Vid C55 at Spa Francorchamps
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 236
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From: Antwerp, Belgium
C32
Vid C55 at Spa Francorchamps
I took my camera along to the AMG event last wednesday and Thursday in Spa.
This is definately one of the most beautifull race track in the world.
AMG organised the whole meeting. They brought along a whole team of AMG mechanics and even a complete Michelin truck to serve all tire needs.
The weather was cold and a mix of sun an clouds and altough the first day started of wet it did dry up fast and we had no rain.
The 32 participants where broken up in 4 groups and where instructed in the different zones by professional drivers. We continued training each zone of the track until at the end of the day we did some full laps.
The next day we where on our own and did some heavy duty free drving. For those that have not seen the F1 cars shoot up the "eau rouge" it is just unbelievable. For a couple of seconds when your car is racing uphill the only thing you see is the hood of your car and the clouds in the sky !!!!
Anyway, I had the time of my life. I am not a great driver but I did manage to pass some E55 and SL55.
I am sure if one put a great driver in my car he could have kept up with the SL55 easily. The SL's are much stronger in accel. out of a corner, but they need to brake much earlier because of the 250 kg extra weight. Most cars where in fact SL55 followed by the E55. Also to note that the most technical problems where in the SL55 group (electronics, brake problems). I did not have any problems myself, except that my brake calipers turned gold. They also changed my braking oil at one point.
After the 2 days, Michelin gave us 4 new tires for the price of 2, which I gladly accepted !
Furthermore I had the chance to sit in a C55 and you can check the video on how it went !
Enjoy !
Bart
Video of the AMG event and the C55
This is definately one of the most beautifull race track in the world.
AMG organised the whole meeting. They brought along a whole team of AMG mechanics and even a complete Michelin truck to serve all tire needs.
The weather was cold and a mix of sun an clouds and altough the first day started of wet it did dry up fast and we had no rain.
The 32 participants where broken up in 4 groups and where instructed in the different zones by professional drivers. We continued training each zone of the track until at the end of the day we did some full laps.
The next day we where on our own and did some heavy duty free drving. For those that have not seen the F1 cars shoot up the "eau rouge" it is just unbelievable. For a couple of seconds when your car is racing uphill the only thing you see is the hood of your car and the clouds in the sky !!!!
Anyway, I had the time of my life. I am not a great driver but I did manage to pass some E55 and SL55.
I am sure if one put a great driver in my car he could have kept up with the SL55 easily. The SL's are much stronger in accel. out of a corner, but they need to brake much earlier because of the 250 kg extra weight. Most cars where in fact SL55 followed by the E55. Also to note that the most technical problems where in the SL55 group (electronics, brake problems). I did not have any problems myself, except that my brake calipers turned gold. They also changed my braking oil at one point.
After the 2 days, Michelin gave us 4 new tires for the price of 2, which I gladly accepted !
Furthermore I had the chance to sit in a C55 and you can check the video on how it went !
Enjoy !
Bart
Video of the AMG event and the C55
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 236
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From: Antwerp, Belgium
C32
The C55 suspension setup is much more sporty. The AMG guys said it is in between the M3 and the C32. The extra wing on the back gives about 50 kg downforce over 200 kmh.
Indeed the sound is just incredible, this alone would give anybody interested in a car in this category the edge buying it.
No, the C55 was slower then my car in terms of power, but that is just because I am up to about 440 HP with some mods.
A stock C55 would not have much problems with a stock C32. The torque of 510 is really impressive.
Also they reprogrammed the ESP on the C55 which kicks in much later now. And the 18 inch weels give you the grip you need to bring the power on the street.
My main problem was getting the power on the track. The final aproach to EAU rouge is downwards and my ESP would kick in, even at 140 kmh. Finally I shut it off which got rid of that, but I did spin the car once in a slower corner. No ESP is much more fun, but more dangerous.
Speaking of dangerous. One guy, a young kid around 22, lost his 2 months old SL55 after 1 hour on the track. The whole suspension was totaled and the car was towed to Affalterbach with estimated costs of 20000 euro.
Indeed the sound is just incredible, this alone would give anybody interested in a car in this category the edge buying it.
No, the C55 was slower then my car in terms of power, but that is just because I am up to about 440 HP with some mods.
