Need a GT S? -- Check the One I Traded
 

If anyone is looking for a GT S, the one I traded is absolutely perfect with only 8300 miles. Brilliant Blue, beautiful Nappa interior, panorama roof, night package, clear bra, etc. PM me for more info. You'll find it here at the Santa Barbara Mercedes Dealer:

https://www.mercedessantabarbara.com...yj7ja2ga007042

You all know — my GT S was an amazing, thrilling ride (as my previous AMG vehicles have been), particularly in Sport+ and Race Modes when it would snarl and pop when downshifting and roar under full throttle. But alas, it was not practical for our daily use or for the type of travel we do back and forth between Utah and snowy Colorado.

So I shipped my GT S to MB in Santa Barbara as a trade for a '15 CPO GLA250 Edition 1 and significant cash back. It is really very nice -- 4Matic, leather/cloth interior, panorama sunroof, AMG wheels, night package, etc.

And we are awaiting the next generation of a GLC53 AMG with the new M256 inline 6, 48 volt accessories and a 70,000 rpm electric turbo. But that's another story.

Here are photos of my departed GT S in Zion National Park and my Edition 1 with some graphics that we've added...




https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...cdc30f241b.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...c92fe76ccd.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...7d559eff18.jpg

Beautiful GTS you had. I am sure it was tough seeing it leave.
Are you saying you do not have a better replacement for it coming as I have a tough time believing you are just happy driving around with a GLA250 and a GLC53 is the true replacement for the GTS?

Well, actually, yes I am saying that.

I've really enjoyed the GT S and had one relatively mild track day with it. (I posted my experience with that day on this forum here: https://mbworld.org/forums/amg-gt-gt...de-amg-gt.html.) But I'm now 72 years old and as you may know or will discover, priorities change.

Over the past 45 years or so I've had some really nice cars (M3, SLK55 AMG, CLS63 S) and had the privilege of driving as a racer, student or instructor on most of the major road course racetracks in the USA. The best was in an M3 with a podium 3rd place and fastest lap in class in an Escort World Challenge race at then-named Sears Point, now Infineon. Paul Newman and Boris Said were in the same race that day. Also on the other extreme, I spun out on the Carousel at Road America in a Renault Spec Racer, fortunately with not much damage. Been there, done that.

Anyhow, for the travels that my wife and I do, the GT S was just not comfortable and roomy enough. And for around town and even travel in bad weather, the 4Matic GLA is perfect for negotiating traffic and parking in close spaces. Eventually a GLC53 AMG will be perfect for our travels and I expect, will have pretty impressive performance.

So there you go...that's my take. And here's my perviously-owned SLK55 AMG in Pahrump, Nevada...

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...9151e3993.jpeg

Your link was broken.... this one will work:

https://www.mercedessantabarbara.com...yj7ja2ga007042

True enough Gordon. Being 72 myself priorities do change over time and after two and a half years I just sold my GTS Edition 1. It was a great car that checked a lot of boxes for me but time to move on to whatever is next. Still working on that.

I'm another 72 year old geezer. I decided to buy the GT rather than a GTC or GTS because 469 HP was enough for me.

Agreed on the hp. Really. I suppose on the drag strip or down a long straight on a race track. But even on most racetracks, it's usually more driver experience, the proper line through the turns and sticky tires rather than horsepower that results in quick lap times.

I wonder if your GT has any less road noise and softer suspension than the GT S? I actually removed the paneling in the rear hatch area and added a bunch of Dynamat to my GT S to decrease road noise and it helped.

I've always wished that MBs "Comfort" setting was more comfortable, even in my CLS63S it was too harsh. Frankly there doesn't seem to be that much difference between the suspension settings, at least in normal driving. That's one reason at my age I'll chose the smaller diameter wheels and higher profile tires for street driving if there is an option to do so, saving the low profile tires for the racetrack.

I haven't been in a GTC or GTS so I can't tell you if it's more comfortable. But this morning I reduced the tire pressures. When delivered to me the car was running 37/41. At speeds below a felony in California the recommended tire pressures are 31/32. Just for good measure I reduced the pressures to 32.5/33.5. It made a world of difference. As comfortable as my BMW i8 or 650i Gran Coupe, which are very comfortable cars with compliant suspensions.

I've always had the same experience. I keep the pressures at what is shown on the inside of the fuel door - and as Scott says the recommended pressure is 31/32 cold unless you are traveling over 155 mph or have a specially heavy load. Same experience with my current GTC as with my previous GTS. The dealers like to increase the pressures for some reason...but the difference in suspension compliance with properly inflated tires (not too high) is remarkable. Much nicer.

The dealer is supposed to put it at the number on the driver door pillar as this is the EPA number that MB uses to get their Mileage rating which with more air pressure they get a better mileage number.
As we know the correct number for us to use is on the back of the gas door.

I go even further for the sake of increased street driving compliance, and run my GTR at 2 psi less than recommended at all four corners.

I've done that also. A bit more compliance. And unless we are cornering ever so hard it shouldn't have any deleterious effect. I used to go for a weekend drive in the mountains with a friend who drove a Porsche 911. I would put in an extra ±4 lbs for the hard driving we were doing and when I came back brought the pressure down to a nice level. Might not have been necessary but I felt better going sideways with stiffer sidewalls. :zoom: