Bahnstorming Speeds
Discussion
AmyRichardson said:
I've only driven good lengths of derestricted highways in two cars: a CLS55 and a boggo(SE)-spec 330d.
Even though both could do 250kph and 220kph without getting into incremental acceleration zone, the experience of was absolute night-&-day. The BMW, soft & badly damped, wasn't great company much above 190kph - upset by expansion gaps, the wash of HGVs, etc. The AMG was, by comparison, flawless; drop/harden the Airmatic and the body control is good (no perceptible excess rebound), tracks perfectly holding true through surface and aero disturbances - 250kph and no sweaty palms.
Big AMG good on autobahn. Up next: Pope admits adherence to Catholicism.
Pretty much as the OP guesses at; a firmer car, possibly firmer than is ideal up to normal m-way speeds and the daily schlep in general, does inspire more confidence at high speeds. However, I suspect there's more to it than that; certain firm set ups won't be as good as others, but I wouldn't want to guess why!
Suppose that’s why, in part those types of cars make less sense over here.Even though both could do 250kph and 220kph without getting into incremental acceleration zone, the experience of was absolute night-&-day. The BMW, soft & badly damped, wasn't great company much above 190kph - upset by expansion gaps, the wash of HGVs, etc. The AMG was, by comparison, flawless; drop/harden the Airmatic and the body control is good (no perceptible excess rebound), tracks perfectly holding true through surface and aero disturbances - 250kph and no sweaty palms.
Big AMG good on autobahn. Up next: Pope admits adherence to Catholicism.
Pretty much as the OP guesses at; a firmer car, possibly firmer than is ideal up to normal m-way speeds and the daily schlep in general, does inspire more confidence at high speeds. However, I suspect there's more to it than that; certain firm set ups won't be as good as others, but I wouldn't want to guess why!
They do their best work, what they are designed for at speeds that will get us riding a bicycle pretty quickly, it’s like flying a Boeing 777 but only being allowed to go to 15,000 feet.
I nearly bought a CLS55, had always wanted one since one of the kids friends picked their lad up in a brand new one back in like 2006, I had the 5.5 for a couple of years and was going to upgrade but seemed like the answer to a question I wasnt asking. You get monstrous power and the lack of economy, they are suited to long, fast journeys but at £1.50 a litre if you are doing those you get a diesel, and for short trips and country roads it’s too big.
Only ever taken 3 cars on the AB. Took a diesel Mondeo to an FIA Gt race at Oschersleben. Loads of roadworks, and 4 up, so hovered around 90.
Once on a trip to Munich, I got my old S Type R up to 135mph for about 2 mins before I chickened out and backed off - that’s the fastest I’ve ever driven. 100mph was a perfect speed to cruise at in that thing.
The other was about 10 years ago on a trip to Prague in a Freelander 2. For about an hour I was bouncing off the hard limiter at 112mph on a deserted section and that was surprisingly easy.
As others have said, there’s too many things to go wrong that could be catastrophic.
Once on a trip to Munich, I got my old S Type R up to 135mph for about 2 mins before I chickened out and backed off - that’s the fastest I’ve ever driven. 100mph was a perfect speed to cruise at in that thing.
The other was about 10 years ago on a trip to Prague in a Freelander 2. For about an hour I was bouncing off the hard limiter at 112mph on a deserted section and that was surprisingly easy.
As others have said, there’s too many things to go wrong that could be catastrophic.
The memory of running at speed in Germany in my C36 AMG will live long with me, 15 years on.
The car was so comfortable, so completely at ease with a 130-140mph cruise, it was a delight.
I topped out at a GPS indicated 157mph at one stage, but the composure, refinement and solidity of a machine specifically designed for this type of caper gives me great pleasure.
It’s wasted over here, of course, but I still own and maintain the car for the next time we get the chance to stretch its legs again.
The car was so comfortable, so completely at ease with a 130-140mph cruise, it was a delight.
I topped out at a GPS indicated 157mph at one stage, but the composure, refinement and solidity of a machine specifically designed for this type of caper gives me great pleasure.
It’s wasted over here, of course, but I still own and maintain the car for the next time we get the chance to stretch its legs again.
mozza42 said:
Two weeks ago on the way to Stuttgart. Really easy to cook the brakes when someone pulls out in front...!
If you're wondering about the MPG, I was lifting off from 255kph as something had pulled out!
I think unless you are used to driving at high speed yourself, you don't always appreciate how fast some folk like to go if the opportunity arises.
I'm always looking behind me for fast cars, and funnily enough I had a chap earlier come flying up behind me in a current M4(G82) when I was in the 370Z. It sounded pretty good as he flew past me as well I thought. I said to my eldest daughter who was with me...that there wasn't any point in trying to keep up with him in my lethargic naturally aspirated car to be fair!
Edited by cerb4.5lee on Wednesday 19th June 20:24
Panamax said:
Bear in mind that of you're tanking up the 2-lane autobahn at 250 kph (155 mph) and someone moves out from the inside lane at normal motorway speed it's the equivalent of encountering a parked car in the outside lane of the M1.
Not dissimilar to passing a cyclist on a dual carriageway.GeniusOfLove said:
Every 3 series I've tried, including M3s, are clearly well outside of their comfort zone at 200kph. They'll get there just fine, but they are noisy and unsettled.
Mercedes seem excellent at this, in both a little 2003 SLK320 and 2008 SLK350 I've found them very very stable and settled right up to the limiter at 250kph, probably the shortest wheelbase cars least suited to high speed running that Mercedes sold at the time.
I find it a much less taxing experience in something with big power that can get from 160kph back up to 200kph or so in a few seconds rather than the tens of seconds something like a 330d would take.
Not sure why you would say that. Mercedes seem excellent at this, in both a little 2003 SLK320 and 2008 SLK350 I've found them very very stable and settled right up to the limiter at 250kph, probably the shortest wheelbase cars least suited to high speed running that Mercedes sold at the time.
I find it a much less taxing experience in something with big power that can get from 160kph back up to 200kph or so in a few seconds rather than the tens of seconds something like a 330d would take.
I took my 335i to Italy on 2016. On the way I managed 152mph (GPS) and the car was stable and refined. It was that which surprised me the most, how unexciting 150mph+ was.
A 330d would not take long to accelerate between 100 and 125mph, and surely you can't be equating an SLK350 with "big power"? Nice enough cars sure, but not that powerful.
EmailAddress said:
Panamax said:
Bear in mind that of you're tanking up the 2-lane autobahn at 250 kph (155 mph) and someone moves out from the inside lane at normal motorway speed it's the equivalent of encountering a parked car in the outside lane of the M1.
Not dissimilar to passing a cyclist on a dual carriageway.I did 240kph in my Saab 9-5 Estate and it even had more to give but then the dash lit up like a Christmas tree and I pooed my pants.
Luckily it was a cracked ABS reluctor ring on the driveshaft that just gave in and would throw an error and trip all the dash lights at a certain speed. Cost me £2.99 and a hour to replace. Only negative was I could only go up to about 140 for the rest of the trip without triggering the same issue.
Luckily it was a cracked ABS reluctor ring on the driveshaft that just gave in and would throw an error and trip all the dash lights at a certain speed. Cost me £2.99 and a hour to replace. Only negative was I could only go up to about 140 for the rest of the trip without triggering the same issue.
Edited by BricktopST205 on Wednesday 19th June 22:15
cerb4.5lee said:
mozza42 said:
Two weeks ago on the way to Stuttgart. Really easy to cook the brakes when someone pulls out in front...!
If you're wondering about the MPG, I was lifting off from 255kph as something had pulled out!
I think unless you are used to driving at high speed yourself, you don't always appreciate how fast some folk like to go if the opportunity arises.
I'm always looking behind me for fast cars, and funnily enough I had a chap earlier come flying up behind me in a current M4(G82) when I was in the 370Z. It sounded pretty good as he flew past me as well I thought. I said to my eldest daughter who was with me...that there wasn't any point in trying to keep up with him in my lethargic naturally aspirated car to be fair!
Edited by cerb4.5lee on Wednesday 19th June 20:24
Or slow down a bit…
Panamax said:
Bear in mind that of you're tanking up the 2-lane autobahn at 250 kph (155 mph) and someone moves out from the inside lane at normal motorway speed it's the equivalent of encountering a parked car in the outside lane of the M1.
Oh absolutely, this was three lanes but still throwing the anchors as Germany's famed lane discipline seemed merely a rumour was quite hairy.J4CKO said:
cerb4.5lee said:
mozza42 said:
Two weeks ago on the way to Stuttgart. Really easy to cook the brakes when someone pulls out in front...!
If you're wondering about the MPG, I was lifting off from 255kph as something had pulled out!
I think unless you are used to driving at high speed yourself, you don't always appreciate how fast some folk like to go if the opportunity arises.
I'm always looking behind me for fast cars, and funnily enough I had a chap earlier come flying up behind me in a current M4(G82) when I was in the 370Z. It sounded pretty good as he flew past me as well I thought. I said to my eldest daughter who was with me...that there wasn't any point in trying to keep up with him in my lethargic naturally aspirated car to be fair!
Edited by cerb4.5lee on Wednesday 19th June 20:24
Or slow down a bit…
I do need to slow down a bit for sure(especially at my age). However...it isn't very easy to drive an M4 slow everywhere though!
I went to a gentle 130 in the M4 again today...and I just can't bloody help myself!
Panamax said:
Bear in mind that of you're tanking up the 2-lane autobahn at 250 kph (155 mph) and someone moves out from the inside lane at normal motorway speed it's the equivalent of encountering a parked car in the outside lane of the M1.
No, it's not equivalent at all, it's actually three times worse than that.The relative speed differential may be the same, but your kinetic energy isn't proportional to speed, it's proportional to your speed squared.
So the energy your brakes need to dissipate to decelerate from 140mph to 70mph is three times what you need to decelerate from 70mph to zero. (OK you'll also benefit from a bit more air resistance slowing you down from higher speed, but it's not significant compared to maximum braking effort.)
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