RE: Mercedes-AMG GT S vs Aston Martin V12 Vantage S
Discussion
I've bought one of these, arrives 1st Sept. I have no issue saying to the missus that we'll take the AMG, rather than 'Aston'....but in the real world, these things don't happen so I just bought the better car. Actually, I had an SLS before and loved it so the GT was just inevitable.
My dealer has just given me their demo for a couple of days and I've literally just returned from my first drive in it. Personally, I think it's phenomenal. Much like the SLS, it feels like little else (which is a real lure when cars, even great ones, are so similarly competent these days). In fact, it feels just like an SLS but more modern and significantly better developed. I can barely believe I'm saying this but I reckon it even sounds better. Honestly, I'm like a pig in s
t this evening 
My dealer has just given me their demo for a couple of days and I've literally just returned from my first drive in it. Personally, I think it's phenomenal. Much like the SLS, it feels like little else (which is a real lure when cars, even great ones, are so similarly competent these days). In fact, it feels just like an SLS but more modern and significantly better developed. I can barely believe I'm saying this but I reckon it even sounds better. Honestly, I'm like a pig in s
t this evening Honestly - just look at the two of them: British Brute in a Suit vs Dumpy anodyne Merc. No contest - I'll forgive the Aston all its foibles on looks alone, not to mention v12 noise.
I know when I'm waiting at the traffic lights, and one of these bulbous AMG efforts pulls alongside, I'll sit comfortable in my warm cocoon of superiority ;-))
Aston all the way. V12V for the win.
I know when I'm waiting at the traffic lights, and one of these bulbous AMG efforts pulls alongside, I'll sit comfortable in my warm cocoon of superiority ;-))
Aston all the way. V12V for the win.
Olivera said:
The Aston is still achingly beautiful, but then the Merc is a nice looker as well.
I'd go for the Aston were it not for the several generations old 'automated manual' gearbox and parts bin interior (look a the heater vents!), so probably the Merc.
As opposed to the Merc A class parts bin switch gear?I'd go for the Aston were it not for the several generations old 'automated manual' gearbox and parts bin interior (look a the heater vents!), so probably the Merc.
Have you driven a sinle clutch auto manual? They are actually very engaging and involving to drive, Much more so than a double clutch, but do take some skill, which is the fun. Much more the drivers car...
Studio117 said:
does the same apply to Pagani?
Pagani- Mercedes V12 power is what they're known for. They're a custom chassis-builder that buys in engines. Nothing wrong with that. However, Aston Martin-Lagonda's heritage, going back to the days of Walter Owen Bentley doing the V12, later Tadeusz Marek doing the straight six and then the big V8, is one of bespoke in-house engines. It's bad enough that their existing V8 and V12 are built by Ford in Köln, and are based on the Gen 2 Jaguar AJ-V8 and the Ford Duratec V6 respectively, even if the resulting engines are just fine. If Aston end up sharing a basic block and heads with AMG, that'd be one thing, but, if AMG go down the turbo route for all their cars, I hope Aston does something different, not involving exhaust-driven forced induction.By the way, comparing AMG engines, anyone who says the new M177 sounds anywhere near as good as the old M156/M159 is a lying git. It's horrible, artificial, programmed to pop and bang gratuitously (the F-type is also guilty of this) but is fundamentally devoid of character. It's also physically just as bulky and heavy as the old 6.2 litre.
For me, the ultimate modern AMG was the S212 E63 estate, preferably in dark red. Some SLS heads/cams on one of those would do me very nicely... the SLS was quite cool, but I could never get over the awkwardness of the details. The new GT is a styling disaster - an amorphous blob of a thing, too many things going on all at once, no tautness of line...
Banks570 said:
Sadly, I don't have the money for either, but if dreaming, the Aston would make Sunday mornings worth getting up for!
This is the point Aston know they cannot compete with most their competitors in "top trumps" head to head.
They never have!
They do know they have a brand that people will buy for the "emotion" of ownership, they even named the key an "emotional control unit"
They know it and they exploit it.
Question is how long can they continue to survive doing that?
They've managed to keep coming back from the brink for 100 years so far.
The V12VS is a good car, its just not great.
I have a 3yr old V8VS and just don't see the V12VS being £100k better!
ChrisPap said:
GravelMachineGun said:
If I had this kind of money to splash out I'd get the Merc.
Can't look past the horrible steering wheel in the Aston which I'd have to sit behind everyday.
Um, what's wrong with it?Can't look past the horrible steering wheel in the Aston which I'd have to sit behind everyday.
Much prefer the Aston. AMG is ugly inside and out!
GravelMachineGun said:
ChrisPap said:
GravelMachineGun said:
If I had this kind of money to splash out I'd get the Merc.
