PeterHyatt

What would you describe as "sport driving" in your C300?

I went 19 years without a speeding ticket in New York, moved to Maine and got 3 in 18 months. I adjusted. None in the last 10 years.

I am new to MB and now understand what aficionados love about them.

I find myself going from 0 to 30 with a lot of fun, particularly cornering. I find myself going from 40 to 70 (in 70 mph highway) quite quickly.

I cannot afford a ticket, so I can't even find a place to see how comfortable the car is at higher speeds, but I am having a blast cornering.

How do others deal with the nice response from the car, while avoiding getting in hot water?

black lavender

I have
Laser Jammer, Valentine V1 and Waze App on my Phone
Never gotten a speeding ticket.

Andriy242

Well my way of "sporty driving" is either accelerating hard sometimes, driving by people and then just launching and getting to a certain speed, or my best one yet, is when I drove through the mountains...well there was a straight pass and I had my radar detector on and said what the hell, Hit 223km/h chasing a C63 AMG haha, it was fun.

chazzz

1) Slow down

or

2) Get a radar detector

I like to go fast, but not do that all the time. I use Valentine V1 radar detector and it has saved me several times. I live in SoCal for years and I know CHP's tactics pretty well. I haven't gotten any speeding ticket for 25 years.

PeterHyatt

Great advice.

shoban

Generally, if your tires are squealing, most cops will take notice. The concept is a bit subjective, an opinion of the cop. Accelerating hard, without smoking the tires, should be OK up to the speed limit, assuming you are not swerving around cars in a way that makes your blind spot monitor beep. I know, I know, blind spot warning only triggers when turn signal is used, but that's easy right.

When I was a kid, I popped around a semi and passed the truck and the car in front of it doing a little over 95. My Dad was driving the car in front of the truck. I used my blinker getting in front of him (force of habit), and did not slow down. When he arrived at the house, 3 minutes after I did, all he said was, "good to see you use your blinkers."

He was generally pretty strict, but would surprise me from time to time with something like this. Guess he figured me sweating bullets the rest of the way home, and the 3 minute wait at home (seemed like three hours) was enough.

mr.brightside

time for some straight pipes, lol

PeterHyatt

Recommend an affordable radar detector, please.

I am googling the other things...to learn what they are!

DapperStyle

Peter I've got 2 real recommendations for you.

1. Google some driving roads in your State, I am sure you'll end up finding a forum post on a different website listing some great driving roads. Some characteristics driving enthusiasts look for are curvy, twisty roads with minimal traffic by both pedestrians and law enforcement.

They aren't roads to bomb at 100 MPH but rather to hover around 30-50 MPH (usually using manual shifting/TouchShift to stay around gears 2,3 and 4) taking curves and feeling the road. These roads will likely be a bit a way but well worth the trip, I drive about 45 mins away from where I live to some nice driving roads.

2. Look up an AutoX (autocross) event happening in your state. You can google this, since it's Winter you'll likely have to wait until the Spring. But AutoX is one of the best ways to not only get the most of your car, but to become a better driver. These events are usually held in huge parking lots that are rented out, set up with cones to create makeshift tracks. There is usually a small fee but you get a few laps, if you are in a beginner's class you'll get some real instruction from professionals.

Also you'll learn a bit about how your car really handles, it's limits, and how to get the most out of accelerating out of turns. You won't crash into any walls at most you'll run over a few small cones. Youtube AutoX to see what it's all about.

Both these options are 100x more exciting and fun than trying to get your kicks out of On Ramp accelerating and stoplight light racing. I live in NYC so everything is stop and go traffic with sh*t roads so I know what it's like!

shoban

Ah, the "loud pipes save lives" thing. Ha!

shoban

+1 ^
Great suggestions. I'm on the north side of Denver, so plenty of those kinds of roads within 20 minutes of my house. Get to know them before pushing too hard, though, as they can sneak up pretty fast, as can rocks and sand, especially this time of year. That stuff is worse when riding a MC, but can get you out of your line in the car pretty quick, too.

PeterHyatt

AutoX: great idea.

I've wondered if some even raced their 300's.

It's a fun car to drive and I'm surprised how much I enjoy it.

I've ben driving for 30 years and never enjoyed it until this car. I've been a dad driving like a dad since I was 22.

Now I'm cornering and accelerating like a kid having fun. My wife thinks it's a blast too!

