message to AMG Merc

[riccardo]

Hi ya Rob,

I know you have already probably posted about this but I was just wandering how you found your motor without the Spoiler on the rear? Any stability probs of note?

Cheers,

Rich.

[amg merc]

riccardo said:

Hi ya Rob, I know you have already probably posted about this but I was just wandering how you found your motor without the Spoiler on the rear? Any stability probs of note? Cheers, Rich.

Rich,

Hard to tell really, I did a trackday at Brands (the short and winding Indy circuit which doesn't benefit much from downforce) with the wing off and it seems to perform well. Then tried Goodwood (a longer, faster circuit that probably needs it) with the wing on so couldn't tell! I had planned to try wing on/off at Goodwood to compare but, as it took two of us 2 hours to fit the wing, I said sod that :-( and left it on (I'm planning to replace the bottom bolts with plain shanks and butterfly bolts so the wing can be positioned into the clamshell holes easier - by one person!

Regarding the look, I've had my wing off since new (6 months) and always thought that the car looked better without one - however, I'm surprised to say that I now prefer the wing on so don't plan to remove it. I was also surprised to see that the rear view is still reasonably good with the wing on!


>> Edited by amg merc on Wednesday 4th August 09:47

[riccardo]

Fantastic! Glad you have found a compromise at least! I must admit when I saw the photos I thought it transformed the car but I couldn't quite decide wether it looked better without or not. I think that it is quite a trademark of the car to be honest but then again it's always good to be a bit different!!-(If owning a Noble wasn't different enough!!) I'm sure if it was going to make a huge difference then you would have noticed the performance dip. As it is I'm sure it acts more of a cosmetic enhancement than a performance enhancer! I am extremely envious that you still have the option of 'Now which look shall we go for today, spoiler on or spoiler off!!!) as I've still come no closer to buying one myself . I did go to look at one in Birmingham a few weeks ago but felt it was a bit out of my price range really and I'm sold on the 'R' to be honest. However I really have no problem with waiting at all. The longer I wait the more excited I get and it's not exactly like we have had the climate for posing this year!!
All the best mate!

[joust]

riccardo said:

As it is I'm sure it acts more of a cosmetic enhancement than a performance enhancer!

Not quite true

At VMAX Danny R did two runs, one with one without. The difference in speed was either 3mph or 7mph (sorry - can't remember) and the car became "skitty" under braking from 160mph+ downwards.

Consequently it does make things more stable at 80+mph, so for "road" use you won't really notice the difference.

However, you can change the attack angle so you could make it effective at much lower speeds - but to be honest the car doesn't need it.

J

[riccardo]

joust said:

riccardo said: As it is I'm sure it acts more of a cosmetic enhancement than a performance enhancer! Not quite true At VMAX Danny R did two runs, one with one without. The difference in speed was either 3mph or 7mph (sorry - can't remember) and the car became "skitty" under braking from 160mph+ downwards. Consequently it does make things more stable at 80+mph, so for "road" use you won't really notice the difference. However, you can change the attack angle so you could make it effective at much lower speeds - but to be honest the car doesn't need it. J