Possibly making the switch from AMG to the G70 3.3t Sport RWD?

[g_500381]

I’ve been researching for the last month on switching from my current vehicle, a 2016 Mercedes C63S AMG. I’ve only recently come across the Genesis and to say I’m impressed with it is an understatement. When I say recent, I mean in the last week. I honestly didn’t know much about them as I’ve driven a Mercedes for such a long time and was unfamiliar with Genesis being it’s own brand. However, I’m in love with the vehicle and am seriously considering taking the plunge. Biggest reasons are practicality, maintenance concerns down the road, and the fact my wife and I just recently had our first child. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my AMG but it’s not ideal for daily driving and many other things.

With that being said, I’ve looked at numerous other vehicles and always come back to the G70. These vehicles include: 2019 Lexus GS/ES 350 F Sport, BMW M3, 2019 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, Audi RS3, 2019 Lincoln MKZ, etc. Pretty wide arrange of vehicles but all have aspects I like. Feel like the G70 is the best of both worlds. Low maintenance costs, luxury look on exterior/interior, performance when wanted, etc. I’m not at all concerned with branding like I’ve read as some people’s biggest complaint. I like what Genesis is doing and think they make some amazing vehicles even though their limited to only a couple as of now.

I’ve inquired about a quote from a build I did online. Imagine I’ll hear something back the first of next week. Hard to find what I want as I’m the U.S. and the closest dealerships with decent vehicle numbers are located in Atlanta, roughly 3.5 hours from me. Even they don’t have what I’m looking for. My biggest questions are the following: What is the biggest complaint among owners? Would you recommend the vehicle after owning it? Is it practical for daily use? What’s your experience been like with Genesis overall? Thanks and I look forward to hearing your input!

 

[SirFrederick]

I think you echo a lot of the same sentiments that most of us have after test driving the G70. I would suggest going through the "things you don't like about the g70" thread. What I will say is you won't find a lot of major complaints in there. Mostly little things that people would change.

What things you don't like in the G70?

I think two things that people are complaining about are back seat space and gas mileage. I don't agree about the back seat space. It's a compact sports sedan at 184" in length. I'm not sure what people are expecting for space in a car that size. Gas mileage could be a little better when comparing it to similar vehicles.

G70 - 18/25
Audi S4 - 21/30
MB C43 AMG - 20/27
BMW 340i xDrive - 21/31

For me it was a few little things. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive but I did test drive it 4 times and noticed a few things that I would change/add. Not really complaints though. I did a pretty extensive test drive review thread you can read here, G70 Test Drive: My Initial Thoughts and Comparisons

I'd change the drive mode knob to control the touch screen as well and add a button or toggle switch to change the drive mode instead. The G80 is like this and it's handy to not have to reach to the touch screen while driving. I'd make it so you can unlock the car with the back door handles and not just the front one's. I'd also like it if the heated seats and heated steering wheel were controllable with the command start. I suspect it will be added down the road to the command start app controls.

 

[DK_11]

Thank you for the info, very much appreciated! I’ve still been researching and have found those same complaints multiple times. I do have a rear facing carseat for my daughter but I’ve also read that adjusting the seat makes it fit just fine. I do like the touch screen aspect. My AMG has a mouse and knob to control the screen. Wish it was a virtual cockpit like Audi or a screen like Lexus has but if there’s one thing I’ve noticed looking at vehicles it’s that you can’t find everything you want in one vehicle. Seems impossible but the G70 meets most of what I want and am looking for.

Also, pertaining to gas mileage, that’s exactly what my Mercedes gets if you can believe it. It’s also a V8 with 507HP so it’s somewhat strange they’re estimated to get the same MPG. However, that’s not a dealbreaker for me.

Still haven’t heard back from Genesis or the dealer I inquired from which I find odd. Normally you inquire about a vehicle and they get ahold of you nonstop. I did a custom build online so was hoping to get more info about the process. Maybe I’ll reach out and try another time. Thanks again!

