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Ok guys, I have not been very good at my follow up here but I promise a much better, full video will follow soon. We just got a new puppy here and he is taking all my spare time to train and keep from destroying the house. In the interim, here is the best lap from the day that, once again, ended early. As the tire photo below shows, I nearly had a catastrophic event. I had three sessions in the morning and they all felt pretty good. In the first session, my front tires got to about 41F so I pulled in early to let some air out. All seemed fine. I started the next session with much lower pressures but they still got into the high 30Fs so not really that high but I was starting to lose front end grip. By the third session of the morning, it was dialed in. I was flying! The car felt great. The brakes felt great and stopped the car with authority! The correct track pads and ducts I installed really worked their magic. Wow was it fun. We had a brief red flag and I ended up being the first in line for the re-release and pushed it a bit for the two laps we had before the checkered waved given that there were some pretty quick cars behind me that I did not want to slow up. Plus, we spaced out well so I never did hold anyone up. For this event, they waved the checkered at both the start/finish and Turn 10. I caught the flag at 10 so basically dialed it way back to cool the car and then went straight into the pits. It was lunch time so I hit that and started doing some emails. I had more time to kill so I decided to check over the car and when I looked down from the front to the rear, I saw an unusual shadow from the right front tire. I decided to provide the courtesy reach around and felt this:
Holy snickies!
I almost fainted thinking about what could have been should I have taken another corner in anger. Wow! Just wow. I will discuss this more in the full video to be posted later. So let's bring this back to the fun part. Here is the video of my quickest lap. According to my lap timer, it was 2:05.41. To put that in perspective, this is about a second quicker than my 2008 Corvette Z06 on Hoosiers. Now, let's face it, a Corvette SHOULD be quicker than the AMG but I never could trust the Vette. It did not communicate well and it would bite me periodically. I could never get myself to do more than about 7/10s in that car and this proves it. For more context, I have only driven my 600LT once so far at Thunderhill (on Hoosiers as well), and without too much effort, I pulled a 2 flat. So I think I can say, with all humility, I was hauling a$$ in the AMG. As you can see in the video, I was actually held up by the open wheel spec racer so my true lap time may have been closer to a 2:04. So enjoy this one for now and I promise to have the full video up soon; puppy willing.
Dude, that tire is mangled! I'm in the market for new track tires before I go 18" rims and slicks which is my 2022 project. Thinking I'll either go back to the Cup 2's or try the R888R's. No wonder Tire Rack has the RE-71r's priced for special/closeout. Tempting, but after reading this, I think I'll pass!
If anyone is looking for a full set of 18” OEM C63 Coupe rims for track days, let me know. I have an extra set available that I can ship or be picked up locally (78746). They’ve been refinished by Mercedes Houston dealership in a fresh black powdercoat finish.
Great thread, Kurt. Can you please share your full wheel and tire specs for the O.Z. + RE-71R (and the Finspeed)? Looking to determine what will fit with no issues on a '20 C63 S sedan.
Great thread, Kurt. Can you please share your full wheel and tire specs for the O.Z. + RE-71R (and the Finspeed)? Looking to determine what will fit with no issues on a '20 C63 S sedan.
SoFlo,
The OZ wheels, I just picked them up from TireRack and was in the stock size. I don't have that receipt anymore so I am not sure of the specs. It also does not look like they are still available for our car. However, if you should happen to want them, you can have them if you cover packing and shipping. I just want them out of my garage.
As for the Finspeeds, they are 19x9ET37mm front and 19x10ET47.5mm in the rear.
Jumping on this, Nice to see you Kurt at TH, this is Terry in the white PRO, you are killing it there!
SuperTanch,
It was nice to meet you and see our buddy Christopher again; it was a good chat. You were doing pretty good yourself out there and DAMN! your car looks good. That is one sexy beast.
