I drove both the 63 and 55 and ended up buying the 55. As much as the 63 drove great, I really don't notice the difference in daily driving. Couldn't justify the extra ~$40k for a speed boost the one or two days per year I'll take it to the track. That being said - the sweet spot might be a (very slightly) used 63 which you can get at the same price as a new 55. I didn't go that route because I had a very specific spec in mind, but to the extent you can find something you like then you get the top trim without worrying about the day 1 depreciation.

I considered 911's but the base models that are actually in the same range as the 55 weren't as compelling to me, and going to a GT3 Touring or something like that which was exciting was in another price stratosphere. Also there are dozens of 911s in my neighborhood but exactly zero GTs (that I've seen) and I appreciate having something unique.

 

Yeah the only difference between the 55 and 63 is power. As discussed previously the pricing is ridiculous. I think there are some non important options that are not standard on the 55, but even if you add them it's still like a $40k premium for the extra power of the 63. The 55 has everything that matters such as dynamic engine mounts, active suspension, locking diff etc. so it's just slightly slower than the 63 and a lot less money.

 

Has anyone cracked the radar install on GT with a mirror mount and powered from the mirror, I have a blend mount install in my 911 and its a great additon, clean. I looked at my wife Merc and the mirror seems difficult to manage with any kind of mount

 

The Michelin Pilot Alpin Snow Tires in the 21" size do not come up when searching online at the Tire Rack, Discount Tire, Belle Tire, etc.

But I called Belle Tire and they were able to order them from Michelin, and Michelin had them in stock. They have arrived, but I have not put them on yet, my new GT 55 is still at the PPF shop.

I would have preferred All Seasons for the Winters in the Chicago area, but none seem to be available in the 21" size. They are available in the 20" size. I may consider getting some 20" aftermarket wheels for next winter and doing All Seasons.

My objection to the Pilot Alpins is that under heavy acceleration (like a full send launch and full throttle ripping through the gears) they experience what the tire guys refer to as "Tire Squirm" where the car squirms underneath you in an unsettling sort of way, due to the tread pattern and the softer compound. I experienced this a few winters ago in my Porsche 718 4.0's. The next winter I went to the Continental DWS 06's (High Performance All Seasons), and those did not experience that issue. Since then, I have used those DWS 06 tires on all of my performance cars for the Chicago Winters, and I have been quite happy with them.

Of course the Winters will perform much better in Snow and Ice. I don't have to commute to an office every day, so when there is Snow or Ice, I just don't drive, or I drive my Wife's Durango R/T.

 

Good to know that Michelin has the Pilot Alpin PA4 21" in 295/30ZR21 and 305/30ZR21. I have noticed that the Alpin 21" usually has Load Range: SL and Load Index of 101. Are these new sizes have a Load Range: XL and Load index 107 (rear) 102 (front), as required for the GT55?
Can you include the Michelin part number for these? Thanks

 

Sorry to dig up this old thread, but Philenan you’re the only one I could find that posted about the 3D Burmester. How are you liking it so far? Worth it? I looked at the specs for the base Burmester and it did not seem that bad, but I know Mercedes’ upgraded Burmesters usually take it to another level.

 

I can speak a little to it... Although I do not have experience with the standard sound system in the GT63.

My GT63 has the 3D Burmester.... It's very good, with the caveat being, it's very good considering the size of the interior, and relatively small area to put a lot of speakers. I will say that my 2019 G 63 which also has the Burmester, and the G63 seems to have a little deeper base/thump to it. But mids/highs seem to be maybe a little better in the GT63. Maybe because it's a smaller cabin, and the speakers (not sure) are likely little smaller? or less power overall? Not sure I havent looked at the specs on the GT vs G63 in terms of how many speakers and power. But im very happy with the 3D Burmester in the GT63, with the caveat being, I didn't buy the car with the sound system being a big driver of my decision.

Would I upgrade again to the 3D version, yes. Because I would always probably regret not having the top of the line version in this caliber of car.

With that said... I did go to the GT63 from a F90 BMW M5 Comp, which had the Bowers and Wilkins upgrade system, I will say the M5 system was better than both the G63, and GT63 in my opinion. It seemed to have more clear and depth of sound vs the Burmester. Not necessarily more thumpy, loud base though. It seemed like the BMW system you could turn it up a lot louder and still achieve the same depth of sound and clarity while at higher volume limits.

