Traction problems, what should I do?

Subscribe
Dec 13, 2017 | 12:30 AM
  #1  
I have a 2003 C32 that I have owned about five years and has only 80K miles. It is my weekend fun car. I have the following mods: Eurocharged shorty headers and 62 mm pulley, needswings style intake, and a tune. The pulley was added last so probably could use another tune for best performance. That being said, the car runs very well! I have never taken it to the strip but may in the future. The problem I have, its whenever I accelerate from a stop with more than about 1/2 throttle, tire(s) spin then traction control kicks in. Kind of annoying but good problem to have I guess. Here are what I think my options are:
(1) ease into the throttle and live with it
(2) wavetrac limited slip?
(3) 18" wheels and tires? I like the OEM 17" wheel set up for their lightness. If I go for 18" they will be heavier and ultimately slower but maybe faster off the line.

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Reply 0
Dec 13, 2017 | 08:06 AM
  #2  
What tires do you have now?
Reply 0
Dec 13, 2017 | 09:11 AM
  #3  
Michelin Pilot super sports with about 5k miles.
Reply 0
Dec 13, 2017 | 01:16 PM
  #4  
Larger diameter wheels will make wheelspin worse. The shorter side wall tire will have a harder time with straight line acceleration. The Mich are good tires but they're not drag radials.
These cars are geared steeply with that low first gear. You're at the point where you have to learn to drive the car. After you start making a little power, throttle modulation is just as important as knowing how to stay on the driving line.
Reply 0
Dec 13, 2017 | 01:26 PM
  #5  
Quote: Larger diameter wheels will make wheelspin worse. The shorter side wall tire will have a harder time with straight line acceleration. The Mich are good tires but they're not drag radials.
These cars are geared steeply with that low first gear. You're at the point where you have to learn to drive the car. After you start making a little power, throttle modulation is just as important as knowing how to stay on the driving line.
It's actually much easier to spin up smaller diameter combos and he's owned the car for 5 years now. I'd hope he's figured out the go-pedal by now.
Reply 0
Dec 13, 2017 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
Quote: It's actually much easier to spin up smaller diameter combos and he's owned the car for 5 years now. I'd hope he's figured out the go-pedal by now.
It's actually much easier to get traction with a taller sidewall tire. If you could run a drag radial on a 15" wheel it would hook harder than an 18" wheel with the same diameter tire. The taller side wall helps transfer the torque without blowing the tire off. It can wrap up like a coil spring and take the hit better.
Reply 0
Dec 14, 2017 | 02:39 AM
  #7  
Quote: Michelin Pilot super sports with about 5k miles.
How old are they, as in the date stamp, when tyres are old they go hard and give little grip, are you running correct pressures, how is the wheel alignment?
Does it spin one or two?
Reply 0
Dec 14, 2017 | 09:45 AM
  #8  
You need a LSD. Wavetrac wont work though, only option for us is quaife.
Reply 0

MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Explore
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Dec 14, 2017 | 10:29 AM
  #9  
Quote: It's actually much easier to get traction with a taller sidewall tire. If you could run a drag radial on a 15" wheel it would hook harder than an 18" wheel with the same diameter tire. The taller side wall helps transfer the torque without blowing the tire off. It can wrap up like a coil spring and take the hit better.
Very true, but I thought you meant it was easier to spin up a larger overall diameter wheel/tire combo. My mistake.
Reply 0
Dec 14, 2017 | 04:06 PM
  #10  
Move to Colorado where the thin air makes only 75% of sea level HP.

Just kidding, but it is true. I'm moving to sea level again soon and can't wait to have your problem once more.
I would get a 255 width rear in a sticky tire. The Mich PSS are pretty good for stick, can't understand why they break loose.
Reply 0
Dec 14, 2017 | 11:02 PM
  #11  
Quote: Michelin Pilot super sports with about 5k miles.

had my c32 for 12 years man and nearly same mods as you and same tires.... it wants to just spin like crazy unless you know how to play with the pedal to avoid spin which is an art. Starting in 2nd gear can help. from a stop mine will spin the tires from 1'st to 3rd gear up to about 60+ actually and thats with Pilot Sports on.

something to check - not sure if your accelerator pedal is going out, but i was getting a pending code of p0120 Throttle/Pedal position sensor and just replaced the accelerator pedal and the modulation is much better control.
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE