Mercedes AMG GT S versus Porsche 911 Carrera GTS First Drive Review

AMG GT S vs. Carrera GTS
The Mercedes-AMG GT S is the new kid on the block. How does it stack up to the benchmark Carrera GTS? Let's find out.
Both Germans sports cars are from Stuttgart. Both the Porsche and the Mercedes-AMG have similar performance. Both the GT S and the GTS are similarly priced. The challenge is, of course, how do you decide between the Mercedes-AMG GT S and the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS?
The Mercedes-AMG, with its long hood and its unruly engine note, is engineered in the style of a German hot rod. The Porsche has been honed and refined over fifty years.
Both the Mercedes-AMG GT S and the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS are amazing, so let's explore their subtle - and not-so-subtle - differences.
Click here for our full Porsche 911 Carrera GTS First Drive Review: • 2015 Porsche 911 Carre...
Click here for our Porsche 911 Turbo S FULL WINTER MODE review: • 2015 Porsche 911 Turbo...
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Music © 2015 Russell Soares (russellsoares.com), used with permission, all rights reserved.
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[@alianjumdar]

I looked at both cars. I was going to buy a black on black 911 carrera 4 gts and then I got a call from my local mercedes benz dealer saying their first AMG GTS just landed. While driving up to the dealership I caught a glimpse of the AMG in gunmetal grey and black wheels. It was love at first sight and then... I pressed the start button :) The sound! OMG that sound. I picked it up 3 days later and current have just under 3000 kms on it. 3 years ago I was in the same dilemma Audi R8 v10 or a 997.2 Turbo S. I went with the R8. 911s are perfect and I love them, but when it came to spend my hard earned money on cars I ended buying cars that looked exotic, sounded exotic, and also came within 98% of a 911's performance. ROAR! CRACKS! POPS! AND BANGS! No 911 on this earth has that sound track.

[@moealyasini2784]

How is it after all that time ? Still recommended ?

[@julianob.a.6365]

I'm crazy about 911's since always, but damn this Mercedes looks good.

[@ddd-if2in]

Totally agree with you

[@MoBaxtah]

They're both great, but I like the GT-S better.

[@anthonylessthanzero1498]

They're both beautiful cars in their own right. I tried both of them and bought the 2016 911 GTS at the end. Why you ask! The Mercedes sitting position is low like the corvette. Thus harder to get in and out of the vehicle. You feel like your sitting in a bath tub. I'm 5'11''. The nose is so long that you lose sight of the last two feet of it. More blind spots than the 911. The handling is much tighter and easier to master a curvy road with the 911. The rear end of the Mercedes GTS looks to much like the old 928 Porsche's. Looks nice but reminds me too much of that model. The 2016 Porsche 911 GTS will be the last year of the naturally aspirated engines, except for the 911GT RS models. I'm guessing this will hold it's value or depreciated less and maybe become a collector's car in the future. Regarding the Mercedes GTS. Beautiful interior and body! Love the torque and sound. But I'm afraid that it'll depreciate a lot quicker then the 911 and will not have the resale demand as a 911. Remember this is not the Mercedes-SLS AMG Gullwing. My two cents worth. :)

[@donnellydominoes1134]

Antonio Carlos thank you, I've personally been looking at the two and I agree with your decision 👍🏻

[@thegeneral8133]

Antonio Carlos. I like the look of the AMG much better than the 911and the sound. I agree with your thoughts on why you chose one over the other.

[@dannykl6883]

I bought a 991.1 Carrera for similar reasons. I Could of had the .2 but wanted the naturally aspirated engine for that sweet exhaust note/roar and agree there will be a big demand for this generation 5/10 years down the line.

