Mercedes-AMG GT (C190) buying guide

The GT S arrived first, and a lesser GT followed at the end of 2015, according to RAC Drive. The GT R came for 2017, the GT C for 2018, the GT R Pro for 2020 and the 720-horsepower Black Series for 2021 and 2022. The roadster body ran 2018 through 2020 by CarScout's count, though RAC Drive says the roadster was offered from 2017 to 2023, so check the exact year of any roadster you look at. A mild facelift with updated styling and more power across the lineup came for 2020 and 2021.

On years, the sources agree. CarScout calls 2019 the cleanest for recall history, with 2020 close behind. CarsCounsel names 2020 and 2021 as the best choices and says 2016 and 2017 need careful inspection. That fits the driveshaft recalls, which hit the early cars. The current facelift coupes are covered on our AMG GT Coupe page.

Among versions, CarScout picks the GT S as the best balance of daily usability against price, and says the GT R Pro only makes sense if you track the car regularly. The Pro uses the same 577-hp tune as the GT R but adds a roll cage, four-point harness, manual coilovers and a carbon roof panel. The GT C Edition 50 is cosmetic and interior extras with no mechanical changes. See the GT S, GT R and Black Series pages for each one's market. The Black Series makes 720 hp and 590 lb-ft, and its own recall is a wrong-length wheel speed sensor harness.

Most of the trouble sits in the gearbox, the driveshaft on early cars, the dampers and the electronics.

Carbon driveshaft bonding

The bond between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and its flange can be insufficient, and if the driveshaft separates at speed, the rear wheels abruptly lose their drive. The recall began in 2019 for 2016-2017 GT S and 2017 GT cars and widened in 2021 to 2016-2018 models. The repair was free.

Dual-clutch gearbox

The 7-speed DCT can be jerky or hesitant at low speeds and in stop-and-go traffic, most noticeably in early years, says CarsCounsel. CarScout cites one owner whose transmission failed at 26,000 miles with an $18,000 bill after warranty, which it describes as an outlier.

GT C neutral drop

GT C owners have reported the car dropping into neutral at highway speed with a rear differential lock warning. CarScout describes these reports as not widespread.

Adaptive damper struts

The electronic struts of the adaptive dampers can leak or fail, and replacing them is expensive. Both CarsCounsel and carchecker.pro flag this.

Turbo oil feed line

GT models built from May 2018 to the end of October 2019 were recalled for a possible leak from the turbo oil feed line, according to RAC Drive. Confirm the work was done on any car from that window.

Infotainment lag

Early COMAND systems can lag, freeze or fail to pair with smartphones. CarsCounsel says later software largely fixed this.

Software and other recalls

RAC Drive lists further recalls for ECU software on cars built up to March 2017, ESP and radio control unit software, and front seat belts. It also mentions a Lane Assist fault that is hard to pin down.

Servicing is due every 12,500 miles, says RAC Drive. Dr. Vin puts oil changes at $400 to $600, steel-rotor brake jobs at $2,000 to $3,000 and annual maintenance at $3,000 to $5,000. Carbon-ceramic brake replacement on equipped cars runs $12,000 to $18,000, it says.

CarScout says a full set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on the GT R runs well over $2,000, and front brake pads begin near $230 an axle set, labor extra. carchecker.pro quotes European figures of up to €3,000 for wastegate rattle repair, up to €15,000 for the Getrag DCT and up to €2,000 for the oil separator. Budget for the dampers too, since replacement is expensive. Our price guide covers what cars sell for.

Aim for a 2020 or 2021 car, as CarsCounsel does, or a 2019 for its clean recall record per CarScout. Choose the GT S if you want one to use regularly, and skip the GT R Pro unless you track it. Treat 2016 and 2017 cars as ones to inspect hard.

Insist on completed driveshaft and turbo oil line recall paperwork where they apply, and a transmission health check from a specialist. Then check the dampers for leaks before you sign.