I've got to get a radar detector. Almost out if Christmas money!

black lavender

How is AutoX a real recommendation?

The C300 is very slow at accelerating. Also, AutoX is extremely rough on your car. It's fun, but I would not recommend using a C300...

PeterHyatt

Is Laser Jammer a particular brand? I'm finding it more generic in the searches.

Valentine V1...$400+

Downloaded Waze app...gotta figure out how to use it.

Maine is GODAWFUL towards drivers. It is a state that relies on the revenue...our biggest employer is...the State itself. The small towns claim they have no choice due to revenue needs.

A few years ago, Don McClean, who wrote "American Pie" was in Maine and got a taste of Maine "justice" in a speed trap school zone.

He got a ticket for speeding in the school zone.

It was after the flashing lights were turned off. He was going 43 in a 45, but it is 15 when the lights are on.

The school zone light was not flashing.

He decided to fight it as it dawned on him that he was being railroaded.

He even hired a high priced attorney, on principle.

They got the records from the police, only after a huge fight, and finally got the school official to appear and testify under oath: the school light was out.

He lost. The judge sided with the cop even though the cop used words like "think" regarding the flashing lights. The school official said the light was turned off a few minutes before the ticket was issued. $400 ticket (it was generously reduced from $512 down to $400) plus he paid the attorney fee.

The State will go after a 12 year old's lemonade stand for tax money. We're one of the worst in the Union.


I am going to have to invest in a good radar detector.

stratman1954

I like my C300 too but actually it accelerates like a slug.

PeterHyatt

did you ever address this issue?

I was reading on this forum about doing a 5 minute reset, and about various boosters...

"Sprint Booster"??

DapperStyle

How is AutoX not a real recommendation? Is bombing on public roads a better recommendation? We're not talking about a track day here, we're talking about AutoX. Have you seen some of the cars that are brought to AutoX? 4 Cylinder Accords and Mazda 3s aren't exactly the fastest cars in the world yet their drivers have a blast at AutoX.

And it's an easy way to learn your car's limits. Is it hard on the car? Perhaps on tires and brakes but it's not like you're going to blow a transmission on an AutoX course and seeing as the OP has never done it he'll be in a beginners class.

Obviously it might be better for the OP to go get a NB Miata to strip out and turn into an AutoX machine because racecar but it's not what the post is about.

DapperStyle

Sprint Booster fools the car into thinking you're are pushing the pedal all the way down when it's only about halfway down. Some people debate it's usefulness, people who own them swear by them and people who don't point to charts and graphs that say it's all a ruse. Buy it, try it, don't like it then sell it and you'll make almost all your money back since someone will else will buy it.

PeterHyatt

Dapper, I was reading about Auto X on some of the sites. It seems like a lot of average cars go and enjoy the cone driving, at least in Maine.

I'm not rough on the 300. I am just having some fun taking turns with a touch on the accelerator. After years behind a Rav4, this thing is a blast.

I'd love to learn a bit about driving from a professional, and perhaps meet some interesting people there, too.

DapperStyle

Do it man, believe me people take some rather interesting cars to AutoX that are the opposite of sporty, you'll be fine and it's people of many different ages. You might even see someone like our dear friend above here with an R8 at an AutoX having a sh*tload of fun too, it's a place for all kinds of cars and people.

It's my opinion that AutoX can help even the most average drivers become better drivers through proper instruction and understand their car's limits better.

stratman1954

I'd love to learn a bit about driving from a professional









Great idea. Could save your life.

PeterHyatt

Ive also been reading Valentine One website.

Years ago I tried the $89 Cobra...not impressed and it died a premature death.

Lots to learn at the Valentine website. Interesting hook up to the iPhone.

edgalang

You are in luck OP. This is probably the BEST_BANG_FOR_BUCK buy if you cannot afford a detector that's $300 or more.

http://slickdeals.net/f/7511878-belt...g-lowest-price

Beltronics RX65 Red Professional Series Radar/Laser Detector for $130

This is probably the ONLY detector I'd recommend for under $200. This is a screaming deal if you ask me.

If at a later time you want to go with a big boy radar detector like a V-1 or a (whatever greatest Escort), you can always re-assign this detector to another car.

rookiezxc

How well does it work compared saving up and getting the Valentine One instead? Anyway, how do you guys mount it down in California? Isn't there a policy for not putting anything on the windshield?

black lavender

The V1 is far superior to the RX65.