Off to Mercedes . . .

Mercedes-AMG GmbH
Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach (AMG)
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Nickyboy
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Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by Nickyboy » Fri Jul 12, 2013 3:54 pm

I've been negotiating for a couple of weeks now for a new C63 and I was pretty much ready to do a deal.

Ironically on the way to Mercedes a C63 was up my arse. We had a good play off some roundabouts and some straight line drags up to the speed limit on some dual carriageways. First thing to note is the sound off that thing was immense.

During the battle I was stuck to his bumper all the way to 70 time and time again, where I backed off due to speed limits. Out of the twisties the Audi felt more composed that the Merc looked.

After the joust we both pulled into Mercedes. Pulled up next to him and I asked him if he was at full chat he said yes and was very surprised how close I was to him. Both of us were pretty shocked.

We ended up chatting for a good while (he was there to test the new SL63) and my salesman approached me. Ended up chatting for a while to him also at which point I told him I'm not paying an extra 15k for something that merely sounds better and only pulls away at higher speeds. I was gutted as I really wanted a C63 but also pleased at the S5 V6T staying power at low to mid range.

The guy took me out for a good blast in his C63 afterwards and yes the sound was immense but it didn't feel quicker low down. Once he really got going at high speeds then yes the C63 would demolish the S5, but I don't drive at speeds that illegal so what's the point.

All in all gutted but my wallet and mrs aren't.
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

Noyjatat
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Location: Ipswich, Suffolk

Re: Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by Noyjatat » Fri Jul 12, 2013 4:37 pm

Sounds sensible buddy, plus sleepers always bring a big smile when you give someone a slap :D

adsgreen
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Re: Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by adsgreen » Fri Jul 12, 2013 4:47 pm

To me its a combination of things...

It surprising just how much power difference you need to be noticeably faster from behind the wheel (of either car). At non license losing speeds there's not much in it at all even if you have a lot of power difference. 3 or 4 car lengths over a short time needs plenty of oomph.
The real kicker is that all the time gained by the faster car is usually easily to catch up on the brakes just by having a different driver.

Then it always comes down to what you can do with the power - it's why Porsche generally do quite well in comparison tests even if on paper it's down on power. Same goes for the GTR. No getting away from the fact it makes use of every lost horse it can get.

A properly sorted and balanced 4wd should generally be more exploitable than a rwd car. Although perhaps counter intuitive I do find that the 4wd keeps the car more stable under braking and easier to trail brake much deeper than you would with just rwd. If you don't believe me try braking hard when turning (perhaps in a flat open area) with the clutch engaged and clutch disengaged. Ok, there's other factors at play too but all that happens when the car hits the edge is that it slides slightly wider... with rwd its more likely you'll end up with a wayward tail. More fun, yes, but definitely slower. Then you have the obvious power down earlier part...

If you want fun at sensible legal speeds then I'd say get the lightest two seater you can and enjoy the feedback.

PJC
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Re: Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by PJC » Fri Jul 12, 2013 6:46 pm

My Exige S should do the trick, mental.

535dboy
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Re: Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by 535dboy » Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:07 pm

PaulRS4 wrote:My Exige S should do the trick, mental.
Nah yours needs more power :thumbs:
Currently :
2019 Porsche 992S (£21k of extra toys)
2019 Porsche Macan S (£18k of extra toys)
2015 Lotus Exige V6 ( c430bhp)
2019 Seat Ibiza excellence Lux! (115bhp, 3 cyl, dsg)
1987 Porsche 928S4
1967 Jaaag Mk2 3.4

Ex
2017 AMG E class wagon
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)

535dboy
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Posts: 2312
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:35 pm

Re: Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by 535dboy » Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:10 pm

The forced induction and twin clutch box make quite a difference at the lower speeds

Friend has a new C63 and the traction is a real issue even in the dry imagine what it is like in the wet
Currently :
2019 Porsche 992S (£21k of extra toys)
2019 Porsche Macan S (£18k of extra toys)
2015 Lotus Exige V6 ( c430bhp)
2019 Seat Ibiza excellence Lux! (115bhp, 3 cyl, dsg)
1987 Porsche 928S4
1967 Jaaag Mk2 3.4

Ex
2017 AMG E class wagon
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)

adsgreen
Cruising
Posts: 5571
Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:54 am

Re: Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by adsgreen » Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:18 pm

535dboy wrote:
PaulRS4 wrote:My Exige S should do the trick, mental.
Nah yours needs more power :thumbs:
There's a great quote along the lines of "until I can leave a tail of smoking black tyre marks from the exit of one corner to the next I don't have enough power" ;)

Anyway - I said "lightweight" ;)

535dboy
Top Gear
Posts: 2312
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:35 pm

Re: Off to Mercedes . . .

Post by 535dboy » Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:25 pm

adsgreen wrote: Anyway - I said "lightweight" ;)
Ha ha very good !

I'll get out then, that will help!
Currently :
2019 Porsche 992S (£21k of extra toys)
2019 Porsche Macan S (£18k of extra toys)
2015 Lotus Exige V6 ( c430bhp)
2019 Seat Ibiza excellence Lux! (115bhp, 3 cyl, dsg)
1987 Porsche 928S4
1967 Jaaag Mk2 3.4

Ex
2017 AMG E class wagon
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)

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