The Mercedes-AMG GT is a supercar-adjacent grand tourer sold in Australia as two distinct families. The original two-door C190 coupe and roadster arrived in 2015, powered by AMG's M178 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 driving the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle. In 2019 this car received a mid-cycle refresh (updated cabin, 10.25-inch display, revised exterior), and the entirely separate AMG GT 4-Door Coupe (X290) launched locally mid-year, starting from around $250,000 and available as a turbocharged inline-six GT 53 or a 470 kW V8 GT 63 S. When Carify's 2019 records reference the AMG GT, both body styles are possible; the two-door C190 is the longer-established nameplate with the deeper recall and ownership history in Australia. This is a low-volume, expensive-to-run machine: servicing demands AMG-trained workshops, parts are not cheap, and faults — when they occur — carry high labour costs. That said, owners who maintain the car correctly tend to report a rewarding and relatively dependable experience.
M178 4.0-litre V8 — known engine issues
Carbon buildup on intake valves
Like all modern direct-injection petrol engines, the M178 does not wash the intake valves with fuel. Over time, oily combustion blow-by deposits accumulate on the valve stems and seats, causing rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, and reduced power — typically noticeable beyond 60,000–80,000 km. The fix is walnut-shell blasting of the intake ports, requiring removal of the intake manifold. On the AMG GT's tight engine bay this is a labour-intensive job; specialist quotes in Australia tend to fall in the range of $800–$1,800. It is preventive maintenance rather than a catastrophe, but worth budgeting for on higher-kilometre examples.
Oil leaks and the dry-sump system
The two-door C190 uses a dry-sump oiling system — an engineering choice that lets the engine sit lower for better centre of gravity and maintains oil pressure during high-G cornering. Some owners report minor seepage around the external oil tank, cooler connections, and valve cover gaskets as the cars age. The GT 4-Door Coupe (X290) uses a conventional wet-sump variant. Any oil leak on a high-revving twin-turbo V8 warrants prompt attention; gasket and seal repairs typically run $300–$1,200+ depending on the source.
Dynamic engine and transmission mounts
The AMG GT uses electronically controlled active mounts designed to firm up in Sport modes. Owner forums note these can generate fault codes and occasionally fail outright, causing vibration at idle. Left unaddressed, a failed mount allows excess drivetrain movement. Replacement at a specialist is typically $600–$1,500 per mount.
7-speed DCT — rear-transaxle dual-clutch
The two-door C190 routes drive through a Getrag 7DCL750 dual-clutch transmission mounted at the rear axle — a layout that contributes to near-50:50 weight balance. The unit is fast and rewarding when well maintained, but has documented sensitivities.
- Low-speed judder and clunking: A recurring owner complaint is shudder or clunking when pulling away slowly or manoeuvring in traffic. This is a known DCT characteristic and can indicate clutch pack wear, degraded fluid, or outdated shift software. A fluid service and software update is often the first step.
- Fluid sensitivity: Unlike a torque-converter automatic, this DCT is highly sensitive to fluid condition. Neglected changes or incorrect fluid grades accelerate clutch and mechatronics wear.
- Rear transaxle leaks: Some owners report oil seepage from the transaxle housing, which can contaminate the clutch packs — inspect the underside of any used example near the rear differential.
Major DCT work (clutch packs, mechatronics) is a specialist job. Budget $3,000–$8,000+ for significant transmission repairs at a qualified AMG workshop in Australia.
Electronics and infotainment
Pre-refresh C190 models (2015–2018) use the COMAND infotainment system, which by current standards is dated and has a track record of screen freezing, sluggish navigation, and Bluetooth instability. The 2019 refresh's larger display and revised interface partly addressed these, but older COMAND head units can develop hardware failures — replacement or refurbished units are not inexpensive. On the X290 4-Door Coupe, some owners report fault codes and warning lights from the AIRMATIC electronic air-suspension control module, with symptoms including harsh ride or unexpected suspension lowering; this is a known issue on 2019–2021 examples and is worth having scanned before purchase.
Brakes, tyres, and running costs
The AMG GT's performance hardware is a significant ongoing expense that used-car buyers must account for.
- Brakes: Large ventilated rotors and performance pads wear quickly under spirited use. Front brake pads and rotors at an AMG specialist in Australia can run $1,200–$2,500+ per axle for OEM-equivalent parts and labour.
- Tyres: The C190 uses staggered fitments (wider rears). A full set of premium performance tyres costs $2,000–$4,000+ fitted; track or enthusiastic road use will dramatically shorten rear tyre life.
- Servicing: Mercedes-Benz Australia offers capped-price servicing, but the AMG GT's complexity means many owners prefer AMG-trained independent workshops. Annual service costs for this class of AMG typically run $800–$2,500, with major services involving multiple fluid changes toward the higher end.
Recalls & safety
The two-door C190 AMG GT has accumulated several confirmed Australian recalls. Carify records recall activity against the 2019 model year — check the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT recall page for the specific campaigns listed. The key documented recalls for the C190 include:
- Seatbelt jamming (RC2691, July 2019): Affecting vehicles sold from June 2017 to June 2019. The seatbelt may jam in the guide loop, loosen, and lose its restraining effectiveness in a collision.
- Airbag gas generator (September 2018): Some 2018 build-date vehicles had an airbag gas generator that could eject metal fragments on deployment.
- Airbag occupant classification software (January 2018): Front passenger airbag may activate or deactivate incorrectly based on seat occupancy — affecting some early GT S examples.
- Driveshaft bonding (November 2022 campaign, covering 2015–2017 vehicles): The bond between the driveshaft and transmission flange may fail, risking sudden loss of drive.
Confirm all recall campaigns have been completed on any used example you are considering. The Carify recalls page and car problems hub are useful starting points.
Buying a used Mercedes-AMG GT? What to check
- Full service history: Insist on a complete record from a Mercedes-Benz dealer or AMG specialist. Skipped oil changes and incorrect lubricants can shorten turbo and bearing life significantly.
- DCT behaviour in traffic: Drive the car slowly — judder, shudder, or clunks on low-speed pull-away warrant a transmission specialist check. Ask when the rear transaxle fluid was last replaced.
- Oil condition and leaks: Check for seepage around the dry-sump tank and cooler lines (C190), and inspect the underside for any transmission fluid staining at the rear.
- Brake and tyre wear: Factor in replacement costs. A used AMG GT requiring fresh brakes and tyres could need an immediate $3,000–$6,000 spend.
- Full diagnostic scan: Request an AMG-capable scan tool check of all modules before purchase — stored fault codes on electronics, suspension, or drivetrain systems should be investigated.
- Finance and write-off history: Run a PPSR check or VIN check to confirm the vehicle is free of encumbrances, has not been written off, and that the VIN matches all documentation.
The verdict
The Mercedes-AMG GT is an exciting, well-engineered machine that rewards careful ownership — but it is emphatically not a low-cost used car to own. The M178 V8 is strong; the 7-speed DCT is rewarding but maintenance-sensitive; and electronics quirks, brake costs, and tyre bills are real budget items. Low mileage alone is no guarantee of condition — a lightly driven but poorly serviced example can hide expensive problems. Before committing, get a thorough inspection from an AMG specialist, review all outstanding recall campaigns, and run a Carify history check to ensure there are no hidden surprises with this high-value purchase.