Brand New Ferrari 458 Spider
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,124
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
Brand New Ferrari 458 Spider
While on the A8 today headed to Munich with a trunk full of luggage, 1/8 tank of Aral Ultimate 102, about 45 degrees OAT and my timid wife, I noticed something coming up fast from the rear. I was running between 95 MPH and 110. As it pulled closer I could see it it was a 458 Spider. When the 458 was with in about 6 or 7 lengths I dropped down to 3rd and went for it (albeit my wife protesting vociferously). The 458 closed to within 3 lengths and then the Beast pulled away smartly. I shut it down at about 175 as my wife was now threatening me with immediate divorce (not really). I moved over to the center lane and the 458 went by at full song of about 9000 rpm's (what a sound!!). Eventually the 458 dropped back behind me to have a look and then slowly pulled up next to me and gave me a "thumbs up." I had slowed to about 85 MPH to calm my wife and the 458 motered on ahead. Just about then I was coming up on a service plaza and as I moved over to the exit lane the 458 must have seen my turn signal and at the last minute slid into the exit lane ahead of me. Long and short he wanted to know how it was possible that a $250,000 exotic could have been smoked by a 4 door sedan that resembles a common German taxi with a Florida license plate. He was a really good fellow from Frankfurt and I think he is still shaking his head in disbelief.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 419
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From: Southern Maryland USA
06 E55 AMG, 13 C63 AMG
I had the chance to spend a full day driving the 458. It is really an awesome car. The handling is really something.
I do believe my E55 has faster straight line acceleration.
I do believe my E55 has faster straight line acceleration.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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CL65
While on the A8 today headed to Munich with a trunk full of luggage, 1/8 tank of Aral Ultimate 102, about 45 degrees OAT and my timid wife, I noticed something coming up fast from the rear. I was running between 95 MPH and 110. As it pulled closer I could see it it was a 458 Spider. When the 458 was with in about 6 or 7 lengths I dropped down to 3rd and went for it (albeit my wife protesting vociferously). The 458 closed to within 3 lengths and then the Beast pulled away smartly. I shut it down at about 175 as my wife was now threatening me with immediate divorce (not really). I moved over to the center lane and the 458 went by at full song of about 9000 rpm's (what a sound!!). Eventually the 458 dropped back behind me to have a look and then slowly pulled up next to me and gave me a "thumbs up." I had slowed to about 85 MPH to calm my wife and the 458 motered on ahead. Just about then I was coming up on a service plaza and as I moved over to the exit lane the 458 must have seen my turn signal and at the last minute slid into the exit lane ahead of me. Long and short he wanted to know how it was possible that a $250,000 exotic could have been smoked by a 4 door sedan that resembles a common German taxi with a Florida license plate. He was a really good fellow from Frankfurt and I think he is still shaking his head in disbelief.
It sounds like you need to keep one of those sleeping blindfolds in the glove box and blast lullabies for your wife to mask out any exhaust note. I know the feeling, maybe not to the same extent, but the opportunity never comes up when I'm alone. Occasionally I deal with a similar situation which ends with my wife usually trying to brace herself with her feet on the dash. You car must be pretty mean I'm glad you took advantage of the opportunity most wish to have.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 304
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From: Atlanta, GA
2007 E63 AMG, 1991 NSX, 2007 Corvette
Great Run. I am sure he googled your car to learn all about it !!!
458 is a sweet car. Just think if you were in a E55 Wagon, he really would have been shaking his head !!!
Sounds like the roads over there are great for speed !!
458 is a sweet car. Just think if you were in a E55 Wagon, he really would have been shaking his head !!!
Sounds like the roads over there are great for speed !!
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From: tampa florida
19 f-150 limited (w/raptor engine) 06 e55,81SC Targa,08 CLK63 BLK,91 E34 M5
It sounds like you need to keep one of those sleeping blindfolds in the glove box and blast lullabies for your wife to mask out any exhaust note. I know the feeling, maybe not to the same extent, but the opportunity never comes up when I'm alone. Occasionally I deal with a similar situation which ends with my wife usually trying to brace herself with her feet on the dash. You car must be pretty mean I'm glad you took advantage of the opportunity most wish to have.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The 458 is an absolute monster on the freeways! I learned that the hard way on this rally I did last week. I floored it and he went flying by me like I was cruising. I didn't mind of course, his exhaust note was glorious.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15
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From: Germany
AMG E63T (S211)
The last victim of my "taxi" was a Porsche Panamera S that gave up at 170mph
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
Yo Mr. Bruce - - -
The 45 degree OAT is really helpful. I noted my IAT was at about 59 degrees and never went above 140 degrees during the run. The larger H/E and the other cooling mods are all helpful. Had this been a 95 degree day, the outcome may not have been the same. On the other hand, I was probably more than 300 lbs heaver than normal (no it’s not my 5’10” terrorized wife) so, who knows? What I do know is that the E63 BT has the potential of going far beyond the already amazing achievements of the E55. The E55 is an amazing cruiser/marauder, but it’s days are numbered. My only real concern with the BT is the mating of the 7 speed G-Tronic. Can it absorb the torque increases that are already being placed on it? As I understand, the SL65 continues to utilize a beefed-up 722 to handle the torque. Only time will tell and only time will bring the cost of a pre-owned BT down to a reasonable level.
