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GLE Coupe Adventures | 6 | Tracking the GLE 63S Coupe @ MSR Houston w/ AMG Social Clu
The Houston AMG Social Club threw another great event at MSR Houston. First and Foremost, Andy, the awesome and amazing Leader of the group started the group. He is very selfless and cares about everyone. He always goes above and beyond for everyone. The group is a very active group and the members who stay in the group are great people.
The Experience
I always wanted to track my vehicle for the last 3 years, but I couldn't get myself to do it. I spent 3 years at ADA at events across the country, and when talking to Rheinhold Renger about tracking my GLE Coupe, his eyes would light up and tell me what an amazing vehicle it is on the track, and that I have to do it at least once. Now I think I have to do it at least three times. It was fun!
The MSR Houston Track was a nice track with elements from many other tracks all combined into one. There was no elevation, so no line of sight issues. I took it easy since I did not study the track before I got there. Nevertheless, it was easy to get a hang of. I went two rounds of 20 minutes each on the track. Each lap was about 2 minutes with the traffic. Most people on the track were there for fun and although some of them had very expensive track vehicles, it was apparent they haven’t had enough experience and training to really reduce their track times.
Dashcam video. Headphone wearers, beware of the ding-dong from the dashcam.
Regarding the GLE 63S Coupe on the track, I heard nothing but warnings from YouTubers that tracked this vehicle stating that the ESP always kicks in. On Willow Springs and with a professional driver, I can see this happening as they push the vehicle to the limits, but on smaller tracks from other folks, ESP would kick in a lot for them. I didn’t know what to expect really. I thought tracking this vehicle may not be so fun, but I had to try for myself.
ESP
My Experience with ESP was very limited on this track. ESP only kicked in twice coming out of a curve and into a straight. I was already nearly straight as it kicked in, so the wheels must have been slipping in another way instead of the vehicle thinking it is going to flip. All ESP did was prevent me from throttling 100% at that moment, but it was easy to get out of by flicking the steering wheel a little.
Even on the outer limits of traction on Turn 11 / Keyhole, I would be squealing the tires entire time, and ESP did not kick in.
Braking
I wasn't worried about my first few brakes, but after that with the weight of this vehicle and steel rotors, I did have my doubts.
Because of my braking technique, others commented that they saw sparks flying out of my wheels, but in the video and photos, I didn’t see any. I did not feel any brake fade whatsoever. I attribute that to Braking hard initially, controlling the slow-down and entering the curves at the right speed and letting them cool enough until I needed them next. Don’t get me wrong, they were still smoking after 20 minutes of driving when I got done with them, but no real issues. I am sure the brake vanes help out with cooling more than I realized.
Only once did I brake hard enough on a straight line where my back end come slightly loose. ESP Did not kick in but I stopped braking the second I felt it and started trail braking.
I replaced all Brake Rotors/Discs and Pads. All the OE replacement parts I used (below) held up very well. I have not measured the rotors, but, I have been through about 50% of the pads.
Preparation for Track Day
To Prepare for the event, I decided to swap out all the rotors and pads to OE replacements and from FCP Euro. I am still uncomfortable using anything but OEM for my vehicle on the road, but this would be the perfect place to really put the hardware to the test.
The Front Brake pads are of slightly different composition than the OEM formula. The front brake pads also do not have a sticker to stick to the brake pistons.
Since they were different model than the Eco Friction Pads, I wasn't sure what to expect, but did not feel any issues.
Brake Anti-Squeal Paste - $20
DOT 4 React SRF Racing Brake Fluid (2 Liters)
The GLE 63S Coupe (292.375) holds .8L in the brake system, but I went ahead and purchased two liters to ensure I bleed the old fluid out with no problems. I have used 1 liter of MB Fluid before and did not have any problems running out of fluid as long as I was careful.
The Racing Brake Fluid is the only thing ADA does not use as standard OEM at ADA, so I wanted to use this fluid since the Hippo is quite heavy and I have learned how proper braking and trail braking will cut down on lap times. I did not want any brake fade burning up the brakes.