[@KUROSHURA]

Antonio Carlos you definitely made the right decision

[@SultanKhan-fq1rf]

Both are certainly great cars, and I agree it's easier to keep track of the corners of a Porsche. I also feel the Porsche seats are more comfortable (particularly the Sport Seats Plus), but the AMG seats are prettier. You were right in your depreciation prediction - the AMG GT S was originally 10% more expensive than a 911 GTS, but now used 2016 AMG GT S are selling for 20% less than used 991.1 GTS. I personally ended up buying a AMG GT S because I find the interior a lot nicer, the exterior is more eye catching/exotic/rare, depreciation worked in my favour buying lightly used, and I like the feeling of "sitting in a bathtub". Sitting so low makes driving the car more of an event. Size is no issue for me in the AMG - I'm 6'0 and there's plenty of headroom and room to move the seat back if I was even taller.

[@sauryv921]

This guy reviews are by far the most accurate and honest on KZbin . Great review

[@BrianMakse]

+Saury Valerio Cheers! Thanks!

[@longhanfei]

AMG is just way more emotional

[@paulstefan357]

look ar that AMG how amazing it look. ...GT S for me clearly

[@APlife764]

Both beautiful cars, I’ve always been a 911 guy. I don’t care about having the Head turner or being seen; truth is after you pass someone on the street, you become history🤗 just the functionality for my taste.

[@inchskater]

Great video! If the AMG GT S had gullwing doors I guess I couldn't resist. The way things are, I would probably go with the carrera gts you recommended! Now they just have to let me win the lottery tonight :)

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! That's what I'd buy, as well. Rear drive, manual, that's 991 perfection to me.

[@BroVCam]

911s have been my DREAM CARs for soooo many years, but man that AMG looks and sounds amazing!!! I really don't know which one to go with....... BOTH!!!

[@clovisthefirst492]

amg for this one

[@Maini007]

Nice video bro

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! Feel free to support our Patreon.

[@57gord]

I had to go with the 911 4 GTS. Only car left, that I was interested in, with a manual transmission. Plus I do like AWD. Love to get on the gas earlier coming out of turns and maybe get a little of that 4 wheel drift instead of under or over steer. But that's just my preference...........This (mine) is one of the last 2016's without turbos, collector ? I hope.

[@BrianMakse]

+Gordon Schwartz Brilliant car. I prefer oversteer, though. Way more entertaining. Hard to say where values are going, but indeed it's the last NA 911.

[@EDHBlvd]

I like the color grading in this video.

[@BrianMakse]

+Rediscover Film Cool, thanks. All credit goes to Nick.

[@BrianMakse]

+Rediscover Film Cool, thanks. All credit goes to Nick.

[@jeffk464]

The drivers position in the 911 has to make the car more user friendly.

[@Reguis1000]

great presentation and delivery.New to your channel here I would take the Porsche 911 Gts!

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! Be sure to subscribe and tell your friends!

[@daseteam]

Thanks Brian, very enjoyable as always. I am surprised that The Porsche is not the 991/2 with the twin turbo. The 911 S has already been tested and if the GTS has not been upgraded, the gap is closing.

[@BrianMakse]

+daseteam Thanks! The 991.2s aren't here yet, plus we shot that about two months ago. We've got some other comparo ideas when the new turbo-not-Turbo 991s get here.

[@yomofoindahouse]

+Brian Makse I think your reviews are great. When are you planning to upload the 991.2 comparo review? :)

[@BrianMakse]

+yomofoindahouse ha ha be sure to subscribe, that's all I can say!

[@yomofoindahouse]

ok. You know what's it everyone is interested in? --> turbo lag. If you can, put greater emphasis on it. :)

[@BrianMakse]

+yomofoindahouse That's the plan, mate, but that's an issue with the manual gearbox only. PDK eliminates much of that.

[@spoonie1972]

I found the AMG to have more character/fun as a street car, but it's probably less useful as a daily vs the 911. Additionally, losing the gullwing doors may make it a bit more accessible vs the old SLS, but it seems to lose an intangible by becoming slightly more practical.

[@bradwylie9732]

+Russell Ess I have a AMG for my daily and it is fine, same issue with any sports car though carparks, speed humps and alike are a little annoying.

