On AMG Performance
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: California USA
2004 S55 ///AMG, 2007 E350
On AMG Performance
Comment below is from Tommy Kendall (copied from AMG Private Lounge USA site- without permission) on performance of AMG cars, I think it is well-said:
Much of this was already addressed well by the prior posters, but I will give my $.02 too. I would not worry too much about any criticisms except your own. Opinions are like...well, you know. Performance is relative as well as subjective to a large degree. Tuning is always about compromises. That is true at the top of the performance heap. I watched the F1 race yesterday from Hungary and all of the teams had different approaches in terms of downforce, which comes at the expense of straight line speed and fuel mileage, but helps braking, and corner speed. Smaller brake ducts, help aero efficiency, but hurt pad wear. I could go on and on, but hopefully you get the idea. It is all a trade-off.
Generally speaking weight is the enemy of performance. Mercedes/AMG cars tend to weigh a bit more, but if you didn't want some of that refinement, I am guessing you would purchased an Evo or something of that nature. Even the best handling street car is a sled compared to a stripped down track prepped car, which is a sled compared to a tube frame car, which is a sled compared to a formula car, etc.
Every car company has their own idea of where to land on the handling-to-ride quality continuium as well as the performance-to-luxury continuium. I would argue that AMG has done a good job of reading customer demand, as I would be very surprised if total dollars spent on their brand do not exceed that of any other brand. There is a saying that the market is never wrong. That is certainly true overall, but what matters is what you like, so pay the most attention to that and play around a bit with how you tune your suspension and what you test drive. Good luck!
TK
Much of this was already addressed well by the prior posters, but I will give my $.02 too. I would not worry too much about any criticisms except your own. Opinions are like...well, you know. Performance is relative as well as subjective to a large degree. Tuning is always about compromises. That is true at the top of the performance heap. I watched the F1 race yesterday from Hungary and all of the teams had different approaches in terms of downforce, which comes at the expense of straight line speed and fuel mileage, but helps braking, and corner speed. Smaller brake ducts, help aero efficiency, but hurt pad wear. I could go on and on, but hopefully you get the idea. It is all a trade-off.
Generally speaking weight is the enemy of performance. Mercedes/AMG cars tend to weigh a bit more, but if you didn't want some of that refinement, I am guessing you would purchased an Evo or something of that nature. Even the best handling street car is a sled compared to a stripped down track prepped car, which is a sled compared to a tube frame car, which is a sled compared to a formula car, etc.
Every car company has their own idea of where to land on the handling-to-ride quality continuium as well as the performance-to-luxury continuium. I would argue that AMG has done a good job of reading customer demand, as I would be very surprised if total dollars spent on their brand do not exceed that of any other brand. There is a saying that the market is never wrong. That is certainly true overall, but what matters is what you like, so pay the most attention to that and play around a bit with how you tune your suspension and what you test drive. Good luck!
TK
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 769
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From: New York
Mercedes S55 AMG
The question of weight is definitely valid. I think there is a market for big, comfortable luxury cars that have a lot of power: Hence where AMG comes in. The comfort and safety side will keep the weight up, so you will never really get a true sports car out of the big AMG's, like with Ferrari, Porsche, or the like - but then again the market is a bit different.
