Delimiting a Ghost/replacing the runflats
Discussion
With access to delimited roads (i.e. autobahns) and 563bhp/780 Nm on tap, it seems frustrating that a Ghost is limited to 155mph, even given what RR say about the different nature and 'focus' of the car compared to, say, Bentleys, Panameras, delimited M5s, Mercs, Audis, etc. Even with the, er, not so aerodynamic front, surely this is a car that is both capable of 180mph+ AND composed/relaxed at those speeds (ok, with a, er, somewhat reduced range). I have heard that the tyres are maybe not up to the job, but with Y rated Goodyear Efficient Grip runflats (285/40 R20 & 255/45 R20 - in ths US at least; haven't been able to check what the standard runflats are in Europe, if these are not the Goodyears), this seems disingenuous.... So.... would it be possible/straightforward to take the limiter off a Ghost, presumably at a specialist? (I realise RR may consequently void the warranty - if they get to know about it.) Secondly, would it then be an idea to replace the tyres with non-runflats? (Assuming something suitable is available?) After all, there has been some moaning - though admittedly not an awful lot - about the ride with stiff-walled runflats, so maybe one would also then benefit from a 'better' ride? (Or is there something about the ride being 'optimised' to work with runflats? I would guess the suspension would be 'clever' enough to work with non-runflats?)
I think it is a very sensible idea. Especially here in Germany the autobahns are empty most of the time, so you can really save, like, 10-15 in overall journey time on a 3 hour cruise when flooring it.
Should you ever encounter people idling on the fast lane, they usually give way so your fast journey wont be interrupted.
We travel usually at 300km/h although at night we do 320 km/h.
Have you also considered replacing the air in the tires with special gas? That should also get you another 1.5% in top speed increase.
Should you ever encounter people idling on the fast lane, they usually give way so your fast journey wont be interrupted.
We travel usually at 300km/h although at night we do 320 km/h.
Have you also considered replacing the air in the tires with special gas? That should also get you another 1.5% in top speed increase.
Thanks for the heartfelt support, Rushmore (is that an ironic name too? Or are you living a sadly frustrated existence in Germany?)
Nitrogen in Ghost tyres - great idea; getting rid of pesky oxygen would probably improve the ride quality even further. I'm also glad to hear how conditions are now even better on the autobahns - still, it wasn't really that bad recently, driving at night (as you say, that small but gratifying bit faster) at 240-280kmh.
I thought PHs was about enjoying speed (yes, safely), and about what is possible in that respect - not a forum for milksops, nimbys and neinsagers.
Nitrogen in Ghost tyres - great idea; getting rid of pesky oxygen would probably improve the ride quality even further. I'm also glad to hear how conditions are now even better on the autobahns - still, it wasn't really that bad recently, driving at night (as you say, that small but gratifying bit faster) at 240-280kmh.
I thought PHs was about enjoying speed (yes, safely), and about what is possible in that respect - not a forum for milksops, nimbys and neinsagers.
On a serious note: On the very very very few bit of German autobahn where you legally CAN drive 155mph you'd struggle to find a time of the day when road conditions make this a realistic venture. We do have our fair share of White TDI Van Men, hot hatchs, Grannies in their 1970ies Golf, Wannabe Driving Instructors Testing Their Brakes To Show You Your Place and all that on our roads.
If you have done some continental touring you will know about the situation in France, Italy or Switzerland - where it is much worse. And much more expensive to break the legal limit (120 km/h in CH).
So, even in Germany a 250 km/h limit would really enable you to be quicker than everyone else on our roads.
If you REALLY need to be able to go faster than this, my suggestion would be to do it in a lighter car with a better weight ratio, ideally purpose-built for such matters. A GT3 or similar. An alternative would be to take the Ghost to Schnitzer or someone else who understands BMW technology and let it undergo a serious upgrade - engine, brakes, suspension.
But, again, there are extremely few moments (as in: minutes) where the 155mph "limit" would "limit" your progress, even here in the land of autobahns.
If you have done some continental touring you will know about the situation in France, Italy or Switzerland - where it is much worse. And much more expensive to break the legal limit (120 km/h in CH).
So, even in Germany a 250 km/h limit would really enable you to be quicker than everyone else on our roads.
If you REALLY need to be able to go faster than this, my suggestion would be to do it in a lighter car with a better weight ratio, ideally purpose-built for such matters. A GT3 or similar. An alternative would be to take the Ghost to Schnitzer or someone else who understands BMW technology and let it undergo a serious upgrade - engine, brakes, suspension.
But, again, there are extremely few moments (as in: minutes) where the 155mph "limit" would "limit" your progress, even here in the land of autobahns.
Edited by Rushmore on Monday 24th December 11:09
Edited by Rushmore on Monday 24th December 11:12
It's true that it's still only occasionally possible to go 250km/h+ in Germany - but it remains the case that it IS possible there.
