Recently I made a few passes down our local dragstrip. Well, to say that the car was traction deficient would be putting it mildly. I don't have the timeslips, so I can't state 60' times, but the car was running low 14s, high 13s at 105-106 mph. There were other cars there running ****ty, but I still can't explain why my car is so far down from what everyone is seeing. Hell, W210's run faster than mine!!! I tried all the runs w/ ESP on. I am getting wheelspin on this track all the way to 1/2 track. In fact, you could still hear the tires squeal. The car "feels" fast, but I don't think the numbers are lying. Any thoughts? The car is stock w/ the exception of K&N and Thermotec wrapped airboxes.
Elevation is around 4000ft

 

4000ft! is your first problem---no DR's is your 2nd and weather temp is your 3rd.(maybe)

 

Because of the altitude and temp, you will get much better times by using half throttle for the first 1/10 of the track so you don't heat up the engine because you are just spinning or bogging anyway.

 

The times don't concern me as much as the trap speed. The track seems to be horrendously prepped. So bad, that I hook up better on normal city streets. Anyway, could it be that the traction control is cutting enough power that i lose momentum which makes my trap speed that much slower? Bad theory, I know, but its all I can think of to comfort myself.

 

I know that most guys are in dyno mode when they drag their cars...have you tried that yet?

Good luck.

 

If the track is that slick, you're never going to get a good time or trap speed. The altitude is also a big killer. Try to find another stickier track at a lower altitude. Anyone making good times is also running drag radials. Also, remember to just stage the second light and not to roll up any farther if you want a higher trap speed.

 

how do u put it in dyno mode

 

For Dyno mode:

To Enable -
1. Make sure temp is displayed on screen
2. Insert key into ignition
3. Turn key until dummy lights (all the extra lights on the dash) are on
4. Turn key until all lights are off
5. Turn key back to first click
6. Press mileage (reset) button on left-side of dash 3 times fast
7. Use page up/down keys on left-side of steering until "Dyno" is displayed on dash
8. use +/- keys to turn "on" dyno mode
9. Start engine with key

To Disable -
1. With car off, go to Dyno screen using page up/down keys on left-side of steering wheel
2. Turn key until dummy lights turn on
3. Change Dyno setting to off using +/- key
4. Turn off car

I took this off a video published and tried it this morning. Works well. Hope I didn't miss a step.

 

thanx alot im gonna try it today. what are the advatages of dyno mode, would you use it for everyday agressive drivin? Will something go wrong if i left it in that mode

 

I think dyno mode 1/4 mile runs are effective for folks that have LSD installed. Mine is still stock. Most of what I've read recommends leaving the ESP on for stock cars. Regardless, I can't believe how far off the pace my car is. I am the saddest, most disappointed W211 E55 owner right now.

 

dont worry i was the saddest w211 owner , cause i had a $19,000 acciddent las month

 

I have tried dyno mode and if you are good at launching it will work well. If not use traction control. I don't go to the track with my car but I do work on my starts just for fun and recently I have been turning the traction control off which allows quite a bit more wheel spin before interfering. I think with practice this is definitely quicker (in my hands) than with ESP on. I think the computer is more aggressive at power reduction than I am. Unfortunately I don't have LSD and if you did IMO ESP off or dyno mode would be the way to go.

 

78...where the hell are you?? I though I was the only one on the forum pulling my hair out at over 4000ft.

I am running Klee Stage 2...K&N's LSD AND Drag Rads and on a 65 degree partly cloudy day.....couldn't get er under 12.7.

Welcome to hell....elevation will play the role of Satan.

The only other advice I would give would be to try the SGC method....he ran close to 12 flat on Conti's with no LSD bone stock (just K&N's). He swears by the method of no power braking at all....just catch a good light and start from idle.....1/4 throttle to get the car over the initial inertia, then quickly yet smoothly get her down to the floor. I know most cars at the track BANG it right off the line...but hardly any over them are over 4100lbs, YET push 516ft lb torque right off the RPM bat.

Very hard to launch these beasts without LSD....good luck.

 

You are only going to get worse times in dyno mode unless you are running slicks or DR's. Until you are an expert E55 driver, your chances are slim and none to get better times with traction control off. Leave it off and figure out hard hard you can launch and maintain traction. Once you get around 30 mph, you can floor it for sure.

 

You lose 1% of performance for every 100m/330 ft of elevation. If you don't believe me, take your car to Mexico City or Johannesburg!
When you Drive from Johannesburg 6000ft) to Durban at the coast, 350miles, when you get there your car is 18% more powerful and feels fantastic.
At 4000 ft elevation you have lost 12% of combustible oxygen in the atmosphere, which shows in your times. Other cars at the track may have different fuel profiles to compensate for it.

 

Dyno mode isn't going to do anything for you unless you are running drag radials. The ESP isn't your problem. It is a combination of a crappy track and extremely high altitude. Even in dyno mode, you'll still be spinning.

Take your car to a better, lower (altitudinally) strip and see how it runs. I understand your disappointment. Don't feel so bad.

 

Guys I am still learining about E55K... So the Dyno mode disables ESP and that it...

LSD is 1st on my mods list...then Wettraer 530 HP chip( cause its only costs 500 Euro here, compared to 2k euro in Germany)...With those mods I should be as fast a Brabus K8 kit which is also 530 Hp, LSD (40%) shortened rear axle...but Kleemann 60% is even better...Yes...

 

Dyno mode also disables your airbags and abs. I tried dyno mode at the autocross and flatspotted the front tires.

 

Well, I'm gonna try again tonight. The track is usually empty, so I will be getting plenty of runs in. I'm gonna try the advice, though I will not use dyno mode. Hopefully I'll get better this time.

 

i ran a 13.8 best at about 4000ft. trap speed right under 100, 99.*

 

Drop the tire pressure a bit to get more contact patch, and try to get a near perfect launch time with the light.
If timing the throttle with 1/4 1/2 full way down seems tricky, try setting in winter mode, power brake and floor it right from the start

PS hopefully you weren't running on more than a 1/4 fuel in the tank