How much HP is enough??
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Joined: Nov 2001
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How much HP is enough??
OK my friends, I'm just curious, am I the only one that thinks this HP race is getting out of control? For the record, I almost can't believe that I am even presenting this question because several years ago I would have answered there's never enough. But I digress...
I drive a CLK430 daily and have driven the CLK55. But this past weekend I test-drove the 2003 CL55 with 493hp. Beautiful car and fast as hell, no question. The first time I floored it I broke out into laughter. Almost immediately I was doing 80mph. It really is rocket-sled fast and the exhaust note is intoxicating. But how usable is all that hp? With ESP off, the tail steps out around every corner. Without 4WD the rear wheels cannot possibly handle all that power and torque. Maybe on the autobahn it makes sense but here in the USA? I don't know, I guess for me living in a major metro area with ever increasing traffic I just don't feel safe unleashing all that power without injuring myself or someone else or at the very least my driver's license bursting into flames.
On the other hand, it really was my own private roller-coaster. I was literally laughing uncontrollably somewhere between 60-90mph, every time I pushed the loud pedal. I guess that is why this car exists but it takes an extroadinary amount of self-restraint to drive that thing in public.
I drive a CLK430 daily and have driven the CLK55. But this past weekend I test-drove the 2003 CL55 with 493hp. Beautiful car and fast as hell, no question. The first time I floored it I broke out into laughter. Almost immediately I was doing 80mph. It really is rocket-sled fast and the exhaust note is intoxicating. But how usable is all that hp? With ESP off, the tail steps out around every corner. Without 4WD the rear wheels cannot possibly handle all that power and torque. Maybe on the autobahn it makes sense but here in the USA? I don't know, I guess for me living in a major metro area with ever increasing traffic I just don't feel safe unleashing all that power without injuring myself or someone else or at the very least my driver's license bursting into flames.
On the other hand, it really was my own private roller-coaster. I was literally laughing uncontrollably somewhere between 60-90mph, every time I pushed the loud pedal. I guess that is why this car exists but it takes an extroadinary amount of self-restraint to drive that thing in public.
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From: Bay Area, CA
My car had about 500 hp and 470 lb/ft torque prior to its current round of tuning. No doubt my car was extrememly fast, however, I found myself wanting more. Off the line, punching it is definitely not a good idea. Nevertheless, all that hp and torque is definitely put to good use in daily driving. As for safety... I'm more concerned about bad drivers in crappy cars.
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From: Dallas
C32 AMG
I thought 350 hp would be more than enough for any sane person. But now, after a year of getting used to it, I'm wishing for more!
Like Sleestack said, my car (to a lesser degree of course) can't use too much more power off the line.
But there are times, once the car is moving, when a little more torque would be nice!
Like Sleestack said, my car (to a lesser degree of course) can't use too much more power off the line.
But there are times, once the car is moving, when a little more torque would be nice!
Out Of Control!!
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From: Southern CA
Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of HP, but I too am used to it 
. My dad will be getting a SL55 full Kleemann Spec soon. Maybe that will be enough.
HP is relative to the driver. For many, I'd say 40 is too much!
. My dad will be getting a SL55 full Kleemann Spec soon. Maybe that will be enough.HP is relative to the driver. For many, I'd say 40 is too much!
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Yeah, I suppose it depends on the person and what they are used to. I'm just not used to having that much power so accessible. I'm sure I could learn to "live" with that much power at least until the 600hp version arrives. I agree with Sleestack regarding safety and I think it is way to easy to obtain a driver's license in this country.
As an aside, I'm a little disappointed that MB/AMG hasn't released a car with a true semi-auto manual gearbox. The buttons behind the steering wheel were in my opinion no big deal but just a different way to shift. There was still the delay between the command and the actual shift and the torque converter has got to go. I spent some time in the Maserati Coupe with Ferrari's semi-auto and although not perfect it was much much more fun that the traditional automatic slushbox.
As an aside, I'm a little disappointed that MB/AMG hasn't released a car with a true semi-auto manual gearbox. The buttons behind the steering wheel were in my opinion no big deal but just a different way to shift. There was still the delay between the command and the actual shift and the torque converter has got to go. I spent some time in the Maserati Coupe with Ferrari's semi-auto and although not perfect it was much much more fun that the traditional automatic slushbox.
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From: West Covina, CA
S60R, ML320, W211/E350
Like everyone said, it depends on the person, in my younger years I had a RX-7 with close to 500hp, and that was not enough...
i also had a Lotus Esprit at around 380, and that was not enough...
I think for people like us, it will never be enough, just remember to upgrade your suspension with the power.... I learned my mistake....
i also had a Lotus Esprit at around 380, and that was not enough...
I think for people like us, it will never be enough, just remember to upgrade your suspension with the power.... I learned my mistake....
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From: SoCal
1999 Mercedes CLK430
How much power is enough is relative to how comfortable you are with your manhood, it's sorta about keep up with the Jones. The more you have, the more you can say you have than the next guy. No one really needs that much power, it's just nice to have it. And once you do get used to the amount of power you have, you will naturally want more. It really depends on how you put that power to use. And how often is it appropiately useful to have that 500 or so hp? And after say that, I wouldn't mind having that myself.
If only I could afford it!
If only I could afford it!
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by jswedberg
I thought 350 hp would be more than enough for any sane person. But now, after a year of getting used to it, I'm wishing for more!
