Ridiculously low W211 E55 trap speed. What's to blame, my car or the track?
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From: El Paso, TX
'03 G500, '13 G63, '17 GLS63,
Ridiculously low W211 E55 trap speed. What's to blame, my car or the track?
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
Elevation is around 4000ft
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From: strip bar in Oregon
211 E55(sold) & 80cc shifter kart
Originally Posted by medici78
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
Elevation is around 4000ft
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: NYC
03 E55 k2; Ford GT
Originally Posted by medici78
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
Elevation is around 4000ft
Thread Starter
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From: El Paso, TX
'03 G500, '13 G63, '17 GLS63,
Originally Posted by saber
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.
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Originally Posted by medici78
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.
Good luck.
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
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.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Frisco, TX
'06 M5
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.
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.
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Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 183
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From: Santa Clarita , Hollywood hills
04 E55 white.
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
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From: El Paso, TX
'03 G500, '13 G63, '17 GLS63,
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. 
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Monroe, Louisiana
SL 65 AMG and E63s AMG
Originally Posted by AMGfan
I know that most guys are in dyno mode when they drag their cars...have you tried that yet?
Good luck.
Good luck.
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
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.
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.
Last edited by Jakpro1; May 12, 2005 at 05:51 PM.
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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.
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From: Sydney, Australia
2017 S63 Coupe Iridium Silver
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.
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.
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From: NJ
2005 E55
Originally Posted by medici78
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.
Take your car to a better, lower (altitudinally) strip and see how it runs. I understand your disappointment. Don't feel so bad.
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From: Moscow, Russia
E55K
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...
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...
Last edited by E55 RUSS; May 13, 2005 at 09:46 AM.
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From: El Paso, TX
'03 G500, '13 G63, '17 GLS63,
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.
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From: Boston
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
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
