mspaul

I feel bad when I drive my E320 at 100mph.

Considering the weight of the car and the engine power, is it a healthy practice to drive at that speed, especially if you are doing a long journey?

Any thoughts??

Untertürkheim

I can only assume you feel bad for driving it so slowly. These cars were made with the assumption that they would be driven at maximum speed for extended periods of time, 100 is not even close. Just make sure your tires are good enough with high speed ratings. You will probably find that the car drives better after a long trip at high speed. Nothing works like an Italian tune up.

health services

you should only feel bad if you are doing it unsafely. Otherwise

W211 Ryda

On average….I drive around 80mph. I think our motors are more than adequate for the weight of the vehicle, passengers and driving at higher speeds.

SAguirre

The last time I was in Germany I had an E220 CDI. That is a 4 cylinder 150 HP/230 ft/lb of torque engine. I averaged 100 MPH and 37 MPGs on a trip from Munich to Aachen. Even this small little engine did just fine when I got to peak speeds of about 135 MPH.

The E320 is actually considered a HUGE engine for European standards. By no means is it underpowered or inadequate. Like they mentioned above, 100MPH is not even a real stress for the engine.

I drive an average of 80 MPH on the highway. This includes driving on the uphill passes. I find that even the 320 can pull the car up the mountains as long as it is above 3,000 RPMs in 5th gear. I have only had this E class up to about 124 MPH for a little while. I have yet to have a truly safe stretch where I can go any faster. By safe I also mean no cops.

If your Mercedes in is good mechanical condition (all service is up to date) and your tires are good, you can simply floor it and keep it floored. Nothing will happen to the car. They are designed to be driven hard on the highway.

I speak from experience,

Steve

Barry45RPM

In the U.S. the majority of people routinely drive their cars at 18 MPH over the posted speed limit. That's what 80% of the people on a given roadway naturally feel the safe speed for the roadway is as constructed, and weather and traffic conditions permit.

mspaul

I have Pirelli Tires installed with around 52k miles on the car.

So far I have tried 120mph (just for around 3-4 seconds not driving continuous at this speed) and it just gets smoother as you increase the speed.

tex07

I would like to direct your attention toward a car brand that may fit your (scared, unsure) driving style:

www.bmw.com

sgaar

The only situation that comes to mind is a trip I did while living in Europe in a W124 E300 Diesel. I drove about 50 miles at 4AM one night with the pedal to the metal all the way and when I came to a stop on the off-ramp the engine died. I turned the key and it started right back up. After about a week all the main gaskets started leaking. I asked the tech if it was due to the trip and he said no.

Anyway the car performed great and apart from the seals starting to leak (related or not) everything went find. The top speed of the car was about 125 miles/hour.

Alan Smithee

Go 100mph on the unrestricted stretches of autobahn and you will get passed by 15 year old VW Golfs, moms in diesel minivans, and some large trucks. Our cars were made to cruise at 155mph (the smaller engines somewhat less) over a long service life.

Cops_h8_me!

I agree! the 320 is only considered 'weak' by US standards... in Europe this is a large powerfull heavy (option) engine.

W211 Ryda

mbuskuhl

As fast as a Porsche Cayman... but with melted brake pad warning sensors afterwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yXjJSAUMmc

dorfman24

That's absurd. I drove a BMW for seven years and now drive an E320 and both are terrific on the highway. I would give the BMW an edge cornering on back roads, but as a highway cruiser the 320 is quieter, more stable and matches the BMW in highway acceleration. Both are German cars and both are meant to drive long distances at high speeds.

SHELBYBLUE65

Usually 5-7 over unless "nessesary". I have run mine up to 100 mph but not really much need to run much faster. One thing I am tickled about though. I drove from Laplata, Md. to Hagerstown, Md. running 70-75mph most of the way and got 29.8 mpg average. Thats about 100 miles.

georgedaman

You are bad guy Paul!!! Car will cry....
Just kidding Buddy.Enjoy it ,thats what its made for
I wish cars would pass me when i am on the HWY...lol

Roupin

130mph. No sweat.

Car seems to get squirrely when hitting the brakes from that speed though

ProV1

LOL u guys make it sound like there are no highway patrol where you live. where the hell can you drive 100mph+ for more than 30 mins without getting f##King nailed by a cop??


if u wanna see what your car can do, go to a track.

klenbore

MONTANA

no_clue

It will be nice if I get to drive pass 70mph for more than 30 seconds!!!!!
(damn traffic everywhere !!!!!)

tex07

my gosh, are you seriously going to be ridiculous? this is an MB forum, is it not? We despise BMW and think BMW gives us an inferior driving experience to what MB offers.

If you do not, then do everyone a favor and join a bimmer forum. I recently joined, but I joined with the purpose that I would find absolute MB fanatics here. I must have been be mistaken.

And the bottom line is...it is an MB joke that you all should get.

tex07

http://www.valentine1.com/

vettdvr

Correct. Tickets galore if you drive over 75 around here .

I have a small E500 which is a little more power than the E320 but 130

, what it will do is . My corvette is limited to 130 mph due to the loud noise that gets excessive. When exceeding 130 the wife in the right seat and the noise from her is excessive. Below 130 it is only .

When driving on the track I have asked her to take pics, but her answer is , "I had to hold on and could not hold the camera". Jim

W211 Ryda

ooooooooookay! got it....now i'm laughing at your dry humor

dorfman24

OK, I'm new here. Didn't get the humor.