Used AMG GT Base, S, or C for a Daily Driver?




The GTC's only started from model year 18 (facelift) while the GTS was available from early 2015 as a MY16. Certain options are default on one vs options on the other. Power-wise there are differences but nothing that a tune couldn't fix. The GTC has the wide body and rear wheel steering (my preference) but some don't care for it. Forget about Android Auto (MY20 and up only) unless you are OK with a 3rd party retrofit.
Overall, I would drive all three of them unless budget rules one out. Figure out what design, features and options are important to you and then go for the best deal. You really can't go wrong with either.
I like Carbon Ceramics, High end Burmester maybe nice. Also the exclusive nappa interior is a must IMO. On a coupe I would pick the glass roof (we live in the land of 5 months+ snow). On a GTC the DPP is default; to me a must as is the blind spot detection which should be standard for a car with limited visibility.
Last edited by Wolfman; Jun 7, 2020 at 04:15 PM.
The GTC's only started from model year 18 (facelift) while the GTS was available from early 2015 as a MY16. Certain options are default on one vs options on the other. Power-wise there are differences but nothing that a tune couldn't fix. The GTC has the wide body and rear wheel steering (my preference) but some don't care for it. Forget about Android Auto (MY20 and up only) unless you are OK with a 3rd party retrofit.
Overall, I would drive all three of them unless budget rules one out. Figure out what design, features and options are important to you and then go for the best deal. You really can't go wrong with either.
I like Carbon Ceramics, High end Burmester maybe nice. Also the exclusive nappa interior is a must IMO. On a coupe I would pick the glass roof (we live in the land of 5 months+ snow). On a GTC the DPP is default; to me a must as is the blind spot detection which should be standard for a car with limited visibility.
I think even though power could be bumped up for the base model with a tune, but I would like to avoid that while I still have a warranty. Plus I like the wide body and rear wheel steering. Regarding Android Auto retrofit, any idea what that would involve and would cost? I think I read an article about that and it involved a module that plugged into the ECU. But I'm not sure if there was an add on piece of hardware or not. With the nice built in displays already for the '18 or '19 up, it would probably look like an add on if some hardware actually had to be mounted. So while Android Auto is not going to be a deal breaker, I find it odd that such a feature which is offered now on all "regular" vehicles wasn't available until the MY20 year.
Yes, I will test drive a base, S and C and see what I think about each. I may have to do so in Orlando, because the MB dealership here in Melbourne tends to feature more to the bland of vehicles, colors, and trims. For example, right now they have a new 2020 AMG GT base for $130K, but in blah-blah white and black interior. As for CCB's not necessary for me. As I said in my OP this will be a DD. Higher end Burmeister, yes! Glass roof? Ehh, I live in central Florida so I'd probably not seek that out.
And Nappa leather, I'll just have to see and feel it in person, as well as what the interior color scheme is.




I think even though power could be bumped up for the base model with a tune, but I would like to avoid that while I still have a warranty. Plus I like the wide body and rear wheel steering. Regarding Android Auto retrofit, any idea what that would involve and would cost? I think I read an article about that and it involved a module that plugged into the ECU. But I'm not sure if there was an add on piece of hardware or not. With the nice built in displays already for the '18 or '19 up, it would probably look like an add on if some hardware actually had to be mounted. So while Android Auto is not going to be a deal breaker, I find it odd that such a feature which is offered now on all "regular" vehicles wasn't available until the MY20 year.
Yes, I will test drive a base, S and C and see what I think about each. I may have to do so in Orlando, because the MB dealership here in Melbourne tends to feature more to the bland of vehicles, colors, and trims. For example, right now they have a new 2020 AMG GT base for $130K, but in blah-blah white and black interior. As for CCB's not necessary for me. As I said in my OP this will be a DD. Higher end Burmeister, yes! Glass roof? Ehh, I live in central Florida so I'd probably not seek that out.
And Nappa leather, I'll just have to see and feel it in person, as well as what the interior color scheme is.I would take a 2018 GTC over a 2020 GT any day. When MB dropped the GTS in the US, they dumbed down the GT as well to create a sufficient gap between the GT and GTC ($34k+) Too many important features missing and not available as options. The latest models have some feature improvements but none on the performance-side (engine, transmission, suspension). Exhaust has taken a step back to comply with Euro noise and pollution regulations.
If you like the wider body and rear wheel steering, then your only choice is the GTC or the more track oriented GTR. In regards to the Carbon Ceramics brakes, on used cars these brakes often come at no additional cost. No-brainer as these produce zero brake dust even if other benefits don't matter.




