AMG GT has arrived
Discussion
Palmball said:
Thank you, I do try 
It's very......different. I still hold a lot of affection for that M6 (heck, I had it nearly a year which is miracle) and I think for high speed acceleration, it's probably the fastest car I've had.....well, maybe the E63 S I've just bought is its' equal. Not that this capability was much use in the UK and that was the M6's problem - it was almost too capable for our roads so you never really got much satisfaction at normal speeds. Out in Germany it was very satisfying.
So, the AMG GT?
In comparison it's a sensation fest - it's (relatively) raw, it's noisy (with a really good noise) and its' steering is identical to the SLS with a VERY direct front end. The sharpness (and lightness) of the steering appears to be a marmite feature but it was always one of my favourite elements of the SLS - in Harris's GT-S video, where he talks about the oily bits, he mentions that the suspension is effectively race car-spec and over-engineered for this type of car. The result is it feels tremendously agile on the road, something I could never say of the M6. It also appears to have tremendous torsional rigidity, where again the M6 felt just normal in this respect (i.e you didn't notice it). In the AMG GT, theres no slack so when you turn it goes, just like a big go-kart.
Another big difference is the M6 was typically recognised as a 'nice' car. The GT attracts attention like nothing else I've known....including the SLS. It literally stops people in their tracks, people take their camera's out and everyone lets you in front of them in traffic. The last bit is great, but sometimes I don't know where to look
The interior is also a stand-out item - Merc have spent some money in this area and it shows. The quality is magnificent. The M6 was equally as good in terms of design and material quality, but the AMG feels more solid (probably down to that tight structure again).
It's got a fair few options and one of the rarer ones is the Dynamic Plus Pack, which does make it very stiff (notably stiffer than the demo I drove without it). I've not driven it hard enough yet to know if the dynamic engine mounts are making a notable difference but they appeared to be very effective in my previous 911 Turbo at keeping everything 'tight' when pushing on. I suspect it'll be similar in this.
The ceramic brakes are obscene - it's an over-braked car for it's size and weight. Totally unnecessary as the standard brakes are superb, but I like how they look and the lack of brake dust is nice.
Here's a few more pictures after I cleaned it today. I just need my on driveway to put it on......
Thanks for taking the time to answer it really does look fantastic :-) I know how you must feel when people start taking pics as I get that in my Maserati GTS MC shift - a car which I know you have owned and loved too
It's very......different. I still hold a lot of affection for that M6 (heck, I had it nearly a year which is miracle) and I think for high speed acceleration, it's probably the fastest car I've had.....well, maybe the E63 S I've just bought is its' equal. Not that this capability was much use in the UK and that was the M6's problem - it was almost too capable for our roads so you never really got much satisfaction at normal speeds. Out in Germany it was very satisfying.
So, the AMG GT?
In comparison it's a sensation fest - it's (relatively) raw, it's noisy (with a really good noise) and its' steering is identical to the SLS with a VERY direct front end. The sharpness (and lightness) of the steering appears to be a marmite feature but it was always one of my favourite elements of the SLS - in Harris's GT-S video, where he talks about the oily bits, he mentions that the suspension is effectively race car-spec and over-engineered for this type of car. The result is it feels tremendously agile on the road, something I could never say of the M6. It also appears to have tremendous torsional rigidity, where again the M6 felt just normal in this respect (i.e you didn't notice it). In the AMG GT, theres no slack so when you turn it goes, just like a big go-kart.
Another big difference is the M6 was typically recognised as a 'nice' car. The GT attracts attention like nothing else I've known....including the SLS. It literally stops people in their tracks, people take their camera's out and everyone lets you in front of them in traffic. The last bit is great, but sometimes I don't know where to look
The interior is also a stand-out item - Merc have spent some money in this area and it shows. The quality is magnificent. The M6 was equally as good in terms of design and material quality, but the AMG feels more solid (probably down to that tight structure again).
It's got a fair few options and one of the rarer ones is the Dynamic Plus Pack, which does make it very stiff (notably stiffer than the demo I drove without it). I've not driven it hard enough yet to know if the dynamic engine mounts are making a notable difference but they appeared to be very effective in my previous 911 Turbo at keeping everything 'tight' when pushing on. I suspect it'll be similar in this.
