No wear and tear on the C32 doing that.
Cost to Track a C32
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 815
Likes: 2
Cost to Track a C32
Now that I have worn out two sets of tires and a set of brake pads, here's my take on the expense of tracking this heavy car based on a 3 hour day.
Front tires are good for two days, while the rears are good for two and a half to three if you keep wheel spin to a minimum. On the BBK, front brake pads are good for four days, rears are good for eight.
Tires: T1-S's are about $800.00 for all four ($1,000.00 + for the competition). Front tire usage is about $200.00 per day. Rear tire usage is about $150.00 per day. That is about $350.00 per day for tires. Labor not included.
Brake Pads: Pagid Orange are about $200.00 per axle. Front usage is about $50.00 per day. Rear usage is about $25.00 per day. That is about $75.00 per day for pads. Labor not included.
Brake Fluid: Motul RBF costs about $30.00 to fill. Recommend to change after every four events at a maximum. That is about $8.00 per day for brake fluid. Labor not included.
Average mpg is under 6. Approximately 175 miles per day at SOWS is roughly 29 gallons of gas @ 2.50 a gallon is $72.00 for the day in gas.
Tires, pads, and brake fluid cost equals about $433.00 per track day. Add this with gas, and you are over $500.00 per day. The C32 is such a heavy car and lacks the negative camber needed in the front for even tire wear across the tread, that the costs to run this car at the track are about 2-3 times higher than my BMW, which weighs over 1000lbs less and is therefore much easier on all of the replaceables mentioned above. It is quite fun though showing what a MB can do at the track!
Front tires are good for two days, while the rears are good for two and a half to three if you keep wheel spin to a minimum. On the BBK, front brake pads are good for four days, rears are good for eight.
Tires: T1-S's are about $800.00 for all four ($1,000.00 + for the competition). Front tire usage is about $200.00 per day. Rear tire usage is about $150.00 per day. That is about $350.00 per day for tires. Labor not included.
Brake Pads: Pagid Orange are about $200.00 per axle. Front usage is about $50.00 per day. Rear usage is about $25.00 per day. That is about $75.00 per day for pads. Labor not included.
Brake Fluid: Motul RBF costs about $30.00 to fill. Recommend to change after every four events at a maximum. That is about $8.00 per day for brake fluid. Labor not included.
Average mpg is under 6. Approximately 175 miles per day at SOWS is roughly 29 gallons of gas @ 2.50 a gallon is $72.00 for the day in gas.
Tires, pads, and brake fluid cost equals about $433.00 per track day. Add this with gas, and you are over $500.00 per day. The C32 is such a heavy car and lacks the negative camber needed in the front for even tire wear across the tread, that the costs to run this car at the track are about 2-3 times higher than my BMW, which weighs over 1000lbs less and is therefore much easier on all of the replaceables mentioned above. It is quite fun though showing what a MB can do at the track!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 3
Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by smgC32
Now that I have worn out two sets of tires and a set of brake pads, here's my take on the expense of tracking this heavy car based on a 3 hour day.
Front tires are good for two days, while the rears are good for two and a half to three if you keep wheel spin to a minimum. On the BBK, front brake pads are good for four days, rears are good for eight.
Tires: T1-S's are about $800.00 for all four ($1,000.00 + for the competition). Front tire usage is about $200.00 per day. Rear tire usage is about $150.00 per day. That is about $350.00 per day for tires. Labor not included.
Brake Pads: Pagid Orange are about $200.00 per axle. Front usage is about $50.00 per day. Rear usage is about $25.00 per day. That is about $75.00 per day for pads. Labor not included.
Brake Fluid: Motul RBF costs about $30.00 to fill. Recommend to change after every four events at a maximum. That is about $8.00 per day for brake fluid. Labor not included.
Average mpg is under 6. Approximately 175 miles per day at SOWS is roughly 29 gallons of gas @ 2.50 a gallon is $72.00 for the day in gas.
Tires, pads, and brake fluid cost equals about $433.00 per track day. Add this with gas, and you are over $500.00 per day. The C32 is such a heavy car and lacks the negative camber needed in the front for even tire wear across the tread, that the costs to run this car at the track are about 2-3 times higher than my BMW, which weighs over 1000lbs less and is therefore much easier on all of the replaceables mentioned above. It is quite fun though showing what a MB can do at the track!
Front tires are good for two days, while the rears are good for two and a half to three if you keep wheel spin to a minimum. On the BBK, front brake pads are good for four days, rears are good for eight.
