Excellent weekend at track
06-21-2010, 12:14 PM
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2010 C63
Excellent weekend at track
Was at Roebling Road this weekend with some absolutely sick cars, including:
couple of C63's
couple of CL63's
couple of E63's
Several SLs
couple of CLK63's
Most, if not all, of the above were modded. We had some interlopers as well:
2 race-prepped Vipers
Race prepped 996 turbo
911 GT3
Modded M5
Supercharged Vette
Super Snake
And the really good stuff:
SLS
SL65 Black Series
CLK 63 Black Series
The SLS was incredibly fast down the straight - much faster than its HP and weight, etc. would lead you to believe (no excuses, though - I think he got a run on me coming out of the last turn). The SL65 was incredible, though. Looks like Darth Vader's car, and sounds like it, too. Very distinctive, very, very cool sound down the straight. With an instructor driver at 8/10's, it was getting close to 160 on the straight.
We had two days and there were only about 22 drivers there, so tons of track time. We had several professional instructors (incl. a Le Mans winner) and M-B techs. A couple of cars had problems, but the techs quickly got most of them back on track within a couple of hours (one of the non M-B's had a problem that was not fixable at the track). Only one major excursion, but no damage.
It was just a great all around weekend. And believe it or not, it was organized by a dealer! Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead set it all up (2nd year in a row), and I just wanted to publicly thank Kevin, Jeff and all the techs for all their work in getting it done again this year. It was just awesome.
Pictures should be coming soon (hopefully).
couple of C63's
couple of CL63's
couple of E63's
Several SLs
couple of CLK63's
Most, if not all, of the above were modded. We had some interlopers as well:
2 race-prepped Vipers
Race prepped 996 turbo
911 GT3
Modded M5
Supercharged Vette
Super Snake
And the really good stuff:
SLS
SL65 Black Series
CLK 63 Black Series
The SLS was incredibly fast down the straight - much faster than its HP and weight, etc. would lead you to believe (no excuses, though - I think he got a run on me coming out of the last turn). The SL65 was incredible, though. Looks like Darth Vader's car, and sounds like it, too. Very distinctive, very, very cool sound down the straight. With an instructor driver at 8/10's, it was getting close to 160 on the straight.
We had two days and there were only about 22 drivers there, so tons of track time. We had several professional instructors (incl. a Le Mans winner) and M-B techs. A couple of cars had problems, but the techs quickly got most of them back on track within a couple of hours (one of the non M-B's had a problem that was not fixable at the track). Only one major excursion, but no damage.
It was just a great all around weekend. And believe it or not, it was organized by a dealer! Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead set it all up (2nd year in a row), and I just wanted to publicly thank Kevin, Jeff and all the techs for all their work in getting it done again this year. It was just awesome.
Pictures should be coming soon (hopefully).
06-21-2010, 01:21 PM
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Any issues with the 103db from the track crew? I love that track, if I had known about the event I would have been there with some friends. 
Hope you have some video as well?
Hope you have some video as well?
06-21-2010, 02:57 PM
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As far as I know, there were no issues. And the two Vipers were obviously over the limit, although they did not run nearly as much as some of the others. If they had run the whole time, maybe it would have come up, but I believe those guys had other cars there that they ran on track part of the time.
06-21-2010, 04:19 PM
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2002 C32 (gone), 2009 C63 K1
Just heard about this event from the dealer when I went in to ask about Kleemann ECU upgrade options! Sorry I missed it. Glad everyone had fun. Pics!
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06-22-2010, 09:05 AM
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I drove both at the AMG Driving Academy at Road Atlanta, and I actually liked the CLK63BS better on the track. It seems much "smaller" and quicker in transition. It was just effortless. That was at 8/10's. I believe that my impression would likely change at 9 or 10/10's. The SLS seemed to have much more in reserve.
As far as track times, I don't think its close. Note that the same guy brought both the SLS (with carbon brakes) and the CLK Black. He preferred the SLS and predicted it was probably a couple or three secs faster around (we couldn't use timing equiptment due to insurance). Based on my its-in-my-rear-view-mirror-now-its-in-front-of-me perspective, the SLS was much faster down the straight and was carrying a lot more speed though the last corner. Beyond elapsed time, I am not sure why he liked the SLS more.
As far as track times, I don't think its close. Note that the same guy brought both the SLS (with carbon brakes) and the CLK Black. He preferred the SLS and predicted it was probably a couple or three secs faster around (we couldn't use timing equiptment due to insurance). Based on my its-in-my-rear-view-mirror-now-its-in-front-of-me perspective, the SLS was much faster down the straight and was carrying a lot more speed though the last corner. Beyond elapsed time, I am not sure why he liked the SLS more.
06-22-2010, 02:36 PM
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
I drove both at the AMG Driving Academy at Road Atlanta, and I actually liked the CLK63BS better on the track. It seems much "smaller" and quicker in transition. It was just effortless. That was at 8/10's. I believe that my impression would likely change at 9 or 10/10's. The SLS seemed to have much more in reserve.
As far as track times, I don't think its close. Note that the same guy brought both the SLS (with carbon brakes) and the CLK Black. He preferred the SLS and predicted it was probably a couple or three secs faster around (we couldn't use timing equiptment due to insurance). Based on my its-in-my-rear-view-mirror-now-its-in-front-of-me perspective, the SLS was much faster down the straight and was carrying a lot more speed though the last corner. Beyond elapsed time, I am not sure why he liked the SLS more.
