Hi guys

Been watching some reviews, Porsche seems to be on a higher level…. I know, quite different animals, but overall which would you choose and why?

Background with Porsche: None
Background with AMG: c63s coupe

Thanks!

 

Right now I am very interested in Porsche over AMG. My non S 205 coupe is for sale, and I put my name and a deposit on an allocation for the new 992 Carrera T. On paper I am losing power of course but power to weight ratio is about the same since the 992 in general saves about 7-800lbs over the C63. Of course these turbo engines can all be tuned, but I had heard many praises of the Carrera motors having a very linear power band right to redline at 7.5k. I dont have any experience with the GT, it's still heavier than the 992 but I believe still has a better power to weight than even the Carrera GTS and nice weight distribution with the transaxle. However I'm sure the driving experience is very different with the 992 with the rear engine and available manual/4wd. I'm looking forward to the experience, will still have the 204 for AMG fun.

 

I don't own a MB GT and have no previous Porsche ownership (I've looked many, many times). If I were to sell my C63S I would rather have the Porsche, but I would NOT want to spend the extra money to get the same / better features I could get in the MB for less. I couldn't justify the improvement in driving dynamics for the cost of what features / options I want in a car. Porsche extra options lists are insane - I bet you can double the cost of the car just in options.

 

^That's a good point and an important consideration. I am giving up a good amount of tech and features even going from a 2020 C63 to a 2023 911. Some of them are there as options but I am not going to pay for them. To me it is just a reflection of what I am looking for in a sports car these days, but everyone should consider their priorities. If I compare the C63 to the 911 and discount the intangibles, the C63 seems like a much better bargain of a car.

 

I'm a bit confused. The GT production has ended as far as I know, and so far we have only seen spy shots of the 2023 GT. It's going to be based on the new SL, but that's all we know so far. It'll no longer be a transaxle platform and will have the 9 speed MCT instead of the 7 speed DCT and will be AWD just like the SL. So, which AMG GT are you talking about? Obviously, nobody has any experience with it yet.

But if you are talking about the current gen GT then I have some experience with it. Recently had the pleasure to drive the Black Series at the Nürburgring and I have driven the GT R and GT S previously. Absolutely great cars on the track, especially the BS, although it has one of the most conservative ESP systems I've experienced in an AMG and actually cut the fun, because we weren't allowed to turn it off. We finished the session as a co-driver complete with HANS device and the car was driven by one of the instructors to show what it's capable of.

But here's the thing with the GT for me. It's more of a track car, than a street car, and track prowess generally doesn't translate well to the public road. It's just not a great everyday car for several reasons. The long nose is one of them, especially since it lacks 360 camera and other creature comforts that you can get in a C63 such as the full driver assistance package for those grand tours. Even after having driven the BS, I would not trade my C63S coupe for it, unless I'd plan doing most of the driving on the track. The C63S is just the better and more usable coupe for the road. I couldn't even have done my 2 months ED trip with two Samsonite luggage in the trunk with any of the GTs or taken more than one passenger. Ironically, the model with grand tourer in its name, is really the least grand tourer of the AMGs.

As for Porsche, I don't really have any experience with it. For some reason I never felt the urge to own one. As to the points above, I think they are way overpriced. As said if you want to option one like you can option a GT, then the price just becomes ridiculous. A bare bones Carrera is probably the best deal, but then you have a bare bones car. Great for a weekender, but as your main car? It has the same problems as far as everyday practicality is concerned. No real rear seats and the frunk is even smaller than the GT trunk. It just would end up being the car I couldn't take everywhere like I can the C63, so I'd need another car in addition.

 

I thought the GT part of the AMG's model designation was for "Go-to Track!" $;-))

Seriously, having owned a C63 S and now a GTR Pro (both tracked), I agree that the AMG GT models are not very practical for daily use, especially for long trips. After a street "keep it lubed between track days" drive in the GTR, I often tell my wife "still rough, still noisy, still fast, still obnoxious ... still like it!" My wife avoids the GTR, finding too uncomfortable, much preferring our C43 as a street car.

As for Porsche's, for years they've been the "king of options" ... no-one else has so many little (and expensive) options (you want this dial in this color, $200, you want this little exterior thingie in that color, $250, you want ...). They're serious marketeers <bow, bow>.

In the end, my evaluation is that Mercedes often offers better value for the dollar. OTOH, from what I've seen at tracks, I still think that 911's are some of the most consistent quintessential track cars.

 

Yeah, Porsche much like Ferrari is in the business of selling a mythos and a brand and people buy into it for the name. For Porsche you even have to pay extra to actually get the handling/dynamics that they are known for. The Sport Chrono package, PDCC and PTV/PTV Plus are all essentially must-haves to get the true Porsche handling and dynamics, but they cost extra on most models. AMG doesn't play this silly game. AMG Ride Control, AMG DYNAMICS, Dynamic engine/transmission mounts, electronic torque vectoring locking differential and 9-stage traction control are mostly standard. Sure, for the dynamic engine mounts you need to get at least the GT S and for the 9-stage traction control you need to get at least the GT R (or just get the FL C63S where you get both of these), but it's tied to a trim rather than having yet to check another options box.

 

I like the GT line. I would get the GTc or GTR if you can spend the extra $. Porsche are cool but they just lack that sound and presence the GT has.

 

Yep I tend to agree with you. I’ve configurated the car and you get more options than Dacia…even rain sensors! 🤣

@superswiss I am refering to the GT as a concept, I am aware that it has not release yet but having the SL already out maybe we have a “base” for this comparison.

Thanks for your comments

 

Will keep AMG E63s Wagon...my last car will be a 911 GTS with 7-speed manual transmission! Test drove one last month in ABQ. Dealer had separate MB Audi and Porsche stores on the property.

 

I think we'll have to see how the new GT actually turns out. Will it be more focused on the road and adopt the softer demeanor of the SL, or will it continue to be a track focused model. There's definitely an argument to be made that with the C63 going 4-cylinder hybrid, the new GT could be the V8 grand tourer going forward. The W206 definitely changes things. I don't see myself wanting to own the next C63, or CLE 63 as the new coupe is rumored to be called as a cross between the C and E coupes, but still with the same 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain. I will have to drive one. Maybe they did manage to defy physics despite all the weight it packed on, but we have not seen any first drive reviews.

 

Yep, I’ve 100% discarded the new c63 or cle63

 

Nice! Both should be great. I think it comes down to your budget, which would determine the build (i.e. options) and your intended usage for the car. With the 911, you can put a couple of kids at the back though (not sure an adult would want to sit back there, unless they were desperate for a ride ).


Actually, since the OP mentioned he would be looking at the 4 GTS model, some of performance items are included, things such as Sport Chrono, Dynamic Engine Mounts, Sport PASM and PTV, are standard. PDCC and RAS are optional though, but probably not totally necessary to get the full 911 experience.