Drag racing a Merc..

[DXB]

Hi guys,

Ive talked my old man into take his CLS350 to the drag strip with me next time i go.

Im a regular there (Santa Pod) in my bmw

I have searched the Net in various places and cant quite find a 1/4mile time for a CLS350's...... just AMG's and one CLS500 time of 14.0@99mph

There only usually seem to Be E55 AMG's running there Not many other mercs which is a shame. C63 AMG would go well also.

Anyone have any idea how he will get on?

I am guestimating a mid to low 14 second pass at 96+mph

I will get some vids and pics of when we do go and let you know..

Im usually quite good at guestimating so i hope im right. Im also getting my Miswah down there too to run her car LOL.

 

[Brian WH]

Seems a shame to drag race a CLS350, not built for it.

I would be interested in the result though.

Hope you have new rear tyres to hand.

 

[Sp!ke]

I have to agree. Why risk damaging it when frankly there's no point in drag racing a car like this.

Its an auto, so there's little skill involved or input required and its also hellishly slow in drag race terms. Why anyone would want to drag race a 14s+ automatic car is beyond me.

 

[DXB]

Seems a shame to drag race a CLS350, not built for it.

I would be interested in the result though.

Hope you have new rear tyres to hand.

Yeah your right, the car isnt Built for it, But no read car really is.

Ive done over 130 runs in my car, its good fun.

It will Be his first time. Im sure he will Be ok. I will also try in his with my experiance and see what difference that makes.

Tyres should Be fine, i have not noticed a massive negative camBer on the rears such Bmw's do..
As long as you dont Burnout Before a run the tyres will not really wear at all.

any more takers on 14.3-14.5 @ 96mph?

 

[DXB]

I have to agree. Why risk damaging it when frankly there's no point in drag racing a car like this.

Its an auto, so there's little skill involved or input required and its also hellishly slow in drag race terms. Why anyone would want to drag race a 14s+ automatic car is beyond me.

Actually there is a lot of skill in lauching an auto, you oBviously have little experiance in drag racing, its aBout not loading up the torque converter and moderating throttle off the line.

Oh and were only doing it for fun, JUst like were going to the NurBurgring for fun next month.....

Nothign wrong with that. AND to see what it can actually do as i cant find out a time for it, just for a 500.

 

[GH421]

I'd say mid 15's.

I went during Japshow and i have to admit, those jap cars do make it fun viewing on the strip.

 

[DXB]

I'd say mid 15's.

I went during Japshow and i have to admit, those jap cars do make it fun viewing on the strip.

Yeah i agree, its exciting viewing and even more exctiting participating.

Its not as fun as track day But far more value for money.

I rekon it should Be a fair whack quicker than mid 15's..

Civic type-R do low 15's and they have a slower 0-60mph let alone 0-100mph which is where the CLS starts to actually start moving.

 

[GrahamC230K]

I am amazed you have done 130 runs in a road car with a stock clutch. Are you just rolling it off the line or launching it?

I get the buzz of a 1/4 mile drag but to me it's the most abusive (read damaging and costly) event you can do in a road car, hence practically I have to refrain.

Maybe I'm just to scared, the above is ust my perceoption.

Good luck with the runs, a 14 something sounds about right I would guess.

 

[LimitedSlip]

Should be fun! Just being sat on the line, the lights, the experience is great first time you do it. The sheer amount of grip off the mark is different to anything found on the road. Be prepared for a possible "disappointing" time though unless you drop lucky or know what you're doing. Quoted/test times for standard cars are usually about as good as it gets.

10mph rolling starts would give a much better real-world picture of the performance and grunt of big, powerful but heavy Mercs with auto 'boxes, which have so much work to do getting going from a standstill.

its aBout not loading up the torque converter and moderating throttle off the line.

With the grip available at Santa Pod, loading the torque convertor is what it will be about!

 

[BenzedUP]

Yeah your right, the car isnt Built for it, But no read car really is.

Ive done over 130 runs in my car, its good fun.

It will Be his first time. Im sure he will Be ok. I will also try in his with my experiance and see what difference that makes.

Tyres should Be fine, i have not noticed a massive negative camBer on the rears such Bmw's do..
As long as you dont Burnout Before a run the tyres will not really wear at all.

any more takers on 14.3-14.5 @ 96mph?

What car have you got?

Last year I took my W210 E55 AMG and did 13.2secs@107mph

that thing was fast as... was great fun though!

would be interested to see the result of the CLS, is it the CGI? or just a 350 with 272bhp?...

 

[DXB]

I am amazed you have done 130 runs in a road car with a stock clutch. Are you just rolling it off the line or launching it?

I get the buzz of a 1/4 mile drag but to me it's the most abusive (read damaging and costly) event you can do in a road car, hence practically I have to refrain.

Maybe I'm just to scared, the above is ust my perceoption.

Good luck with the runs, a 14 something sounds about right I would guess.

Hi Graham,

thanks for the input.

My 335d has hammered from day one So i think she has Bedded into that lifestyle

Her first drag runs were with only 3000 miles on the clock.

