Originally Posted by GringoBling

are you sure? The C63 has a heavy V8 up front, i would think the C450 uses something different

Originally Posted by Mr. J

Let me start by saying, the M276 motor in these cars is a very nice motor.
A C400 is basically a top trim C300 with the M276 motor installed.
A C450 has an AMG designed variable suspension (which does not stand up well to the competition) and steering, the M276 motor (which I may have mentioned is a very nice motor), a sport exhaust, adjustable drive modes, and aggressive ECU mapping.
A C43 has an upgraded transmission which shifts more aggressively and is much sportier than the one it replaced, although it does have some quirks. Early versions of the C43 still had the crap suspension, but the 18s and 19s I've driven seem much improved.

The sport exhaust on the c450 is fun. The PE on the C43 is even more fun.

One thing the C450 and C43 have in common is that they beg to be driven hard. However, if you indulge them and actually put some hard miles on them, they will rapidly eat brakes and tires. I am not kidding. If you are a lead foot you should expect tires and brakes to last half the lifetime as those from a regular car would last. Also, these cars have crappy wheels. As in brittle and easy to crack. Do not get up-sold on the AMG wheels. You are much better off with aftermarket wheels and tires. The AMG 19s are pretty but they are super fragile. Ask me how I know.

I would avoid a C450 unless it's a really good deal. A MY 2018 or newer C43 is actually a very nice ride with most of the quirks worked out. A low mileage C400 is also a very nice sleeper and can be really quick if you put a JB4 on it.

Originally Posted by alexasa

I preferred the c450 7g to the 9g transmission. It had better gear ratios for sporty driving. 9g has just as many annoying quirks as the 7g had with the exception of comfort mode being easier to drive.

and I didn't have to replace brakes on my c450 for the lifespan of the 45,000 mile lease.

and once I got decent tires on the car they also lasted the treadwear rating.

Originally Posted by Mr. J

I do slightly prefer the driving behavior of the old 7g for DD in comfort. The dead pedal effect in the 7g, especially in S+, is pretty bad though and I much prefer the 9g in my GLC43 for aggressive driving in S+.

You must be a very conservative driver if you did not need brakes over a 45,000 period. My C450 made it almost 30,000 before I needed brakes on all corners. My GLC43 made it only 23,000 before it needed rear brakes, but the fronts are still OK at 30,000. Wear sensors activated for both vehicles when there was still a sufficient amount of pad thickness remaining. However, pad wear (inside vs outside was uneven on both vehicles. My experience closely mirrors most the other '43 and '63 owners I've interacted with online and at the ADA.

I'm hoping to get better life out of the Cont DWS06 that I put on the GLC43. The MIchelin AS3+ lasted just over 20,000 miles for the fronts, rears were fine. They were worn down to the cords only on the interior edge. The rest of the tread surface looked fine. You had to feel the interior surface by hand or rotate the wheel to full lock to notice how worn they had become. The Michelins are soft but I really like the way they perform on the sedan. You can push them very hard. Limit of traction is very linear. You can push right to the point of a little slip and then back it off again with minimal drama.

Originally Posted by alexasa

turn off traction control. the only way they wont last if you're turning traction control off is being a red light racer or tracking the car.

Originally Posted by b6tbfmp

. Correct as I think 55:45 but close as what you said. As for the brakes the 400 has 13.7” I believe and the 450 has the same 14.2” like the 43/63.

Originally Posted by DylanM

My C400 has the Brembo brakes / calipers (you can see the logo)...

Originally Posted by GringoBling

are they?? Where!?? That's exciting I wanna go look.