After having my supercharger on my car for 4 months now, I finally had my first actual race on my way to work this morning.

I'm slowly cruising out of my neighborhood going down a hill toward the road (Vista Sorrento in Carmel Valley) that takes me to the freeway. As I'm pulling up to the stop light, I can see a new Benz following me. I don't really give it much thought until the guy pulls up next to me in the turning lane. Turns out to be a new S55.

The light turns green and we both accelerate normally and take the left turn with me in the outside turn lane. As soon as we hit the straight, he punches it and takes off. He gets about 1 1/2 to 2 car lengths on me when I follow suit. I wind second gear out to 6500 and stop him from gaining any more distance on me. As I grab 3rd, I begin to reel him in at a pretty rapid pace. 4th gear comes and pulled me ahead. When we hit about 100, I had 2 cars on him and shut it down becuase I had to take the next street. I looked over at him to give him a thumbs up, but he just kept looking straight ahead.

Anyway, I was pretty surpised at the outcome, considering he has 493 crank hp.

-Dustin

What did you get on the dyno?

360 @ the wheels.

The Benz driver must have been saying "WTF?" in his mind the whole time.
Or he takes it back to the dealer thinking something was wrong with his car.

360 is nice, but those cars dyno 420-440 rwhp. i dunno, maybe u weigh less or something. cant be his supercharged engine being inferior to a turbo b/c ur car is s/c. btw, what yr was it? they did make a version 2001-2002 or so that only had around 350hp N/A.

360 is nice, but those cars dyno 420-440 rwhp. i dunno, maybe u weigh less or something. cant be his supercharged engine being inferior to a turbo b/c ur car is s/c. btw, what yr was it? they did make a version 2001-2002 or so that only had around 350hp N/A.


It appeared to be a brand new S55, Hoehn Mercedes dealer plates on it, and it said Kompressor on the side.

Maybe I am lighter, maybe its the manual transmission vs. slush box. Other mods I have are LTW flywheel (13 lbs. vs 26 lbs. stock) and a Rogue SSK.

It's still a 4000+ lb car, so even with that many horsepower you probably had a good chance. Plus, the S-Class has had that body style for a while now - it could have been an older one. Maybe a used one that a salesman was driving, hence the dealer plates.

S55 0-60mph: 5.7sec

Wow! This is a kill to be very proud of. Any pics of the car?
I might be in the minority here, but I think I would take a S/C'd E39 540 over the M5.
Something to be said for exclusivity

It's still a 4000+ lb car, so even with that many horsepower you probably had a good chance. Plus, the S-Class has had that body style for a while now - it could have been an older one. Maybe a used one that a salesman was driving, hence the dealer plates.

S55 0-60mph: 5.7sec

S500 has that time. Ur saying a S55 AMG has the same time? Where did the extra 150+ hp go?

The 540i is also a VERY heavy car and add the supercharger, more weight!

3750 pounds.

I bet the 540 is very close to the same weight as the Benz.

I wonder if that same guy might be trade his ride in for a BMW someday just because of his outcome with teh mighty 540 :devillook

Hmm, interesting. Which SC did you get isntalled?

If I'm not mistaken this guy http://www.jimmy540i.com/main.htm made around 400 whp and he ran mid 12s and trapped mid to higher 110s. Isn't that what the newer E55s trap? I think they are faster than the S55s. Either way, I'd consider it a close race and it's very suprising that you pulled that much on him. I'd put you on the same level or just a little above an E39 M5.

The 540i is also a VERY heavy car and add the supercharger, more weight!

3750 pounds.

I bet the 540 is very close to the same weight as the Benz.

The S55 i think comes in at around 4500lbs or more. Rember it is alot larger then the e39 540.:)

This is a very interesting race, and a mind blowing kill for me, because i know benzes well, but 1 thing i didnt know was the 01 s55 only pushed 349 horse and 391 torque and the 02 s55 onlt pushed 355 horse. This had to be an 01 or 02, being as the 03 and up was a 493 and there was no 00 s55. I did a comparison at autos.msn.com just to check things out, the s55 only weighs around 400 pounds more than the 540, so the weight wouldnt really make much of a difference if the s55 was a newer one. The fact that you dyno'd at 360, and u have a 6 speed compared to a 5 speed manual, gave the s55 little to no chance at all. (plus benz drivers don't know how to race lol, hence my mom never guns it when there's someone next to her when she's driving the clk, thats why i drive it when im with her lol). Nice race, that musta been fun as hell. +1 bmw.

EDIT: BTW, the S-Class had the same body style from 00-current, so that would be why it looked so new.

http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?&c=0&n=3&i=0&tb=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&dt=1&v=t1797&v=t92943

The 540i is also a VERY heavy car and add the supercharger, more weight!

The Supra is not exactly a lightweight for a GT. $3400+?

The 540i is also a VERY heavy car and add the supercharger, more weight!

The Supra is not exactly a lightweight for a GT. $3400+?

The Supra is not exactly a lightweight for a GT. $3400+?

Who was talking about Supras? I'm confused:confused

I don't believe the 540i is "very" heavy for a four door luxury car. By way of comparison, the two door Supra in your signature isn't that much lighter. Heavy is 4000+.

Who was talking about Supras? I'm confused:confused
Same here, but that doesnt really matter Supras own most cars when modded:stickoutt

Hmm, interesting. Which SC did you get isntalled?

If I'm not mistaken this guy http://www.jimmy540i.com/main.htm made around 400 whp and he ran mid 12s and trapped mid to higher 110s. Isn't that what the newer E55s trap? I think they are faster than the S55s. Either way, I'd consider it a close race and it's very suprising that you pulled that much on him. I'd put you on the same level or just a little above an E39 M5.


I'm using VF's Stage 1 kit. It uses the same blower V2SQ, but uses GIAC software. I'm at 7 psi, where Jimmy was up to 9 psi boost. I would like to run with an e39 M5 just to get an idea where I stand. I think it would be a close race, even though I am putting down a few more hp.

I don't believe the 540i is "very" heavy for a four door luxury car. By way of comparison, the two door Supra in your signature isn't that much lighter. Heavy is 4000+.

My car weighs 3389. So That 540 is 400 pounds heavier. Regardles why are you bringing up my car?

A car has to be 4000 pounds to be heavy? wtf lol.

One more thing, the side of the car said Kompressor, leading me to believe it was supercharged. I guess the Benz owner could have pulled the rice move and just bought the lettering to give the appearance of being s/c'd, but who knows....

The S55 i think comes in at around 4500lbs or more. Rember it is alot larger then the e39 540.:)

4300 pounds and 493 horsepower. Putting down 440 at the wheels he has 80 more wheel horsepower but 500ish more pounds of weight. This is why you did well.

4300 pounds and 493 horsepower. Putting down 440 at the wheels he has 80 more wheel horsepower but 500ish more pounds of weight. This is why you did well.

Hey Brad you take a trip upto the north east and run some of the ICS cars up here. btw great vids on your site

The Supra is not exactly a lightweight for a GT. $3400+?

Not sure what this has to do with this post. He wasn't bashing the 540i, just comparing it to S55. And he is right, it is a heavy car. But when you're behind the wheel, it feels nothing like an almost 2 ton 4 door sedan.

One more thing, the side of the car said Kompressor, leading me to believe it was supercharged. I guess the Benz owner could have pulled the rice move and just bought the lettering to give the appearance of being s/c'd, but who knows....
correct me if im wrong, but arent all amg's supercharged? I know the newer ones are twin turboed, but i believe the older ones were supercharged. But now that i think of it, no amg says kompressor on the side, cuz it sez amg on the back, that coulda been an s500 with the 55 amg smacked on the back

One question. WHy was the 540 driver into 4th at 100? I shift into 4th at 97 +/- but hell the 540 is alot bigger engine, I thoguht they had higher shift points.

correct me if im wrong, but arent all amg's supercharged? I know the newer ones are twin turboed, but i believe the older ones were supercharged. But now that i think of it, no amg says kompressor on the side, cuz it sez amg on the back, that coulda been an s500 with the 55 amg smacked on the back


On the E class, AMG was not supercharged from 99-01. From 02 on they were s/c'd and they do say kompressor on the left and right front quarter panels. AMG logo is on the back.

I'd also have a hard time seeing a 302 crank hp, 4500 lb car move like a s/c'd 540, so I doubt it was an E500

One question. WHy was the 540 driver into 4th at 100? I shift into 4th at 97 +/- but hell the 540 is alot bigger engine, I thoguht they had higher shift points.

I had basically just grabbed 4th because I was near the top of 3rd.

I had basically just grabbed 4th because I was near the top of 3rd.
oh okay. I thought you had been in 4th for sometime, how i read the story. :)

Sorry guys if my initial post was misinterpreted. I read his post as criticizing the 540 for its weight and I think the Supra is rather a pig itself for a two door. Sure lots of power but I think I have seen about two at the track (twisty real ones) in five years. Forget I ever posted. BTW, I know all about driving 3800lb cars.