I would also vote for the Nappa leather and carbon fiber interior. It's a real shame when people see how cool the car is on the outside, then see an extremely plain interior when you open the door. I can't see much of the outside of the car when driving, so it's worth having a sweet interior to stare at when I am.
You'll have no issue with storage space for groceries and/or two backpacks on the coupe versions.
The hardware component for the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is not visible from anywhere inside the cabin.
You'll want to look at 2017+ if you intend to have a car with remaining factory warranty, unless you score a 2016 with CPO (one additional year) or an aftermarket transferable warranty.
As I'm sure you've researched, the GT tends to lack some options like ELSD, and unless you're real tight on budget, the GTS is the better buyer for only a marginal amount of monies more. The GTC would be a great buy if you had an additional $30k-$40k to spend over the current market for the GT/GTS. At that price point, you could even find some GTRs (not the Nissan kind).
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I would take a 2018 GTC over a 2020 GT any day. When MB dropped the GTS in the US, they dumbed down the GT as well to create a sufficient gap between the GT and GTC ($34k+) Too many important features missing and not available as options. The latest models have some feature improvements but none on the performance-side (engine, transmission, suspension). Exhaust has taken a step back to comply with Euro noise and pollution regulations.
If you like the wider body and rear wheel steering, then your only choice is the GTC or the more track oriented GTR. In regards to the Carbon Ceramics brakes, on used cars these brakes often come at no additional cost. No-brainer as these produce zero brake dust even if other benefits don't matter.
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I would also vote for the Nappa leather and carbon fiber interior. It's a real shame when people see how cool the car is on the outside, then see an extremely plain interior when you open the door. I can't see much of the outside of the car when driving, so it's worth having a sweet interior to stare at when I am.
You'll have no issue with storage space for groceries and/or two backpacks on the coupe versions.
The hardware component for the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is not visible from anywhere inside the cabin.
You'll want to look at 2017+ if you intend to have a car with remaining factory warranty, unless you score a 2016 with CPO (one additional year) or an aftermarket transferable warranty.
As I'm sure you've researched, the GT tends to lack some options like ELSD, and unless you're real tight on budget, the GTS is the better buyer for only a marginal amount of monies more. The GTC would be a great buy if you had an additional $30k-$40k to spend over the current market for the GT/GTS. At that price point, you could even find some GTRs (not the Nissan kind).
With you 100% on the Nappa leather interior, especially if there is a color contrast (red & black, for example). As nice as the interior is overall for the AMG GT, an all black just looks so grim to me.
Awesome to hear about the Android Auto modules being out of sight!
I'm looking at a 2018 C right now. I believe the in service date was in 2017, so II would only have until sometime next year for remaining warranty. In all my previously owned vehicles, I only purchased one extended warranty. It was through my credit union. But I'll check with GEICO, since I've been with them 30+ years.
With you 100% on the Nappa leather interior, especially if there is a color contrast (red & black, for example). As nice as the interior is overall for the AMG GT, an all black just looks so grim to me.
Awesome to hear about the Android Auto modules being out of sight!
I'm looking at a 2018 C right now. I believe the in service date was in 2017, so II would only have until sometime next year for remaining warranty. In all my previously owned vehicles, I only purchased one extended warranty. It was through my credit union. But I'll check with GEICO, since I've been with them 30+ years.




With you 100% on the Nappa leather interior, especially if there is a color contrast (red & black, for example). As nice as the interior is overall for the AMG GT, an all black just looks so grim to me.
Awesome to hear about the Android Auto modules being out of sight!
I'm looking at a 2018 C right now. I believe the in service date was in 2017, so II would only have until sometime next year for remaining warranty. In all my previously owned vehicles, I only purchased one extended warranty. It was through my credit union. But I'll check with GEICO, since I've been with them 30+ years.
I would take a 2018 GTC over a 2020 GT any day. When MB dropped the GTS in the US, they dumbed down the GT as well to create a sufficient gap between the GT and GTC ($34k+) Too many important features missing and not available as options. The latest models have some feature improvements but none on the performance-side (engine, transmission, suspension). Exhaust has taken a step back to comply with Euro noise and pollution regulations.
If you like the wider body and rear wheel steering, then your only choice is the GTC or the more track oriented GTR. In regards to the Carbon Ceramics brakes, on used cars these brakes often come at no additional cost. No-brainer as these produce zero brake dust even if other benefits don't matter.
The GTC's only started from model year 18 (facelift) while the GTS was available from early 2015 as a MY16. Certain options are default on one vs options on the other. Power-wise there are differences but nothing that a tune couldn't fix. The GTC has the wide body and rear wheel steering (my preference) but some don't care for it. Forget about Android Auto (MY20 and up only) unless you are OK with a 3rd party retrofit.
Overall, I would drive all three of them unless budget rules one out. Figure out what design, features and options are important to you and then go for the best deal. You really can't go wrong with either.
I like Carbon Ceramics, High end Burmester maybe nice. Also the exclusive nappa interior is a must IMO. On a coupe I would pick the glass roof (we live in the land of 5 months+ snow). On a GTC the DPP is default; to me a must as is the blind spot detection which should be standard for a car with limited visibility.








Ceramic Brakes are easy to recognize by the gold calipers (option B09 if you have the build sheet). High-end Burmester is better but the standard is in the middle of the 3 audio systems for the car. Definitely enough for a roadster IMO. The GTC has Nappa leather with Dynamica standard as is the std. Burmester and DPP (in the US). Badge delete is a common option in Germany and a few pick that here too. If you like the badge, MB has those for $15 or so... Distronic was an option as the Carbon Fibre.
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Last edited by Wolfman; Jun 10, 2020 at 02:42 PM.
Ceramic Brakes are easy to recognize by the gold calipers (option B09 if you have the build sheet). High-end Burmester is better but the standard is in the middle of the 3 audio systems for the car. Definitely enough for a roadster IMO. The GTC has Nappa leather with Dynamica standard as is the std. Burmester and DPP (in the US). Badge delete is a common option in Germany and a few pick that here too. If you like the badge, MB has those for $15 or so... Distronic was an option as the Carbon Fibre.




