Have an opportunity to trade in my 2009 CTTS with 85k miles for a CPO 2014 ML63 with 28k miles (plus cash of course). Kinda tempted, any thoughts?

 

Interior is not nice as 958 IMO, but that AMG exhaust growl is something else. If you are looking for something new, I would for sure.

 

If it tickles your fancy why not? Life is short, might as well try something new. You can always come back if you decide the ML wasn't meant to be.

 

I just in recent months went from a 2013 ML(not an AMG) into a 2015 Cayenne S then also own a 2015 C63S. The AMG vehicles are a rather different animal, the exhaust(at least on the C class, I have a feeling the ML will not be as raw much like how an E63 also is not) is just flat out addictive to me. The way the technology is done between each manufacturers is noticeably different, not really sure how to describe what I mean on that but something I and even my 15 year old daughter have noticed. Outside the obvious differences with the interior design and size the thing I would suggest is drive the ML63 a good bit first to see if you like the handling/braking/ride of it. I personally feel the Porsche is far more refined in the department of how it handles the road, which may or may not be something others notice or care about.

 

I'd only do the AMG variant, especially coming off a CTTS. But then again, I wouldn't make that trade unless there was something seriously (costly) wrong with the Porsche.

 

How much would you sell the CTTS for outright?

 

CT- It's a bit of a different animal, but my DD is a '14 E550 Cabriolet. I love the Mercedes twin turbo V8 but hate the Mercedes handling. No precision in the handling and the irony is the ride quality is just so-so. Make sure you like the handling and ride of the ML, clearly the engine will dominate your impression of the car. My Mercedes is in the "Short Term" category. It goes as soon as the timing is right for another P-car.

 

I'm cross-shopping the CTT and the ML63 right now. I like the exterior and especially the interior of the CTT more than the ML63, but the Merc drives as well or better than the CTT on the street (the CTT will be better on the track, but I don't drive on the track). All ML63s come with Merc's 'Active Curve' system, which is their version of PDCC (same hardware configuration). The ML63 has no discernible turbo lag and the exhaust sound is simply better, particularly on full-throttle upshifts. Ultimately they are both fine choices.

 

An ML63? Just don't see it working out in the end. Stick with the CTTS. Better yet, trade for a newer CTTS.

 

Drove the 2014 ML63. Drives as you'd expect, floating feeling, but very powerful and exhaust is very loud and raspy. Interior is more mundane than Cayenne's, and it looks/feels cheap. ML63 would need lowering links to get the desired height/stance. In comparison, Cayenne drives more like a car and steering feel is great. Cayenne throttle response more definitive.

I think my Cayenne is actually faster than the ML63, even being 5 years older. Maybe I just feel more connected in the Cayenne.

Not sure what I'll do, they made a nice offer on the trade-in, so very tempting to have a newer ride with essentially a 3 year warranty and 60k less miles.

Ideally, a CPO CTTS would show up locally, but seems only CPO GTSs are available and I'm not really into those just yet.

 

But GTS sounds so nice...Unless you are talking about V6 GTS.

 

AMGs have lousy rep for reliability and super expensive to repair.......have to have warranty bumper to bumper on those cars.......I had an AMG and glad I got rid of it.....fun for about 6 months......P cars better overall car as far as reliability and cost to drive.....

 

I am actually having the reverse of that situation. My wife's 2015 C63S was bought around same time as my 2015 Cayenne S was bought. AMG thus far zero issues. Cayenne problem with making boost during long drives within 4 weeks of purchase and tried two different dealerships to fix the issue but zero luck and Porsche North America has been of zero help.

I think AMGs are much like many other Euro vehicles, when you get one that has problems it HAS problems but also can get ones that are rock solid. I see AMGs at the independent shop we use for our old 300SD and talked to the shop owner about them when debating buying one. Only issue he mentioned was if something breaks that is specific to an AMG then be prepared to pay a premium because not many replacement parts are made for them like the more common MBZ models. Which makes sense due to differences in production numbers of the vehicles.

 

Went from Cayenne GTS to brand new ML63 with Designo leather and performance package. Much happier. Brake pads need to be replaced at every 10k miles and cost is almost $3k. I disagree with assessments above on interior, but this is subjective. Zero issues so far apart from brake pads. Much better driver than Cayenne GTS, more space, no noticeable turbo lag and much stronger engine. And the noise... This is very personal but AMG build is top notch. I agree replacement parts might take some time to get to dealer - my brake pads almost had to be imported form Germany - there was 1 set left in NJ across all MB dealer network

 

Good to know. I also drove a 2013 Range Rover Sport GT. Was actually very nice, so now I need to make a decision..