Anyone ordered an AMG GT-S yet?

Anyone ordered an AMG GT-S yet?

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mattf93

1,273 posts

114 months

Saturday 23rd May 2015
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GTer said:
So I did the difficult part yesterday - paying for it; but I don't get it until next Sat.

I hadn't realised that i have to keep the revs below 4,500 and below 85mph for 1,000 miles. Black box recorder in the engine that would void the warranty if exceeded. Might try and do them all next Sat. :-)
Im sure theres plenty of go up to 4.5K revs anyway. I guess the 'running in' miles in any car are the hardest as you have to show self restraint :/

GTer

73 posts

112 months

Saturday 23rd May 2015
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I think the surprise was that there is a big brother style black box on the engine.. That stays in there.

mattf93

1,273 posts

114 months

Saturday 23rd May 2015
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GTer said:
I think the surprise was that there is a big brother style black box on the engine.. That stays in there.
Does that stay on all the time? :/ Id be wanting to find out why or if it can be removed? haha

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Saturday 23rd May 2015
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Is this 'balck box' any different to the normal running in limitations / guidance that the other AMG's have? My A45 was meant to be run at sub 4krpm and under 80mph for 1000 miles. Of course, i followed this but I never heard anything about a 'black box' recording your every move or warranties being voided if you stepped outside the limits at all. All aspects of your driving will be recorded on the ECU regardless of run in or after, regardless of black box or not. Does this 'black box theory' have any substance? At the end of the day you may be forced to push the car beyond this guideline to avoid incident, or you may forget for a second that you are sub 1000 miles. Merc can't void a warranty for anything other than abuse or modification. Even then they's have a job proving you'd damaged anything to the point where it was at risk!

As for your run in, don't just log 1000 miles of motorway cruising. The engine and box needs mixed loads starting with gentle warm ups in the early miles to a bit more hustle as the miles build up. Just sitting at 70 for 1000 miles will do nothing for the bores or the adaptations that the car goes through with normal use. Use it from the start as you'd use it later on, just bear in mind the guidelines and your car will be healthy for years to come. Don't forget, all AMG engines are bench tested to a degree far higher than you will ever push it, right from new! The run in is simply to allow any issues to raise their heads at a safe speed and in a controlled environment. You don't even have to do a 1000 mile oil change any more!!

GTer

73 posts

112 months

Saturday 23rd May 2015
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Yes he probably means the ECU. I dunno. It just annoyed me a bit as i don't like my every move being logged. Cars are about freedom..

You're absolutely right, the bench testing should be much more taxing than me doing 5,000 rpm.

orbtar

436 posts

182 months

Saturday 23rd May 2015
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GTer said:
Yes he probably means the ECU. I dunno. It just annoyed me a bit as i don't like my every move being logged. Cars are about freedom.
Hope youu don't have a new Range Rover then! They now have full tracking enabled automatically.

Shanksy87

370 posts

121 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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I wouldn't worry about a black box monitoring your every move. It will be a monitor running inside the engine control module software that will flag if the threshold is exceeded. In the event the engine is lunched the dealer can check these monitors, what they do with this information is their choice.

Suggests to me that Mercedes have had early life failures due to hard use and this is their protection, both to prevent failure, and if not adhered to, to prevent an excessive warranty bill against Mercedes.

Palmball

1,267 posts

173 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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There categorically will not be any warranty impact by not following the running in guidelines, even if MB do have visibility of what you do. It just wouldn't be enforceable and if it was that important, Mercedes would have to limit the cars' capabilities for the given period. They don't, and whilst it's best practice to follow their guidelines, it's really not that important.

Look at it this way, if these running-in guidelines were to affect the warranty, then I guess the demo GT that I drove last week (with 400 miles on the clock when I collected it) now has a void warranty laugh Along with, I suspect, any other demo or dealership-operated car where I suspect no running-in guidelines are ever followed.

Palmball

1,267 posts

173 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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ecain63 said:
As for your run in, don't just log 1000 miles of motorway cruising. The engine and box needs mixed loads starting with gentle warm ups in the early miles to a bit more hustle as the miles build up. Just sitting at 70 for 1000 miles will do nothing for the bores or the adaptations that the car goes through with normal use. Use it from the start as you'd use it later on, just bear in mind the guidelines and your car will be healthy for years to come. Don't forget, all AMG engines are bench tested to a degree far higher than you will ever push it, right from new!
In fact, this is spot-on advice.

