Possible noob here

[BenzDriver]

Hi guys. It seems after many years of Mercedes mostly AMGs im now looking alot at Gran Turismo's absolutely love the looks and the noise and now they are falling in price it's now a realistic option.

My budget would allow a 4.2 GT I have viewed a few and was honestly very put off the whole GT idea after my first viewing. I'm glad I kept faith though as the subsequent ones have been far better.

I'm pretty good with knowing what to look for as this is not my first performance car. I know these are prone to leaking rocker covers, stone chips and parking sensor issues. But is there any other specifics I should be looking at? How do the clutches hold up? I'm tempted to have a professional inspection just to check things like clutch wear level but one of them is pretty low mileage so I'd hope it'd be ok?

Thanks in advance for any info you can throw at me.

 

[Wattie]

My advice, save up get an mc 4.7. Your AMG will sound better than a 4.2, and be quicker.
Cheers Wattie

 

[BenzDriver]

My advice, save up get an mc 4.7. Your AMG will sound better than a 4.2, and be quicker.
Cheers Wattie

Surely that's a matter of opinion? Quite happy with the 4.2s I've heard especially with the sports exhaust. It's not necessarily worse it's a different noise altogether. And of course the AMGs are quicker, my last was a mapped C63 with 530hp which still didnt feel that quick, but they are two entirely different animals and in my opinion not comparable. That's why I've arrived here, I want a change.

I appreciate your comments regarding the 4.7 however having had the taste so to speak im not sure I'd be happy with much else in the meantime while I continue working away...

 

[ChrisQP09]

I owned a CLS 55 and amg sound is much different than a Ferrari engine. Mercs are distinctivly raspy whereas the F136 engines etc are exotic sounding with a fuller yet clearer note

[video=youtube;TYVd_7B4u9I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYVd_7B4u9I[/video][video=youtube;5fI5W8eVy-c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fI5W8eVy-c[/video]

 

[safrane]

4.2 are all autos so no clutch to worry about.

 

[Classico]

As others have said, no clutch issues to worry about.

Given how cheap 4.7s are in the UK, I'd buy one of those over the standard car.

Better performance and sound.

Then there's The MC Stradale if you want the full blown opera.

 

[BenzDriver]

4.2 are all autos so no clutch to worry about.

Excellent thanks for that!

 

[BenzDriver]

As others have said, no clutch issues to worry about.

Given how cheap 4.7s are in the UK, I'd buy one of those over the standard car.

Better performance and sound.

Then there's The MC Stradale if you want the full blown opera.

Unfortunately the 4.7 is currently beyond the budget. I'm happy enough with the 4.2 for now. With a possibly view to step up to a 4.7 later down the line. MC Stradale is way out for me too!

Im happy to go slower for abit, if performance was an issue id simply jump into another 63 or 65 AMG

 

[VMSRTI]

Great comparison vid. Like both and the c63 is something I will seriously look at in the future.

 

[Andyk]

A big warm welcome to the forum...4.2 GT's are great value and loads of car for the money. You obviously know what you want and have researched as they are a very different car to the amazing AMG's.......but those looks alone are enough to get people hooked....

If you did find the car wanting against the AMG's you could always spend a bit on upgrades to give it a bit more grunt but sounds like you are happy with them as they are. A few goodies here...

http://www.torenno.com/maserati

Anyway, good luck with your search and look forward to seeing how you get on.

 

[BenzDriver]

A big warm welcome to the forum...4.2 GT's are great value and loads of car for the money. You obviously know what you want and have researched as they are a very different car to the amazing AMG's.......but those looks alone are enough to get people hooked....

If you did find the car wanting against the AMG's you could always spend a bit on upgrades to give it a bit more grunt but sounds like you are happy with them as they are. A few goodies here...

http://www.torenno.com/maserati

Anyway, good luck with your search and look forward to seeing how you get on.

Thanks fella, I try not to go into these things with a blindfold on! But if I did id buy on the noise alone!

At some point I imagine It will most likely get a remap, filters and exhaust just to help it along.

 

[ChrisQP09]

People's perception is all together different and you will notice this too

Mostly positive, but if you're younger its a mixed bag haha.

 

[Lozzingers]

Hi Benzdriver - I was in a similar position to you 6 months ago - having been all about 0-60 in the past (nearly buying a C63 estate to replace my 330d touring) I actually wanted a 4.2 over the 4.7 as it would mean that I could accelerate and hear the noise for longer. Weird logic I know (and with a full Larini Sports exhaust) it sounds insanely beautiful!
As you have found there will be some good ones and some bad - I nearly settled for a 'cheap' one in poor condition with high miles and lots of leather rips inside/scratches outside but glad I didn't! I ended up buying off a chap on this forum - and hope I don't have to sell ever (unless I get made redundant in the next month or two which is actually more likely than I'd like...)
Enjoy your search and if you're around Godalming way you're most welcome to come and see hear it!
Laurence

 

[BenzDriver]

Hi Benzdriver - I was in a similar position to you 6 months ago - having been all about 0-60 in the past (nearly buying a C63 estate to replace my 330d touring) I actually wanted a 4.2 over the 4.7 as it would mean that I could accelerate and hear the noise for longer. Weird logic I know (and with a full Larini Sports exhaust) it sounds insanely beautiful!
As you have found there will be some good ones and some bad - I nearly settled for a 'cheap' one in poor condition with high miles and lots of leather rips inside/scratches outside but glad I didn't! I ended up buying off a chap on this forum - and hope I don't have to sell ever (unless I get made redundant in the next month or two which is actually more likely than I'd like...)
Enjoy your search and if you're around Godalming way you're most welcome to come and see hear it!
Laurence

Thanks for that. And funny both my C and E63S were estates, I loved each minute of both and frankly reccomend both cars. But as previously stated they are different animals,

Sounds like your near purchase was very similar to my first viewing. Absolutely terrible shape and not loved at all!
And I'm in South east London so chances of me being that way at some point is entirely possible. If so I'll drop you a message! Appreciate the offer!!

