Skilly

well, it's been a fun ride with the GT. Learned a lot on here and hope that I have given back some too! Just decided to make a change and the GTC is on the market. Only been on consignment for 2 days and getting multiple bids as far away as New York!...I'm in California. It's a great car with expensive upgrades and a CPO to 2024.

https://www.cars925.com/vehicle-deta...405b58a60cfb22

Alex at Elite is a good friend and knows how to take care of the customer! In fact, I think he currently has the corner on the market for GTs, at least in the West. He has 2 GTRs, a GTR Pro (with less than 200 miles) and 3 GTC's (2 are Roadsters). Great stuff!! And where I have sold my last 6 cars - couldn't be happier!

Its also where I found my next project - a 2017 R8 Spyder with 3,000 miles...

AMG 17GT

That was fast! Will miss having you around. GLWS.

ZephyrAMG

Congrats! Great to have you here. I have a feeling the R8 won’t give you that wow factor but keep us posted!

Skilly

As it sits for sure! But, I never leave em as is and already have a punch list for 'things to do'!

SpokenHands

Wow - that car took my breadth away!
Some very tasteful mods and I am now really considering the 2020 rear diffuser and tail pipes
Maybe the headlights as well - the other bits not so much for me but they do look brilliant!

I am sure this has been dealt with before but i presume the rear tailpipes means a change to system, not just the tips?
Thanks for your thoughts - and enjoy the new ride!!

Skilly

Thanks!

Lots more to what you see for both.

For the tips, its of course the tips, but also the brackets, diffuser, and lower quarter pieces as well. For the lights, its coding (this is not trivial - quite a bit of work here from an expert) but also wiring a second power and ground.

SpokenHands

Thanks - I am going to have to find a MB specialist in UK who will undertake these mods.
The dealers dont want to know naturally and wont even order the parts based on VIN.

supertanch

Congratulations and GLWS Skilly! It's bittersweet to see you leave the MB platform. Thanks for all the great info you've leaved to this forum.

R8 is a wise choice, the naturally aspired v10 is one of the last that would be made, and do enjoy it!

Skilly

try these guys - they can team view and do everything remotely. unbelievably talented.

https://www.instagram.com/eb_coding_performance/

Skilly

Thanks - pretty surprised by the drive and quite a bit left in a tune to bring it even more to life. Its a Lambo in a business suit!

carnut1

I have turned a few R8"s to RWD (when I was doing that sort of thing for people), they are a bit tame but for most people a good balance of practical and sporty. I wish you good luck with it.

kumizi

I'm thinking of doing the same. Sold my GTS but the cars I want are too expensive in this market.

Thinking R8 in the meantime. I miss having a naturally aspirated/linear powerband car.

mbjj57

The Mclaren gt is the only car I will consider ...

TriggrPullrUSMC

Alex is amazing, I bought my Magno Blue from him this weekend. I am so tempted to also get the G63 he has there. I think Alex and I will get to know each other really well over time. He was super fair, honest and upon meeting me in person (many emails) he said, I know you are a car guy and I can see you are going to buy the car so have a look at it let me know. I spent a great deal of time with part of the gov't that works in information gathering in my past life and I detest BS artists and can pick them out of a crowd he is good people Fun fact: I am also certified by a university in London as a super recognizer, so I think that officially makes me a weirdo. I keep trying to drink that part of my brain away with bourbon, but it isn't working.

Congrats on the new car and may you have MANY safe and happy miles with it. I am going to go in for knee replacement surgery soon, I got a bit beat up overseas have had way too many surgeries, and I have more maintenance cycles and repairs than cars do I will have him put protective film on it when I am in the shop getting the camber and toe in adjusted on my left leg.

If you know anything bad about my car don't tell me I am in love and don't want my bride to be dirty. Well, not dirty like that. Ok, you can tell me.

One last thing I have been lurking and learning and you and a few others are a wealth of knowledge.

ETA- WHOA forget what I said, I just saw which one you bought, and you are now my arch nemesis, bitter rival, enemy, antagonist and other words found in a thesaurus. I can't believe you got that, I wanted that car!!!! That car is a significant piece of great congratulations! I still hate you though The fact is I am too tall for it or Alex was letting me down gently by saying I am too tall for it.

