C400 Reliable? Tuned potential?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 586
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From: Phoenix AZ
2005 C55 AMG - 2018 340i - 2006 SL55 AMG - Sold
C400 Reliable? Tuned potential?
Two quick questions:
1. Is the C400 generally reliable? The big issue I hear about is front axel noise on the early C400 and C450 which many dealers repaired under warranty/goodwill.
2. How does the C400 compare to the C63 if the C400 gets a tune? Eurocharged claims 480hp and 526ft/lbs from just a stage 1 tune! That puts the C400 right in line with the 476hp-510hp C63!
1. Is the C400 generally reliable? The big issue I hear about is front axel noise on the early C400 and C450 which many dealers repaired under warranty/goodwill.
2. How does the C400 compare to the C63 if the C400 gets a tune? Eurocharged claims 480hp and 526ft/lbs from just a stage 1 tune! That puts the C400 right in line with the 476hp-510hp C63!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 285
From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
That's almost 150hp over stock on a stage 1??? I don't know about that. We have done lots of stage 1 tuning on 400/450 models and stage 1 is about 67hp over stock. Stage 2 is about 100hp over stock.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 323
Likes: 103
From: Central Florida
'15 C400 and '15 ML350
C400/450/43 have all proven very reliable, even when tuned.
Lots of threads already about HP numbers from tunes, what tunes to go with and there is even a high mileage thread that covers most things to expect over time.
Axle noise was just that, noise. It would not cause failure and yes the dealer would cover with warranty. Believe it was just the 400 that has the early version that clicked.
Lots of threads already about HP numbers from tunes, what tunes to go with and there is even a high mileage thread that covers most things to expect over time.
Axle noise was just that, noise. It would not cause failure and yes the dealer would cover with warranty. Believe it was just the 400 that has the early version that clicked.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
C400/450/43 have all proven very reliable, even when tuned.
Lots of threads already about HP numbers from tunes, what tunes to go with and there is even a high mileage thread that covers most things to expect over time.
Axle noise was just that, noise. It would not cause failure and yes the dealer would cover with warranty. Believe it was just the 400 that has the early version that clicked.
Lots of threads already about HP numbers from tunes, what tunes to go with and there is even a high mileage thread that covers most things to expect over time.
Axle noise was just that, noise. It would not cause failure and yes the dealer would cover with warranty. Believe it was just the 400 that has the early version that clicked.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 931
Likes: 371
From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
I was the happy owner of a C450 for quite some time. If I recall, the C400 had a softer suspension than the C450 and and C43 and was slightly down on power but of course the same M276 which is well renowned for being an extremely reliable powertrain from MB. I never performed any modifications but as a stock vehicle I would consider it to be "quick" for a daily driver but nowhere near as visceral as the C205 C63.
