Alright - one week in, and just back from the dealer who had to finish a few things on the we owe including the pinstripe delete. In the process they dinged the rear bumper so it's going back again next week...these things happen and the dealer immediately acknowledged it and would fix it, but nevertheless wasn't super excited about it.

Pics here btw:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...w-me-c450.html


Loves:
- Individual mode with manual shifting - I can't believe i'm saying this but I'm not really missing my old manual at all. Per other folks on the forums complaining about hard down shifts to first - so long as i'm a slow speed didn't have an issue at all - works just like a manual does (get in to first too quick and it will jerk ya). Don't seem to be having a 2nd gear issue in the trans - but again i haven't been in comfort mode much.
- The noise - love love love. It's just ridiculous enough. finally getting a handle on how to throttle on and off to make it sing
- Handling - in sport+ mode or individual, this thing has just enough give and response out of the road to make almost any road at any speed fun. Doesn't just get fun at higher speeds.
- Looks - this thing is a total sleeper and for that i love it. Couple of folks already found that out the hard way ;-) If i went with a C43 I'd think about a de-badge, but that's me.

Quibbles:
- Stereo. I can't believe how anemic it is. I don't have the burmester but my loaner c300 did, and it was maybe 20% better? I'm coming from an accord with a stock "premium" audio system that blows it out of the water. fortunately i've had the windows down listening to the exhaust most of the time anyway ;-)
- Run Flats. Ugh, but no surprise here. Drove through middle of philadelphia on a road under construction and it was not too much of a picnic. Road noise/handling/comfort under regular conditions were fine though.

Overall I'm so happy with it!

 

Enjoy your car!

 

I have a c450. Love it. Did an ecu tune that added 90-100 hp according to tuner who has tune other mb's that go to the track here in homestead fl. The car is a beast now.
Future car: e63s amg in 2019

 

Very nice - is this a piggyback or straight reprogram?

i haven't found too many spots where i'd need the additional oomph but maybe in another few weeks ;-)

 

i mean why wait? ;-) I have this exact car a go and...well, just wow.

https://www.mercedes-benz-west-chest...hf7gb5gb248525

 

Ecu tune
I had peer pressure to do it!!! One colleague with a porsche gt3, another with a vette z1, another with a m4. So i had to push mibe a little bit more. Lol. Now is 450-460 hp.

 

ECU tune is definitely recommended! AMR Performance has the highest power tune on the market so I would recommend that one. I have their stage 1 on my 43 and I love it!