Yeti575

Z4 with Merc logo, wheels and diffuser ?

LogicDSS

I really don't understand why some people are so stuck on what number Mercedes decides to brand the car with or if they choose to put an AMG badge on it out not.

When i bought my C450 it was because i fell in love with it. I tried the C300 and it was a little too dull for me. I tried the C63s and i loved it, but i have 2 small babies so not a "safe" choice.

People seem to forget why they bought the car in the first place... And to the AMG owners that are offended at the new C450/C43 AMG, well, you are just vain and snob. You are not better because you have a C63.

stealth.pilot

I think people forget that luxury cars are a Veblen good. When you lower the entry price of such a brand, it does devalue the brand.

That said its a business decision. If people don't like it, the Panamera Junior will be coming up in a couple of years.

LogicDSS

I guarantee you that 90% of the general population can't make the difference between a C300 out C63s. The exclusivity feeling is only in the head of the owner.

stealth.pilot

That's true. But it's not only in the head of the owner. It's also in the pricing.

I think the net impact of this is they will sell less C63s and more C450s.

Kirkster

the value is going to take a dump regardless of waiting or not.

Kirkster

Agreed. I'm surprised as to how many folks don't have a clue as to what an AMG is anyway. If you are one of the few that does know, then you will probably know the differences with the number changes. Let's face the reality here. AMG & MB wants to sell cars. If I can get myself into a badged AMG for a few grand more vs. 20K to 30K more guess what, I'm going to do it. AMG's new strategy will work on me. I'm in.

ddeliber

Probably true. But I also think that in the long run MB will sell fewer C's and companies like BMW will sell more 3's as a result. Not because of the difference in the cars but because the non-enthusiast will think there is a difference and the salespeople will sell it that way.

I just think there are a lot more people that want a bit more than a C300 than there are that can be sold on an AMG. In fact I'd bet that a lot of them don't want an AMG because of what they perceive one to be.

Rob CL

Seems to me, they're doubling down on a goal to extract more "AMG money" from the unknowing and/or budget-oriented buyer.

And with that, you provide a mechanism for potentially higher service rates and parts pricing.

Quite the slight of hand. You could almost call it bait and switch. Almost.

oldman&theC

Does anyone know what changes will be made to the C450 to make it a C43? Is it possible that the C43 is just a badge change and it is equiped the same as the C450? The C & D article says "renamed" but does not say if it will be upgraded with more equipment.

stealth.pilot

My understanding is its just renaming. The C450 already has a lot of AMG mechanical components.

mvw

Yeah, sometimes I have to remind myself that I am not better than others because of the awesome stuff I have ... I would still be better than them even if I didn't have such awesome stuff

tmoneyC450amg

IMHO i still think the name C43 sounds weak. Why not a C45...are they planning to release a C43 and a C45 in the future???

AMGAffalterbach

That would make more sense because the CLA45 would be more on par with the performance of the C45, versus the C43 which is just out of place in the naming scheme.

If they went back to actually naming through displacement it would be weird, a C30 and a C40 AMG... don't like the sound of that. If they went with C45 for entry level, essentially just dropping the 0 off the C450, and then had a C63 AMG above it that would make a little more sense.

BenzC400

I bet the horsepower will be increased a little, much like the difference between a C400 and C450. If not initially, then certainly in the following year.

OC6.3AMG

It's actually better this way and makes something like the C63 S that much better.

C300 -> C43 AMG -> C63 AMG -> C63 S AMG

wait! why not just slap an AMG on C300 and name it the C30?

AMGAffalterbach

Or, even better (sarcasm), you could do what Infiniti did and rename the entire lineup starting with the same letter and going up in increments of 10. The entire Mercedes lineup could be AMG10, AMG20, AMG30, AMG40, AMG50, AMG60, and the like.

Or, EVEN BETTER we could name the engines/trims after Starbucks cup sizes, the C-Class Tall, C-Class Grande, C-Class Venti.

MJ50

that's why they should've kept it as C450 Sport or even C450 AMG...
then ppl know it's C450 with AMG or sport package...

those 2 digit numbers are what differentiates AMG models...

MJ50

it's the confusion that "C43" brings...
BMW's M235i is not same as M2 and ppl know it...
C43 AMG and C63 AMG is very confusing...

MJ50

i wouldn't be surprised if 550 models soon become 53 AMG...

OC6.3AMG

We have room for C36 too!

Zand3rs

The change will be active in June. Just got my answer from Daimler!
All cars ordered before that will be called 450.

Really puts me in a spot i am so glad i saw this before i went and signed on a car.
Even if the AMG C43 might not be a complete AMG its still better than having a newly delivered 450that is old in one month.

inhartwetrust

Good to know, thanks Zand!

nvestr

I highly doubt that - not sure why they would have it go any closer to the C63. I really can't see them making ANY changes whatsoever besides badging.

The C400 was changed immediately because it was a bust (not competing well against S4 and 335/340) - it was unsuccessful in terms of sales. The C450 does appear to be successful - no reason to fix what is not broken. I would be very surprised if there were any mechanical changes whatsoever. They need to save mechanical upgrades for the next time their competitors up the ante, not before.

LogicDSS

There is nothing confusing about it. It's just a number! It doesn't change the performance of the C63 or the real badasses of AMG the E63 or S63/65.

It's just marketing...nothing more. You can still feel special knowing you have a hand built engine and the C43 doesn't, but at the end of the day the average Joe on the street has no clue about any of this.

If you enjoy driving your car that's what matters.