tee_tz

Just to clarify, ONLY the 2007 S-Class in the U.S. is limited to 130MPH. An 2007 S500 in the U.K. (equivalent to an S550 in the U.S.) is limited to 155MPH (even the S350 is limited to 155MPH). Therefore, it’s just for the '07 S-Class in the U.S. The previous generation S-Class (W220) S600 was limited to 155MPH as well as the S55 (and of course S65).

All current (2007) AMG's (S65, E63, CLK63, CLS63, etc.) are limited to 155MPH. Also, the C350, E550, CLK550, (well all top of the range sedans and coupes) have been limited to 130/132MPH. Therefore, it's not just the S-Class but it affects all Mercedes-Benz.


Tee_Tz.

CycloneRcr

This is absolutely not true. In Europe no one gets a car limited to 130mph. And also no Mercedes comes with low-rated tires, we all have W or Y rated tires depending on the dimension. You are limited to 130mph because you get inferior all-season tires or low-performance summer tires on your cars. German manufacturers agreed on 155mph limit in their "normal" versions. AMG, RS or M versions can reach higher speeds "unofficially".

kenstudios

Thats true. US bound MBs are limited to 130 unless you opt for the AMG. The US bound W220 were limited at 130 also, even the S600. If you buy AMG you can also choose to get the 155 limiter raised. I've got my S500 to 130 a few times and most of the time I wish I could go faster for the simple fact that there are a few cars out here that go beyond the 130 range and all are inferior to MB.

tee_tz

No, that's incorrect W220 was limited at 155MPH. (Both S55 and S600 for sure, but I'm 95% sure the S430 and S500 were too).


Tee_Tz.

tee_tz

Also Mercedes does not "raise" the limited or rather remove it. It is illegal. However, it can be done. The cars are simply not equipped with the tires to do so. I believe when they were building the SL55 it reached 185MPH and the tires completely burnt out.

And there are plenty of cars that go above 130 MPH, including every single BMW except for the X3, 328i, and the X5 - the 3.0 (the 4.8 goes 150). In BMW's case they are limited to 150MPH (2007), however, the older models (2006) were at 155MPH. Lexus is 155 for all V8's and the list goes on and on and on...


Tee_Tz.

colosssimo

If you go to the link below it is referenced the the German Auto Corporations limited the speed in their vehicles to 250km/h which is equivalent to 155.3MPH. The agreement is not applicable to the brands sports cars. For some odd reason i guess they do not consider any of the AMG versions to be sports cars. In the US however becasue of the tires we receive they bring us down even further to 130 i guess???. The Bentleys are not apart of this agreement even though they are owned by Volkswagen. I wonder if the Phaeton W-12 is limited.



The agreement is referenced under the Industry Section if you scroll down:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentlemen's_agreement

berniedoran

I just ran my 1997 CL600 Euro model to about 133 and the limiter stopped it. it had so much left, that I would expect it to top at 165 or more if allowed to run. I expected it to limit at 155 as my German book states. Copmletly stable and quit at 133. felt same as 65. how can one get the limiter defeated?

whoover

All W220 models were limited to 130, except for S55 and S65, which were limited to 155. This is spelled out in the owners' manual. This is US spec, of course. As near as I can tell, this is the same for W221.

All US AMGs are limited to 155, except for those with the 030 performance package, which are factory limited to 186. (I don't know about the SL65, but it essentially has the 030 standard so my guess is that it has VMAX = 186.) The 186 MPH (300 KPH) limiter is a factory option for all European AMG customers. In Germany, it requires special tires (of course) and taking a special driver's education course. This is all spelled out in the AMG special equipment price list. American 030 customers get a free pass on the training.

colosssimo

130 is bullshyte. I cruise on the Jersey turnpike at 115-120 and have other high end cars whiz by me and when i'm in vegas going 130 just doesn't suffice the other muscle cars go roaring by. i'm not that mad since i only have a s550 and e430 but wen i get the s600 i will have to lose the limiter.


Can you order a European car with the United States Driving configuration (left side steering)???

kenstudios

Exactly what I've been saying. My S500 craps at 130 (220 chasis). Why would MB limit at 130 yet others (BMW,Toyota,Nissan) all inferior to MB can go past 130?

tee_tz

So wait -- what about the '98 S600, what was the top speed, was it not 155MPH? Because I believe that chassis offered 155MPH - and Lexus' LS400 was 156MPH.

