Yes, the c450/c43 (same car essentially. Only difference is 7spd vs 9spd trannys) is Mercedes first time offering a car in the S4 & 340i segment.
As you can see, I own a c450. Here is my story of how I chose it over the B9 S4 that I was originally eyeing.
I was an Audi die hard. For the last 15 years, I always considered them the silent superior of the German "Big 3". Then last year since I had to wait for the new B9 S4, I figured that I'd give everything else in this segment, and a few that are close to it, some thorough and honest consideration. It of course came down to the big 3 in the end. I love so much about the 340i/440i (might have gone with a RWD 440i Gran Coupe if I lived in a warm climate as you can't deny BMW's handle the best of the 3) but the craptastic AWD system they've been using for over a decade now with little, if any, improvements they've made kept it from being the winner. They drive so well, look great, and the DCT is so so smooth that I could overlook their dated and re-re-re-re-used interior but with my trips to the mountains, I require top tier AWD capabilities. To which is what always kept me in the Quattro world. Quattro has always been king but lately, 4Matic has come a long ways in the past. So I gave the Benz an honest shot. I drove it and absolutely LOVED it. I didn't have one bad thing to say about it after my first experience with one. I was truly surprised and pleasantly so.
The B9 wasn't out yet so that made this choice a bit difficult as you can imagine. But there were plenty of reviews of the new S4 available and even though no one disliked the new S4, when comparing all the reviews (some by the same company/person), the c450/c43 was a clear cut choice. Essentially everyone loved the new "baby AMG". Most weren't too thrilled with the B9. It was good, but not great. And in my eye, I didn't like how it essentially looked identical to the A4 other than badges and wheels. The same could be said about the 450/43 compared to the c300(when you option the exterior with all the upgrades) but I feel that both cars optioned out as aggressive or as 'sporty' as possible, the Benz looks a bit more special. But hey, to each their own there.
Within a week of ownership I had my Blizzaks on it and was blasting through the snow with a huge grin on my face. I only
feel as if this 4Matic is better than the B5/B6 Quattro cars I had been accustomed to, but I
know that I made the right car choice.
I love Audi's, but now I love Mercedes-Benz's
Only good pic I have of her so far:
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Originally Posted by Scalways
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