Very nice kill. He may have very well let off. I know that the trip from 100 to 140 doesn't take very long in a SC'd 55 (I drive an 05 E55) and most don't have the nads to take the ride. Since weight has much less impact on a highway run, I don't see you pulling much, if at all, if he's on it.

Whatever the case, I'm sure it happened as written. Nice job!

On the E class, AMG was not supercharged from 99-01. From 02 on they were s/c'd and they do say kompressor on the left and right front quarter panels. AMG logo is on the back.

I'd also have a hard time seeing a 302 crank hp, 4500 lb car move like a s/c'd 540, so I doubt it was an E500
they do say kompressor? why have i never ever ever seen this lmao? o well.

they do say kompressor? why have i never ever ever seen this lmao? o well.
i saw a new amg recently. wasn't an s55, it was probably like an e55. I was parked next to it in traffic. I dind't get to see the number, because at the time i would've saw it, we turned in opposite directions. But it had kompressor on the side, and AMG badge on the back.

Isn't that what the newer E55s trap?

E55's trap 116mph in stock trim ...



Dustin,

Have you ever taken her to the track? Any idea of what she can trap?

I'm trapping 110mph in my car and I'm bone stock.

they do say kompressor? why have i never ever ever seen this lmao? o well.

sure do, take a look:

http://homepage.mac.com/drcrowder/PhotoAlbum2.html

shweet, dunno where i've been for the past 5 years lol.

sure do, take a look:

http://homepage.mac.com/drcrowder/PhotoAlbum2.html
yep, same car(not exact, but you know what i mean) I saw earlier, taht I was talking about, with the kompressor. It looks nice as hell in person. :thumbup:

E55's trap 116mph in stock trim ...



Dustin,

Have you ever taken her to the track? Any idea of what she can trap?

I'm trapping 110mph in my car and I'm bone stock.


I've never been to the track. Carlsbad was the closest 1/4 mile strip around, but they shut it down earlier this year. Also, my right foot is still in a cast, so my reaction times and overall pedal feel are at its worst. I'll look into getting some timed runs in once my ankle is rehab'ed.

I've never been to the track. Carlsbad was the closest 1/4 mile strip around, but they shut it down earlier this year. Also, my right foot is still in a cast, so my reaction times and overall pedal feel are at its worst. I'll look into getting some timed runs in once my ankle is rehab'ed.

Heal up! :) Let us know how you do out there, I'm really curious ... (PM me with your results)

Sorry guys if my initial post was misinterpreted. I read his post as criticizing the 540 for its weight and I think the Supra is rather a pig itself for a two door. Sure lots of power but I think I have seen about two at the track (twisty real ones) in five years. Forget I ever posted. BTW, I know all about driving 3800lb cars.

There are MANY two door cars that weigh more than a Supra. In fact the MKIV Supra was created with the intention of saving weight and has an amazing amount of savings already built into it, such as hollow carpet fibers.

3400 is right around what everything is weighing, including the E46 M3 which weighs 3415, more than my car and I see those at the track ALL the time.

I wasn't critisizing the 540i whatsoever.

alrighty guys, i have some videos of an s55 accelerating along with a putfile compilation made by a guy over at mbworld. if someone can host the two acceleration files that would be sweet. otherwise, i'm putting the link up to the compilation here:

http://media.putfile.com/AMGS55bigclipNOsmusic

the other vids are two 0-100 accleration runs. DB540, maybe you can try the same and make a video of ur speedo doing some 0-60 or 0-100 runs.

The 540i is also a VERY heavy car and add the supercharger, more weight!

3750 pounds.

I bet the 540 is very close to the same weight as the Benz.


I don't mean to be rude.

But I will come across as so, and so be it.

Your comment is very stupid. "The supercharger more weight!?" WTF. Do you know how much a super charger weighs? Do you then have any idea how much HP it adds? The guy says he dynoed 360WHP, NOTE, WHEEL HORSE POWER.

So let's see, his supercharger is prolly like 700lbs? :P

I don't mean to be rude.

But I will come across as so, and so be it.

Your comment is very stupid. "The supercharger more weight!?" WTF. Do you know how much a super charger weighs? Do you then have any idea how much HP it adds? The guy says he dynoed 360WHP, NOTE, WHEEL HORSE POWER.

So let's see, his supercharger is prolly like 700lbs? :P

Supercharger and all the plumbing (and whatever hardware associated with it) is still weight, and it has to be at least 50 pounds. Yeah it's 700 pounds. Way to put words in my mouth.

..and why are you jumping all over me? You act like I was saying it was a bad thing that he had a supercharger. Man people are defensive for no reason.