The 45 degree OAT is really helpful. I noted my IAT was at about 59 degrees and never went above 140 degrees during the run. The larger H/E and the other cooling mods are all helpful. Had this been a 95 degree day, the outcome may not have been the same. On the other hand, I was probably more than 300 lbs heaver than normal (no it’s not my 5’10” terrorized wife) so, who knows? What I do know is that the E63 BT has the potential of going far beyond the already amazing achievements of the E55. The E55 is an amazing cruiser/marauder, but it’s days are numbered. My only real concern with the BT is the mating of the 7 speed G-Tronic. Can it absorb the torque increases that are already being placed on it? As I understand, the SL65 continues to utilize a beefed-up 722 to handle the torque. Only time will tell and only time will bring the cost of a pre-owned BT down to a reasonable level.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
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From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
Care to share what you have done to your car ? I can't understand how a car weighing 3k pounds, better gearing and aerodynamics, and similar power could not spank you from any speed , much less 150+ mph???
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 260
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From: SoCal
Porsche 911
Ferrari 458 drag coefficient is .33
MB W211 drag coefficient is .26
The Mercedes is WAY more slippery. At those speeds the Ferrari is generating way more down force but that down force robs HP and effectively makes the car "heavier".
Nice story.
MB W211 drag coefficient is .26
The Mercedes is WAY more slippery. At those speeds the Ferrari is generating way more down force but that down force robs HP and effectively makes the car "heavier".
Nice story.
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From: SF CA
nice run, but I am pretty sure the guy felt like I felt when a modded Honda blew my doors off once, I thought, WOW that car sure was fast but my ______ is way better than his _______.
Last edited by tc1728; Nov 27, 2012 at 01:01 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
As VNTGSPD posted, the W211 is actually slipperier than the 458. While I have never been on the rollers, with the usual mods, which are pretty well known, I'm confident the engine is making at least 600 BHP which would be around 480 RWHP and on a 45 degree day, that power will certainly increase. Lightweight rotors can provide an equivalent gain of as much as 40 HP by reducing rotational mass as will a CF driveshaft also reduce rotational mass by about 1/2. Add to this the insane amount of torque these engines produce and that's why you see some of these 211's in the mid 10's. No 438 can do that. If you look in Wikipedia for E55-Mid 10's it says: "See Bruce at TTTM"
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Joined: Mar 2011
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2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
Nice run, a 458? WOW! I've seen a 458 take an SLR so your car must really be flying. The 458 gearbox is unreal, the car utilizes the power it has so well. It's really light too so that's quite a kill 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,879
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From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
As VNTGSPD posted, the W211 is actually slipperier than the 458. While I have never been on the rollers, with the usual mods, which are pretty well known, I'm confident the engine is making at least 600 BHP which would be around 480 RWHP and on a 45 degree day, that power will certainly increase. Lightweight rotors can provide an equivalent gain of as much as 40 HP by reducing rotational mass as will a CF driveshaft also reduce rotational mass by about 1/2. Add to this the insane amount of torque these engines produce and that's why you see some of these 211's in the mid 10's. No 438 can do that. If you look in Wikipedia for E55-Mid 10's it says: "See Bruce at TTTM"
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,124
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
Our E55 has a custom rail similar to Bruce's, but utilizing 6 port SLR injectors. Ported 80mm TB, Vadim shorty/HEM's, ported cats, 168 ASP pulley, phenolic spacers, K&N's, insulated induction system, heat exchanger, pump, secondary cat & resonator delete, modified X-pipe/expansion chamber, ECU, light weight rotors, CF drive shaft, LSD, K-MAC, bushings, Toe-Links , oil catch can. I will install MBH's LT's next year because they are simply the best and will not scrape on my driveway entrance. The Vadim shorty's/HEM are perhaps the last ones made and were of excellent quality and have held up perfectly. They actually incorporate a really good design which produced a significant improvement. Mike's LT's will also produce a significant improvement over and above the shorty's and with complete peace-of-mind. And that will be it until an E63TT comes into our life.
This E55 is driven as an elegant stealth cruiser punctuated by thrilling moments of unadulterated fun.
