Issues while racing a 335i...
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 17
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From: South Texas
2003 C240, 2004 E55 AMG
Issues while racing a 335i...
So Im driving down the interstate when low and behold I see a Bmw 335i creepin up behind me. So I decide to make him play catch up to me for about 1-2 miles with no issues. Needless to say he finally catches up to me due to traffic. Once traffic cleared I decide to shift down to 3rd gear (i'm going about 70 mph) while the 335i is right behind me practically tailgating. So I step on the gas and nothing...I mean my rpms are going but my car is slowly picking up speed, so i shift up to 4th and the response is better but still felt slower than usual. I did end up leaving him behind a few car lenghts but I think something may be mechanicaly wrong with my car. Has anyone had this issue before? BTW I do have aftermarket rims and tires (20x9s in the front & 20x10s in the rear) and they do rub on the wheel wells cause I can smell rubber after accelerating over 70 mphs. I dont have any issues when Im driving in the city my car responds normal.
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2005 E55
our cars are not that fast in 3rd and def not in 4th bro,try racing him from 40-90 in second gear and see what you do to him.
You could have a bad pump also and the tires rubbing is because the car lowers at around 80mph
You could have a bad pump also and the tires rubbing is because the car lowers at around 80mph
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Northern California
05 e55
I agree, SC shutdown... Happened to me just once and the car felt slow as shiet... Also, why downshift? I just leave it in sport mode and floor it, my 55 always takes off like a bat out of hell when flooring @ freeway speeds...
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From: Southern California
E55 w/ goods, Z32 Project underway
So Im driving down the interstate when low and behold I see a Bmw 335i creepin up behind me. So I decide to make him play catch up to me for about 1-2 miles with no issues. Needless to say he finally catches up to me due to traffic. Once traffic cleared I decide to shift down to 3rd gear (i'm going about 70 mph) while the 335i is right behind me practically tailgating. So I step on the gas and nothing...I mean my rpms are going but my car is slowly picking up speed, so i shift up to 4th and the response is better but still felt slower than usual. I did end up leaving him behind a few car lenghts but I think something may be mechanicaly wrong with my car. Has anyone had this issue before? BTW I do have aftermarket rims and tires (20x9s in the front & 20x10s in the rear) and they do rub on the wheel wells cause I can smell rubber after accelerating over 70 mphs. I dont have any issues when Im driving in the city my car responds normal.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
The Achilles heel of the near perfect car. Horiffic intercooler design.
We all die this time of year. You learn to live for cooler weather and do the best ya can.
We all die this time of year. You learn to live for cooler weather and do the best ya can.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: So Cal
2018 E63S Wagon
+1 on the SC issue.
But I gotta ask...
20's weigh considerably more = slower acceleration
20's rub and burn tire rubber off the tires = slower acceleration & accelerated tire wear.
Are they really worth it?
But I gotta ask...
20's weigh considerably more = slower acceleration
20's rub and burn tire rubber off the tires = slower acceleration & accelerated tire wear.
Are they really worth it?
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From: Queens, NY
04 w211 E55
To the OP I had 20's before also and it was noticeable power loss cauz I bought some heavy wheels at the time. Definetly check the PUMP that was killing me. I never knew wat the hell the problem was till I became a member and that magic CM30 pump made all my problems go away
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From: Southern California
E55 w/ goods, Z32 Project underway
20s do not necessarily equate to slower acceleration. I have had light weight 20s in the past which were lighter than stock by a wide margin and improved my acceleration on various cars. It all depends on the wheels and keeping the overall diameter the same. I just do not run them on the E due to all of the damage they received from the short sidewalls.
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From: So Cal
2018 E63S Wagon
Unless you've altered the transmission gear ratio, 20's will be slower due to a small but still legit roll-out change as well (more top end, less acceleration). And lightweight 20s tend to be rare.
Curious if the look is more important than functionality.
Curious if the look is more important than functionality.
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From: San Diego, CA
'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
Stay with 18's if you're dead set on performance or get some nice 19's if you want a good balance.
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From: Southern California
E55 w/ goods, Z32 Project underway
So, yes, generally, 20s would not be a good idea for performance, but as stated, the stock 18s are not light.
Rolling diameter is all dependent on the tire chosen. The common 20" upgrade people run are 275/30/20 which is 26.5" in diameter vs 26.3" stock, a difference which can be more than made up depending on tire brand itself as tire makes vary in width, tread depth,etc. A wash.
Even my current 19" wheels are 29lbs lighter(total) vs the stock 18s. On my last car I had 20s which were 19lbs lighter (tire/wheels total) vs the 18s and the car was lighter on it's feet due to this advantage.
Many variables involved. Either way, even if the OP was running 22s, the car would still go when downshifting and what he described is not tire size related. Most likely the pump/heating.
Last edited by pearlpower; Jun 29, 2010 at 02:10 AM.
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From: So Cal
2018 E63S Wagon
Excellent points & I agree 100%.
I enjoy the looks of a nice set of wheels, but I'm more interested in "freeing up" performance where I can. Adding increased rotational mass at the ends of the suspension arms doesn't seem like a place to start for handling or acceleration purposes.
I enjoy the looks of a nice set of wheels, but I'm more interested in "freeing up" performance where I can. Adding increased rotational mass at the ends of the suspension arms doesn't seem like a place to start for handling or acceleration purposes.
Super Member
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From: North Carolina
2004 E55 AMG
+whatever on the I/C pump. Mine went out not too long ago, too.
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From: Hollywood CA
2011 twin turboed prius
Senior Member
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From: Northern California
05 e55
Is it possible that the slow acceleration may have been due to the vehicle adaptations learning your driving style?
For example, driving at a consistent speed on the freeway... The car learns your driving style and works with it... Perhaps that's coming into play too? Though, I've never had this problem... I don't drive my car hard by any means at all, I treat her fairly well with most strain from freeway on ramp accelerations or overtaking... Still, with my easy driving style, everytime I floor her or "kickdown" she takes off every single time...
For example, driving at a consistent speed on the freeway... The car learns your driving style and works with it... Perhaps that's coming into play too? Though, I've never had this problem... I don't drive my car hard by any means at all, I treat her fairly well with most strain from freeway on ramp accelerations or overtaking... Still, with my easy driving style, everytime I floor her or "kickdown" she takes off every single time...
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
+2 if you're really intersted in going fast. Yes, there are 20's that are lighter than the stock 18's, but you won't touch the weight of a light 18 and you will notice the difference. Race cars do not have large diameter wheels for a reason. Something like a HRE C20 with a nice lip still looks good and is several pounds ligher than the stock wheel. As far as the pump, you can just do a swap, but the intercooler setup is a POS as Jackpro points out. It's a little work, but can be DIY.