I want all the things you have on that car- I know you bought it but would you recommend doing it tot eh 2020 gtr? I think I want to start with the hand held, see how that goes and maybe do more. Any thoughts on that? Alex even though his shop does it and knows I will throw a lot of cash on it said I should wait and try things out first.

Sorry, 1 more thing- I just have to say you have a breathtaking car. I have seen all sorts of cars, a guy that works with me in UK has a McLaren P1 before that he had an Aventador, I have driven both and something about your car is more special to me. I stood and looked at that car longer than I looked at mine- As soon as the wire from my bank hits tomorrow I am going to go and grab mine I hope to see yours one last time- Amazing car I am really jealous.

jmrdmd

Congratulations on the sale and good luck with the Audi..another amazing car!

Would you mind sharing who did your screen upgrade? Also, were you happy with it and did it give you increased features like Apple CarPlay?

Thanks

Jan

Doctodd33

So your car salesman is amazing?!?!? Lmao

Skilly

Ha -thanks for the kind words! I was in there yesterday finalizing my deal! That Blue GTR is really nice - it was my backup choice, albeit a little out of my price range, and I was looking for something different.

I spent a lot of time learning about the differences and parts, and tweaking options for the GT. There are PLENTY of very smart people on here to resource from, but feel free to reach out any time to pick my brain! I'll make sure Alex knows that he can pass my information on to you. I've been working with Alex now for a few years, and consider him a trusted friend. One of the most genuine people that I have ever meant, car business aside! I love the guy! He probably didn't tell you, but he actually owns the place!

Alex is really well connected. In fact, that size issue with the drivers position - I have the same issue. Im 6'4" and the cabin of the R8 is cramped - think circus bear riding a tricycle. He has a resource that works almost primarily for the west coast sports athletes (think Warriors, Clippers etc) and does seat and pedal modifications. The quote was 'I can give this a seating position the same room as a new 911'. Absolute wizardry! That part is done in a week and then on to his Custom Shop, Elite Concepts (https://www.instagram.com/eliteautoconcepts/ ) for tune, exhaust, wrap etc. A couple of weeks of waiting but a complete 1 stop bespoke experience!

Skilly

I purchased from DMP Auto - its a complete upgrade. There are a few (very minor) quirks, but easy to get used to and then, you dont really look back. Its a completely integration - think of it like replacing your screen with a giant Android Phone that is preconfigured to act like the Mercedes OEM screen.

I defaulted to using CarPlay almost exclusively and the experience was pretty flawless. It uses Aux to get the sound out and one of the OEM screen selectors lets you move back to the command screen. You can still get radio and sat from the stock set up but the screen and the sound operate independently (I mentioned a few quirks). Some with heavy OCD may find it imperfect, because it is. But filling the gap for getting what feels like true integrated CarPlay is solved. I have used the Joye system before too, on a 2017 C63s - this is MILES ahead of that.

Skilly

Especially after a tune! Hard to beath the sound of a V10 at 8K rpm. Cept a v12, but then youre talking $$$

TriggrPullrUSMC

I am an idiot I misunderstood I thought you had bought the convertible AMG but that was yours? Man, that has to be one of the nicest cars I have seen. I am not a Lambo or Ferrari fan (except a few Ferraris) just like I a collect watches but not a Rolex fan. I respect them and think they are great cars but just not for me. When I first saw the AMG GT in the early days of the company I just helped go public as one of the first 10 employees I promised myself that when the hard work was over I'd treat myself to an AMG GT of some flavor. It is amazing but understated and not exactly under the radar so to speak but not too flashy. I am so happy to have met Alex he really was just a nice guy to meet. I plan on bringing him a lot of business.

Also want that Harley he has over at the customer shop- It is a lot like a rigid I built but different enough to fit in to the collection. Anyhow, you did a great job putting that together. I was jealous when I thought you had bought it even more so to know that you are the guy that made that car come together like that- Anyhow, enough fawning and man crush I do still hope you have many years enjoying that R8 you have good taste - that is my other choice for a performance car.

PS I was at the customer shop and saw the Lambo with the mario bros wrap- Very odd to me,

1myway

did you drive the GT?

I also lamented over the GT before I purchased the GTR........didn't help that they were side by side at the stealership.

MBNRG

Dude, just as i'm getting on the GT-x wagon, you're making a grand exit

You've had a plethora of knowledgeable posts and many great contributions to this forum - thank you very much.
You will be missed.

Enjoy the glorious new ride in good health! That NA soundtrack is pure symphony