Rudeney

We were on the interstate, and just the right conditions for a "run" - miles of straight, flat blacktop, no traffic, no on ramps, and a solid center median barrier to prevent cops from doing a flip-flop. He was in a 2014 version, and had some exhaust work. I heard him coming up behind me and then he passed, so I pulled in behind and gained on him. He moved to the center lane, and I came up beside him in the left lane. We were doing about 100 at that point and we both hit it. At 120 I was a car length ahead and gaining ground. By 140 (I hacked vMax to 155mph) it was clear that he could not keep up so he backed off. I slowed down and he came back, so we did it again. By then, we reached some traffic at and interchange so we slowed down.

I was actually surprised, because the Mustang is lighter and slightly more powerful. I know 0-60mph is a very close match and the Mustang usually edges out the CLK, but at high speeds, the CLK550 holds its own. Maybe his "exhaust work" actually hurt performance.

Fatz

Well ALRIGHT!!

The 0-60 and quarter mile times I've seen indicate that they are at their best 0-60/100. Even from 0, you would probably beat him, particularly if it is a manual and the driver is not a pro or semi pro.

Airmousam

That's awesome, have not hit those speeds in years!!

Rudeney

The route I drive has several sections of flat, straight 3-lane interstate with no interchanges. Traffic is usually moving at 80mph, or even better (we drive fast down here!). There's usually a stretch I hit every morning and afternoon on my commute where I cruise a few miles at 100mph. I would never drive more than 15-20mph faster than other cars, so yesterday was just one of those perfect timing situations where we were the only cars around for several miles.

I have driven those Mustang GTs and they "feel faster", but I think part of it is the lack of refinement in the suspension and body, plus the loud exhaust note. I have a good friend who is a Mustang nut and has an older Cobra, and a newer "full-blown" Roush. We've played around and the Roush is a beast not to be beat, but the older Cobra is no problem. I need to go drive one of the new 2015's. Not that I'd be likely to buy one, but I would like to see how they have progressed since all the reviews have been building it up as a huge improvement and the best Mustang yet. And I've yet to drive a Corvette C7. Again, I doubt I'd buy one, but I'd liek to see what all the noise is about!

AMG_Adon

nice getting up to 120-140 is a breeze in the clk550 def gives you a rush

Rudeney

Especially with the top down.

Fatz

I hit 125 briefly a few days ago with the coupes' windows down; I think my seats would "go brown" hitting that speed in a convertible top down......

Rudeney

With the top down, and the windows and rear windscreen raised, it's just like having a giant panoramic sunroof. It's amazing how little buffeting there is; the rear screen does a great job.

kb24forlife24

Awesome kill!

Was that Mustang a coupe or a convertible?

Rudeney

The Mustang was a coupe. AS best as I could tell, based on the reviised front and rear LEDs, it was either a 2013 or 2014.

ryan83

What a nice surprise, I would have thought the Mustang would win too. Nice job

pamiboy

You guys should duke it out on a track. Let us know and we would be there to watch .

gaazmon

Nice! One of my cousin's has a 5.0 mustang pre-facelift and have always debated about running against it to see what would happen. People don't believe when I tell them how underrated these CLK550's are

Fatz

A late model GT (sequential tails) passed me on a local road. Had a nice sounding exhaust.

At the next light I came to a stop behind him and was thinking of you Rodney.....

I happened to have the selector in "S" (I think that is for "speed") as I was just out doing a test drive on the latest adjustments to my bolt on drone reducer. I was thinking it would be cool for us to make some exhaust music on the next stretch of road.

The light changed and he initially pulled off briskly (about 1.5 car lengths) then he punched it..... Now, I think that is just disrespectful!!!!!!! He jumped to about 3 car lengths before "my car malfunctioned".... The Silver Lady's exhaust snorted, her tires barked, and her rear end wiggled. Oh crap.. She was going after him.

After about 1/8-3/16 mile, over a hill btw, I changed lanes to past but we were nearing the first curve on this stretch. I was about 1/2 car length back and closing. I applied brake before he did.

It takes a really good driver to really get an advantage with a stick. I could smell his clutch after we cleared the curve. I probably would not have re-engaged him anyway, but he didn't seem to want to.

Before the next light he had slowed to take the left turn lane and it seemed that his female passenger was giving him an ear full; maybe about taking out the trash, or being juvenile, as we both were, or about making them look bad......

It was not the place to be doing such things.....

Gonna have to get that malfunction looked into though....

Rudeney

The 722.9 does a crazy-fast upshift at full throttle. It's hard (maybe impossible!) for even a skilled driver to beat that in a manual. I think that in this particular competition, the transmission is the real winner here. Now, if we were running from a stop, the Mustang would be very hard to beat. I assume it uses an LSD, and a less-intrusive traction control system. Then again, the CLK is pretty good at launch in that a full-throttle straight-line start doesn't have it intervening much as long as you have good tires.

Sorry the check-wallet light ended the fun. Let's get that checked out and fixed!