I'd be extremely reluctant, however, to take a Ghost to Schnitzer - that'd be like letting a child loose with some crayons to 'improve' a Rembrandt.
I want to keep the R-R feeling intact - not ruin its qualities by turning it into some sort of pimped-out, hard-riding, second rate Panamera chaser.
In my experience (V12 Ferraris), weight is no special obstacle to speed, as long as there is plenty of power and, um, high quality engineering. (Even) if the 250km/h+ opportunities are as infrequent in D as they seem, and the tyres are suitably speed rated, I don't see why a standard Ghost would not be MORE than up to the job. By the way, this was confirmed by three of the professional drivers, after they had a collective think about it, at a 'R-R experience' day at Goodwood.
(Have you actually driven a Ghost, in any case, Rushmore....? You should give yourself that treat. You can now do MUCH more than just 'waft' in THIS R-R....)
I'd be extremely reluctant, however, to take a Ghost to Schnitzer - that'd be like letting a child loose with some crayons to 'improve' a Rembrandt.
I want to keep the R-R feeling intact - not ruin its qualities by turning it into some sort of pimped-out, hard-riding, second rate Panamera chaser.
In my experience (V12 Ferraris), weight is no special obstacle to speed, as long as there is plenty of power and, um, high quality engineering. (Even) if the 250km/h+ opportunities are as infrequent in D as they seem, and the tyres are suitably speed rated, I don't see why a standard Ghost would not be MORE than up to the job. By the way, this was confirmed by three of the professional drivers, after they had a collective think about it, at a 'R-R experience' day at Goodwood.
(Have you actually driven a Ghost, in any case, Rushmore....? You should give yourself that treat. You can now do MUCH more than just 'waft' in THIS R-R....)
My opinion:
You should talk to experts and specialists who have a long track record in dealing with BMW engine technology.
i doubt that you will get much more useful information out of an internet forum, especially for a car which has just been released to the market. This is not an MX-5, with 100,000 cars about, and 100,000 spanner-wielding hobbyists sharing their tricks. It is a hightech car with lots of electronics, complex technology and the like.
You need to talk to the pros.
Anyway, reading your last post it seems that you have already made up your mind and are looking for reconfirmation of your opinion. Simply go ahead, you dont need the approval of others from an internet forum to de-limit your car.
You should talk to experts and specialists who have a long track record in dealing with BMW engine technology.
i doubt that you will get much more useful information out of an internet forum, especially for a car which has just been released to the market. This is not an MX-5, with 100,000 cars about, and 100,000 spanner-wielding hobbyists sharing their tricks. It is a hightech car with lots of electronics, complex technology and the like.
You need to talk to the pros.
Anyway, reading your last post it seems that you have already made up your mind and are looking for reconfirmation of your opinion. Simply go ahead, you dont need the approval of others from an internet forum to de-limit your car.
Right - that's told me. I should have remembered - Germans always know better.
Since I guess the professional drivers at Goodwood aren't exactly F1 mechanics - though one of those who thought delimiting wouldn't be an issue, and has raced extensively, had encyclopaedic mechanical knowledge - and any specialist able to take the limiter off probably wouldn't know about high speed dynamics, I will do the right thing and consult as many German spanner monkeys as possible.
Hopefully, then, the Ghost sliding past at speeds over 250kmh won't (like all those burnt out Bentleys, etc., you see at the side of the autobahn) be on the point of falling apart or exploding.
Only thing - it won't be some low-riding, pimped-out travesty of a Ghost. (Just look at the vile things that German 'styling and tuning companies' do to perfectly nice cars....)
Or maybe R-R will kindly oblige in the meantime by delimiting the new Coupe.
Since I guess the professional drivers at Goodwood aren't exactly F1 mechanics - though one of those who thought delimiting wouldn't be an issue, and has raced extensively, had encyclopaedic mechanical knowledge - and any specialist able to take the limiter off probably wouldn't know about high speed dynamics, I will do the right thing and consult as many German spanner monkeys as possible.
Hopefully, then, the Ghost sliding past at speeds over 250kmh won't (like all those burnt out Bentleys, etc., you see at the side of the autobahn) be on the point of falling apart or exploding.
Only thing - it won't be some low-riding, pimped-out travesty of a Ghost. (Just look at the vile things that German 'styling and tuning companies' do to perfectly nice cars....)
Or maybe R-R will kindly oblige in the meantime by delimiting the new Coupe.
If you have already made up your mind and also consulted "professional drivers at Goodwood", what additional information do you hope to get in this forum?
I suggested Schnitzer, or maybe M Motorsport division of BMW because they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to tuning, whereas I am not sure whether the RR factory does this very often. But as you dont want the overall car to be upgraded but simply the limited taken out, why dont you go there, have it done and be happy?
I suggested Schnitzer, or maybe M Motorsport division of BMW because they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to tuning, whereas I am not sure whether the RR factory does this very often. But as you dont want the overall car to be upgraded but simply the limited taken out, why dont you go there, have it done and be happy?
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