 

[Dpaulc]

I'd also like it if the heated seats and heated steering wheel were controllable with the command start. I suspect it will be added down the road to the command start app controls.

The heated steering wheel can be turned on via Genesis app but oddly NOT the seats.

 

[Stevendom1987]

Aren't you concerned with the serious lack of power? G70 is fast and all but nothing compares to a v8 AMG's acceleration.

 

[Beefer]

Congrats on the baby. No regrets with the car...love it.

I’ve got 1,400 miles on it now. Back seat will be fine. Car is plenty fast as well...probably about 0.3 seconds slower than yours.

Where do you live?...and which spec car? I enjoy finding cars for folks

 

[Stevendom1987]

So here is a YouTube video of a 2015 C63 AMG vs a 3.3T G70 I forgot to include in my post. Just some food for thought. I love the car, but speed wise it's not really close imo. My good friend and neighbor owns the same car you have.

I know it's a year older than your car but it's about 3.8-4.0 0-60 vs a 4.7+ for the G70.

I own a 2.0t and it's the best car I've ever owned.

Here is a source on the 0-60. MotorTrend who have it car of the year highlighted it was a full second slower than the competition in its class.

Genesis G70: 2019 Motor Trend Car of the Year Finalist - Motor Trend

There is a chart in the article that lists the RWD at 4.7 and the AWD at 4.8

High-Performance 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S Impresses Mightily

"... we didn’t verify 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.9 seconds, but with such stratospheric." performance, those numbers are just bragging rights. Suffice it to say the C63 can humble most muscle cars."

 

[Beefer]

So here is a YouTube video of a 2015 C63 AMG vs a 3.3T G70 I forgot to include in my post. Just some food for thought. I love the car, but speed wise it's not really close imo. My good friend and neighbor owns the same car you have.

I know it's a year older than your car but it's about 3.8-4.0 0-60 vs a 4.5+ for the G70.

I own a 2.0t and it's the best car I've ever owned.

His is a 4.1 second car and the G70 is 4.5 or even 4.4. Not sure where you got your numbers.

 

[NLJ]

On the plus side, the cost of ownership will be lower!

 

[Stevendom1987]

I sourced it. Check my post.

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[Beefer]

So here is a YouTube video of a 2015 C63 AMG vs a 3.3T G70 I forgot to include in my post. Just some food for thought. I love the car, but speed wise it's not really close imo. My good friend and neighbor owns the same car you have.

I know it's a year older than your car but it's about 3.8-4.0 0-60 vs a 4.7+ for the G70.

I own a 2.0t and it's the best car I've ever owned.

Here is a source on the 0-60. MotorTrend who have it car of the year highlighted it was a full second slower than the competition in its class.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/genesis/g70/2019/genesis-g70-2019-car-of-the-year-finalist/

Yep...we all know about that 4.7 run...total BS.

The G70 is faster than the Stinger...so go on that.

Also...in the vid...G70 takes him to 60 every time. The AMG with the big HP takes over in the higher speeds. Torque gets you there...HP keeps you there.

 

[SirFrederick]

The C63 isn't really a fair comparison to the G70 anyways is it? It's a 4L V8 vs a 3.3L V6. I'm talking current model. It's not a car I've ever considered so I'm not that familiar with it. Looking at pricing to buy one new you would be looking at $93,000 after adding the technology package, heads up display, premium package, nappa leather and intelligent drive package to have the same options as the G70. That's before tax and delivery as well. That's nearly double the cost. You could buy a used one but have to endure the costs of ownership along with that. For that much coin the C63 should out perform the G70 since it is a compact sports sedan at double the cost.

The C43 is really the closest MB in comparison to the G70 and it still comes out around $15,000 more than the G70. There are a few heavily discounted 2018's here and they're still more than a fully loaded G70.

Curious to what the OP ended up getting? There was no mention of it in the thread.