[@spoonie1972]

+Brad Wylie Good to know. It's a great car and it makes terrific noises. I guess one of the things that makes the car far more useful day-to-day is the usable cargo area (vs the SLS).

[@Powaup]

+Brad Wylie Yea I agree with you 100% even though I have an M4 I sometimes wish I had an i3 for driving to the mall and through traffic

[@NBASFAN]

+Powaup lol, even though I have an i3 I sometimes wish I had an M4 for driving through the the mall and through traffic

[@NBASFAN]

+NBASFAN and i3 is wtf expensive bro

[@camirocz]

You re argument about the porsche with manual narrowing the performance gap makes no sense.A pdk 911 is much quicker than any manual version.The weight saving in the manual is not going to make it quicker than the pdk..

[@psdhami4215]

Would’ve been nice to see them race as I’m contemplating getting either one. 911 likely 🤩

[@BrianMakse]

911 is quicker around a race track.

[@Mark-WWE]

Porsche C4GTS all day. The AMG GT-S, while nice I can't get past its looks. The front and rear bumpers doesn't look cohesive. Plus the C4GTS has small rear seats that allows 2+ passengers.

[@3204clivesinclair]

For a GT car, practicality has to be considered. These are two superb vehicles, but not the most practical GT around.

[@raveesh8887]

Are those the optional wheels on the AMG ?

[@BrianMakse]

+Raveesh Hitesh Yeah, I think so.

[@muhammadmsalaam9594]

opinionated discussion & sellable statements etc can be used however using ergonomics those door latches used inside the AMG GT can break easily if over exertion forms into hand ergonomics included in that is if the door latches style causes pick forward & slap back causing clack & slap wearing the latch out. Other than that both have their market appeal with even the AMG GT having somewhat of Porsche styled rear fascia influence

[@boomboom1ist]

nice lines worm

[@schwanzelstock1071]

Porsche is the example of German stubbornness the engine was in the rear to safe create space. They intended it to be a good sized 4 passenger car. The first 911 ( 901's ) where they couldn't get it safe though and it was still to small for what it should cost so they made it a coupe...... The 928 was the father of the Panamera with that I meant that the 928 was never to totally replace the 911. People who truly love Porsches know all this.

[@Powaup]

If I was in the market for a 150k $ car those would be my 2 choices along with a GT3, would be a very hard decision to make

[@BrianMakse]

+Powaup That's the thing, isn't it?

[@theSTEWiiiE]

+SikhWitIt13 the amg gt and gt3 are both hard to live with daily, seats are way too tight and hurt after 5 minutes

[@charleslu7044]

Audi R8 anyone?

[@BrianMakse]

+Charles Lu No.

[@clu4u]

I be down for R8, mid engine rocks!

[@jahales1]

This is an off-the-wall question, but where is/are the cuphoulder/s in the MB GTS?

[@BrianMakse]

+John Hales Wouldn't know. That's not a feature we concern ourselves with.

[@jahales1]

You have no recollection of seeing one while you drove it a few days?

[@BrianMakse]

+John Hales None. It's not a feature we log and I wasn't sipping lattes during testing. Cup holders are something that Motor Trend and Consumer Reports probably evaluate.

[@onurrud.6609]

Thanks,you make great reviews. Will you make a video for a Lotus(does not matter which one)?

[@BrianMakse]

I think Lotus is pretty much dead, mate. Plus, they don't sell cars in our local market.

[@onurrud.6609]

+Brian Makse That's sad.

[@AlternativeDesign100]

it's always such a pain to watch "super car" reviews from countries that have ultra low speed limits... everywhere. The end result is simply a restricted long monologue laced with adjectives and fuck all happening down some country road. How god damn boring. Nice guy though, I'm sure.

[@BrianMakse]

Got a link to your supercar reviews?

[@suloja61]

SUPER.

