Bahnstorming Speeds
Discussion
Just back from a quick weekend in Germany - Aside from a few patches of roadworks (The Autobahn classic!) found it was relatively smooth, low traffic sailing.
I was managing around 220 - 230Kmh as a relatively "Comfortable" cruising speed in the FK8 on the suitable sections; As in feeling "Secure" - not feeling floaty / easy to follow the road without racing lines and disturbing Mum in the passenger seat.
Had me wondering what others have found to be workable for semi-sustained cruising pace on the Autobahn? - Despite having the power to maintain the same speeds, I don't think I'd have been doing the same in the Jag, for example, without the same downforce / lighter steering.
Only had to get to Weisbaden and back to NL, so wasn't too worried about fuel in this case.
Judging by a few of the locals, I'm expecting someone to come along with an easy 300Kmh in an Octavia VRS Estate?
I was managing around 220 - 230Kmh as a relatively "Comfortable" cruising speed in the FK8 on the suitable sections; As in feeling "Secure" - not feeling floaty / easy to follow the road without racing lines and disturbing Mum in the passenger seat.
Had me wondering what others have found to be workable for semi-sustained cruising pace on the Autobahn? - Despite having the power to maintain the same speeds, I don't think I'd have been doing the same in the Jag, for example, without the same downforce / lighter steering.
Only had to get to Weisbaden and back to NL, so wasn't too worried about fuel in this case.
Judging by a few of the locals, I'm expecting someone to come along with an easy 300Kmh in an Octavia VRS Estate?
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!
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!
Haltamer said:
Just back from a quick weekend in Germany - Aside from a few patches of roadworks (The Autobahn classic!) found it was relatively smooth, low traffic sailing.
I was managing around 220 - 230Kmh as a relatively "Comfortable" cruising speed in the FK8 on the suitable sections;
Each to their own, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing those sortsI was managing around 220 - 230Kmh as a relatively "Comfortable" cruising speed in the FK8 on the suitable sections;
of speeds in something as small as a Honda Civic.
Probably more perception than reality, but I'd want to do speeds
like that with more metal around me.
Haltamer said:
Had me wondering what others have found to be workable for semi-sustained cruising pace on the Autobahn?
That's the good thing about the autobahn - speed choice is yours.You are allowed to think for yourself - an alien concept for most Brits.
It used to be the case that my default cruising speed was about 200 kmh,
but these days, especially when I have Brit passengers in the car,
I keep it downto about 180 kmh.
Brit passengers tend to think the Germans drive as badly as the Brits.
They don't. Unlimited roads means almost all Germans concentrate
on their driving.
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!
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.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!
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.
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.
What are you on about?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.
QBee said:
Back in about 1981 I did Munich to Amsterdam in 7 hours, including stops, in an Alfasud, and was sitting at 90-95 mph much of the time.
But the roads weren't as busy back then, and we were so much younger.
I just Google Mapsed it and it said 9 hours 17 minutes for 829 km, but with 21 sets of roadworks. But the roads weren't as busy back then, and we were so much younger.
I used to love driving.
Had a variety of hire cars over several weeks of driving the autobahns - does depend whether it's two lane or the rarer three lane (Nuremberg to Munich 3 lane was fantastic a couple of weeks ago).
Older BMW 4 series coped fine at 150mph +, the only one that stood out in my mind as really disappointing was an older Audi A4 2.0D (2011 vintage?) which got ludicrously floaty dangerous over 145mph.
All the other modern cars I've had in Germany recently have had a good match of power to handling, always depressing coming back to the UK and our totally crap roads and motorways.
Older BMW 4 series coped fine at 150mph +, the only one that stood out in my mind as really disappointing was an older Audi A4 2.0D (2011 vintage?) which got ludicrously floaty dangerous over 145mph.
All the other modern cars I've had in Germany recently have had a good match of power to handling, always depressing coming back to the UK and our totally crap roads and motorways.
I am happy to sustain 240-250kph with occasionally faster speeds IF traffic is low and visibility is very good.
Otherwise trying to average high speeds in traffic is too risky IMHO, too many people not judging your distance/speed appropriately or not checking mirrors at all and switching lanes unpredictably, forcing some hairy brake stomping moments!
Otherwise trying to average high speeds in traffic is too risky IMHO, too many people not judging your distance/speed appropriately or not checking mirrors at all and switching lanes unpredictably, forcing some hairy brake stomping moments!
Auf Autobahnen:
My MK3 Mondeo estate felt nice and stable cruising at 120-130mph.
Mk4 Mondeo estate was comfortable, but felt disconcertingly floaty at the front end at 125mph+, pushing beyond 130mph was an experience.
MK1 Octavia vRS hatch felt rock solid at 145mph (although the ride and twisty roads, especially over bumps, handling was inferior to the Mondeos) and the brakes were very good.
My MK3 Mondeo estate felt nice and stable cruising at 120-130mph.
Mk4 Mondeo estate was comfortable, but felt disconcertingly floaty at the front end at 125mph+, pushing beyond 130mph was an experience.
MK1 Octavia vRS hatch felt rock solid at 145mph (although the ride and twisty roads, especially over bumps, handling was inferior to the Mondeos) and the brakes were very good.
Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 18th June 17:45
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