Carrera vs MB C320AMG

Patronus · 07-11-2003, 01:16 AM

Last night I found myself sitting behind a C-class Benz that's doing 30mph in the left lane of a beautiful stretch of road. Naturally I go to the right lane (fast lane in South Africa) and overtake it. No hurry, take it easy on the Benz. However, as I go past it, I can see that it puts foot down. So in stead of shifting I keep revving, waiting for redline to come up. I'm still in 2nd, so I'm not too worried.

At redline in 2nd, when I shift to 3rd, I see the car is as fast as mine, it's to my left, one car length behind. That's where it was when it started accellerating, so I haven't gained an inch. I'm wondering about this Benz now.

In 3rd it starts gaining on me, slowly at first but picking up speed.

@6200rpm I shift to 4th, just in time to see the Benz shoot past me as if I was standing still. And I mean SHOOT past me.

I had a fraction of a second to read 'AMG' at the back. So it was a C320AMG.

Ok, I know they put out about 350hp so they must be fast. But it just doesn't feel right. My Carrera feels old now, and slow. I still love it, I think. I hope.

Any similar experiences? Any comparisons ever been made between these cars and ours? In retrospect I think it's only faster above 60mph. Or not?

P.S. My Carrera is totally stock, 231hp. In perfect condition, so it really makes all of its 231hp.

nestorjw · nestorjw's Garage

Take him through a corner, then it will be a different story. Many of the new cars can pull in a straight line, but which would you rather be driving. The one BMW slogan which did make sense is that fun is not around the corner, fun is the corner!

Victor · 07-11-2003, 03:17 AM

Um.....don't take him through a corner. That's an exceptionally capable car. And unlike our dearly beloved cars of yesteryear, you do not need to know how to drive to make one fly through the twisty stuff.

Deeks · 07-11-2003, 03:42 AM

AMG = CRUISE MISSILE

AMG tuned Mercs are enough to start worrying the likes of 996 Turbos and Ferraris (though maybe not through the twisties).
I've been for a ride in a 525bhp unbadged AMG before and it was an eye opener !!

nestorjw · nestorjw's Garage

**** that, take him in a corner if u can drive

nestorjw · nestorjw's Garage

ive driven Brabus SL500 and while it is impressive for a non-educated driver a good porsche driver should take it.

arrivederci · 07-11-2003, 04:37 AM

The fact is...in a straight line...lots of new cars will challenge a Carrera, SC, 993, etc. They're no longer *that* fast. The Subaru WRX STi will destroy you, but there's a new Forrester Wagon XT that hits 60 mph in 5.3 sec -- available for the low low price of $25K.

JackT · 07-11-2003, 04:43 AM

The only advantage a Carrera or a SC will have over C320AMG is coming out of a corner. So if there are a lot of corners, you have a chance, if not, you dont have a chance.

930fan · 07-11-2003, 04:55 AM

Don't mess with the new generation flagship mercs in a straight line unless you have a Carrera GT or a GT1. The fat cat S600 limo has a twin turbo V 12 and will pull away from a Ferrari Maranello.

I got a ride in an AMG SL55 last month. We peeled away from a toll booth and I thought wow this is quick but my 930 can take it. When we reached 200km/h I realised that it wasn't slowing down at all... absolutely mad power!

SPIKES · 07-11-2003, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpinkert
The fact is...in a straight line...lots of new cars will challenge a Carrera, SC, 993, etc. They're no longer *that* fast. The Subaru WRX STi will destroy you, but there's a new Forrester Wagon XT that hits 60 mph in 5.3 sec -- available for the low low price of $25K.

Unfortunately it is a age thing buddy

You have to compare your car with what was available in the eighties. check out your local "car" magazine and compare the stats to what was available at that time. there would be nothing too touch it.
i love mercs. but you still can't compare our cars with them.
p.s: if you belong to the local PORSCHE CLUB say hi from me.

Langers · 07-11-2003, 05:06 AM

You think that a C32's quick? Have a look at the new Brabus EV12. Twin turbo Maybach engine in new E-Class body. 1000nm of torque

dram · dram's Garage

The C32 is a fast car. I got to take a ride in one at a demo event on a track with a professional driver. Even with all of the gadgets, ie. traction control, stability control, etc. turned off, that car will handle the curves. Acceleration is strong all the way though the range and shifting is quick. Oh yeah,,,,it's an automatic

.

jabb · 07-11-2003, 05:50 AM

I saw and herd a new SL55 AMG Kompressor the other day
what a nasty sounding car. Looked good also I am sure this
car will kick some ass....

Patronus · 07-11-2003, 07:45 AM

"When we reached 200km/h I realised that it wasn't slowing down at all... absolutely mad power!"

That describes the feeling I had when he passed me.

Face it fellows, the age of lightweight, small capacity sports cars is gone. We live in the era of big, luxurious, quiet monsters. No wonder the 996TT fits so snugly in that bracket.

masraum · 07-11-2003, 07:53 AM

Another factor is that the aerodynamics of our bellows bumpered cars suck. We are around .4x Cd. New cars are often well into the .3x Cd due to computers, flat underbodies, and windtunnels. That is why so many continue to accelerate at triple digit speeds. Any AMG is a force to be reconed with. I think the only thing that I would toy with would be an AMG SUV, and even then since they have automatics and only need to mash the throttle to the floor there is still a chance.

RickM · RickM's Garage

An older Non-AMG SL500 will keep up with you in a straight line all day long. Not as capable as the Carrera in the turns but decent.

Where the hell are the inexpensive 3.2 turbo kits!?! We've got to develop one as a group.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by jpinkert
The fact is...in a straight line...lots of new cars will challenge a Carrera, SC, 993, etc. They're no longer *that* fast. The Subaru WRX STi will destroy you, but there's a new Forrester Wagon XT that hits 60 mph in 5.3 sec -- available for the low low price of $25K.

Finally someone speaks the truth. Love my Carrera but against today's offerings it's not that fast. Hell unless I try (5000 rpm+) Ford Expeditions and Toyota Minivans will go by me all day - sipp'n their lattes listening to Nora Jones, hair blowing from their AC. Sure I like a canyon road now and then, plus a generous helping of 2-3 redline shifts, but the majority of my Porsche kicks come from driving a piece of automotive history. I don't even try the stop light heroics cause frankly what's the point of beating up my clutch only to pull an Expedition by 2-3 car lengths?

RickC · 07-11-2003, 08:21 AM

"Face it fellows, the age of lightweight, small capacity sports cars is gone. We live in the era of big, luxurious, quiet monsters."

Yes - a new Mini Cooper weighs more than an SC!
And a new VW GTI weighs more than the heaviest 84-89 Carrera!

Unless Lotus comes back, pretty soon we'll be the lightest, lowest HP machines on the street!