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Hello MB World. My most modern MB was an almost optionless W203 - 2006 C230 sport, 6-speed manual, no sunroof. Current daily driver is a 1997 E300 Diesel. I'm ready to get back into a modern car, and really like the C450/C43. I used my C230 on the track (HPDE) and at autocrosses and I miss that, so these higher performance cars really appeal to me. For better headroom, for a helmet, I may need to stick with the C450 sedan, because I know those are available without the panoramic sunroof. Were many C43 sedans or coupes delivered with no sunroof? I haven't found one without the sunroof to sit in, but I sat in a C450 sedan with the sunroof and there's no way I'll fit with a helmet. I'm 6'2" and bought the C230 because I fit in it with a helmet on.
Also, I need to familiarize myself with the options that were available on these cars. I know that the things that come standard changes over time, and option packages get re-arranged over time, so what's the easiest way to learn what was available on the cars in 2016, 2017, 2018? I've seen a number of buttons above the headlight switch control on C450s (pics below), but most of the C43s have no buttons there. Were these functions moved to on-screen menus or something? What are these controls?
Thanks in advance for all your forthcoming assistance!
Oh, I forgot to say that I am familiar with modern tech on cars. My wife now has a 2022 Volvo XC60 and I've had to learn everything because the dealer salespeson was not well trained. I've had to train the wife myself, so I get all the modern safety and tech features in the industry in general.
Oh, I forgot to say that I am familiar with modern tech on cars. My wife now has a 2022 Volvo XC60 and I've had to learn everything because the dealer salespeson was not well trained. I've had to train the wife myself, so I get all the modern safety and tech features in the industry in general.
Top picture has the driver’s assistance package. Turning off the parking sensors have now moved to the console.
middle has HUD.
Bottom has none of the above.
I've seen several C450's with no sunroof, but I don't think I've seen a single C43 sedan or coupe for sale with no sunroof. Has anyone seen this? Did MB make it a standard feature on C43? Thanks.
I've seen several C450's with no sunroof, but I don't think I've seen a single C43 sedan or coupe for sale with no sunroof. Has anyone seen this? Did MB make it a standard feature on C43? Thanks.
I don’t know that one. It may be like the AMG package. Optional, but every car the dealer ordered for stock had it.
I have owned my C450 for a while now and it has been a fantastic car, although it may be finding a new home this weekend.
As @Elvisfan0108 stated, those buttons will vary depending on options. For example, I have HUD but no distronic so it appears just as the second photo shown.
Most of the higher model cars are going to equipped with the panoramic roof because for so many people that is a must-have option. You can find one without it but it's going to be tough.
I have owned my C450 for a while now and it has been a fantastic car, although it may be finding a new home this weekend.
As @Elvisfan0108 stated, those buttons will vary depending on options. For example, I have HUD but no distronic so it appears just as the second photo shown.
Most of the higher model cars are going to equipped with the panoramic roof because for so many people that is a must-have option. You can find one without it but it's going to be tough.
I wish the sunroof was optional on most cars. I have a convertible, which I love. But on our other cars, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had the sunroof open. Or even just had the shade open. When we are in the convertible, we want that experience. When in the SUV we want it closed up.
I really like the one found at CarFax link above. Its details are here https://www.lastvin.com/vin/az1nGEyXWpJdxv67l. How does one find maintenance/repair history from MB dealerships?
- The CarFax ad has some info here: https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...846h3SI1cttM0Y
- Can I just call local MB dealers, give the VIN, and get information? For some reason, I think if they had it, they would only give it to an owner, not a perspective buyer.
The controls on the left side of the wheel:
- Large size top one is wipers
- Small size middle one is steering wheel adjustment (and heated wheel if equipped)
- Medium sized bottom one, what is that? Did the cruise control get moved down to the bottom? It used to be on top.
Last edited by GermanCarShow; 03-31-2022 at 02:53 PM.
