My new AMG GTS - thoughts and some questions

[Zippee]

Hi all,
I picked my new (to me) 66 plate AMG GTS with premium pack yesterday and still haven’t wiped the grin off my face despite only a sedate 130 mile journey home.
It’s very comfortable, not as crashy as I thought it would be (though now as smooth as the RS6 I p/ex’d) and incredibly easy to drive.
I’m still learning my way around the car in terms of what buttons/settings do etc but have a couple of initial thoughts and questions.
I’m 5’10 and so sit a comfortable way back but the passenger side mirror glass I can only just see properly with it at maximum angle in. My wife, who is 5’3, I think may struggle with that as she just won’t be able to see down the side of the car – anyone else have a similar issue? Presumably nothing can be done here?
Width wise, I find the car shrinks around you and it’s no wider than my old RS so no problems there. Getting used to the oil tanker bonnet takes time but it’s a great view driving along 😊
Steering does feel light at speed and some have commented this gives a lack of feel, I found otherwise and quite like it.
The small kmh speed shown in the top left of the dash display – can this be changed to MPH?
The maps installed are 2016 – is there a good source for updated maps without paying the ridiculous amount Mercedes will likely want?
Can Android auto be retrofitted?
How essential is the OEM warranty? At just shy of 3k per annum am I better off putting the money aside instead? From what I can tell they are pretty reliable cars.
Any good owners forums?
Any other hints/tips I should know?

[Captain Smerc]

You're gonna have so much fun!

Edited by Captain Smerc on Monday 24th February 18:31

[alex_gray255]

Hi mate, not an easy one to replace the OEM system for as it is integrated so tightly into the dash & infotainment system.

An easy option would be to fit an Android based rearview mirror. Either full replacement or just the slot over version.

They work fairly well. Not perfect, but good enough.

[Zippee]

alex_gray255 said:

Hi mate, not an easy one to replace the OEM system for as it is integrated so tightly into the dash & infotainment system.

An easy option would be to fit an Android based rearview mirror. Either full replacement or just the slot over version.

They work fairly well. Not perfect, but good enough.

Not quite sure we're on the same page
Android auto (like apple car play)

[Tresco]

I drive a 2015 GTS Ed 1 and haven't extended the warranty for the last two years, nothing gone wrong so far..

When I bought the car I did take the Mercedes 3yr alloy wheel insurance which I've used once so probably paid for itself, I might see if I can extend that - there are two roads near me with narrow sections so if a bus or HGV comes in the opposite direction I'm stuffed, the car doesn't shrink around you that much!

[Zippee]

Thanks - good to hear you've not had any issues. This tallies with most of my research. Carbon prop is an issue on some but nothing else major shows online, just the usual one off niggles for people.
Can't wait till Saturday when I get to take her out again, though the weather is likely to be appalling. I'm meeting a friend for lunch so have no choice - the hardships of life I guess

[alex_gray255]

Zippee said:

Not quite sure we're on the same page
Android auto (like apple car play)

Gotcha.

Look here...
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/unlock-activate-merce...

Might help. No idea if the info is valid, but...

Edited by alex_gray255 on Sunday 1st March 21:47

[off_again]

Zippee said:

Hi all,
I picked my new (to me) 66 plate AMG GTS with premium pack yesterday and still haven’t wiped the grin off my face despite only a sedate 130 mile journey home.

Thats a 2016 model right?

Zippee said:

Steering does feel light at speed and some have commented this gives a lack of feel, I found otherwise and quite like it.

Yeah, some people like it some dont. I have a C63S and find the C setting steering very numb. Its OK, but there are bits where it just doesnt feel right. What a lot of people do is customize the Individual setting to keep the suspension in C and the gearbox in auto, but ramp up the steering feel. It does make a difference. Oh, and have the 'zorst in full loud mode.

Zippee said:

The small kmh speed shown in the top left of the dash display – can this be changed to MPH?

