Just dropped a deposit on an as-yet-un-priced 2017 C43 sedan for October delivery. I've driven BMWs for the past 6 years, my current ride is a 2014 535d. Lease is up in 2 months, and I don't really care for the current crop of BMWs. A 2 series isn't big enough, the steering on the 3/4 series is terrible, I don't want to pay for a 6/7 series, and the 5 series is being replaced in early 2017.

I test drove an Audi S6, and it's a hell of a car, but $80k sticker + low Audi residuals meant a 4 digit lease payment without substantial money down. I was still going to do it anyway, but I wanted to test a C450, just for the hell of it. See if I could get similar enjoyment out of something quite a bit less expensive. I was blown away by how much fun the car is, even with a comparatively crappy transmission (which was immediately noticeable when I jumped back in my 535d after the text drive). And the interior design puts other cars in this class to shame.

So I made a bet that the 9 speed would improve the only main weakness I was able to identify, and put in my order. We agreed upon a % under msrp as final pricing is still not available (which I'd rather not disclose, as I don't want this to turn into a pricing discussion).

Order specs are as follow:

Selenite Grey Metallic
P88 Saddle Brown Performance Seat Package (includes 555 AMG performance seats)
H07 Linden Wood (dictated by P88, dealer is telling me other trim options are not available)
661 AMG 5-Spoke wheels
P03 Premium 3 Package
996 Parking Assist Package
U78 AMG Performance Exhaust
281 AMG Performance Wheel
413 Panorama Sunroof


I've got most major boxes checked except for the safety nannies, which I generally have no use for, and don't want. I am disappointed they dumped the dynamic LEDs into a package (P4) for this model year versus a stand-alone (you get non-adaptive LEDs as part of P2 or P3). I also wanted to get silver fiberglass with the saddle brown, but the dealer told me MB rejected this configuration, and that only Linden wood is available.

What do you think of my build? Anything you would change? Anything worthwhile to add? Anything I should know about MB in general, as it's my first?

Thanks!

 

Welcome to MBWorld and grats on the upcoming pickup. Love when we get bmw converts as MB really is eye opening. Looks like a pretty solid configuration. Only thing personally for me would be not dropping for upgraded wheels as I'd replace with larger and lighter aftermarket performance wheel options.

 

Congrats man... Should be a sweet ride

 

Not a fan of the wood option.

If I could order again - I would have order the performance seats, just food for thought.

Congrats!

 

661 is the standard 18" wheels. The factory upgrade options aren't tremendous on this model, so I agree with you there.

 

P88 includes the performance seats. And, yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the wood, but I am a huge fan of the saddle brown. Unfortunately, they come together as a package deal now, apparently. I tried to spec the silver fiber, but mb rejected the order when the dealer sent it in. Said Linden wood only.

Thanks!

 

I don't think your dealer is correct. You should be able to select carbon fiber or the silver fiberglass trim as an option with P88 for $1,300 extra.

 

Oh, my bad. Nice. Definitely would do those. The standard seats don't hug my body enough.

You can always wrap the trim, but I'd be likely to forego the entire option if I couldn't get the trim I wanted. (For reference, I have been drooling to have brown interior for a couple of years now, but haven't been able to pull it off.)

 

hi I put in an order for a c43 as well. but haven't negotiated the price yet. What's the %off MSRP you got if you wouldn't mind me asking. thanks.

---- Sorry, I thought this was a PM. you can PM me.

Btw, I do not like Linden wood. The black ash wood is standard on C43 and my personal feeling is that looks way better than linden.
The lighting package (full adaptive LED) no longer is a stand-alone option as they bundled it into Premium 04 package - I HATE IT! but a smart move by MB as they got me! I opted for P4 package just to get the lighting package. In this level of cars, I think the fancy lights is a must have - again just my 2cents.

 

The Black ash is now standard on the 2017 C43 sedan, rather than a $325 upcharge. The black gloss is no longer offered, and linden wood is a no-cost option on most trims. The carbon fiber and silver fiberglass are $975, down from $1300.

You could definitely get those trims with the saddle brown designo on the 2016 C450, but at least for now they are only allowing Linden wood with that package for 2017 C43. I'm not sure why the dealer would talk me out of a $975 upcharge, given they are getting a % of msrp on the sale, so I'm inclined to believe them.

If someone has had a different experience, believe me, I'd love to tell them they are wrong.

Thanks!

 

I've noticed with my last 2 cars that I spent a lot of time worrying about trim when I ordered the vehicle, and initially, it grabs more attention. But after driving and owning the car for a while, it kind of disappears, and whatever the seats are trimmed in becomes much more important. If I have to suffer through fake-looking real wood to get the seats in the right color and of high quality leather and stitching, I will.

I don't know that it's a good choice on MB's part to limit options like that (especially within a $6,000 interior trim package on a $50,000 car), but I'm used to German vehicle configuration nonsense. Kind of goes with the territory.

In a somewhat related topic, Audi has a lower lease residual on an S6 Prestige (52%) than the S6 Premium Plus (54%). Works out to a $1500+ reduction in the residual on the vehicle as a penalty for choosing an option package, most of which can be spec'ed individually on the premium plus line anyway.

BMW likes to limit color and trim choices (interior and exterior) based on which "line" you choose. No, you cannot have that particular blue within the M-sport line, you must choose the luxury line.

 

Congrats but don't get your hopes up on that October delivery.

 

Do you live in the US by any chance? Your guys' options are so much different than ours. Here in Canada, there was only one premium package (included everything I wanted), an amg drivers package (exhaust, rims, etc), and the intelligent package (drivers assists). Also, I was able to choose dynamic LEDs and AHA as a standalone option through my dealer. The funny thing is, the dynamic LEDs + AHA is advertised as a ~1k option, but choosing them as standalone only cost $600 lol. Congrats on your purchase btw!

 

Yes, I'm in the US. I should have mentioned that.

We have a 4 tiered "premium" package structure for 2017, where Premium 1 is standard, premium 2 includes all options in premium 1, P3 includes P1&2, and P4 includes 1-3.

P2 includes things that should be standard such as power folding mirrors, and is pretty much obligatory. P3 is basically navigation & upgraded infotainment. P4 is safety nannies & adaptive cruise control.

However, they put fixed LEDs in P2 (projector LED low beams, reflective LED high beams, LED taillamps), and active LEDS (pivoting dual high/low projectors + cornering lights) in P4. No stand-alone optioning possible.

The upcharge for p4 versus p3 is $3250 on the C300, so I would expect similar on the C43. The only thing I would actually want on my car from the list of features is the adaptive LEDs.


I spent $1900 to put adaptive LEDs on my 535d versus xenons back in 2013. Trying to hold strong on this one! lol We'll see if I can last until the build is final.

 

Haha good luck man. The last thing you want is to regret skimping out on the LEDs.