Well, the carfax info showed 1 trip to a dealer in NC in 2018 when ownership transferred. So I called their service department and they confirmed only 1 trip to ANY of the dealers in NC from 2018 onward. So, this car's been maintained by independent shops. There is a carfax report from a Valvoline quick oil change place, and also a lien on the car, so that's not encouraging. Previous owner obviously tried to own the car and not pay for proper care. It's too bad, since this car is just the kind that I'd be interested in buying. Well, I'm in no hurry. I'll keep looking for a C43 also, to get that sweet 9-speed tranny.
Found a c450 without sunroof "local", it's 2.5 hours away. I don't have time to test drive until April 8th. Hopefully the car is still there and I can see in person if the headroom is better.
I just snagged a 2016 C450 and I'm in love with it. To me it's a super sleeper, like people don't know what it is and think it's just some random Benz, but they quickly learn it's a monster. Mine didn't come with a sunroof, and I got mine from Carvana.
@C450AMGCT Did you get to drive cars with and without sunroof? Wondering what your observations are regarding headroom differences.
Yep I've owned a 2000 C230K, a 98 C43, and a 11 C300, all with sunroofs. I honestly didn't realize it didn't have one until it arrived, but I was fine with it. I'm 5'10 and it doesn't feel cramped or anything.
I meant specifically c450 with and without during your car search.
I'm 6'2" and need to wear a helmet for autocross and HPDE track days. My 2006 c230 had no sunroof for that very reason.
I've sat in a c450 with panoramic sunroof. My hair brushes the headliner when in a comfortable seating position. Hopefully that car 2.5 hours away will still be on the lot next weekend for me to drive.
Last edited by GermanCarShow; 04-02-2022 at 01:56 AM.
sunroof was standard option on the c43. I'm 6'4 and still can get a fist over my head in the lowest seating position in the standard seats WITH the sunroof. Without the sunroof, you could probably fit a helmet with a gopro ontop lol.
I've heard performance seats are higher than standard - Not really sure on that one. But all are variables here.
I also preferred the 7 speed in the c450 to the 9 in my c43. (not for comfort but for driving hard)
The coupes in the US come standard with the panorama roof, but the sedans from what I remember could be ordered with a solid roof, regular sunroof or panorama roof, Most that you'll find will have a sunroof or panorama roof as in the US that's kind of a requirement on luxury cars. Dealers don't order them w/o sun/panorama roofs, unless a customer specifically orders it without. The amount of headroom I believe is also different depending on whether you have the standard seats or the AMG performance seats. I have a '19 C63S coupe with the performance seats at their lowest setting and at 5'11" I can still put about a fist between my head and the glass of the panorama roof. I actually haven't worn a helmet in it yet, so don't know how much room I would have left, but I wore a helmet in several AMG GTs with the performance seats. I believe they have less headroom than the C63, but not a 100% positive. You probably need to sit in one to know for sure.
As said above, the buttons above the light switch depend on the equipment. If there are no buttons then it's one that doesn't have the driving assistance, parking assistance packages, and HUD. In the AMGs including the C43 the parking sensor button is above the light switch as most of the center console buttons are taken up by drive functions such as the manual mode for the transmission, exhaust valves (if equipped with the optional performance exhaust) etc. which you won't find in a regular C Class. I believe there are also some differences between the PFL (2018 and earlier) and the FL (2019+). The button for the optional 360 camera is in the center console now with the 2019+, which I believe in the PFL was also above the light switch.
Here's the array of switches in my C63 with all the options except for the HUD. So the 5th missing button in mine would be for the HUD, but not sure what the 6th one is reserved for as there isn't anything else I haven't optioned. The 4th button is unique to the coupe and I think the cab. It's to manually extend the seat belt extender. The sedan doesn't have a seat belt extender as the B-piller is further forward.
