun to be had.

Had no chance to test a C63 but I'm sure it's bonkers.

So far the press has been very positive on C450, way more so than C400. Still, I'm going to let more people take ownership over the next 4-6 months to have more reviews and after a test drive before I decide.

c4004matic

Which is great since there are no more 400 to buy, the C450 should be as good if not better! The problem, however, remains how do you choose big options like the suspension, if there is nowhere to test drive them? Believe me, salesmen in general are the worst people to ask since their main purpose is to sell you what they have on the lot. I had a sales guy in Chicago tell me that the air suspension was disliked because its was too brittle, which is, of course, complete BS. The C450 should be a nice update to the already capable 400. BTW you are completely right the 400 is completely neutral which is the reason the 450 was given more rear bias, however, that also detracts from 4matics main purpose which is snow and ice stability. So its a trade-off.

macct

That is my concern that awd will take the fun out of the car. A 435i gran coupe would have been my natural selection after a M3, but it just didn't feel like a great handler even though though all the stats would indicate it would be a good choice. My hope, based on the favorable previews, is the driving dynamics will be more similar to the C63.

c4004matic

Thats what the C63 is for!

PeterUbers

How does the macan fit in this lineup??

How can bmw not secure an allocation on an m3... Seems strange

Buying a car without a test drive is always a gamble especially a new chassis and the c450 will implement new tech no currently in the non amg w205

You can always test drive it before you pay for it... Only downside is that you're losing time that you could be spending towards a wait on another cars allocation

Good luck

jakc

Also just because you order it doesn't mean you have to buy it? Or is that dependent on the dealership? I ordered my current C300 with no upfront payments of any kind or commitment to buy upon arrival.

oldman&theC

The poster names 18 differences between the C450 & the C400 and all you find is that the trasmission is the same?As far as the shifting being faster did you ever hear about software?It can be changed to make the the same transmission behave in radically different ways.
I originally was going to order a C400,but as soon as I heard they were going to introduce the C450 I decided to wait.I originaly priced a C400 at 56400.I ordered a C450 at 58245 which is a bargain compared to the C400.If add in the price of your tune your list price is close to the same as the C450,and your warranty may be compromised.
I agree with the poster who said"give it up man".

Vipershade

Exactly, the "short response times" are due to the AMG engineers' tuning of the transmission firmware.

Maybe there is a transmission hack for another $2K

macct

Macan - I wasn't going to test drive one, but opted to after reading reviews. It is by far the best performing small SUV that I have driven. I found it more engaging than a 4 series and out handles most cars. It's not as fun as a M3 or C63, but more practical. It will likely be my choice if the C450 doesn't work out.

M3 - I am the first of 3 orders at my dealer. They have yet to receive 1 allocation for 2016 while others have. Not much parity in the system and I like my long time dealer.

Test drive - dealer indicated he should have his first C450 by the second week in September. I hope that is the case. I rather know it is my choice before working on price.

Thanks

macct

Great information all in one place. Thank you

Any chance you know if the ET or offsets are different with the awd C450 and C63? Are wheels typical interchangeable between a C300 and C300 4matic?

RTX

If budget is no issue, go with the proper AMG (i.e. C63)
Otherwise, 450 is more than enough, especially if you don't do track days.

Vipershade

Good question... I would like to get the C63's 662 wheels as a second set:




I'll track down the offset info.

Vipershade

I was able to track down some of the wheel related specs. I think all four of the 19" wheels available to the C450 have the same specs (I don't think that is true of the C63/C63S, but I haven't confirmed that yet):

C450

605 - 19" AMG Multi-spoke (Titanium Grey)606 - 19" AMG Multi-spoke (Black)
C63/C63S

662 - 19" AMG Cross-Spoke Forged (Matte Black)
I updated the comparison (colors and C63/C63S references to make it easier to understand, and I added the AMG Sport Steering Wheel):





It could be argued that AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7-Speed Transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC should also be red since they are both tuned differently than that of the C400, but I think this does a pretty good job of identifying the differences.

HelenR

No offense to those who have one, and if do and it fits your needs, then that's all you need, but the C400 was an unusual MB epic fail.

The C450 will finish what the C400 beta testing kinda was, and should dramatically address the issues on handling well documented, more power, and an AMG, or at least closer to the purist definition of an AMG.

I would test the C300 and picture it tighter, and with more power and have no issues buying it sight unseen. The few C400s made are long gone, my dealer had a couple at 18% off MSRP to move them, and they stopped their production early in the game.

c4004matic

Doesn't really matter since the C 400 is now the C450. I am just amused at all the expert reviewers that never drove one giving their opinions and heralding that the 450 is so much better when the car doesnt exist as of yet, at least in the US. Desktop experts!!! Well now they'll have their chance to put their money where their mouth is. Dont expect any of them to do so since desktop experts are just bags of hot air.
Also dont expect anymore C450's on dealers than there were C400, the reason is simple its fairly expensive for a C and for 10k more than a fully equipped 450 you can get a stripper C63 which is areal AMG instead of boy racer sticker upgrade. The desktop reviewers just dont understand that AMG is an ENGINE maker, the part that is notably absent from the C450.
Still if you want "normal" C class that punches a lot better than a C300 the 450 will be it.