So I had a pro coach with me at Thunderhill this past weekend (March 6 and 7). He shaved about 5 seconds off my times in the McLaren 600LT and then showed me what a real pro can do by taking the wheel and shaving another few seconds! Humbling to be sure. I spoke to him about a day with the AMG and he was all for it. I have the Hoosiers with at least one, maybe two days left on them so I will try to find a day that he and I can have at it and see if we can get this thing under 2 minutes. Now that would be quite the accomplishment and a scary a$$ ride in the passenger seat. I may have to wuss out and just watch from the sideline. I will keep you all posted.
Nice thread! Guess you had lots of fun with this car.
I didn't get if you changed to lowering springs or not.
What is the final camber angle that you are running front and rear?
And how is the outside wear on front and rear? Still heavy wear on the outside?
Will springs help? Or the camber is the only way?
Nice thread! Guess you had lots of fun with this car.
I didn't get if you changed to lowering springs or not.
What is the final camber angle that you are running front and rear?
And how is the outside wear on front and rear? Still heavy wear on the outside?
Will springs help? Or the camber is the only way?
Have fun on the next sessions and stay safe!
I have not changed springs; only camber. Right now, the front is at-2.75. Springs may help a bit but, honestly, the stock adjustables are quite good. As for wear, the outsides still take a beating with the weight of this car. A bit more camber is warranted for the track but then you will greatly compromise street use.
IN THE PURSUIT OF FRONT ROW OF THE GRID LAP TIMES !
(Allowing to go deeper into the corners with increased traction, braking response and to hit those corner apex’s every time)
We manufacture a “Total System” for all W204 models (in fact all Merc’s 1968 to 2021). When it comes to suspension Bushings, Strut and Wishbone adjusters (and seeing there is only Front and Rear Toe "directional" adjustment OEM.... providing "FULL ALIGNMENT” capability !).
At KMAC we have been manufacturing performance bushings and adjuster kits to overcome such OEM suspension shortcomings since 1964.
Constantly designing, developing, competition proving in all out 10/10th's racing – heavy V8's end of main straight hitting corner race curbs, fully launching and coming down broadside, lap after lap. Situations where on evaluating Race Safety scrutineers rule only KMAC adjusters to be used.
FOR W204 incl. AMG, Black Series
FRONT:
1. FRONT LOWER ARM BUSHINGS
Up to 1.5 degrees Pos. or Neg. Camber and also Caster adjustable. (lower arm Neg. adjustment also increases track width).
Nothing comes close when it comes to out and out strength, range of adjustment and ease / accuracy of adjustment.
Unique patented design provides single wrench adjustment. Accurate (under load) direct on alignment rack.
Forward facing thrust arm (Caster adjustable) bushes are Mono ball / 2 Axis dramatically improving brake and steering response. Out performing steel spherical bearings having more then twice the load bearing / impact area
2. FRONT UPPER STRUT MOUNTSWhen you’re really serious about “extra” adjustment for Track days. With KMAC patented design allows precise adjustment of Camber and Caster “from engine bay” without strut removal. Up to 3 degrees extra Neg Camber (1.5 Pos.).
Not steel or soft billet alloy. Ultimate highest 7075 aircraft aluminum. Massive H/Duty spherical bearings and also separate fully sealed thrust bearings for steering loads. Also fit with all brands of coil overs 60-70ᵐᵐ I.D. Designed for minimum stack height.
STAGE 2 STREET / RACE #503016-2L $545 (Both Sides) STAGE 3 FULL RACE #503016-3L $545(Both Sides)
BLACK SERIES STAGE 2 STREET / RACE #502616-2L $545(Both sides) STAGE 3 FULL RACE #502616-3L $545(Both sides)
3. FOR THE REAR “LOWER ARM” CAMBER KIT (and extra Toe to compensate)
Same as front fast / Precise single wrench adjustment at trackside to adjust for maximum traction (lower arm kit retains important clearance top of tire to outer fender) #502226K $480(Both Sides).