The ceramic brakes are obscene - it's an over-braked car for it's size and weight. Totally unnecessary as the standard brakes are superb, but I like how they look and the lack of brake dust is nice.
Here's a few more pictures after I cleaned it today. I just need my on driveway to put it on......
Thanks for taking the time to answer it really does look fantastic :-) I know how you must feel when people start taking pics as I get that in my Maserati GTS MC shift - a car which I know you have owned and loved too
AMDB9 said:
Thanks for taking the time to answer it really does look fantastic :-) I know how you must feel when people start taking pics as I get that in my Maserati GTS MC shift - a car which I know you have owned and loved too
Ah yes, the Maserati....that certainly attracted some attention too. It sounded equally as outrageous. Mine was an early one and unfortunately it went wrong too often for my liking. However, I don't think car brands get any better than Maserati and with none of the stigma associated with the other supercar brands.
t next door is taking pics of his bloody cars on our driveway again!!No Bend said:
Own driveway? Gawd, can't imagine being custodian to that car without garaging it when not in use.
Fear not, it will have one. But we're currently living with the in-laws whilst it's being built (with a small house tacked onto the side) so for now I've made them give up their driveway. They are, as you can imagine, delighted 
Palmball said:
No Bend said:
Own driveway? Gawd, can't imagine being custodian to that car without garaging it when not in use.
Fear not, it will have one. But we're currently living with the in-laws whilst it's being built (with a small house tacked onto the side) so for now I've made them give up their driveway. They are, as you can imagine, delighted 
Oooh you are a bunch of Sherlock's aren't you
No, nothing wrong with it. I think it's a fabulous car but I'm doing my usual thing of enjoying a car for a short while and the getting out before it became too painful. I might be selling it after 3 months but I bet I've had more fun and done more miles than almost any other GT owner.
I haven't fully decided to sell it though, depends if I like and am prepared to take the risk on the car I'm looking to replace it with
Will I like it? Will I hate it? If I buy it will it last more than a month?!? Who knows, but I'm test driving it tomorrow
No, nothing wrong with it. I think it's a fabulous car but I'm doing my usual thing of enjoying a car for a short while and the getting out before it became too painful. I might be selling it after 3 months but I bet I've had more fun and done more miles than almost any other GT owner.
I haven't fully decided to sell it though, depends if I like and am prepared to take the risk on the car I'm looking to replace it with
Will I like it? Will I hate it? If I buy it will it last more than a month?!? Who knows, but I'm test driving it tomorrow
Edited by Palmball on Friday 20th November 23:00
Interesting choice, given the practicality of your lovely E63 stablemate.
But those FFs look gorgeous to my eyes, and they sound glorious!
Enjoy the test drive - an please keep us up to date on the outcome. I'm sure I'm not the only one to enjoy following your car buying habits
If you have a flutter with an Italian, I should imagine you'll be back in a Mercedes before too long - AMG GT Black Series?
Darren
But those FFs look gorgeous to my eyes, and they sound glorious!
Enjoy the test drive - an please keep us up to date on the outcome. I'm sure I'm not the only one to enjoy following your car buying habits
If you have a flutter with an Italian, I should imagine you'll be back in a Mercedes before too long - AMG GT Black Series?
Darren
So darren, and others who may be interested, what of my shenanigans this weekend? Well, here's the update I've just posted on MB Club which says it all really.
I went to try an FF, not the one I was looking to buy but the dealers demonstrator which I suspect it was a lot better than the (much older) one I was looking at.
I was initially impressed, certainly enough to let my heart rule my head and pay a deposit on a car. However, after more consideration (a lot more than I normally give to such things) and getting back into my car, I've changed my mind Whoops!
Firstly, some people suggested that the FF would make my GT feel inferior, or like a 'roller skate'. But I just can't subscribe to this school of thought because quite simply, it didn't, and if anything it highlighted just how good the AMG GT is, and how overpriced a new FF is!