 

[Dan!]

Having had both the 4.2 and the 4.7MC Shift I would not entertain, or recommend that someone entertain, a 4.2 GT.

It's not just because they are underpowered, I mean any German 3 litre barge will keep up with it on straight line performance, it's mainly the brakes.

You see, they don't work. I don't mean "Oh, they're a bit spongy" (which they are incidentally) I mean, if you press the brake pedal 3 times in succession I will bet you cash money that you cannot get the ABS to come on. They run out of servo assistance or something like that. Whatever it is, it's quite disconcerting.

Now you may be thinking, why on earth would I want to press the brake pedal three times in close succession?

Well, as I discovered, there's actually quite a few times that it can happen. From leaving a motorway by moving from lane 2 to lane 1 and braking, braking down the slip road and then attempting to stop at the roundabout, to spirited country lane driving that happens to require three decent presses of the brake pedal.

It was this that made me take my 4.2 back. I took it back for a refund, I've never been very good at complaining, left with a brand new MC Shift.

The brakes are mildly better on the 4.7 MC Shift and the Auto, in so much as they will actually stop the car, due to the 6 pot callipers I'm told. But it's the sound, specifically of the MC Shift, that is worth every single penny.

My advice, given my experience, is hold out for a MC Shift to avoid disappointment (or potentially rear ending someone at the end of a slip road)

 

[Classico]

Gotta say, never had a problem with the GT's brakes.

Yes, they are spongey. Especially compared previous Audi RS5 which felt like it could stop a freight train doing 300 km/h.

But they have more than once prevented piling into some doughnut who has decided he wanted to stop and park without flashing indicator lights on a main road.

 

[BenzDriver]

Having had both the 4.2 and the 4.7MC Shift I would not entertain, or recommend that someone entertain, a 4.2 GT.

It's not just because they are underpowered, I mean any German 3 litre barge will keep up with it on straight line performance, it's mainly the brakes.

You see, they don't work. I don't mean "Oh, they're a bit spongy" (which they are incidentally) I mean, if you press the brake pedal 3 times in succession I will bet you cash money that you cannot get the ABS to come on. They run out of servo assistance or something like that. Whatever it is, it's quite disconcerting.

Now you may be thinking, why on earth would I want to press the brake pedal three times in close succession?

Well, as I discovered, there's actually quite a few times that it can happen. From leaving a motorway by moving from lane 2 to lane 1 and braking, braking down the slip road and then attempting to stop at the roundabout, to spirited country lane driving that happens to require three decent presses of the brake pedal.

It was this that made me take my 4.2 back. I took it back for a refund, I've never been very good at complaining, left with a brand new MC Shift.

The brakes are mildly better on the 4.7 MC Shift and the Auto, in so much as they will actually stop the car, due to the 6 pot callipers I'm told. But it's the sound, specifically of the MC Shift, that is worth every single penny.

My advice, given my experience, is hold out for a MC Shift to avoid disappointment (or potentially rear ending someone at the end of a slip road)

Well thanks for that Dan, worth noting. Can't say I've pushed them hard enough on test drive to notice any lack of brakes, haven't really noticed any spongeyness if that's a word on the "good" ones I've driven either, well no more then I'd expect for a big heavy GT car. I'm content with the fact this isn't about to set new records for speed. As previously stated if I wanted a sports car id buy one. After something a little more relaxed for now.

Is this something anyone else has experienced? Surely if it was that big an issue they'd of had to recall or something? Is it definitely a 4.2 issue rather then one or a few individual cars?

 

[BenzDriver]

Gotta say, never had a problem with the GT's brakes.

Yes, they are spongey. Especially compared previous Audi RS5 which felt like it could stop a freight train doing 300 km/h.

But they have more than once prevented piling into some doughnut who has decided he wanted to stop and park without flashing indicator lights on a main road.

Thanks for your input fella! Got there before I could actually ask for anyone else's experience top stuff!

And I'm pretty sure some decent discs and pads with braided hoses and some dot 5.1 fluid would be a good improvement, usually is. Ultimately I've lived with a mustang and a f150 either of which dosent particularly turn or stop very well. I'm sure I'll be fine either way.

 

[Dan!]

Well thanks for that Dan, worth noting. Can't say I've pushed them hard enough on test drive to notice any lack of brakes, haven't really noticed any spongeyness if that's a word on the "good" ones I've driven either, well no more then I'd expect for a big heavy GT car. I'm content with the fact this isn't about to set new records for speed. As previously stated if I wanted a sports car id buy one. After something a little more relaxed for now.

Is this something anyone else has experienced? Surely if it was that big an issue they'd of had to recall or something? Is it definitely a 4.2 issue rather then one or a few individual cars?

When I took mine back I took out another 4.2 they had in stock and it was exactly the same. So much so that a tech came out with me to test it and came to the same conclusion.

Please, anyone with a 4.2 GT try the same and report back. Get to 40mph, then give it 3 decent presses and let us know what happens. Mine was a 57 plate car.

 

[Doohickey]

When I took mine back I took out another 4.2 they had in stock and it was exactly the same. So much so that a tech came out with me to test it and came to the same conclusion.

Please, anyone with a 4.2 GT try the same and report back. Get to 40mph, then give it 3 decent presses and let us know what happens. Mine was a 57 plate car.

I can't say that I've had this problem. As Classico says there is long travel on the pedal but I've never had an issue with slowing down fast enough.

And on the noise an x pipe makes a massive difference.