Tools
European Power Bleeder - Motive Products 0100 - $60
Brake Bleed Catch Bottle Kit - $24
Misc Tools for Rotor and Pad Replacement
OEM Bolts for Rotor Replacements. Always use OEM Replacements for Bolts and use MB specifications for Torque specific to your vehicle.
Track Insurance
$60k and $1M Liability - $400
Tires
Continental SportContact 5P - $2000
These tires for this vehicle are absolutely a delight. Not one time did I truly slip that would cause any concern.
Total Estimated Cost of Wear and everything -
Tires - $1,250 (Down to 5/32 from 9/32)
Brake Rotors & Pads- $400
Brake Fluid - $130
Track Insurance $400
Total : $2,180 + Labor + Track Fees
This doesn't include any other wear and tear items and the beating the vehicle takes. If this doesn't make you think ADA is cost effective, I don't know what will. At AMG Driving Academy you get to not only drive multiple types of cars all day, but your vehicle doesn't take a beating. Also, no time, money, and labor needed to spend on changing equipment. You just show up and get to experience some of the greatest tracks in the world.
Wear and Tear
The Temps held very well and didn't overheat during Track Time. These are the temps after a cooldown lap and a couple of minutes after leaving the track.
These are the Front Brake Rotors and Pads. I'm not sure how to assess the condition. But one thing I noticed about the rotor was all the heat caused it to turn rustic iron/copper color. It was silver before.
The tires took a beating of course. They are down to 5/32 after some more driving to get the worn layer down. Oddly enough, there was less tread in the middle of the tire than the inside. I believe the high temps pushed out the center of the tires, so I will go with a slightly lower PSI next time.
This is awesome man, thanks for the write up! Down to the parts and dollar values, very helpful! I want to track mine so bad. It sounds like it did very well! I'm curious if you encountered much understeer? That's one thing I was anticipating on the track setting given its size and weight. Like you I'm surprised to see the most wear in the center of the tire as well. Is yours on stock height or have you lowered it at all?
This is awesome man, thanks for the write up! Down to the parts and dollar values, very helpful! I want to track mine so bad. It sounds like it did very well! I'm curious if you encountered much understeer? That's one thing I was anticipating on the track setting given its size and weight. Like you I'm surprised to see the most wear in the center of the tire as well. Is yours on stock height or have you lowered it at all?
Super thoughtful questions. I liked tracking the GLE over the GT 4 door.
On this MSR track specifically, no understeer. Keep in mind though, I’ve done three years of track training with AMG Academy at COTA and Laguna Seca, so if you aren’t hitting the corners properly, you will suffer understeer with any car for sure if you are not experienced.
For example at MSR Houston, corner 11, I suffered from No understeer and that was the most challenging corner on the entire track. I was stuck behind two GT3 RS’s on this curve many times because they didn’t know how to drive, and here I was right in their butts.
When there wasn’t a car in front of me, I use the screeching sounds of my tires to help me gauge my limits, but high speed and under steer. I’m controlling the steering with my gas pedal. It’s not just the car’s physics. It’s the combination of the entire design including the type of tires. Amazing tires.
Even with a GTS zone COTA, I suffered from understeer. because wrong speed and wrong angle going into a corner. When it comes down to physics, there is always a point where you control your turning radius with your gas pedal instead of your steering wheel.
Everything on the vehicle is stock while on the track. AMG did all their testing with stock setting in mind, so don’t change those for the track. The computer systems are calibrated for that. German engineers are too precise when it comes to those details.
if you haven’t tracked a heavier vehicle before, just keep in mind braking technique and brake cooling. Brake only when you need to going into a turn, trail brake properly and within the next run let the brakes cool. make sure you still have your brake vanes on your front brakes. I’ve knocked mine off a few times going off road and even hitting trash in the road and didn’t know one wasn’t there. It’ll help with brake cooling.
also keep in mind, with heavier vehicles, slower is faster. Patience. Don’t try to just gun it all the time. You’ll lose milliseconds that add up. Gun it when you are straight, brake when you are straight unless trail braking on some corners. Basic stuff, but it’s more impactful with larger vehicles.
it’s always cheaper to do AMG Academy, especially if you are a beginner. You’ll get more track time although it may not feel like it and you will see a lot of other people driving and work with instructors.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