As far as track times, I don't think its close. Note that the same guy brought both the SLS (with carbon brakes) and the CLK Black. He preferred the SLS and predicted it was probably a couple or three secs faster around (we couldn't use timing equiptment due to insurance). Based on my its-in-my-rear-view-mirror-now-its-in-front-of-me perspective, the SLS was much faster down the straight and was carrying a lot more speed though the last corner. Beyond elapsed time, I am not sure why he liked the SLS more.
06-24-2010, 07:56 PM
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The C63 could be nearly as fast as the SLS has AMG put the same headers and tune on the car. Switch roles and detune the SLS and put the brick headers from the C63 and put long tube headers and tune on the C63 and see which one is faster.
06-24-2010, 10:00 PM
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Not going to happen.
06-25-2010, 02:30 PM
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Dude - No. Just no. I cannot explain to you how fast that SLS went around me (I have a tune and locking diff). The SLS was a little slower than the SL65 at the end of the straight -- and the Black is tuned and is putting down more power than Three Mile Island.
06-25-2010, 02:45 PM
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The car did great. I put on Bridgestone Potenzas RE760's (cheap and pretty hard). The brakes and tires held up pretty well (started at 34 psi - after 5-6 laps they were around 42, except for the LF which was well above that). We rotated the front tires on Sunday morning.
The car understeered a bit but was easy to control and rotate when driving with both feet. The pro drivers could drift it easily. It was noticably faster with ESP set to "Sport", although the ESP was not real intrusive when on (you could feel it cutting in, esp. pulling out of corners) - I did not try ESP "Off" as I like my car on the pavement and my marriage intact.
I will be bleeding the brakes and changing the oil this weekend - will check on the pads then (I have a spare front set, which I think I will need).
As I said on another thread, the only problem I had was with my power steering which was overheating and overflowing the resevoir making the pump cavitate a bit. The fluid went from "max" to "min", but I did not need to add any. Rested the car with some big fans on it and it was fine. M-B techs at the track said it was not uncommon on C63s - they are working on a cure.
The car understeered a bit but was easy to control and rotate when driving with both feet. The pro drivers could drift it easily. It was noticably faster with ESP set to "Sport", although the ESP was not real intrusive when on (you could feel it cutting in, esp. pulling out of corners) - I did not try ESP "Off" as I like my car on the pavement and my marriage intact.
I will be bleeding the brakes and changing the oil this weekend - will check on the pads then (I have a spare front set, which I think I will need).
As I said on another thread, the only problem I had was with my power steering which was overheating and overflowing the resevoir making the pump cavitate a bit. The fluid went from "max" to "min", but I did not need to add any. Rested the car with some big fans on it and it was fine. M-B techs at the track said it was not uncommon on C63s - they are working on a cure.
06-25-2010, 04:03 PM
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The car did great. I put on Bridgestone Potenzas RE760's (cheap and pretty hard). The brakes and tires held up pretty well (started at 34 psi - after 5-6 laps they were around 42, except for the LF which was well above that). We rotated the front tires on Sunday morning.
The car understeered a bit but was easy to control and rotate when driving with both feet. The pro drivers could drift it easily. It was noticably faster with ESP set to "Sport", although the ESP was not real intrusive when on (you could feel it cutting in, esp. pulling out of corners) - I did not try ESP "Off" as I like my car on the pavement and my marriage intact.
I will be bleeding the brakes and changing the oil this weekend - will check on the pads then (I have a spare front set, which I think I will need).
As I said on another thread, the only problem I had was with my power steering which was overheating and overflowing the resevoir making the pump cavitate a bit. The fluid went from "max" to "min", but I did not need to add any. Rested the car with some big fans on it and it was fine. M-B techs at the track said it was not uncommon on C63s - they are working on a cure.
The car understeered a bit but was easy to control and rotate when driving with both feet. The pro drivers could drift it easily. It was noticably faster with ESP set to "Sport", although the ESP was not real intrusive when on (you could feel it cutting in, esp. pulling out of corners) - I did not try ESP "Off" as I like my car on the pavement and my marriage intact.
I will be bleeding the brakes and changing the oil this weekend - will check on the pads then (I have a spare front set, which I think I will need).
As I said on another thread, the only problem I had was with my power steering which was overheating and overflowing the resevoir making the pump cavitate a bit. The fluid went from "max" to "min", but I did not need to add any. Rested the car with some big fans on it and it was fine. M-B techs at the track said it was not uncommon on C63s - they are working on a cure.
Thanks for the info. I am running bone stock.
My tires have nitro, so I will leave them stock.
Gonna run in sport mode and M mode.
Will keep an eye on the power steering fluid.
Not trying to get lap record, just stretching my legs on the car and having fun.
06-25-2010, 05:11 PM
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Seems like M Mode is tough on the transmission - generates a lot of heat. I have tried it, but find that the computer is better than I am, especially after a lap or so once the computer figures out you are really serious. I would suggest trying it both ways, but I would be surprised if you don't keep it in "S" most of the time.
But let me know - would like others' view on this.
But let me know - would like others' view on this.
06-25-2010, 07:42 PM
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Seems like M Mode is tough on the transmission - generates a lot of heat. I have tried it, but find that the computer is better than I am, especially after a lap or so once the computer figures out you are really serious. I would suggest trying it both ways, but I would be surprised if you don't keep it in "S" most of the time.
But let me know - would like others' view on this.
But let me know - would like others' view on this.
As to the difference vs the SLS or SLBS: I have 8 days now at Roebling and I can shoot turn 9 onto the straight just over 100 mph. Given that, I still only manage mid to high 140's which is no where near the 160 mentioned for the "super cars".