The engine in particular would benefit from revs very early on to get the best seal - keeping it varied, letting it warm up and cool down properly and not labouring it are, as far as I can tell, the most important principles. I suspect running-in periods these days are more about other components bedding in properly more than the engine itself. Lets put it this way, I've had a few new cars the best ones in terms of relative performance and lack of oil usage are the ones which I've driven hardest from the off.

GTer

73 posts

112 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
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I shall heed all of your sage advice....if I ever get the thing. Delayed another week, apparently still at the factory. Hurumph.

So just to throw this out there - I have been flirting with the idea of selling mine (perhaps a modest premium) and buying a AM Vanquish. Always liked them and the prices are getting towards the right place. Would anyone else do this or is it a bit daft? I know Astons are about 10 years behind the GT and Porsches...but I still like them..

mattf93

1,273 posts

114 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
GTer said:
I shall heed all of your sage advice....if I ever get the thing. Delayed another week, apparently still at the factory. Hurumph.

So just to throw this out there - I have been flirting with the idea of selling mine (perhaps a modest premium) and buying a AM Vanquish. Always liked them and the prices are getting towards the right place. Would anyone else do this or is it a bit daft? I know Astons are about 10 years behind the GT and Porsches...but I still like them..
Completely depends on what you're planning to use the car for? Merc is less showy (although looks very different to every other merc).
Vanquish is a Naturally Aspirated British V12 - if you haven't had one before at least test drive a vanquish and see what you think...
Merc will feel newer in pretty much every single way, I would hope the Aston is more practical with rear seats (for storage) and I guess a bigger boot?

All down to personal taste I guess, but I have always loved the v12 Astons - not everyone shares my views, and cannot get over how dated the sat nav is etc. NA V12 is a dying breed, may as well sample a last hurrah before they go turbocharged/hybrid biggrin

GTer

73 posts

112 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
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Well it's more of a weekend, road trip car (I get the tube to work). A GT if you like...most of the reports have given the impression the GTS is more of a out and out sports car than GT. If the ride is still a bit unforgiving, even in Comfort setting, then I will quickly grow tired of it.

The other thing that bothers me a little is the driving position and the width, especially in London. When I've sat in it (obv never had a chance to drive it) it's a bit like looking over the end of a supertanker. But I've just thought I'd get used to it.

I have driven a few AM's, Vantage and Virage so I know what they are like. The interior and the gearbox has always bothered me as you're right, they are a long way behind.

I dunno. Just mulling.


mattf93

1,273 posts

114 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
GTer said:
Well it's more of a weekend, road trip car (I get the tube to work). A GT if you like...most of the reports have given the impression the GTS is more of a out and out sports car than GT. If the ride is still a bit unforgiving, even in Comfort setting, then I will quickly grow tired of it.

The other thing that bothers me a little is the driving position and the width, especially in London. When I've sat in it (obv never had a chance to drive it) it's a bit like looking over the end of a supertanker. But I've just thought I'd get used to it.

I have driven a few AM's, Vantage and Virage so I know what they are like. The interior and the gearbox has always bothered me as you're right, they are a long way behind.

I dunno. Just mulling.
In terms of the gearbox, 64Reg On I think have more BHP and an 8 speed ZF box which may make a difference (appreciate this is significantly more than you'll want to spend mind you).
I think the good thing with the Vanquish is that its an aston that looks great in colours other than grey - Red, Cobalt Blue, and Frozen (pearlescent) white all look good.

The only way I think you'll be able to find out is to test drive one, find your nearest dealer and see if it wins you over, and in the same day try and organise a test drive in a GTS (possibly from MB World) so that you compare them on the same day?

Interior is nicer in the Vanquish, but the sat nav still isn't the best, and does need the Bang/Olufsen Sound system too. Also some people hate the oval/square steering wheel they offer but think thats personal preference. One things for sure is that the Aston Will sound better and make you feel more special biggrindriving

orbtar

436 posts

182 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
Ŷ
mattf93 said:
GTer said:
Well it's more of a weekend, road trip car (I get the tube to work). A GT if you like...most of the reports have given the impression the GTS is more of a out and out sports car than GT. If the ride is still a bit unforgiving, even in Comfort setting, then I will quickly grow tired of it.

The other thing that bothers me a little is the driving position and the width, especially in London. When I've sat in it (obv never had a chance to drive it) it's a bit like looking over the end of a supertanker. But I've just thought I'd get used to it.

I have driven a few AM's, Vantage and Virage so I know what they are like. The interior and the gearbox has always bothered me as you're right, they are a long way behind.

