How do they do it?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 752
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 C230 SS
How do they do it?
Honestly... how does mercedes make this car sooo smooth at such high speeds... even the older models.... ive taken my mom's 1995 c220 up to 100 mph, and thats about 11 years old and its still smooth! but to the point... last night on the way home (around 12 am) i wanted to crank the car up (empty highway and it was a LOOOONG straight away)... so i floor the car, i went up to 127 mph, i wanted to go more, but i feared a cop would be ahead... so i slowed it back down... but wow, the car was soooo damn smooth at 127mph, it just seems unbelievable... (i've attached some pictures too)
ADDED: Ignore the dates, my friends camera i guess the time wasn't entered right... pics were taken last night..
ADDED: Ignore the dates, my friends camera i guess the time wasn't entered right... pics were taken last night..
Last edited by rrpnow; May 7, 2006 at 05:34 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
The car is able to be consistently smooth at all speeds thanks to proper weight balance, aerodynamics, and proper allocation of downforce weight on both the front of the car (so you can steer confidently) and proper downforce weight on the rear of the car so the back doesn't lift and go up and down.
The 1995 C220 is not 16 years old.
The 1995 C220 is not 16 years old.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 C230 SS
Originally Posted by patrick_y
The car is able to be consistently smooth at all speeds thanks to proper weight balance, aerodynamics, and proper allocation of downforce weight on both the front of the car (so you can steer confidently) and proper downforce weight on the rear of the car so the back doesn't lift and go up and down.
The 1995 C220 is not 16 years old.
The 1995 C220 is not 16 years old.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Eastern Ontario
2001 ML320 E, 2003 C230K Sport Sedan
Originally Posted by Moviela
127 Mph is NOT high speed, 180 is dicey, 200 out of town.
I believe that most vehicles coming out of the factories with H rated tires are limited to 130 mph. Most trucks, with non-speed rated tires, should be 80 mph.
That said, I believe the AMG Mercs are limited to 155 (Z-Rated tires). Generally, anything above that is considered Exotic, as the tires to fit them are special order Z rated, with a W or Y speed rating in brackets behind the tire size.
Not sure, I could be wrong, but I doubt there are more than a dozen or so factory cars that will do over 155 mph.
Ed.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
You're about right.
In fact, most Mercedes cars, even though they can go faster than 155 are limited to that because of an agreement Mercedes, BMW, and Audi made to the German government.
The Mercedes SL55 with the competition rally package does not have this limitation.
While tires is the dominant limiting factor on most cars, it isn't always the case. For example, the C230 Kompressor Sports Sedan in the US comes with 17 inch Z rated tires that are capable of going over 150 mph, however, Mercedes limits the C230 Kompressor Sports Sedan to 130 mph. Don't ask me why.
Sometimes the limiters don't work perfectly. For example, the E320 W210 2002 model, that one has a limiter set at 130, however, I've gotten the car to 133 before. I haven't tried with this C230 however.
Additionally, a BMW 525i 2002 model, with its limiter set at 130 once did 147 and was still capable of going faster. Had to slow down for traffic.
In fact, most Mercedes cars, even though they can go faster than 155 are limited to that because of an agreement Mercedes, BMW, and Audi made to the German government.
The Mercedes SL55 with the competition rally package does not have this limitation.
While tires is the dominant limiting factor on most cars, it isn't always the case. For example, the C230 Kompressor Sports Sedan in the US comes with 17 inch Z rated tires that are capable of going over 150 mph, however, Mercedes limits the C230 Kompressor Sports Sedan to 130 mph. Don't ask me why.
Sometimes the limiters don't work perfectly. For example, the E320 W210 2002 model, that one has a limiter set at 130, however, I've gotten the car to 133 before. I haven't tried with this C230 however.
Additionally, a BMW 525i 2002 model, with its limiter set at 130 once did 147 and was still capable of going faster. Had to slow down for traffic.
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From: Chicago, IL
E63S4S
at 133 my c320 was getting 14 MPG (per the speedo reset and about 20 miles of roadway)
at 178 the SLK32 was scary as hell but I think that was due to short wheelbase...
Both speeds GPS confirmed.
Jeff
at 178 the SLK32 was scary as hell but I think that was due to short wheelbase...
Both speeds GPS confirmed.