Im by no means an audio enthusiast, but I like a nice sound system that I can crank up, and listen to a lot of different types of music, and im not disappointed with the 3D Burmester at all. Even with the BMW system being a little better (to my ears) it in no way makes the GT63 disappointing, mostly because the cabin is a lot smaller, I dont expect it to be able to perform as well. With that said, the engine noise etc more than makes up for any lack of performance from a sound system.

Not sure if any of this helps, but there ya go :-)

 

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

I concur with the previous comment - it's a great system and I'm happy that I optioned it. To me the value is beyond simply more speakers but also the user interface it comes with - being able to customize listening modes, selecting a VIP seat, etc. It really enhances the experience. I had the base speakers in my SL43 and they were fine as well for a small space, but you don't get the richness of sound and deep base of the 3D system. Bottom line there are other options I would get first if total cost is a constraint (e.g. ceramic brakes, which I didn't get) but I'm happy I got the speakers.

 

Nice, thanks for sharing.

How are you liking it so far now that you’ve owned it for a while? Can’t remember if you daily it but if I get one, I will be daily driving mine and I do plan on getting ceramic brakes just because I heard the cost of a brake job at the dealership costs the same as the ceramic option, which is insane if true.

 

I'm very happy with the car. I mostly daily drive it (absent major snow, etc.) and I think it is a great combination of power, handling, etc. but also daily comfort, luggage space, back seats, etc. I can't really think of another car that does both so well. I've taken it to the track twice with great results, and then use it pick up the kids at soccer practice. My only complaint is the brake dust which is why I would have gotten ceramics, and sometimes on the track I wish I had gotten the 63 for extra power but it wasn't worth the $40k. Power is definitely not an issue in everyday driving.

 

Thanks again. Yeah, I’m with you as well regarding the 63, but I just can’t stomach spending that much.

 

Going to add onto the Burmester convo since my car came with the upgraded system. I would definitely not have optioned it myself if I had bought the car new, just because the $5k would be halfway to ceramics which for me would have provided much more ROI (the amount of dust is slowly killing me). However, since I did end up with it I have to say it is much better sounding than standard speakers, even premium sets on other cars. Whenever I hop into my wife's hummer or my moms c-class I can automatically discern the lower sound quality. Music sounds flat, with even heavy bass sounding dry. The 3D Burmester has insane precision especially in the mids. The bass is only moderately thumpy but the clarity makes it more enjoyable than my old cars with aftermarket subs that hit much harder. Then theres the VIP seat experience which is noticeable in how it molds the surround sound experience to your seat. Overall I would say as someone who has never really optioned all the way up on car speakers (and probably will continue to) the sound experience in the GT is lovely.

 

Does anyone have the Performance seats without the "Additional adjustability for AMG Performance seats" ?
I test drove a GT 55 with the Perf seats, without the adjustability option, and I couldn't figure out whether it was possible to adjust the lumbar at all.
This is a bit crazy that a $2.5k seat option removes one of the most basic adjustment (lumbar support)
It's a 2025 model that has been sitting on the lot for over 300days. I'm debating if the absence of lumbar would be an issue. Hard to know without driving it a couple of hours.

 

Yes, the "Additional adjustability" adds power lumbar support and inflatable side bolsters. I've lived with the Performance seats that are in the GT for the last 6+ years in my C63S Coupe and have sat in them for up to 12 hours on some big road trips I've done. One of the best seats I've ever had in a performance car. Recaro knows how to make seats and it's a shame that they were driven to bankruptcy by private equity. I've never used the lumbar support. I've never used lumbar support in any car. I still don't really understand what it's supposed to do. It makes every seat less comfortable for me with something protruding and sticking into my back. I'm guessing one needs a certain back deformation for it to do anything, so I always keep lumbar support fully deflated.

However, the inflatable side bolsters are key for me. I keep them fully deflated for more comfort when driving just normally, but then when I hit up a canyon road or something I inflate them for more lateral support. Otherwise I slide around. I'm 5'11" and 180 lbs. The other thing that's important to me and makes a big difference is the leg/thigh extension. I always have that fully extended as otherwise the seat cushion is too short for me. It makes a huge difference in terms of comfort for me to have proper thigh support. What I don't like in the GT is that these adjustments need to be made through the touchscreen. In my C63 I have buttons on the side of the seat to inflate the side bolsters. Having to go in to the touchscreen to the seat settings is distracting and way less ergonomic. It even took me a while to find it. I first thought they had removed the side bolster adjustment when I drove a GT 63 for the first time. I was on a track in Germany and needed more lateral support. Doing this through the touchscreen while hauling around a track is kinda the worst thing they could have done for something like this. Seat adjustments should be easy to make mid flight, but I digress.