Tires: T1-S's are about $800.00 for all four ($1,000.00 + for the competition). Front tire usage is about $200.00 per day. Rear tire usage is about $150.00 per day. That is about $350.00 per day for tires. Labor not included.
Brake Pads: Pagid Orange are about $200.00 per axle. Front usage is about $50.00 per day. Rear usage is about $25.00 per day. That is about $75.00 per day for pads. Labor not included.
Brake Fluid: Motul RBF costs about $30.00 to fill. Recommend to change after every four events at a maximum. That is about $8.00 per day for brake fluid. Labor not included.
Average mpg is under 6. Approximately 175 miles per day at SOWS is roughly 29 gallons of gas @ 2.50 a gallon is $72.00 for the day in gas.
Tires, pads, and brake fluid cost equals about $433.00 per track day. Add this with gas, and you are over $500.00 per day. The C32 is such a heavy car and lacks the negative camber needed in the front for even tire wear across the tread, that the costs to run this car at the track are about 2-3 times higher than my BMW, which weighs over 1000lbs less and is therefore much easier on all of the replaceables mentioned above. It is quite fun though showing what a MB can do at the track!
You fogot the fee to use the track.... thats 100-120 for the last events at SOW. So its more like $620 for the car for the day lol.
I did get a call from my credit card company asking why i purchased 3 tanks of gas in Rosamond California in one day. They thought 110 bucks in gas for 1 day of driving was a bit odd esp when the other card on that account was out shopping in camarillo lol.... That Chevron station must love us!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Great White North (the one with the crappy dollar)
2002 c32
So if my math is correct..
Originally Posted by smgC32
Tires, pads, and brake fluid cost equals about $433.00 per track day. Add this with gas, and you are over $500.00 per day.
If I give you $250 can I use your car for 1/2 day at the track
:p
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 3
Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by lap
If I give you $250 can I use your car for 1/2 day at the track :p
:pYou are bidding me up! Shoot.....
Steve everyone wants a chance at your C32! Guess its like having a hot blond GF. Everyone wants some but they just cant have any lol....
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Boston/Hartford
This car is a very expensive car to track.
Those numbers are almost right on except gas is cheaper here.
Also with the use of the Victoracers the tire cost should go down a little bit. They are cheaper than the Toyos and if you get them unshaved they last over 3 - 4 days in the front. The rears last almost twice as long for me but I think that was because I was on the stock suspension. I think they grip much better than the toyo's.
Also with the toyo's because of the tread pattern I actually managed to chunk off a nice piece of tire braking hard into a concrete patch
.
With the stock AMG brake kit my Porterfield R4E only lasted 3 days on the front. The Axxis only lasted one day. However the rears last forever. I have only had to change them once in 10 track days. I should be able to get at least 5 more out of them. It is interesting to note that your rears seem to wear out much faster with the BBK but the fronts wear out faster with the stock AMG. Now I am sure you brake harder but I do have gold calipers so I can't be braking all that slow
This car is one of the most gratifying cars to see on the track. It is sexier than any car short of a ferrari. My moment of nirvana was when I got the passing signal from a porsche turbo. Imagine his surprise to see a Mercedes on his ****. That right there is worth the high price of admission.
Now I just need to become a better driver. My only other mods may be BBK and camber plates (if anybody makes them) After that I am investing all my money into racing schools.
AMG Will Rule All :
Those numbers are almost right on except gas is cheaper here.
Also with the use of the Victoracers the tire cost should go down a little bit. They are cheaper than the Toyos and if you get them unshaved they last over 3 - 4 days in the front. The rears last almost twice as long for me but I think that was because I was on the stock suspension. I think they grip much better than the toyo's.
Also with the toyo's because of the tread pattern I actually managed to chunk off a nice piece of tire braking hard into a concrete patch
.With the stock AMG brake kit my Porterfield R4E only lasted 3 days on the front. The Axxis only lasted one day. However the rears last forever. I have only had to change them once in 10 track days. I should be able to get at least 5 more out of them. It is interesting to note that your rears seem to wear out much faster with the BBK but the fronts wear out faster with the stock AMG. Now I am sure you brake harder but I do have gold calipers so I can't be braking all that slow
This car is one of the most gratifying cars to see on the track. It is sexier than any car short of a ferrari. My moment of nirvana was when I got the passing signal from a porsche turbo. Imagine his surprise to see a Mercedes on his ****. That right there is worth the high price of admission.
Now I just need to become a better driver. My only other mods may be BBK and camber plates (if anybody makes them) After that I am investing all my money into racing schools.