Like Sleestack said, my car (to a lesser degree of course) can't use too much more power off the line.
But there are times, once the car is moving, when a little more torque would be nice!
I thought 350 hp would be more than enough for any sane person. But now, after a year of getting used to it, I'm wishing for more!
Like Sleestack said, my car (to a lesser degree of course) can't use too much more power off the line.
But there are times, once the car is moving, when a little more torque would be nice!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 254
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From: Chorley Lancashire England
CLK 430 Coupe + MGF + 1980 Camaro
enough is never enough..
too much is enough.
look at the zonda c12s. now why cant we have a clk with that engine - it must be possible as its a merc v12 and im sure brabus has done v12 c/clk before?
too much is enough.
look at the zonda c12s. now why cant we have a clk with that engine - it must be possible as its a merc v12 and im sure brabus has done v12 c/clk before?
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From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
I've always had powerfull cars, but now I think, that more HP than what my CLK-430 produces is plenty. Knowing that I can beat the s*** to 95% of the cars around, is enough for me.
Just remember when the M3 came out with 240 HP, men was it fast, then the 540i with 280 HP and so forth, now with around 300 HP in my car I think don't need more...........yet.
Just remember when the M3 came out with 240 HP, men was it fast, then the 540i with 280 HP and so forth, now with around 300 HP in my car I think don't need more...........yet.
Last edited by theine; Jan 22, 2003 at 06:50 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Dallas
C32 AMG
It is pretty amazing...
Today you can buy a nice, middle of the line Nissan with way over 200 hp. Ten years ago very, very few cars that sort of mojo.
My old 1988 Porsche 911 had 217 hp. I thought it was fast.
Now you can buy an Accord with that sort of power. (in a little heavier car, admittedly, but we're talking horsepower here.)
I think we are living in good times!
Today you can buy a nice, middle of the line Nissan with way over 200 hp. Ten years ago very, very few cars that sort of mojo.
My old 1988 Porsche 911 had 217 hp. I thought it was fast.
Now you can buy an Accord with that sort of power. (in a little heavier car, admittedly, but we're talking horsepower here.)
I think we are living in good times!
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From: Bay Area, CA
Forget about beating other cars and keeping up with your neighbors... the only reason I'm having my car built to be faster, handle better, brake better, etc. is to build a sick car. At the age of 32, I'm not particularly interested in street racing and being the youngest homeowner on my block by at least 10 years, the neighbors already hate me (and on numerous occasions have told me to slow the hell down). All I know is that when I'm blistering down 280 with the road wide open, no matter how fast I'm accelerating, I always wish the G-forces were pushing me back a little harder.
Last edited by Sleestack; Jan 16, 2003 at 05:20 PM.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by theine
I've always had powerfull cars, but now I think, that more HP than what my CLK-430 produces is plenty. I can beat the s*** to 95% of the cars around, and that's good enough for me.
Just remember when the M3 came out with 240 HP, men was it fast, then the 540i with 280 HP and so forth, now with around 300 HP in my car I think don't need more...........yet.
I've always had powerfull cars, but now I think, that more HP than what my CLK-430 produces is plenty. I can beat the s*** to 95% of the cars around, and that's good enough for me.
Just remember when the M3 came out with 240 HP, men was it fast, then the 540i with 280 HP and so forth, now with around 300 HP in my car I think don't need more...........yet.
yep, we're living in a good time alright! just think about 10-20 yrs ago VW GOLF was one of the quickest car on the market. Anything that was running within 8 sec 0-60 mph was consider FAST...lol
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From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
Stock CLK430 .......... 275 HP
Evosport UD Pulleys..... 13 HP
AMG Exhaust................ 5 HP
K&N Air Filter................ 5 HP
We add all together and we should have around.....300 HP
Evosport UD Pulleys..... 13 HP
AMG Exhaust................ 5 HP
K&N Air Filter................ 5 HP
We add all together and we should have around.....300 HP
Last edited by theine; Jan 16, 2003 at 07:28 PM.
MBworld Guru
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by theine
Stock CLK430 .......... 275 HP
Evosport UD Pulleys..... 13 HP
AMG Exhaust................ 5 HP
K&N Air Filter................ 5 HP
We add all together and we should have around.....300 HP
Stock CLK430 .......... 275 HP
Evosport UD Pulleys..... 13 HP
AMG Exhaust................ 5 HP
K&N Air Filter................ 5 HP
We add all together and we should have around.....300 HP
btw, does the K&N filter really adds 5 hp? I've heard people saying that the stock airfilter already let through more than enough air to the engine. My older brother has K&N on his 528i it does have some effect when running on the freeway and at high rpm, but that's about all my butt-dyno noticed.
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From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
The CLK uses two air filters, I guess 2.5 HP for each one is not much to ask for, but anyway I said "around 300 HP" , so should be close and the way they make my engine sound when I floored, its awesome!
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by theine
The CLK uses two air filters, I guess 2.5 HP for each one is not much to ask for, but anyway I said "around 300 HP" , so should be close and the way they make my engine sound when I floored, its awesome!
The CLK uses two air filters, I guess 2.5 HP for each one is not much to ask for, but anyway I said "around 300 HP" , so should be close and the way they make my engine sound when I floored, its awesome!
I guess the 430 has two air filters. the 320 only has one on the right side of the car i think...