Here's my thoughts on the car:
First thing's first, I was a little underwhelmed because the combination of a relatively nervous salesman and traffic meant I only got to properly rev it twice in an hour's test drive. Also, I spent the hour trying to get used to the ergonomics....it's a challenge getting used to fixed paddles (when you're used to them moving) and no indicator stalks! I just couldn't really relax and get into it, but still, some underlying qualities still shone through.
The first thing that stood out was the sound. The lack of it OK, outside the car it has a glorious wail, very different to anything else I've driven, a typical Ferrari sound I guess. But inside, up to about 3k rpm it's fairly quiet - the car is VERY refined - but it does improve as revs rise. By the time it's shooting through 7-8k it's like an F1 car, but as I said, I only got to do this a couple of times.
Secondly, the ride quality. This was really unexpected but I thought it was one of the best riding cars I've ever experienced. I can't see this as anything other than good, almost miraculous given how flat and sharp it drove. Very impressive, and I suspect due to the long wheelbase and what I imagine is fairly sophisticated suspension.
Steering. Simply AMAZING. Ferrari's seem to have a good rep for steering and I can see why. I really like my GT's very direct rack (although it's not to everyones taste) and the FF's was similarly direct but a touch heavier. The steering wheel is also fan-bloody-tastic....tiny little thing, nice and thick and with lots of ridges and bumps in the right places. It's an odd shape though.
Performance was hard to judge and despite being 150bhp up on my GT it really didn't feel like it in day to day driving. I guess because it only has about 20b/ft more torque (delivered much higher up) and it weights 300kg's more.....so it needs working harder, which I didn't really get to do. On the couple of times I did use the full rev range I'd say it felt like it had very long legs (the car just keeps pulling) but faster than my GT or any other 5-600bhp car I've had? No.
The driving position is definitely different to what I'm used to though - the steering wheel is further away with my legs in a more bent position but this is mitigated by a steering wheel which comes out absolutely vertical so you get a consistent reach all round it. The seats are comfortable, but with way less side support than my GT....they'd be great on a long journey though.
Build quality?!?! Whilst the demo had no rattles or unwanted noises and the material quality is phenomenal, it didn't feel any better than a top end German car and I'd say something like an S Coupe is way ahead in terms of environment. I got back in my car and it didn't feel in any way inferior.
Things I didn't like were fairly predictable - the sat nav is touch screen and utterly dire. Awful. And I'm sure it'll be worse on the 2012 example I'm looking at too. Then I'm back to the driving position - I'm only a size 8 but my foot kept hitting the underside of the dash (I later realised it was the position of the OBD port which is right in front of the brake pedal). It's also way off the mark compared to what I'm used to for technology.
So yes, it did have some fairly impressive qualities, despite the limitations of the test drive. As it should be for a £300k+ car (the spec on the one I was looking at was outrageous), but it definitely doesn't feel that kind of value if I was to judge it as 2-3x 'better' than other cars I've had. I guess I'm well into the territory of diminishing returns though, so whilst it was undeniably a special piece of kit with some aspects that are better than my GT (sound, ride quality and steering are all stand-out items), there are plenty of other areas where it's so far off the mark that I actually preferred getting back in my AMG.
Ultimately though, there were a couple of other nails in the coffin. Firstly there's the mileage I'll do - if I whack another 10k in the next 6-8 months then I'll have a 35k mile V12 Ferrari, which I suspect won't be the easiest thing to move on. Secondly, I am a mere wage slave, an employee, and not the owner of a business so it's not a car I could use everyday - I'd end up getting annoyed at having to find way round NOT using it.
It's clearly a car one buys for a certain experience, for the brand and image. It's definitely not a car one buys because it is better than other much cheaper options. Dare I say it was a bit superficial?
Maybe some will think that I just don't 'get it' (and maybe I don't) but quite frankly, after much consideration, I'll stick with my AMG thanks!
I went to try an FF, not the one I was looking to buy but the dealers demonstrator which I suspect it was a lot better than the (much older) one I was looking at.
I was initially impressed, certainly enough to let my heart rule my head and pay a deposit on a car. However, after more consideration (a lot more than I normally give to such things) and getting back into my car, I've changed my mind Whoops!