That's pretty dumb that Mercedes is limiting their cars at 130MPH. This is why more and more people are making the switch to BMW and Audi, which more and more make better sports cars.... Imagine an M7 to compete against the S65.


Tee_Tz.

whoover

The stupidest top-speed limiter of all is on the Brabus Rocket. The car is capable of 362+ KPH (225 MPH) but is limited to 350 KPH (217 MPH).

http://www.brabus.de/news/news66e.htm

What's the point of that? It probably won't get you owned, but it does seem a bit silly.

kenstudios

Best I could do.

AsianML

Tires? Maybe tires are limited at 350, so they did that as en extra precaution.

whoover

Here's one that they limit to 340 KPH. It seems like they pick a speed just below what the car can do to be "conservative."

http://www.brabus-online.de/prog27e.htm

There are no tires rated at 350 KPH anyway. Beyond 300, it's based on negotiations between the auto manufacturers and tire makers. The top speed rating is (Y). Y means 300 KPH and (Y) means "greater than 300 KPH," but how much greater is not specified. The standards are lagging behind what the latest supercars can legally do on the autobahn. That's one reason Fulda approached Maybach to build the Excelero. They wanted a car to force TÜV certification of their 350+ KPH tire, also called the Excelero.

Chucky300

not THAT often he he

I think most would say, they buy the car, and its a "head" thing to be restricted.

Ted Baldwin

........As you can see from the additional responses in this thread, you are incorrect. I am aware of the so called gentleman's agreement. Inspite of this MB's have been limited to 130mph apparently dating back to 1997. I don't doubt that this maybe applicable to US cars only. So I don't know on what basis you call my post absolutely untrue. Are you saying that those that are unable to drive their cars past the 130mph limit are just not pressing the accelerator hard enough? A little more force will do the job?

Ted

CycloneRcr

Unfortunately you didn't get my point. I was referring to your claim of an "universal limit of MB cars". Since I'm owning MB and BMW cars in the last 20 years I think I have the right to talk about real world experience

kenstudios

Any one here know if the new s class equiped with sports package is also limited at the same speed? After all it come from the factory with Z plus Y rated AMG wheels and tires good for upto 186.

whoover

I don't think so. It seems to be confirmed by the S550/S600 manual. Page 484 says:

An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from exceeding a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). The factory equipped tires on your vehicle may have a speed rating above the maximum speed permitted by the electronic speed limiter.

There is no mention in the book of any 155 mph limiter. This book doesn't cover the S65 but does include an S550 with code 321.

Ted Baldwin

.......this being a Mercedes forum, virtually everyone here owns a mercedes so emphasizing your ownership of mercedes benz cars and BMW's is not going to be considered a big achievement in this crowd.

..........as far as your claim of US bound cars being limited due to the fact that we in the states have poor tires, I think the following post by another member directly contradicts your claim.

Posted by whoever:

I don't think so. It seems to be confirmed by the S550/S600 manual. Page 484 says:

An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from exceeding a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). The factory equipped tires on your vehicle may have a speed rating above the maximum speed permitted by the electronic speed limiter.
There is no mention in the book of any 155 mph limiter.

..........I perfectly understand that the top speed limit can be different from country to country, but what is absulutely clear now is that most, perhaps not all Mercedes benz cars have been limited to 130mph for a long time, despite 155mph gentlemans agreement. Perhaps yours too. Anyone who's manhood was dependent on the 155mph limiter maybe dissapointed. The task is to find the few that are limited at 155mph. It may just be the AMG cars only.

Ted

Baked Benz

That,s an odd statement for you to make.
Were you not the person who made up a whole fairytale about buying a Infiniti(Nissan) some months ago, and ranted on about what a great car it was.?

BiTurboBenz

That is complete BS - I can't believe Benz makes a 500+ HP, $150,000 car and limits the top speed to 130...now you have no choice but to re-flash the ECU which will cost more money. It has to be marketing so people buy the 63/65s.

155mph is the perfect top speed for the U.S., I have done it a few times and the sound the engine makes when the fuel stops spraying is pretty cool. The best place to do this is the Turnpike between exits 14 & 13A but if a trooper clocks your vehicle @155 you will probably be locked up.

cmcjo

That speed really should only be for the track.

Im told if your caught by a cop at that speed, kiss your license goodbye for a real long time and expect to get arrested and other tickets inlcuding reckless driving.. etc..

That said..
I prefer route 80 going east near 280. A really nice stretch for that 150 speed..

epj1906

Correction: If you are clocked at 155 mph, you WILL be locked up.