AMG Will Rule All :
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Boston/Hartford
zeppelin,
can you tell me where I can rent a ferrari or lambo for 500/day? I would be all over that next time I am in cali.
Last time I was down there I rented an SL55 AMG for the day and that cost me just over $700. The ferraris were significantly more expensive and I did a lot of research to find the lowest prices being the cheapo that I am.
Also when you rent a car even a ferrari or lambo they are not especially track ready. Most of the time the brake fluid is old and needs a flush also they don't come with high perf brake fluid stock. Also you may need new pads as well depending on the mileage of the rental.
Steve,
If you put racing seats and schroth 4 pt. harness I would rent your car for 600/day + gas etc.? Interested?
Prasith
can you tell me where I can rent a ferrari or lambo for 500/day? I would be all over that next time I am in cali.
Last time I was down there I rented an SL55 AMG for the day and that cost me just over $700. The ferraris were significantly more expensive and I did a lot of research to find the lowest prices being the cheapo that I am.
Also when you rent a car even a ferrari or lambo they are not especially track ready. Most of the time the brake fluid is old and needs a flush also they don't come with high perf brake fluid stock. Also you may need new pads as well depending on the mileage of the rental.
Steve,
If you put racing seats and schroth 4 pt. harness I would rent your car for 600/day + gas etc.? Interested?
Prasith
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
2006 Corvette Coupe
You guys are going through tires much faster than I am. I have 3 track days on my S03s, about 9K street miles, 1 day of Evolution autocross school, and 1 BMW CCA autocross, and they've still got plenty of tread left. Maybe you all are pushing the car a lot harder than I am, since I'm only barely into the intermediate run group. However, I agree that tracking the car is pretty expensive.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 815
Likes: 2
The RA-1's as most of you know are my favorite tire for feedback and longevity. I can get up to 10 days out of them on the BMW. Unfortunately, they don't come in 235/265 18's. Victoracers don't come in these sizes either. Slim pickings. As with any street tire, you need to shave them below 5/32 so they wont chunk.
355 spider = $1,800 per day
360 coupe = $2,800 per day, same for the Lambo.
I bet the C32 is just as fast at SOWS!! Eric, what was that recent article that posted times at SOWS in a new lambo?
The rear pad usage was an estimate. I have gone through 7mm of pad in the front and only a few mm in the rear. The front brakes do about 80% of the work, so if the fronts last four days, then maybe the rears will last 16 days! Hey, take off $37.50 from my daily rental rate!!
355 spider = $1,800 per day
360 coupe = $2,800 per day, same for the Lambo.
I bet the C32 is just as fast at SOWS!! Eric, what was that recent article that posted times at SOWS in a new lambo?
The rear pad usage was an estimate. I have gone through 7mm of pad in the front and only a few mm in the rear. The front brakes do about 80% of the work, so if the fronts last four days, then maybe the rears will last 16 days! Hey, take off $37.50 from my daily rental rate!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 3
Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by smgC32
The RA-1's as most of you know are my favorite tire for feedback and longevity. I can get up to 10 days out of them on the BMW. Unfortunately, they don't come in 235/265 18's. Victoracers don't come in these sizes either. Slim pickings. As with any street tire, you need to shave them below 5/32 so they wont chunk.
355 spider = $1,800 per day
360 coupe = $2,800 per day, same for the Lambo.
I bet the C32 is just as fast at SOWS!! Eric, what was that recent article that posted times at SOWS in a new lambo?
The rear pad usage was an estimate. I have gone through 7mm of pad in the front and only a few mm in the rear. The front brakes do about 80% of the work, so if the fronts last four days, then maybe the rears will last 16 days! Hey, take off $37.50 from my daily rental rate!!
355 spider = $1,800 per day
360 coupe = $2,800 per day, same for the Lambo.
I bet the C32 is just as fast at SOWS!! Eric, what was that recent article that posted times at SOWS in a new lambo?
The rear pad usage was an estimate. I have gone through 7mm of pad in the front and only a few mm in the rear. The front brakes do about 80% of the work, so if the fronts last four days, then maybe the rears will last 16 days! Hey, take off $37.50 from my daily rental rate!!
Now we are talking!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: OC
C32
O.K. so my numbers were off a little on the rental price. Who would think that you could rent a 355 Spider for $1800 a day, thats $657,000 a year.
You could still rent a Z06 or two 350Z's for the price it is costing to track your C32.
You could still rent a Z06 or two 350Z's for the price it is costing to track your C32.