Firstly, some people suggested that the FF would make my GT feel inferior, or like a 'roller skate'. But I just can't subscribe to this school of thought because quite simply, it didn't, and if anything it highlighted just how good the AMG GT is, and how overpriced a new FF is!
Here's my thoughts on the car:
First thing's first, I was a little underwhelmed because the combination of a relatively nervous salesman and traffic meant I only got to properly rev it twice in an hour's test drive. Also, I spent the hour trying to get used to the ergonomics....it's a challenge getting used to fixed paddles (when you're used to them moving) and no indicator stalks! I just couldn't really relax and get into it, but still, some underlying qualities still shone through.
The first thing that stood out was the sound. The lack of it
OK, outside the car it has a glorious wail, very different to anything else I've driven, a typical Ferrari sound I guess. But inside, up to about 3k rpm it's fairly quiet - the car is VERY refined - but it does improve as revs rise. By the time it's shooting through 7-8k it's like an F1 car, but as I said, I only got to do this a couple of times.Secondly, the ride quality. This was really unexpected but I thought it was one of the best riding cars I've ever experienced. I can't see this as anything other than good, almost miraculous given how flat and sharp it drove. Very impressive, and I suspect due to the long wheelbase and what I imagine is fairly sophisticated suspension.
Steering. Simply AMAZING. Ferrari's seem to have a good rep for steering and I can see why. I really like my GT's very direct rack (although it's not to everyones taste) and the FF's was similarly direct but a touch heavier. The steering wheel is also fan-bloody-tastic....tiny little thing, nice and thick and with lots of ridges and bumps in the right places. It's an odd shape though.
Performance was hard to judge and despite being 150bhp up on my GT it really didn't feel like it in day to day driving. I guess because it only has about 20b/ft more torque (delivered much higher up) and it weights 300kg's more.....so it needs working harder, which I didn't really get to do. On the couple of times I did use the full rev range I'd say it felt like it had very long legs (the car just keeps pulling) but faster than my GT or any other 5-600bhp car I've had? No.
The driving position is definitely different to what I'm used to though - the steering wheel is further away with my legs in a more bent position but this is mitigated by a steering wheel which comes out absolutely vertical so you get a consistent reach all round it. The seats are comfortable, but with way less side support than my GT....they'd be great on a long journey though.
Build quality?!?! Whilst the demo had no rattles or unwanted noises and the material quality is phenomenal, it didn't feel any better than a top end German car and I'd say something like an S Coupe is way ahead in terms of environment. I got back in my car and it didn't feel in any way inferior.
Things I didn't like were fairly predictable - the sat nav is touch screen and utterly dire. Awful. And I'm sure it'll be worse on the 2012 example I'm looking at too. Then I'm back to the driving position - I'm only a size 8 but my foot kept hitting the underside of the dash (I later realised it was the position of the OBD port which is right in front of the brake pedal). It's also way off the mark compared to what I'm used to for technology.
So yes, it did have some fairly impressive qualities, despite the limitations of the test drive. As it should be for a £300k+ car (the spec on the one I was looking at was outrageous), but it definitely doesn't feel that kind of value if I was to judge it as 2-3x 'better' than other cars I've had. I guess I'm well into the territory of diminishing returns though, so whilst it was undeniably a special piece of kit with some aspects that are better than my GT (sound, ride quality and steering are all stand-out items), there are plenty of other areas where it's so far off the mark that I actually preferred getting back in my AMG.
Ultimately though, there were a couple of other nails in the coffin. Firstly there's the mileage I'll do - if I whack another 10k in the next 6-8 months then I'll have a 35k mile V12 Ferrari, which I suspect won't be the easiest thing to move on. Secondly, I am a mere wage slave, an employee, and not the owner of a business so it's not a car I could use everyday - I'd end up getting annoyed at having to find way round NOT using it.
It's clearly a car one buys for a certain experience, for the brand and image. It's definitely not a car one buys because it is better than other much cheaper options. Dare I say it was a bit superficial?
Maybe some will think that I just don't 'get it' (and maybe I don't) but quite frankly, after much consideration, I'll stick with my AMG thanks!
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