I went from an E90 M3 to a 2016 AMG GT S last year. I wanted my first super car experience (though really I think the GT S is more of a sports car), and with AMG GTs being available for less than $70k, it seemed like a bargain at the time.
Here's what I love about the GT S, then what I miss about the M3.
* GT S is hugely faster than the E90 M3, especially from lower RPMs where the turbos flex their muscle.
* The GT S has gorgeous classic styling, and looks like some of the best sports cars of the 1950's and 1960's.
* The GT S is one of the few modern sports car with hydraulic steering. It communicates so much through the wheel, and I think it is at least as good at telling me about road textures, impacts and tire loads as the E90 M3 steering was.
* The GT S has a dang good DCT. The programming is smart enough to sort out trackwork in automatic mode.
* The biturbo V8 makes some pretty mean sounds...though it just sings one song rather than varying it up the rev range.
What I miss about the M3:
* The M3's seats were so much more cushy and comfortable! The AMG's are stone hard and very narrow. On longer trips I get antsy in the AMG.
* The M3's suspension was more comfortable too, though it wasn't quite as good at resisting body roll.
* The M3 has much better outward visibility.
* The M3 is a smaller car, but still feels spacious inside. Plus it's got back seats and a real trunk!
* The M3's V8 may be less powerful than the AMG's but the M3's engine felt more special. Its razor-sharp throttle response, frenetic high-RPM thrust, and ever-changing song were real delights.
Anyway, the two cars are quite different, and I'd love to have access to both.
I wrote a lot more about shopping for and buying my GT S. If you are curious, you can find it on my blog
here and
here.
