Interesting Article in Evo Magazine
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Interesting Article in Evo Magazine
The January EVO magazine has an interesting article about the dyno results of different grades and brands of gasoline. They use a new VW GTI with the 2.0 TFSI engine and the new BMW M5 to do the testing and the results are surprising.
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There is ANOTHER article in the February issue of EVO magazine. It is a comparison test involving the RS4, M3 and C55. The M3 wins, RS4 came in 2nd, and the C55 was dead last. And no, the article isn't online yet. I'm hoping to pick up a copy soon.
From a pure enthusiast's driving point of view, the C55 seems to always lose. The only comparison test I've seen where the C55 came out on top is the Nov2004 issue of Road&Track, where the C55 edged out the S4 slightly.
From a pure enthusiast's driving point of view, the C55 seems to always lose. The only comparison test I've seen where the C55 came out on top is the Nov2004 issue of Road&Track, where the C55 edged out the S4 slightly.
Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Jan 19, 2006 at 12:41 AM.
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Originally Posted by PC Valkyrie
There is ANOTHER article in the January issue of EVO magazine. It is a comparison test involving the RS4, M3 and C55. The M3 wins, RS4 came in 2nd, and the C55 was dead last. And no, the article isn't online yet. I'm hoping to pick up a copy soon.
From a pure enthusiast's driving point of view, the C55 seems to always lose. The only comparison test I've seen where the C55 came out on top is the Nov2004 issue of Road&Track, where the C55 edged out the S4 slightly.
From a pure enthusiast's driving point of view, the C55 seems to always lose. The only comparison test I've seen where the C55 came out on top is the Nov2004 issue of Road&Track, where the C55 edged out the S4 slightly.
The previous M5 was probably a better comparison for the C55 than the M3 is (the new M5 is, of course, way out of the C55 league). Personally, if I were shopping a new C55, I would also be looking, not at an M3, but a Charger or 300 SRT-8.
The S4/C55 comparison is a little more realistic, except for the AWD aspect of the S4.
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silver 2002 c32 amg
the m3 vs rs4 vs c55 is in the feb issue
in another brit car mag they have a c55 as a long term tester and after having driven the new rs4 and an m3 the road tester concluded that he would prefer to have the merc with its equal performance and much better ride comfort
since reading this article i have started using bp ultimate 97 octane instead of the 98 octane shell optimax 
in another brit car mag they have a c55 as a long term tester and after having driven the new rs4 and an m3 the road tester concluded that he would prefer to have the merc with its equal performance and much better ride comfort
Originally Posted by Catapult
The January EVO magazine has an interesting article about the dyno results of different grades and brands of gasoline. They use a new VW GTI with the 2.0 TFSI engine and the new BMW M5 to do the testing and the results are surprising.
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Originally Posted by Vomit
The problem is that, especially as to the M3/C55 comparison, you are comparing apples and oranges. About the only thing the two cars have in common is German pedigree. It would make more sense to compare the M3 (in manual tranny form) to a manual tranny Mustang GT or GTO. Furthermore, the SMG M3 is more similar to the CLK55 than it is to the C55.
The previous M5 was probably a better comparison for the C55 than the M3 is (the new M5 is, of course, way out of the C55 league). Personally, if I were shopping a new C55, I would also be looking, not at an M3, but a Charger or 300 SRT-8.
The S4/C55 comparison is a little more realistic, except for the AWD aspect of the S4.
The previous M5 was probably a better comparison for the C55 than the M3 is (the new M5 is, of course, way out of the C55 league). Personally, if I were shopping a new C55, I would also be looking, not at an M3, but a Charger or 300 SRT-8.
The S4/C55 comparison is a little more realistic, except for the AWD aspect of the S4.
The CLK55 has absolutely no performance advantage over the C55. They are made from the same chassis/wheelbase and they have the same engine. In fact the CLK55 is a bit heavier than the C55, which can't help the performance side of things. Also, the CLK55 is quite a bit more expensive than the M3/C55/S4.
The RS4 is another story as well. It is quite a bit more expensive than the M3/C55/S4.
Nonetheless, I look forward to getting a copy of the Feb. issue of EVO to read what they had to say.
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Originally Posted by PC Valkyrie
Actually, I think the M3/C55/S4 comparison is very appropriate. All are in the same price range. All are hot performance versions of entry level luxury compact sedans from 3 premiere German automakers. They are direct competitors just like the 3 series, C-class and A4 are. The only thing is that the current E46 M3 has 2 doors as opposed to 4. The Dodge Charger SRT8 and 300C SRT8 are nothing like the C55. Their sheer bulk/size makes the driving experience completely different.