Im far from rolling off the line, im launching her like an animal. She launches well. She is tuned also, 345HP and 530IBS ot torque and im acheiving 13.0 regularly now, just want to Break into the 12's


I have all of my timeslips from every one of those 130+ runs, i am just missing one

I also have done an event at Bruntingthorpe aerodrome where i did countless standing starts there also.

My father will Be far more sympathetic with his CLS for sure, So if i have a run in his for him im hoping to Be quicker.

Id like to get her Below 14.5 and at over 95-96mph.

 

[Sp!ke]

Actually there is a lot of skill in lauching an auto, you oBviously have little experiance in drag racing

Well I guess you're right, I haven't much experience but yet I've managed high 9's @ 148.

The NurBurgring I understand but drag racing a slow auto I fail to appreciate - sorry.

 

[DXB]

Should be fun! Just being sat on the line, the lights, the experience is great first time you do it. The sheer amount of grip off the mark is different to anything found on the road. Be prepared for a possible "disappointing" time though unless you drop lucky or know what you're doing. Quoted/test times for standard cars are usually about as good as it gets.

10mph rolling starts would give a much better real-world picture of the performance and grunt of big, powerful but heavy Mercs with auto 'boxes, which have so much work to do getting going from a standstill.



With the grip available at Santa Pod, loading the torque convertor is what it will be about!

Hi mate,



I love it, im sure my father as its first time will love it also:bannana:

Ive Beaten times for press cars when mine was standard

Ive found when the TQ con is loaded up excessively it does not launch well..

What car have you got?

Last year I took my W210 E55 AMG and did 13.2secs@107mph

that thing was fast as... was great fun though!

would be interested to see the result of the CLS, is it the CGI? or just a 350 with 272bhp?...

My Best in my tuned 335d is [email protected] hoping for 12 soon!

Any car in the 13's is a seriously quick road car..:bannana: I love Beating M3'S AND RS4's in my diesel LOL


The CLS is a 270-280HP one

Well I guess you're right, I haven't much experience but yet I've managed high 9's @ 148.

The NurBurgring I understand but drag racing a slow auto I fail to appreciate - sorry.

Well we dont all have a Quick dedicated drag car/Bike... so we have to make do with our road cars

Please dont mock someones enthusiasm for doing something fun in their car other than a daily commute (which i dont do anyway in my car LOL)

You catch my drift....



EDIT: may i ask, was that on a HayaBusa?

 

[Sp!ke]

may i ask, was that on a HayaBusa?

Yes, it did happen to be on a 'Busa and I recon I'd have shaved a fair bit more off if I wasn't having to contend with the stock (grabby) clutch at the time.

I'm not mocking BTW, I just don't think the risks of doing this in a car like the CLS are worth the potential rewards.

Far better to do it in something that wont break the bank when things go pop. Mark300SL's Turbo'd Civic springs to mind as being ideal for the task in hand.

 

[BenzedUP]

My Best in my tuned 335d is [email protected] hoping for 12 soon!

Any car in the 13's is a seriously quick road car..:bannana: I love Beating M3'S AND RS4's in my diesel LOL


The CLS is a 270-280HP one

Thats good 13.0@105 and I bet your mpg is in the '30's' best of both worlds!

I think your fathers CLS350 would get high 14's!!
Maybe he should give it a re-map and then take it, would easily add about 25bhp more!

0-60 mph6.8 s Power Output272 bhp - Valves24 -Torque350 Nm 258 lb-ft - Top Speed155 mph

Reasonable, its not exactly a slow car, Good luck and let us know how it gets on..

 

[GrahamC230K]

Ah a 335d. A remapped saloon was getting the same speeds as me at the speed traps at VMAX (Bruntigthorpe) last time I went, at 167mph. Impressive car.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Who tuned your 335d by the way?

 

[A210AMG]

Didn't pepernick have a 335d

when on the bmw forum a few 535d owners had them remapped my DMS and they were quick cars.

Not sure about dragging a CLS but its a good days fun and you hopefully cannot do that much harm to an auto?

Have fun and post the times, what do the v10 M3's run?

 

[DXB]

Ah a 335d. A remapped saloon was getting the same speeds as me at the speed traps at VMAX (Bruntigthorpe) last time I went, at 167mph. Impressive car.

Oh thats Jules, 335ds with a tune are quick

Mine has a DMS tune

Didn't pepernick have a 335d

when on the bmw forum a few 535d owners had them remapped my DMS and they were quick cars.

Not sure about dragging a CLS but its a good days fun and you hopefully cannot do that much harm to an auto?

Have fun and post the times, what do the v10 M3's run?

The New M3's are 4.0 V8. I have not had one beat me yet. Usually they run a low 13sec pass.

The V10 M5's with a decent driver can do under 12.5. With a really good driver and plenty of grip i should add.

 

[gaz6148]

i will be taking my cl600 on the strip at this event
Supra Pod + SupraDrome 2009 DETAILS & BOOKINGS Thread - The mkiv Supra Owners Club
its not a supra but i may beat a few