A Viper, Me and a Panamera on the A60 Today
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
A Viper, Me and a Panamera on the A60 Today
Well it was unusually hot today in South Central Germany. 91deg F on the A60 just leaving Mainz to the north. While still in a 100 kph (62 mph) zone I notice in the mirror a Viper Spyder coming up on me and not to far behind the Viper is a Panamera of unknown designation. The Viper goes by and I note the German plates show it to be U.S. Military.
We all three finally get to the open section of the A60 around Ingleheim, but too much traffic so far. Now I'm not too optimistic at this point as 91 deg F is not helping my cause, but hey let's see what happens. Traffic is now starting to thin out and the 3 car train is bunched-up running about 90 mph. A Fiat 500 passing a truck is all that's in front of the Viper. The Fiat pulls back into the right lane and we're off! I was already in 3rd with the A/C and ESP off and my IAT was initially at 102 F and by cracky, I'm closing on the Viper. The Panamera is a distant memory. But, alas, more traffic. So, this routine goes on until we're now in the neighborhood of Bad Kreuznack and now on the A61. I finally pull up next to the Viper and we both have big grins on our faces.
We exit the A61 together and find a place to park. So what do you think the first words of of the Viper driver's mouth are? "THAT THING IS A BEAST!"
The gentleman's name is Jose and he is career military and has been in all the bad places. The Viper had a tune and a larger TB, but I was still able to run it down, especially at the higher speeds. I suspect the BEAST is much more slippery than an open Viper. IAT never went above 160.
Jose and his German wife live quite nearby to us and they will be joining us for dinner in the near future.
Oh, and the Panamera . . . . no idea.
We all three finally get to the open section of the A60 around Ingleheim, but too much traffic so far. Now I'm not too optimistic at this point as 91 deg F is not helping my cause, but hey let's see what happens. Traffic is now starting to thin out and the 3 car train is bunched-up running about 90 mph. A Fiat 500 passing a truck is all that's in front of the Viper. The Fiat pulls back into the right lane and we're off! I was already in 3rd with the A/C and ESP off and my IAT was initially at 102 F and by cracky, I'm closing on the Viper. The Panamera is a distant memory. But, alas, more traffic. So, this routine goes on until we're now in the neighborhood of Bad Kreuznack and now on the A61. I finally pull up next to the Viper and we both have big grins on our faces.
We exit the A61 together and find a place to park. So what do you think the first words of of the Viper driver's mouth are? "THAT THING IS A BEAST!"
The gentleman's name is Jose and he is career military and has been in all the bad places. The Viper had a tune and a larger TB, but I was still able to run it down, especially at the higher speeds. I suspect the BEAST is much more slippery than an open Viper. IAT never went above 160.
Jose and his German wife live quite nearby to us and they will be joining us for dinner in the near future.
Oh, and the Panamera . . . . no idea.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 32
From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
With over 20,000 of mostly commercial flight hours, and a number rounds at some of the better known road courses, I submit that qualifies me as being prudent.
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From: ATL Jawja
E55, 1969 RS/Z28, Civic
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 32
From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
Earlier this year in Florida I was with the Audi folks at PBIR and we were doing some demos with the W109 (6.3) which is actually 6.5. The W109 is a total restoration plus improvements. The K4 transmission was designed for this torque monster, but apparently not for the torque that's being made today.
This was the result, fortunately I had a spare.
This was the result, fortunately I had a spare.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
The "stories" on all of the automotive forums are funny....Almost every forum would have one believe that the main OEM on that site is the best / fastest car on the planet. While the e55 is fast and can be made faster relatively easily, I am surprised you have not been spanked numerous times in Germany by better / faster cars. I know in Orange County, there are plenty of cars faster than the e55....
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
Never put anything on video that you would not want to see on the front page of the New York Times or in a court of law.
With over 20,000 of mostly commercial flight hours, and a number rounds at some of the better known road courses, I submit that qualifies me as being prudent.
With over 20,000 of mostly commercial flight hours, and a number rounds at some of the better known road courses, I submit that qualifies me as being prudent.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 32
From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 1,513
From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