The CLK55 has absolutely no performance advantage over the C55. They are made from the same chassis/wheelbase and they have the same engine. In fact the CLK55 is a bit heavier than the C55, which can't help the performance side of things. Also, the CLK55 is quite a bit more expensive than the M3/C55/S4.
The RS4 is another story as well. It is quite a bit more expensive than the M3/C55/S4.
Nonetheless, I look forward to getting a copy of the Feb. issue of EVO to read what they had to say.
The CLK55 has absolutely no performance advantage over the C55. They are made from the same chassis/wheelbase and they have the same engine. In fact the CLK55 is a bit heavier than the C55, which can't help the performance side of things. Also, the CLK55 is quite a bit more expensive than the M3/C55/S4.
The RS4 is another story as well. It is quite a bit more expensive than the M3/C55/S4.
Nonetheless, I look forward to getting a copy of the Feb. issue of EVO to read what they had to say.
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Originally Posted by Vomit
My point was based on body style. IMO, you should compare coupe to coupe, sedan to sedan, etc. Under my thinking, the CLK55, out of the MBZ line, is the most direct and accurate comparison for an M3. They are both great coupes, with the price/track advantage going to the M3, and the luxury/cruise advantage going to the CLK. Actually, now that I think about it, it probably makes more sense to compare the M3 to the 911 than to the C55. . .
1. CLK Class is technically built based on a W203 but it is not quite a 'coupe version' of the C Class. i.e. I would not even think it is qualified as a variant of the C class at all. e.g. CLS is built based on a E-Class but it is not a variant of the E-Class due to its price, style, luxury, 4-seats etc. ie. CLS class stands on its own, so as the CLK class.
2. M3 coupe - apart from it has 2-door, basically it is the same car as a M3 4-Door ( I am aware the E46 M3 no longer had 4-door) , that is, in terms of outlook, features, luxury , price , make it a 'closer' comparison to the C55 than the CLK55. Say, if we try to compare W208 CLK55 (which look as big as bulky as a E-class) to E36 M3 , then the result is obvious that , the W202 C36 is more appropriate to be used for comparision.
Since the built, engine, trans, weight of the current CLK55 and C55 are close; I have no strong feeling about worth an argument here.
Last edited by cntlaw; Jan 20, 2006 at 11:24 PM.
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From: 40*-55'-44" N / 73*-24'-07" W
'98 C43/55 AMG Speedybenz Susp. & MBenzNL On Board -- '88 560SL -- '09 JCW MINI -- '97 Jeep TJ Sport
I know this post was originally on gasoline ... but I'm continuing the off-topic hijacking of the thread. 
those of us moding our hi-end benz's start with something already great, and try to create something remarkable. I wonder though, if others would think so if they got behind the wheel. I'd love to have my car critically and unbiasedly (is that a word?) evaluated once I get the suspension properly setup and tuned, and get round rims put on the car again.
those of us moding our hi-end benz's start with something already great, and try to create something remarkable. I wonder though, if others would think so if they got behind the wheel. I'd love to have my car critically and unbiasedly (is that a word?) evaluated once I get the suspension properly setup and tuned, and get round rims put on the car again.
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Originally Posted by c55m8o
I know this post was originally on gasoline ... but I'm continuing the off-topic hijacking of the thread.
those of us moding our hi-end benz's start with something already great, and try to create something remarkable. I wonder though, if others would think so if they got behind the wheel. I'd love to have my car critically and unbiasedly (is that a word?) evaluated once I get the suspension properly setup and tuned, and get round rims put on the car again.
those of us moding our hi-end benz's start with something already great, and try to create something remarkable. I wonder though, if others would think so if they got behind the wheel. I'd love to have my car critically and unbiasedly (is that a word?) evaluated once I get the suspension properly setup and tuned, and get round rims put on the car again.
The article in EVO had these points
Best Dyno results for the VW GTI 2.0 turbo
Octane and brand can makes a difference up to a point.
Shell 95 205HP - 234lb ft torque
British Petro 204HP, 242lb ft torque
Shell Optimax 209HP, 242lb ft torque
BP Ultimate 212HP, 252lb ft torque
Sunoco Race 218HP, 248lb ft torque Conjecture was either to take advantage of the increased octane, a higher compression ratio was needed or the ECU ran out of range.
Another point made concerned the freshness of the gasoline. It deteriorates over time and you should purchase your gas at a place with a high turnover.
Finally, the BMW M5's output was very consistent regardless of octane or brand used. Possibly due to its more sophisticated method of detonation management.