[@coureurdebois]

in this i would have to go with the GTS, its like a german corvette with a V8 but with turbos and a farty noise. xD plus im sure the GTS will have a black edition or a higher level variant coming, more power, more looks, more sexyness. still no SLS replacement in my book its lacking character and that masculine design... and no gull wings doors... and those tail lights look like they had a porsche designer on the rear. and 6:01 i loved that side stepping shot of the interior.

[@BrianMakse]

+justin bouche Thanks! Agreed on all points, though I do like the AMG's rear lamps. You gotta give Nick all the credit for that shot!

[@tvanb]

+justin bouche please never compare a Mercedes to a Corvette. Disgraceful.

[@coureurdebois]

Torrey B and maybe you should stop living in the past... these are not thea C5 corvettes of your past anymore.

[@NickT717]

Nice footage, I understand they are both great cars would like it you contrasted the strengths of each car's driving characteristics more. Overall too complementary and definitely need to pick a winner. (stop being such a nice Canadian)

[@BrianMakse]

+NickT717 I appreciate what you're saying, but it ain't wrong if I like them both. I guess I'm just a bad car reviewer...

[@NickT717]

no man, its a solid review. With two cars in one video, one car should beat the other rather than the two being equal. ( I agree with you that AMG's looks make it feel more special) I appreciate the automotive journalists that post to KZbin. I think its easy for car enthusiasts to talk up all nice cars and not stay hungry for what could be even better.

[@nickbusato7138]

+NickT717 I think the lack of steering feel is my main gripe with the benz. Brian touches on how every interface in the 911gives you unrivalled feedback on whats going on with the tire and chassis. For some that fact and the additional rear seats are enough to win you over. The straight line performance gap will close with the 991.2 turbo cars coming to market shortly.

[@johnadams9044]

$165,000 + $13,000 tax? What a deal!

[@NA-du5vm]

Reviews a Porsche 911 & Benz AMG with a Ferrari T-shirt. Savage. =)

[@BrianMakse]

I never wear brands, mate.

[@DejaVuMonDieu]

The AMG GT looks so much better in person, saw one on the 401 awhile back and it was gorgeous. I think AMG used the same engine in the C63S (actually with more torque...wtf AMG?) to appeal to buyers less loaded. I might be crazy but I could swear the C63S engine and exhaust sound louder and more aggressive than the AMG GT's.

[@BrianMakse]

+DejaVuMonDieu You're right, it's the same engine with a different tune. IIRC, the GT is much louder.

[@sauryv921]

+Brian Makse I have 2016 c63s and the GT is louder but not "much louder"

[@BrianMakse]

+Saury Valerio It was on startup in my garage, that's for sure.

[@daivietnguyen7289]

911 all the way for me !!! :)))

[@flat6enthusiast619]

+Daiviet Nguyen We agree :)

[@itaciar]

it's a carrera "4" gts. it's gotta drive differently from a rear wheel drive merc. i don't how they can be compared from one another, but i thought carrera gts with rear wheel drive would be a better choice in this comparison.

[@BrianMakse]

+itaciar There's not much difference between rear drive and all wheel drive 911 these days. A few years ago, it was noticeable, now it's not. Secondly, a rear drive GTS wasn't available to us at the time. I wish it were that easy to conjure cars.

[@itaciar]

+Brian Makse lol u should come borrow mine

[@BrianMakse]

+itaciar Any time!

[@theSTEWiiiE]

911 for me, so comfortable and reliable, still 0-60 3.7

[@Josh-dv1ci]

That Carrera GTS is perfectly optioned.

[@BrianMakse]

That was so long ago that I don’t remember.

[@musmanov4642]

no drag race?

[@BrianMakse]

+M USMANOV Why?

[@1HappyBob]

Brian Makse 🤔🤪

[@AGC828]

AMG coupes are GT cars. Not "sports cars".

[@miklu26]

It is a sports car and direct competitor to the 911...