Here's the full center console button array for the AMGs (2019+ at least)
Last edited by superswiss; 04-04-2022 at 09:59 PM.
sunroof was standard option on the c43. I'm 6'4 and still can get a fist over my head in the lowest seating position in the standard seats WITH the sunroof. Without the sunroof, you could probably fit a helmet with a gopro ontop lol.
I've heard performance seats are higher than standard - Not really sure on that one. But all are variables here.
As I said above, my hair brushes the headliner in a c450 with pano roof and normal seats. Either you have a much more reclined seating position than me, or several less vertebra.
The coupes in the US come standard with the panorama roof, but the sedans from what I remember could be ordered with a solid roof, regular sunroof or panorama roof, Most that you'll find will have a sunroof or panorama roof as in the US that's kind of a requirement on luxury cars. Dealers don't order them w/o sun/panorama roofs, unless a customer specifically orders it without.
Nice to know it actually was a c43 sedan option, thanks.
I probably don't have the budget for a facelift 2019+, but thanks for the details on the options and controls.
As I said above, my hair brushes the headliner in a c450 with pano roof and normal seats. Either you have a much more reclined seating position than me, or several less vertebra.
I set my car's up with a proper track seating position, obviously you could have a longer torso - but I am also not speaking on the pano roof. Just standard sunroof.
And, the c43 was not available with a solid roof, just the standard sunroof.
I've always actually wondered if there is really a difference in headroom w/ and w/o the sunroof/panaroof. MB doesn't seem to publish different headroom measurements. I can only find one. Especially the panoroof opens up and slides over the roof, so there is no room needed between the headliner and the roof to fit the glass while open. Of course there's still the mechanism in there, but I just sat in my coupe, and the lowest part is actually the headliner by the door frame which intrudes pretty far into the cabin. I'd think that's the first thing one bangs into. I've banged into that part in lower slung super cars even w/o a helmet and a solid roof. I just realized that at my 5'11" I can fit one fist between my head and the headliner at the highest point, but even two fists between my head and the glass, so if anything the panroof gives more headroom.
... and the lowest part is actually the headliner by the door frame which intrudes pretty far into the cabin. I'd think that's the first thing one bangs into.
But my point is, that part has nothing to do with having or not having a sunroof/panoroof. That's simply a function of where the window ends and how much it is curved inwards for aerodynamic purposes. If you look at the proportions, even for the sedan, that edge is pretty much where your head is. The bulk comes from the curtain airbag tucked away in the headliner above the doors and windows, and not the sunroof/panoroof.
Last edited by superswiss; 04-05-2022 at 04:06 PM.
My C230 didn't have the overhead airbags, so this is a good point. I do know I hit my head (or hair, in this case) right at that point on the C450. I just have to sit in a sunroof-less example to know the facts. Looking at pictures of both online at carmax.com, where you have 360 interior view, you can see the contours of the headliner related to the area under the sun visor and over to the grab handle, and it just looks like that without a sunroof that there would be more headroom, even by the grab handle and window.
Last edited by GermanCarShow; 04-05-2022 at 04:35 PM.
My C230 didn't have the overhead airbags, so this is a good point. I do know I hit my head (or hair, in this case) right at that point. I just have to sit in a sunroof-less example to know the facts. Looking at pictures of both online at carmax.com, where you have 360 interior view, you can see the contours of the headliner related to the area under the sun visor and over to the grab handle, and it just looks like that without a sunroof that there would be more headroom, even by the grab handle and window.
From those pictures it certainly has a slightly different contour with the sunroof. Question is how much of a difference that makes. Next time I'm in my car I take a pic of the coupe. One thing to be aware of is the coupe doesn't have the grab handle, so there is one less thing up there taking up space.
Ok, here you go. This is how it looks in the coupe. Seems less bulky than in the sedan. However, the coupe is overall lower and therefore has slightly less headroom. The seats go lower in the coupe to create additional headroom at the top, but overall there's less space between the floor and the roof.
03-30-2022, 04:30 PM