Merc allows you to change it to MPH or KPH, but not mix and match from what I am aware. Its one or the other. Do you have the HUD?

Zippee said:

The maps installed are 2016 – is there a good source for updated maps without paying the ridiculous amount Mercedes will likely want?
Can Android auto be retrofitted?

Updates are free for the first 2-3 years. After that, its a cost. Unfortunately, I cant find any easy update options. BMW has a load of aftermarket ones, shame there isnt one for Merc that I can find. Shame. However, if its under warranty, I believe updates are included. I havent done it with mine yet, but next service I will push and see.

There are a lot of options, but as a 2016 model, I dont believe its a turn-on option. It only made it as an option in the 2018 model year I think, 2019 here in the US. Pretty bad to be honest. I see a lot of people who add a separate box to intercept the screen and you can switch between Android and Iphone screens. I had this on my old Cayenne, which worked really well, but they are far from cheap. I would recommend taking a look on mbworld.org and see what the options are. Usually involves taking the dash apart and swapping some plugs on the display. Really thinking of doing it with mine.

Zippee said:

How essential is the OEM warranty? At just shy of 3k per annum am I better off putting the money aside instead? From what I can tell they are pretty reliable cars.

Mine is still under warranty and will remain so for another couple of years! The 4.0TT is a VERY reliable engine. The C63S and GT/S/R runs a pretty low level of tune, and I havent heard of anything! In fact, there is a pretty big scene in upgrading the C63S engine (503/510 engine) to 600+ BHP. Remap, headers, exhaust etc. Its a stout engine and takes this easily. HOWEVER, when you start going beyond this, it can cause issues. I personally havent seen a broken engine, usually its electronics that throw issues. But if its standard, its not normally an issue and seems VERY reliable.

However, radiator & oil coolers - seem to be consumables! The C63S has a similar setup with the outside intercoolers and lower oil cooler on the radiator. All are easy to damage and vulnerable to stones. Be aware of this and keep a close watch on them. Expect to replace every 4-5 years and a warranty will cover some of this if its proven to be a fault. So might be worth for this.

Might be worth it, but given that a replacement engine (there was a big story about a guy who hydrolocked his C63S here in the US, is something like $40k before fitting. Its been around enough to have some specialists who can work on the engine, but that was extreme case - he drove through a massive pool of water and it got ingested into the engine. Given the height of the intakes, yeah, I am not buying it. But some sort of insurance against this would always be worth it.

Zippee said:

Any good owners forums?

mbworld.org

Zippee said:

Any other hints/tips I should know?

Do a search on Youtube for 'mercedes hidden features' and take a look. Auto dipping mirrors, turn off easy entry, loud mode start for AMG's etc etc. Whole bunch of them are not documented but are standard.

[Zippee]

Thank you for your comments, very useful.
It is indeed a late 6 model and does not have HUD.
I'll check out youtube for the hints etc.
Do you know how to change the KMH to MPH as I can't see it in the settings menus?

[alex_gray255]

I just checked with Mercedes about the Android Auto setup and it is not something they can do on the GT/GTS.

[Tim bo]

This entire thread is null and void without pictures ...

[WJNB]

Tim bo said:

This entire thread is null and void without pictures ...

It's nothing of the sort given the practical USEFUL responses.

[Zippee]

WJNB said:

Tim bo said:

This entire thread is null and void without pictures ...

It's nothing of the sort given the practical USEFUL responses.

Agreed
Plenty of pics if you use Google

[Ron240]

On car forums it is generally accepted as obligatory to post photos when starting a thread about the new car you have just bought....and particularly so in this case when the car in question is so special.
Saying there's plenty of photos available on google just doesn't cut it I'm afraid.
If it was my car I would already have taken a multitude of photos from every possible angle.

[Autopilot]

….agreed!! It's the pictures in posts like these that make me just get on with things and stop evening considering things like an R8. We need pics!!