[@mperformance3502]

Idiot. They’re clearly sports cars

[@bgz027]

Can the amg gts be a daily driver?

[@BrianMakse]

Depends.

[@bgz027]

I take that as a no

[@achristian7015]

Also, too much chome on the dash and console of the Mercedes Benz. Is it a Mercedes Benz or a Harley Davidson?

[@jasonirrera5708]

911 for me, but you knew I would say that Brian..lol The AMG is nice. But its waaaaay to big a car imo. I like the styling of the rear. It reminds me of a 928 (go figure lol). But overall its what we call in Dirty Jersey; "A HUGE BITCH" For me sports cars should be small to a medium size. Anything over 3500lbs is just too much fat for my likeing. Take the Challenger Fat cat. Sorry Hellcat. At 4800lbs they had no choice to make it with 707 h/p. Thats a Huge Bitch too..lmao. I rode in a SRT 8 a couple years ago and it was nice looking, rode like a 1980 Caddy but when thrown into a corner she tightened right up and stayed flat. I did like the ride but only until i realized how big it was. just too damn big imo. As usual Brian, great review

[@BrianMakse]

+jason irrera Thanks, Jason!

[@kanob6440]

I wonder if porsche will ever go with a different look

[@BrianMakse]

+Zae B Perhaps with the electrics they might.

[@achristian7015]

0:16 and only one is available in a manual transmission, because some of us are drivers.

[@BrianMakse]

I have two AMG GT4s...because some of us are racers.

[@achristian7015]

@@BrianMakse Well some of us are drivers and we like to shift. But you can always move up to a Porsche GT2 RS. One guy at the bike shop said a MB is an old person's car. Ouch!

[@BrianMakse]

@@achristian7015 no, I can't. Porsche doesn't make a homologated 911 for GT4 category competition. Also, I don't take car advice from randos in a bike shop, but that's just me.

[@achristian7015]

@@BrianMakse Well the service manager at the shop owned lots of cars, both American and European over the years. I prefer my 911s and would have never bought it with a PDK. Back in the '80s when I wasted my time reading car magazines, they stated over 80% of Vettes were automatics. I had to chuckle...this in a nation that is car crazy. LOL

[@pjwolf]

AMG GT S is a much better car. V8 sounds better.

[@tommyfan1376]

3.8 NA compare to 4.0 twin turbo.....come on...

[@ibtissamerrazi3452]

Tommy Fa

[@theclassicjay555]

Theres Tata Nano thats rear-engined :)

[@BrianMakse]

+Jay Shukla LOL, well, somebody has to be THAT guy...

[@theclassicjay555]

HAHA, I couldn't help myself, I just had to say it out.

[@BrianMakse]

+Jay Shukla I heard that's called being an asterisk-hole! I do my best to resist the same temptation.

[@golfbuddy1969]

While the AMG will turn more heads, it doesn't have the tradition or timelessness of the 911... I'll take the Porsche, and I wouldn't think twice.

[@elperro1968]

golfbuddy1969 well get a gt3 rs 👍🏼

[@be3292]

im a massive benz fan but sorry, GTS looks very sexy

[@joboiwonder]

King E Doesn’t look nearly as unique as the AMG GT-S.

[@PanzerCandC]

i must say i'm disappointed in the video a little, i was expecting some real VS, accel. braking, cornering, track maybe .....

[@BrianMakse]

Funny. I don’t see you on the list of our Patreon supporters.

[@theonlydown1]

where ever you borrowed the GTS from, they have some pretty messed up styling. I mean the car is sexy but the wheel and leather is disgusting.

[@BrianMakse]

+Blast Mitch (Blast Mitch - Co-Leader) Interesting opinion. Where do you think it comes from?

[@theonlydown1]

I couldn't answer that. Do you agree with my decision?

[@BrianMakse]

+Blast Mitch (Blast Mitch - Co-Leader) The car belongs to the manufacturer. What decision?