Jeff
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Originally Posted by wassup61
at 133 my c320 was getting 14 MPG (per the speedo reset and about 20 miles of roadway)
at 178 the SLK32 was scary as hell but I think that was due to short wheelbase...
Both speeds GPS confirmed.
Jeff
at 178 the SLK32 was scary as hell but I think that was due to short wheelbase...
Both speeds GPS confirmed.
Jeff
At 133 mph in top gear, the car is at a constant 5320 rpms. At that engine speed, the car puts in more fuel per rpm than it does in say 2000 rpms. So not only are you using twice the amount of fuel, but you're using 2 squared (or four) times the amount of fuel.
Now, the C320, at that kind of speeds usually has lower RPMs, which I think helps significantly.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Even my 20 year old W201 is stable at higher speeds. It will not go much faster than about 110 but it is smooth at those speeds. Just like my W203 with a hair more body roll due to not having the sportier suspension or the 17 inch skins.
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From: Philadelphia
BANNED
The MB's are impressive at high speed. I had a 2001 Mustang GT Premimum that at similar speeds just was not as reassuring. At 130 mph I just had the feeling in the GT that a cross wind could break tire/road contact.
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From: Southern CA. Orange / Irvine / Long Beach
08 CLS550 Diamond White 09upgrades
There Should....
There should be "private" stretch of road where we can test out all the benz... they can charge$$ for each run, just keep the sirens out.
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 C230 SS
Originally Posted by mbz4810
There should be "private" stretch of road where we can test out all the benz... they can charge$$ for each run, just keep the sirens out.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Seriously, we need to ask our dealerships to have something special for their clients. For example, my local sports car dealership rents out the race track once a year for its clients.
We need to pressure our dealerships to do the same.
Keep in mind, driving a Benz is a lifestyle. Unfortunately, the dealership doesn't throw in any goodies. Thus, our lifestyle is almost similiar to driving a more normal car. We need to pressure our dealerships to have such events. This will also increase the resale value of our cars.
We need to pressure our dealerships to do the same.
Keep in mind, driving a Benz is a lifestyle. Unfortunately, the dealership doesn't throw in any goodies. Thus, our lifestyle is almost similiar to driving a more normal car. We need to pressure our dealerships to have such events. This will also increase the resale value of our cars.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 752
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 C230 SS
Originally Posted by patrick_y
Seriously, we need to ask our dealerships to have something special for their clients. For example, my local sports car dealership rents out the race track once a year for its clients.
We need to pressure our dealerships to do the same.
Keep in mind, driving a Benz is a lifestyle. Unfortunately, the dealership doesn't throw in any goodies. Thus, our lifestyle is almost similiar to driving a more normal car. We need to pressure our dealerships to have such events. This will also increase the resale value of our cars.
We need to pressure our dealerships to do the same.
Keep in mind, driving a Benz is a lifestyle. Unfortunately, the dealership doesn't throw in any goodies. Thus, our lifestyle is almost similiar to driving a more normal car. We need to pressure our dealerships to have such events. This will also increase the resale value of our cars.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
I know that I might be a bit out of my league when I say that I want my dealership to be like the Maserati dealership when they rent out the race track for their clients. However, I want something special that the local Honda and Ford dealership doesn't provide, and it needs to be more than free car washes.
As a group in the San Francisco area, what do you think is reasonable for us to ask of the dealer?
As a group in the San Francisco area, what do you think is reasonable for us to ask of the dealer?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 752
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 C230 SS
Originally Posted by patrick_y
I know that I might be a bit out of my league when I say that I want my dealership to be like the Maserati dealership when they rent out the race track for their clients. However, I want something special that the local Honda and Ford dealership doesn't provide, and it needs to be more than free car washes.
As a group in the San Francisco area, what do you think is reasonable for us to ask of the dealer?
As a group in the San Francisco area, what do you think is reasonable for us to ask of the dealer?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 752
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 C230 SS
i think that this forum can get a race track day set up... hmmm, any takers to help plan an event in tampa/orlando area!?!? maybe ill post this in the event section...
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From: Miami, FL
2000 CLK 430 Coupe
Originally Posted by patrick_y
Now, the C320, at that kind of speeds usually has lower RPMs, which I think helps significantly.
e harmon
