C32 Has under average acceleration. Whats the issue?
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From: LA, CA
Ford Taurus
C32 Has under average acceleration. Whats the issue?
I have an 03 C32 with about 140k miles on the clock. To my knowledge she is stock except for 2nd cats deleted. I really dont know much about the maintenance history on her either. She seems to be pretty well kept. I kept the tire setup from the previous owner. Running 235-35-19 tires in the front and 275-35-19 tires in the rear end. I decided to take her down to the 1/4 track here in Memphis and I ran about 8 times or so. My slowest time was 14.5@95mph and my fastest time was 14.1@100mph. I am just wondering if this is normal. When I look on youtube at other c32 owners acceleration videos ( some being stock ) There is a difference between the 45-and 100mph. Most videos I see they are at 100mph and at the same time I am only at about 90-92mph... What could possibly be wrong here. I'll upload a 0-100mph video for everyone to see and weigh in on. ( Also I am a noobie to the site so please have mercy on me if it is something simple... ) 
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From: LA, CA
Ford Taurus
Here is the link to the youtube video guys... Please watch and weight in with your opinions please...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW4cMHB_4FM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW4cMHB_4FM
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2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
Stock C32s run 1/4 mile in 13.5 sec or slower at 105 MPH or slower, depending on weather conditions. Ignore the youtube videos and visit dragtimes.com for more accurate information.
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I understand. But how much slower is too slow that something may be wrong? If you have not already can you watch the video closely to see if you see any struggling or poor gear shifts in comparison to your c32 or other c32's? It just seems as though 70 degree weather is ideal for tip top performance numbers.
Here is the link.
Here is the link.
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2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
I would say that ideal weather would be 45-50 degrees. Your best is only 0.6 seconds slower than a stock car on dragtimes.com. There is no way to tell what is wrong by looking at the video when the difference is 0.6 seconds. Post your slip. What was your 0-60 ET? 1/8 mile MPH? Look at your slip and look at other time slips. Make appropriate conclusions and adjustments. Leave the youtube videos for children.
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However I agree with not just comparing 1/4 mile, that's just the end result. The 60', 1/8 mile, as well as 1/8 mph will paint the picture as to how or why you got your 1/4 mile time.
I can tell you this though. For simplicity sake, lets assume a C32 runs 105mph traps. If when you're doing 90, someone else is already at 100, then by the time you hit the 1/4 and trap 100, they would be well, well above 105mph.
.5 and 5mph spread over 8 runs is consistant if nothing else(as it should be for a non-obscene HP automatic). Every track is different, along with weather conditions. What was the weather like, DA, and just elevation at the track?
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Meh, 80-100 isn't that strange. A mid-8 second 1/8 is also low, low 13's I happen to know from experience.
If you manage to knock that 60' down to 2 flat, you're looking at a solid 3/10's off the quarter mile time.
In short, it's not a great time, but it's not funky looking either. No 2.9 60' or 90mph 1/8th speed to mess things up, so your worry about your top end seems unwarranted. Without knowing the elevatiom of the track(not just the weather) you might have done better at another track. That and at 140k miles, there's no 2 ways around it, your car is tired.
If you manage to knock that 60' down to 2 flat, you're looking at a solid 3/10's off the quarter mile time.
In short, it's not a great time, but it's not funky looking either. No 2.9 60' or 90mph 1/8th speed to mess things up, so your worry about your top end seems unwarranted. Without knowing the elevatiom of the track(not just the weather) you might have done better at another track. That and at 140k miles, there's no 2 ways around it, your car is tired.
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2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
I am surprised no one has brought up the fact that he is running aftermarket 19"s. Who knows what the weigh. With the very slight difference in times a heave wheel could be the culprit.
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Yeah I didn't check if the sidewall changed and hurt his launch a hair, but that is still a nice, wide contact patch.
But you're right, 245/40/17 to 275/35/19 is a hefty jump. Not to mention, although the sidewall is the same, the tire is actually 2" taller. That's enough to slow his gearing down some too.
But you're right, 245/40/17 to 275/35/19 is a hefty jump. Not to mention, although the sidewall is the same, the tire is actually 2" taller. That's enough to slow his gearing down some too.
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So quite possibly, the tires could be my only issue from being a high 13 second car? Makes plenty of since. Although the previous owner figured the 275's on the rear would be better for launches? Something tells me once I get over 80mph this is what is causing the slower acceleration. Also I found out that the tracks elevation is 540ft. Might be a factor also.
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2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
So quite possibly, the tires could be my only issue from being a high 13 second car? Makes plenty of since. Although the previous owner figured the 275's on the rear would be better for launches? Something tells me once I get over 80mph this is what is causing the slower acceleration. Also I found out that the tracks elevation is 540ft. Might be a factor also.
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540ft isn't bad at all, just not fantastic.
The 2" taller and heavier(if they are, it could be negligible if they are nice forged, or multipiece wheels) wheels don't help. But, I think the bigger thing to take away is your times aren't really out of whack, and you were consistant. Get your 60' down to the 2.0x range and you'll be well into the 13's. You're trapping 100mph, your car's got 13's in it.
But also, you've got 140k miles on the clock. These magazine tests are 800 mile cars sometimes. That may not be broken in, but a 1,400 mile car is always going to be stronger then a 140,000 mile car.
The 2" taller and heavier(if they are, it could be negligible if they are nice forged, or multipiece wheels) wheels don't help. But, I think the bigger thing to take away is your times aren't really out of whack, and you were consistant. Get your 60' down to the 2.0x range and you'll be well into the 13's. You're trapping 100mph, your car's got 13's in it.
But also, you've got 140k miles on the clock. These magazine tests are 800 mile cars sometimes. That may not be broken in, but a 1,400 mile car is always going to be stronger then a 140,000 mile car.
