TAOrookie

Hello,

I am familiar with C43 > C450 > C400 , but not too sure what would be recommended more as a first time MB owner.

Would it be safe to purchase a used one, as in, any major maintenance issue to look out for? I have always owned JDM or KDM cars and I do my own oil changes and any other small maintenance shenanigans. Anything I should look out for?
Would buying a higher mileage C43 amg be better than a C450?

GringoBling

C400 is nearly identical to the C450. The C450 has roughly 10% more hp/tq and slightly higher compression pistons. The C43 is the same car. They all run about the same quarter and 0-60. I think the newest C43 with the 9 speed does it in 12.7, and the C400 is around 13.3

Newer C43's have a 9 speed transmission which I hear is nice and probably why it hits 12.7 1/4

The C400 has a softer ride than either AMG I've been told, even my C400 sport suspension is pretty smooth.

Now then, for repairs, none of these cars have any particular weak points. They are basically the same engine, which is also used in the E400 and one of the S class coupes. However, since the C450 and C43 say AMG on it, you're going to eat **** on repair prices because the parts have bigger markups. The C400/E400/etc just use normal Mercedes parts which aren't particularly expensive, require no special tools. For example, spark plugs are $16 per, a strut is $200, air filter is $55, etc.

If you are concerned about warranty, then only a C43 AMG will still have warranty on it for any decent period of time. The extended warranty costs are absurd tho, like over $5000 for 2 years.

tl;dr, the difference between C400 and C450 is so minimal I wouldn't buy a C450. If I wanted more than a C400, I would get the C43 AMG but only if it has the new 9 speed trans. Otherwise I would save $20,000 and get a C400.

DylanM

^ That is a fair take. If you can find a CPO'd one, even better.

GringoBling

Agreed. Mine had a few months left of warranty when I got it. I took it to my local dealership, which is fantastic, and said "do everything you can possibly think of on this car by June 2019!". So they did the front axle update, sunroof update, acoustic glass on the front doors, COMAND update, and some leaky o-ring on the rear diff while they were at it, all not charge.

To OP: the only thing, which I forgot about, on the C400 is a certain number of early run C400's had front axles that would start to click over time. I was told by MB that the clicking is just annoying, and not technically defective, but they WILL replace them for free if you ask. They replace in pairs, and put a new 2 year warranty on both sides.

bzammitt

I had this same dilemma and ended up in a C400 for about ~$10k less than a C450. I don’t regret it at all. I have BMS intakes and a JB4 and the car is a great, comfortable, performance sedan. I am out of warranty and my axles are clicking, I’ll be replacing them with a used axle with the updated part number/design (~$250). Besides that, I love my car and the ONLY thing I still might change is the exhaust. I’d like it to be a little louder to feel more connected to the car. When my car hits 100k miles I’ll be getting rid of it and likely getting another W205. If I can find one, I’ll get a low mileage C400 at the time. If not, I’ll likely spend the extra and get the C450 and be mad at myself because it won’t be worth the extra money lol

BayAreaAMG

I was in the same situation last year, I've only got a KDM and JDM background with almost no knowledge of German cars.

I bought a C450 and love the car, it had almost a year of warranty remaining and the dealership near me repaired a few things that I discovered was wrong with it (including peeling paint on the roof). I got a good deal on my C450 and the only thing I thought was wrong with it was the poor repainting of the clear coat on the front end, which I fixed myself with some sanding and polishing.

In my opinion, I would go for a C450 or the C43 if you can stretch the budget a bit, just for peace in mind of having a remaining warranty. As the other person mentioned, the extended warranty is just absurd, my dealer wants $5000 for 3 more years and I strongly believe I will not get my moneys worth within those 3 years.

What I would recommend however, is to take the VIN of whatever car you are interested in buying and ask your local Mercedes for the "master vehicle inquiry" report, which will show you the entire history of the car if it was taken care of at a dealership. My car had a leaky driveshaft and the entire front driveshaft was replaced a couple months before I bought it.. a $1600 repair.

allanyeung99

I own a C400, got it with 15k miles, now has 28.5k One main issue is the CV Axles are a bad design on C400s, and you can hear knocking around 25k miles, and I'm starting to hear it on my car now, other than that Its an amazing car, I recently got it tuned by DME Tuning, and it feels like a brand new car, havent gotten to dyno it yet but supposedly its at 480hp crank with downpipes. Another thing that I was bummed about was that C450 and C43 had an "AMG Tune" on it to where you could hear exhaust pops at 2000-3000 rpms, for c400, itll pop at 3000-4000 rpms. All the package options between the C400 and C450/C43 are the same except for the little amg tune up. Overall, I wish I could have gotten C450/C43 but only because of the exhaust pops at lower rpms, and missing out of the factory warranty on C450/C43 so I had to pay for my services.

GringoBling

have you asked MBUSA if they will goodwill repair it for you? They replaced my seat after my warranty expired, no charge.

BayAreaAMG

Ohh yea good point on the exhaust pops too, it's very awesome to have and makes the drive experience more fun. I do not believe the C400 had the AMG fender badges either? That is one other small difference, but to me makes it look nicer.

GringoBling

correct, it does not have AMG badging, but it did come with the AMG wheels and interior and body cladding standard I think.

GringoBling

I'm in the same boat as you, not sure what to do after my C400 is dead or whatever. It was almost a fluke of a car, only made it for one year, then tuned it called it 450AMG for a year and the price went way the hell up lol

allanyeung99

Most people wont consider C400 an amg cause it doesnt have that amg tune. But It has an "amg" package that includes amg wheels and amg floor mats.

allanyeung99

Who do I have to talk to, to get the cv axles replaced for free? Does it depend on the state cause I think my dealership wont replace it for free, they were asking like $5k.

GringoBling

I would call MBUSA directly and ask them about it, maybe they will meet you halfway or something idk maybe I just got lucky. I do bring my dealership donuts ocassionally.

GringoBling

I agree its not an AMG car.

allanyeung99

damn alright thanks.

bzammitt

I have 70k miles now, I don’t think they’ll do anything lol

b6tbfmp

Aside from similar engine family of the M276, the 450/43 have different brakes, suspension, and revised transmission. In addition, with dynamic select and AMG adaptive suspension, and the true Manual mode gear change, the tranny is rear biased compared with the 400. Is that worth 10k imo? No but respectively both good choices.

netboy

C450 also have bigger brakes than C400.
i have a couple of times on freeway that i have to slam on brakes hard when you realized traffics in front stopped.

bzammitt

the brakes are marginally larger, the C400 brakes are still a decent size. And also much cheaper to replace

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

front suspension is probably the biggest different from c400 -> c450

c400 has c300 parts. c450 has c63 parts.

GringoBling

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

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.

Mr. J

C400 is still rear biased. Same ratio as a C300 4 matic. 60:40, I think. C400 also has big calipers up front just like the C450. I don't think they have the same fancy drilled 2 piece rotors but I think they have the same calipers.

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.