I dunno. Just mulling.
In terms of the gearbox, 64Reg On I think have more BHP and an 8 speed ZF box which may make a difference (appreciate this is significantly more than you'll want to spend mind you).
I think the good thing with the Vanquish is that its an aston that looks great in colours other than grey - Red, Cobalt Blue, and Frozen (pearlescent) white all look good.

The only way I think you'll be able to find out is to test drive one, find your nearest dealer and see if it wins you over, and in the same day try and organise a test drive in a GTS (possibly from MB World) so that you compare them on the same day?

Interior is nicer in the Vanquish, but the sat nav still isn't the best, and does need the Bang/Olufsen Sound system too. Also some people hate the oval/square steering wheel they offer but think thats personal preference. One things for sure is that the Aston Will sound better and make you feel more special biggrindriving
Why don't you try and get a premium for your GT and buy an SLS. Better, nicer than an Aston, way more comfortable (in my opinion) and it should appreciate while you enjoy it.

Anjum

Original Poster:

1,605 posts

283 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
Saw one in Monaco (Edition 1) - I'm not convinced about the looks in the flesh. Perhaps it was the spec - it's not a race car - and the bloody spoiler looks ridiculous on such a pedestrian car. I want to take delivery and then make a decision - as I'm sure that after the write up in EVO - I'm gonna like it?

A

GTer

73 posts

112 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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This is my exact spec. Liking it a bit more....so fickle...

http://www.autogespot.com/mercedes-amg-gt-s-2/2015...

GTer

73 posts

112 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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mattf93 said:
In terms of the gearbox, 64Reg On I think have more BHP and an 8 speed ZF box which may make a difference (appreciate this is significantly more than you'll want to spend mind you).
I think the good thing with the Vanquish is that its an aston that looks great in colours other than grey - Red, Cobalt Blue, and Frozen (pearlescent) white all look good.

The only way I think you'll be able to find out is to test drive one, find your nearest dealer and see if it wins you over, and in the same day try and organise a test drive in a GTS (possibly from MB World) so that you compare them on the same day?

Interior is nicer in the Vanquish, but the sat nav still isn't the best, and does need the Bang/Olufsen Sound system too. Also some people hate the oval/square steering wheel they offer but think thats personal preference. One things for sure is that the Aston Will sound better and make you feel more special biggrindriving
Yes the 8 speeders seem to have a £50k premium. So maybe wait until they come down in 18m or so. You're absolutely right, test driving is the answer. I can't stand that ovoid steering wheel either! Daft! I think an Aston has to be done some day, but I'll prob stick with the GTS for now. Just hoping I like it. If I ever actually get it...2 weeks late now.

GTer

73 posts

112 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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Me again, but does anyone else think that there has been almost zero fuss made of buyers who have put money down to buy this car? I mean I bought a new 991 4S 2 years ago and at least I got a track day at Silverstone (and a nice lunch). I suppose I got that fancy magazine that I had to go to the post office to get...big whoop. Other car launches seem to have more marketing etc. MB clearly aren't big on perks...

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
quotequote all
GTer said:
Me again, but does anyone else think that there has been almost zero fuss made of buyers who have put money down to buy this car? I mean I bought a new 991 4S 2 years ago and at least I got a track day at Silverstone (and a nice lunch). I suppose I got that fancy magazine that I had to go to the post office to get...big whoop. Other car launches seem to have more marketing etc. MB clearly aren't big on perks...
I got fook all when i bought my last AMG. Just a call a week later to say i owed another £80 for the reg transfer!!! Cheek!

mattf93

1,273 posts

114 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
quotequote all
GTer said:
Me again, but does anyone else think that there has been almost zero fuss made of buyers who have put money down to buy this car? I mean I bought a new 991 4S 2 years ago and at least I got a track day at Silverstone (and a nice lunch). I suppose I got that fancy magazine that I had to go to the post office to get...big whoop. Other car launches seem to have more marketing etc. MB clearly aren't big on perks...
I think its down to the brand, most the other premium brands will be used to what a customer expects, perhaps merc are planning on enticing new customers to buy the GT and aren't going to be so bothered about what they get/how they are treated?

GTer said:
This is my exact spec. Liking it a bit more....so fickle...

http://www.autogespot.com/mercedes-amg-gt-s-2/2015...
It may just be my personal taste but that chrome line at the back would have to be black/carbon or body coloured, personally I think it makes it look a bit cheap frown