A stock C55 would not have much problems with a stock C32. The torque of 510 is really impressive.
Also they reprogrammed the ESP on the C55 which kicks in much later now. And the 18 inch weels give you the grip you need to bring the power on the street.
My main problem was getting the power on the track. The final aproach to EAU rouge is downwards and my ESP would kick in, even at 140 kmh. Finally I shut it off which got rid of that, but I did spin the car once in a slower corner. No ESP is much more fun, but more dangerous.
Speaking of dangerous. One guy, a young kid around 22, lost his 2 months old SL55 after 1 hour on the track. The whole suspension was totaled and the car was towed to Affalterbach with estimated costs of 20000 euro.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 165
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C55 AMG
Great Video... thanks bverotti
I am sure the C55 is a great car. My C55 is booked for June production... to replace my 2002 C32.
Last week, I test drove an SLK200... it was simply amazing, for a 1.8 Kompressor engine... FUN.
Wonder how the 55 will be.
So I am now contemplating getting an SLK55.
Were there any SLK55s at the event (on display atleast)?
I am sure the C55 is a great car. My C55 is booked for June production... to replace my 2002 C32.
Last week, I test drove an SLK200... it was simply amazing, for a 1.8 Kompressor engine... FUN.
Wonder how the 55 will be.
So I am now contemplating getting an SLK55.
Were there any SLK55s at the event (on display atleast)?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Antwerp, Belgium
C32
No slk55 was at the event ... I wished but you can't have it all.
Everybody had to provide their own fuel. In my case I visited the gas station 4 times in 2 days. Average consumption was 32 liter.
Yes its very costly, but then again you do not get a chance like this every day.
Everybody had to provide their own fuel. In my case I visited the gas station 4 times in 2 days. Average consumption was 32 liter.
Yes its very costly, but then again you do not get a chance like this every day.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 437
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From: SOUTH AFRICA
Nothing
That video is just AWESOME! I am a great fan of SPA and am really glad that it is back on the F1 calender. I just wish I had the chance to be there, but for me to go there is just too expensive. BTW, what is your impressions of the (manual) mode of the gearbox?
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 119
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From: California
MB
Hi bverotti, thanks so much for posting that video. The exhaust sounds very aggressive from the outside. Can you comment on relative volume when you're standing a few meters away from the car? Does it still sound that loud? What about cabin noise? Do you think the exhaust might drone a bit at cruising speeds or did they seal it off from the cabin pretty well?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally posted by bverotti
Just got a message from MKB. They already have a tuning kit for the C55 which will bring 420 HP. Sounds good !
Just got a message from MKB. They already have a tuning kit for the C55 which will bring 420 HP. Sounds good !
How was the quality of the interior compared to the current C32?
Last edited by Sleestack; May 12, 2004 at 04:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 236
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From: Antwerp, Belgium
C32
Originally posted by Karl G
Hi bverotti, thanks so much for posting that video. The exhaust sounds very aggressive from the outside. Can you comment on relative volume when you're standing a few meters away from the car? Does it still sound that loud? What about cabin noise? Do you think the exhaust might drone a bit at cruising speeds or did they seal it off from the cabin pretty well?
Hi bverotti, thanks so much for posting that video. The exhaust sounds very aggressive from the outside. Can you comment on relative volume when you're standing a few meters away from the car? Does it still sound that loud? What about cabin noise? Do you think the exhaust might drone a bit at cruising speeds or did they seal it off from the cabin pretty well?
Inside the sound is very acceptable when driving normal. When going full throttle it is much louder, but not like inside an SL55 where it becomes too loud for my taste.
AMG did a great job IMHO with the sound, the C55 will impress !
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 287
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From: Dublin, Ireland
Alfa Romeo 147 1.6TS
It's my dream to drive at Spa 
I was there a couple of years ago for the GP - stayed in Brussels - great track and a great city! Eau Rouge, what a corner - I bet it's a heart-in-the-mouth experience taking that baby flat out!
By the way, the link for the vid seems to be broken
I was there a couple of years ago for the GP - stayed in Brussels - great track and a great city! Eau Rouge, what a corner - I bet it's a heart-in-the-mouth experience taking that baby flat out!By the way, the link for the vid seems to be broken