 

[seoulstice_jsn]

Stock for stock yes the AMG is quicker. But give the G70 a tune and simple bolt ons and it's the AMG is losing by bus lengths. Reliability and build quality wise the Genesis ranks high just behind Lexus.

 

[specialk]

I have not got one yet but was really impressed when I drove it. But like some of the post I have read is also a concern with the gas prices going up. I am also a Mercedes owner and have been for awhile. But this car is so fly and love the Bently looking grill and enjoyed the ride.

 

[CVDH-TN]

Funny since I am currently looking at several options including slightly used C43 and C63 (the latter depreciates quite fast, you can find a few low miles ones in the 50k range), really curious about will pop on this thread...

 

[daviderle]

I have not got one yet but was really impressed when I drove it. But like some of the post I have read is also a concern with the gas prices going up. I am also a Mercedes owner and have been for awhile. But this car is so fly and love the Bently looking grill and enjoyed the ride.

IMHO with three years of free maintenance vs $300-$500 a pop, should be able to easily offset the 3mpg real world driving difference.
Even afterwords, roughly $60 for an oil change plus the overall reliability cost savings, should be able to more than pay for the difference of any of the for mentioned competitors and that is without taking the initial starting price into consideration.

 

[Truck Norris]

I think two things that people are complaining about are back seat space and gas mileage. I don't agree about the back seat space. It's a compact sports sedan at 184" in length. I'm not sure what people are expecting for space in a car that size. Gas mileage could be a little better when comparing it to similar vehicles.

G70 - 18/25
Audi S4 - 21/30
MB C43 AMG - 20/27
BMW 340i xDrive - 21/31

This could have been noted already but at least on the Sport models there is no start/stop function at all. Well worth whatever marginal mileage hit results from it IMO.

 

[danygenesis]

This could have been noted already but at least on the Sport models there is no start/stop function at all. Well worth whatever marginal mileage hit results from it IMO.

Incorrect. All 2.0T but the 6MT have the start/stop feature. All 3.3T have not.

 

[DK_11]

I just so happened to log back in as I’m in the market for a car once I return from South Korea. Took me right to this post so I went through and read all your responses. Excellent information and insight into all vehicles discussed.

I ended up keeping the C63 and purchasing a 2015 BMW 335 (manual) to use as my daily driver. Unfortunately, I sold both before I left for Korea. Sad. I had an issue locating the exact G70 I wanted. Reached out to a couple dealers and either wasn’t given exact answers or a long time frame to get the vehicle. I know there was the dealership issue around that time I made the post. Not sure if there is still that issue in the U.S. since I’ve been here for 20 months now. I see g70’s all over now since I’m where they are made.

I’m back in the market now. I have an older Mercedes I purchased here (2012 C300). Would not want a brand new car or something like my old one for Korea driving! It’s wild here. Reached out about the 2022 g70 and was contacted by the concierge. Sounds like they’ll be available right around when I return in May. Not really wanting to spend 70+ thousand on another Merc since I just purchased another house. Still a big fan of the 2021’s as I’m undecided on the new facelift in the 2022’s. Some days I like it and others I don’t. Need to go see one up close. I’ll be sure to stay logged in here this time!

 

[DK_11]

IMHO with three years of free maintenance vs $300-$500 a pop, should be able to easily offset the 3mpg real world driving difference.
Even afterwords, roughly $60 for an oil change plus the overall reliability cost savings, should be able to more than pay for the difference of any of the for mentioned competitors and that is without taking the initial starting price into consideration.

Maintenance was the worst part about the car. Loved it overall but that was a killer. Before I left for Korea, I had to replace the brakes. Roughly $4000-$4500 was the estimate. Needless to say, I sold it prior to doing that. For all of my Mercedes I always purchased the maintenance plans. Worth it but once they’re up you’re paying a lot. Not sure I want to go down that route again even though I do love Mercedes and have owned quite a few.