Can't look past the horrible steering wheel in the Aston which I'd have to sit behind everyday.
Um, what's wrong with it?Can't look past the horrible steering wheel in the Aston which I'd have to sit behind everyday.
Much prefer the Aston. AMG is ugly inside and out!
Though, I reckon I could get over it!
mikey k said:
Once you are sat in it the wheel is less obvious, I suspect AM have worked that out!
The new Vanquish one is a step backwards IMHO
AM,s need a big overhaul really, leather quality is fine, everything else needs to be brought up to scratch in line with germans and other exotic manufacturers. Needs quality infotainment and Nav. better steering wheel with bigger paddles (or a manual still) etc...The new Vanquish one is a step backwards IMHO
mattf93 said:
mikey k said:
Once you are sat in it the wheel is less obvious, I suspect AM have worked that out!
The new Vanquish one is a step backwards IMHO
AM,s need a big overhaul really, leather quality is fine, everything else needs to be brought up to scratch in line with germans and other exotic manufacturers. Needs quality infotainment and Nav. better steering wheel with bigger paddles (or a manual still) etc...The new Vanquish one is a step backwards IMHO
THAT interior is their attempt at exactly thatmikey k said:
THAT interior is their attempt at exactly thatmattf93 said:
Paha midlife update from techniques they nicked internally off the one-77. Hardly revolutionary in terms of cabin design, quality etc. Most find that wheel odd as well. Centre console does look marginally better than the old one. Still not entirely sure on the dials either (although understand its an Aston thing they go the opposite way etc)
After the first time you drive one you never notice that the rev counter goes the "wrong way". The instruments look lovely, but the speedo is illegible. The legal bit is between 5 o'clock and about 7.30. You use the digital speedo and the rev counter. RoverP6B said:
Studio117 said:
does the same apply to Pagani?
Pagani- Mercedes V12 power is what they're known for. They're a custom chassis-builder that buys in engines. Nothing wrong with that. However, Aston Martin-Lagonda's heritage, going back to the days of Walter Owen Bentley doing the V12, later Tadeusz Marek doing the straight six and then the big V8, is one of bespoke in-house engines. It's bad enough that their existing V8 and V12 are built by Ford in Köln, and are based on the Gen 2 Jaguar AJ-V8 and the Ford Duratec V6 respectively, even if the resulting engines are just fine. If Aston end up sharing a basic block and heads with AMG, that'd be one thing, but, if AMG go down the turbo route for all their cars, I hope Aston does something different, not involving exhaust-driven forced induction.By the way, comparing AMG engines, anyone who says the new M177 sounds anywhere near as good as the old M156/M159 is a lying git. It's horrible, artificial, programmed to pop and bang gratuitously (the F-type is also guilty of this) but is fundamentally devoid of character. It's also physically just as bulky and heavy as the old 6.2 litre.
For me, the ultimate modern AMG was the S212 E63 estate, preferably in dark red. Some SLS heads/cams on one of those would do me very nicely... the SLS was quite cool, but I could never get over the awkwardness of the details. The new GT is a styling disaster - an amorphous blob of a thing, too many things going on all at once, no tautness of line...
Also, while the current Aston engines are not clean sheet designs as were the Marek straight-6 or V8, they are IMO Aston Martin engines. The current V8 has its own bespoke block, crank, conrods, bearings, pistons, rings, cams, valves, heads, oiling system, etc. -- it shares essentially nothing with the Jaguar engine it was "derived" from. To me, that qualifies it as an Aston engine. The V12 is "based" on the architecture of the Duratec V6, but it is far more than the frequently -- and erroneously -- claimed "two V6s stuck together." The block is designed and built as a V12 from the beginning, as are the crank, cams, etc. Also, and importantly, that V12 has only ever been available in Aston Martins -- no other car has ever been available with it. All of this makes it, IMO, an Aston Martin engine. The idea of an AMG engine that is merely electronically tweaked to make it sound and feel "like an Aston engine," well, just the use of the term "like an Aston Martin engine" really says it all. That would be appalling and nowhere near good enough for a great marque with a long history of making its own engines. A Ferrari wouldn't be a Ferrari with an electronically tweaked AMG engine under the bonnet. Neither would an Aston Martin be an Aston Martin.
About the AMG GT, I was potentially interested in it. IMO, it looks interesting and distinctive, but it's not at all beautiful and simply doesn't make me want it. To those complaining that the Aston's steering wheel isn't pretty, I personally have enjoyed every mile behind the one in my V8V. The cabin is beautifully made with gorgeous materials (and what looks like metal IS metal -- no fakery). More to the point, however, what about the iPad that AMG (and Benz generally) clearly forgot about until it was too late and then glued it to the top of the dash??? That is UGLY.
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