SL/R129: R129 experience at the track or autocross
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
R129 experience at the track or autocross
Does any one out there push their R129 to the limit for cornering?
I have read the car has a slight tendancy to under steer.
I have felt this in slow 90 degree corners when giving too much gas.
I have felt this on cold / damp pavement when taking a ramps a little to fast.
I also felt the understeer today on dry, warm but dusty pavement when I found a vacant parking lot with no one arround. I set out to go around and around in a 300 ft diameter +/- (steering wheet at 1/2 turn +/-) at increaseing speeds to see what would happen. I would be backing off at just over 60 Km/Hr due to my circle getting bigger and the curbs on two sides getting closer.
I never lost control (ESP on or off) but I don't think I got anywhere near .81 G's the car is supposed to withstand. Likely due to the sand & dust on the pavement.
I have felt a lot better going through twisty 30 Km corners at more than double the posted speed ... than I did today going arround and arround my skid pad.
From others experience, when pushing the R129 trough corners ... where / when do the laws of physics applied to this heavy car overwhelm the ESP systems ... or the cars handeling potential without ESP?
I personally feel more comfortable with the sensation of over steer (from skidding arround since being a teenager learning to drive in snow & ice) than under steer. What do others think of this?
I have read the car has a slight tendancy to under steer.
I have felt this in slow 90 degree corners when giving too much gas.
I have felt this on cold / damp pavement when taking a ramps a little to fast.
I also felt the understeer today on dry, warm but dusty pavement when I found a vacant parking lot with no one arround. I set out to go around and around in a 300 ft diameter +/- (steering wheet at 1/2 turn +/-) at increaseing speeds to see what would happen. I would be backing off at just over 60 Km/Hr due to my circle getting bigger and the curbs on two sides getting closer.
I never lost control (ESP on or off) but I don't think I got anywhere near .81 G's the car is supposed to withstand. Likely due to the sand & dust on the pavement.
I have felt a lot better going through twisty 30 Km corners at more than double the posted speed ... than I did today going arround and arround my skid pad.
From others experience, when pushing the R129 trough corners ... where / when do the laws of physics applied to this heavy car overwhelm the ESP systems ... or the cars handeling potential without ESP?
I personally feel more comfortable with the sensation of over steer (from skidding arround since being a teenager learning to drive in snow & ice) than under steer. What do others think of this?
Last edited by ChrisB; Sep 25, 2004 at 10:32 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 2
From: West Coast, USA
2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
Originally Posted by ChrisB
Does any one out there push their R129 to the limit for cornering?
I have read the car has a slight tendancy to under steer.
I have felt this in slow 90 degree corners when giving too much gas.
I have felt this on cold / damp pavement when taking a ramps a little to fast.
I also felt the understeer today on dry, warm but dusty pavement when I found a vacant parking lot with no one arround. I set out to go around and around in a 300 ft diameter +/- (steering wheet at 1/2 turn +/-) at increaseing speeds to see what would happen. I would be backing off at just over 60 Km/Hr due to my circle getting bigger and the curbs on two sides getting closer.
I never lost control (ESP on or off) but I don't think I got anywhere near .81 G's the car is supposed to withstand. Likely due to the sand & dust on the pavement.
I have felt a lot better going through twisty 30 Km corners at more than double the posted speed ... than I did today going arround and arround my skid pad.
From others experience, when pushing the R129 trough corners ... where / when do the laws of physics applied to this heavy car overwhelm the ESP systems ... or the cars handeling potential without ESP?
I personally feel more comfortable with the sensation of over steer (from skidding arround since being a teenager learning to drive in snow & ice) than under steer. What do others think of this?
I have read the car has a slight tendancy to under steer.
I have felt this in slow 90 degree corners when giving too much gas.
I have felt this on cold / damp pavement when taking a ramps a little to fast.
I also felt the understeer today on dry, warm but dusty pavement when I found a vacant parking lot with no one arround. I set out to go around and around in a 300 ft diameter +/- (steering wheet at 1/2 turn +/-) at increaseing speeds to see what would happen. I would be backing off at just over 60 Km/Hr due to my circle getting bigger and the curbs on two sides getting closer.
I never lost control (ESP on or off) but I don't think I got anywhere near .81 G's the car is supposed to withstand. Likely due to the sand & dust on the pavement.
I have felt a lot better going through twisty 30 Km corners at more than double the posted speed ... than I did today going arround and arround my skid pad.
From others experience, when pushing the R129 trough corners ... where / when do the laws of physics applied to this heavy car overwhelm the ESP systems ... or the cars handeling potential without ESP?
I personally feel more comfortable with the sensation of over steer (from skidding arround since being a teenager learning to drive in snow & ice) than under steer. What do others think of this?
..I push my car to the max. 
....Where I have my car spin 360 degree 4 time... :v .....In a big parking lot......Damm it was fun.... .....From that kind of experience you know what your car can do.. 
....
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
SL BRABUS ... "I have my car spin 360 degree 4 time".
You must be shuting off the ESP. Or your model does not have ESP.
Do you drive say 60 mph and then suddenly spin the steering wheel to lock under full power?
Does the suspension handel that rough treatment gracefully?
You must be shuting off the ESP. Or your model does not have ESP.
Do you drive say 60 mph and then suddenly spin the steering wheel to lock under full power?
Does the suspension handel that rough treatment gracefully?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 2
From: West Coast, USA
2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
Originally Posted by ChrisB
SL BRABUS ... "I have my car spin 360 degree 4 time".
You must be shuting off the ESP. Or your model does not have ESP.
Do you drive say 60 mph and then suddenly spin the steering wheel to lock under full power?
Does the suspension handel that rough treatment gracefully?
You must be shuting off the ESP. Or your model does not have ESP.
Do you drive say 60 mph and then suddenly spin the steering wheel to lock under full power?
Does the suspension handel that rough treatment gracefully?