[@theonlydown1]

+Brian Makse I meant to say opinion, i If you look at any other review of this car they look much sexier and more stylish.

[@BrianMakse]

+Blast Mitch (Blast Mitch - Co-Leader) I don't watch other reviews. The interior is stunning, but I don't care for the wheels. That's a non-issue and entirely resolved when one buys an AMG GT. Simple.

[@SeerTrulth]

The AMG GT S compares only to the latest 911 Turbo S. Period. Leave the other 911s to old stories.

[@BrianMakse]

+SeerTrulth welcome to last year.

[@SeerTrulth]

Big smile. I should have said the 911 Turbo! Not the Turbo S! Ha! Anyway, Brian, what a fantastic vibe in your video! Very nice review and feel to the presentation.

[@blackmist27]

please stop saying, "the business" every time you want to describe something great about the car. good video besides that though.

[@BrianMakse]

+Nick Psaros That's not something I frequently say. Are you subscribed?

[@duckman5642]

unfair test! that's the old 991!!

[@nickbusato7138]

+Duck Man This was shot before 991.2 was announced.

[@supercoupe86]

WHY THE RED INTERIOR?!?!!??!? WTF?!?!?

[@BrianMakse]

I ordered it that way.

[@robm1108]

if you're gonna be so utterly impartial from the outset you can't call this a fair or balanced review.

[@BrianMakse]

If you're gonna be critical, you might want to be timely.

[@robm1108]

meaning what? that you can't take criticism or that your views have since changed?

[@BrianMakse]

Welcome to 2015.

[@panny66]

My God this was sleep inducing.

[@BrianMakse]

+panny66 Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe!

[@reconforsales7708]

Both cars are good but I like Toyota

[@BrianMakse]

Toyota isn’t relevant to these cars.

[@reconforsales7708]

@@BrianMakse its relevant to anything with 4 wheels

[@user-gk3iq3lm7t]

@@reconforsales7708 toyota makes cars, it has nothing to do with arts like those two

[@BertoniBertone]

I fell asleep.......

[@xxijoseaixx224]

So basically the 911 was more fun to drive while the AMG made you feel more special?

[@BrianMakse]

Nah, the 911 is a better daily and I can get 100% out of it in terms of performance, but the AMG makes an occasion out of every drive.

[@felixarbable]

+Brian Makse do you think it woulda been different with a rwd carrera?

[@BrianMakse]

+felix pinto Not at all. They're just two very different approaches to sports cars. The awd 911s are very similar to rwd 911s today. There just a minor penalty in terms of added weight, but none in terms of discernible performance.

[@felixarbable]

do you think the next gen turbo'd carreeras 991 will be more interesting with the added tourque?

[@BrianMakse]

+felix pinto I'm not sure until I drive it!

[@dtruth5769]

Shouldn't post a vs video.

[@BrianMakse]

Really?

[@dtruth5769]

@@BrianMakse Its was more of a tutorial of these 2 cars. No performance data? No real drivers impressions. Definitely not a vs video.

[@BrianMakse]

Welcome to five years ago, cowboy.

[@dtruth5769]

@@BrianMakse Ya ok motorweek wanna be.

[@BrianMakse]

Bahahaha ok whatever angry KZbin commenter.

[@robbiemify]

Stop taking your hands off the wheel, disgraceful driving habit !!!

[@BrianMakse]

You’re kidding, right?

[@iyedbennour8324]

great cars lame review

[@Alby911]

The side profile of the AMG is absolutely horrible. The long hood is much too flat, and the strange proportions just don't make any sense. Porsche all the way but both behind the McLaren 570S.

[@BrianMakse]

+bongmistt The 570S is still a good chunk of change more than these.

[@Alby911]

+Brian Makse - Would it be fair to say if you can afford an AMG GTS, you could probably go that little extra for a 570S. The more I look at the AMG, the more I'm starting to like it. :)

[@BrianMakse]

+bongmistt That's nearly another 100k, mate. I don't see them being cross shopped.