4. REAR UPPER CAMBER ARM ADJUSTERS (also extra Toe to compensate)
Not soft extruded aluminum but Hi-strength forged alloy same as OEM (upper arms adjusts top of tire). #502226-1M $595 (Both Sides)
5. ALSO MANUFACTURE:
Uprated Bushings for the 6 Multi link rear arms. Less twitch / flex, loss of traction especially when applying power to lane change / overtake, designed to outperform short life delrin or spherical bearings#502528K $480 (set 12)
6. UPRATED BUSHINGS FOR THE REAR SUBFRAME (4)
Further reducing rear end twitch / flex, loss of traction. Time saving bush extraction tool included allowing replacement without complete removal of subframe. #503028Q $890
Since you have tried a few different compounds, figure I would ask about tires here for track. I am looking for a replacement for my coupe (front 255/35-19, rear 285/30-20) currently with Mich PS4S, but looking at a replacement tire for summer/track.
I was originally planning on Mich Cup 2 with a slightly wider rear (295/35-19 with new track wheels). Another guy at the track recommended the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 (front 265/35-19, rear 295/30-20 is closest), as a more cost effective and equivalent performing alternative to Cup 2. Furthermore, the Yokohama Advan A052 (front 255/35-19, rear 295/30-20) look really good or even better than the Cup 2 from the Tire Rack tests.
Since you have tried a few different compounds, figure I would ask about tires here for track. I am looking for a replacement for my coupe (front 255/35-19, rear 285/30-20) currently with Mich PS4S, but looking at a replacement tire for summer/track.
I was originally planning on Mich Cup 2 with a slightly wider rear (295/35-19 with new track wheels). Another guy at the track recommended the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 (front 265/35-19, rear 295/30-20 is closest), as a more cost effective and equivalent performing alternative to Cup 2. Furthermore, the Yokohama Advan A052 (front 255/35-19, rear 295/30-20) look really good or even better than the Cup 2 from the Tire Rack tests.
Spazdoc,
I can say that the Goodyear 3R is the best overall tire for street and track use. The Michelin will offer better lap times in the first session used but degrade after that. The Goodyear only loses slight bit in the first session but will provide more consistent lap times for two days of HPDEs. Plus, they are so much more affordable. Best overall tire hands down
So my next project is to upgrade the brakes. From what I have read about the new C63, it doesn't sound like I will be getting one despite the increase in HP. A 4400 pound 4 cylinder does not appeal to me. So, I am going to see if I can make an AP brake kit fit on my existing 2015. I have their full brake kit on my McLaren 600LT and it is flawless and indefatigable so, over the next few weeks I am going to see if I can make it work. I will post progress as I make it. Wish me luck.
I can say that the Goodyear 3R is the best overall tire for street and track use. The Michelin will offer better lap times in the first session used but degrade after that. The Goodyear only loses slight bit in the first session but will provide more consistent lap times for two days of HPDEs. Plus, they are so much more affordable. Best overall tire hands down
Kurt
that is very helpful information consistent with people that have actually used the tires. Now the only issues the Goodyear does not have 19 inch tires in 255 or 285 with, so for my Coupe I will probably be upgrading to 265 fronts and 305 Rears on 19 in rims.
I can say that the Goodyear 3R is the best overall tire for street and track use. The Michelin will offer better lap times in the first session used but degrade after that. The Goodyear only loses slight bit in the first session but will provide more consistent lap times for two days of HPDEs. Plus, they are so much more affordable. Best overall tire hands down
Kurt
Wait, do you mean Supercar 3 or Supercar 3R? I am actually thinking of the 3R in 19s because of the slightly better pricepoint, but 100 TW is worrisome (compared to something like Yokohama A052 with 200 TW).
Wait, do you mean Supercar 3 or Supercar 3R? I am actually thinking of the 3R in 19s because of the slightly better pricepoint, but 100 TW is worrisome (compared to something like Yokohama A052 with 200 TW).
3Rs. I am getting them in 265/35-19 and 295/30-19 for my car. I will let you know how they work in a week or two once I get them mounted and used for while.
They should be. I use a similar kit on my McLaren and have never experienced any fade. As per this thread, I have had major issues with the AMG and brakes. This kit is not made specifically for the AMG so I will have to spend some time fabricating some brackets for mounting these to the car and will likely do that over the next month or two.
02-15-2021, 03:54 PM