I understand the term wheel horsepower, no need to clear it up for me.:nono

Everyone is so big on weight, yeah i kno weight is an important factor, but is it really as important as whp, torque, and gearing? I dont think so honestly. Cuz i know a lot of people heavier than me that can run faster than me. It's all about whether or not the car can get moving fast or slowly, but that doesnt completely rely on weight, and i think it relies less on weight than many people believe. I'm probably wrong though lol.

Everyone is so big on weight, yeah i kno weight is an important factor, but is it really as important as whp, torque, and gearing? I dont think so honestly. Cuz i know a lot of people heavier than me that can run faster than me. It's all about whether or not the car can get moving fast or slowly, but that doesnt completely rely on weight, and i think it relies less on weight than many people believe. I'm probably wrong though lol.

You are pretty much wrong, no offense, it's all about power to weight. I ran a 400rwhp RX7 (about 2700 pounds) and you'd be surprised how well he did.

well we learn something new everday huh?

Not too mention how weight affects handling and braking.

that's very true, especiialy if most of the weight is in the back, then you can have a problem. Slightly off topic but i heard a story about some guy who had a lambo, and didnt slow down properly on a turn, and his whole rear end just took control and sent the dude spinning into the woods, totalling the car.

You are pretty much wrong, no offense, it's all about power to weight. I ran a 400rwhp RX7 (about 2700 pounds) and you'd be surprised how well he did.
yeah, it isn't so much weight or power alone. but how the two are together. Weight is less of a factor from a rolling race. But still a factor. But the real races (at least at a strip) are form a dig, where weight is a HUGE factor.

Honestly, people don't look at enough numbers. Ricers (and well people who don't know alot about cars), seem to ONLY look at horsepower. The decently car savvy peole look at HP and torque. But they still lack the sense to look at gearing and weight also.

A friend of mine, had a beautiful 73' Nova. Had a 350 small block in it. Not sure the power. but he raced an early 90's Mustang Cobra (foxbody right?). The Cobra won, and his statement was "How did I lose? I have more Horsepower tha him!". He knew how to work on his car, it was a beauty. But he jsut coudln't look at all the variables to the equation.

yeah, it isn't so much weight or power alone. but how the two are together. Weight is less of a factor from a rolling race. But still a factor. But the real races (at least at a strip) are form a dig, where weight is a HUGE factor.

Honestly, people don't look at enough numbers. Ricers (and well people who don't know alot about cars), seem to ONLY look at horsepower. The decently car savvy peole look at HP and torque. But they still lack the sense to look at gearing and weight also.

A friend of mine, had a beautiful 73' Nova. Had a 350 small block in it. Not sure the power. but he raced an early 90's Mustang Cobra (foxbody right?). The Cobra won, and his statement was "How did I lose? I have more Horsepower tha him!". He knew how to work on his car, it was a beauty. But he jsut coudln't look at all the variables to the equation.

Good post!:cool

Good post!:cool


I 2nd that, most people I know scream out hp numbers. This is so far from my train of thought :nono : Coming from a Prior Mk3, Mk4 supras and an assortment of other sport and luxury vehicles there are many things that make a quick car. Gearing, powerband, POWER to WEIGHT, Torque...etc. A high peaky Hp car is no fun for daily use and not necessarily quick in all scenarios. My Sti is modded and tuned to make 1) more torque than hp 2) fast response for street duty. I have pulled on quite a few faster cars leaving owners :confused. Not because I have 900 hp, but I make my hp relatively fast and my powerband is fat under the curve. Yes my power to weight is pretty good approx 9.2-9.6, wish I could be more exacting but have yet to redyno. Point is you throw in driver skill or lack there of with about a million other extentuating factors and anything is possible.:buttrock

So which is faster 540 SC/ed, or M5?

So which is faster 540 SC/ed, or M5?

Probably depends on the boost and what type of race it is. 540i trap a lot higher, but "only" run mid 12s (I'm talking about jimmys540i) If I had to bet, I'd put my money on the 540i in the 1/4, and even more so on the highway.

I know a guy who raced an M5 in his seriously modded GTP, and he beat it by a few cars without a problem. He said he raced a SCd 540i on the highway and they stayed even. The guy runs high 11s.

3400 is right around what everything is weighing, including the E46 M3 which weighs 3415, more than my car and I see those at the track ALL the time.

I wasn't critisizing the 540i whatsoever.

Not trying to flame any one however just a question.
From what I have been told BMW weighs all of their vehicles with all fluids full tank of fuel and then they ad 175 pounds for the average driver.
How does Toyota weigh their vehicles?

Again I'm just asking.

So which is faster 540 SC/ed, or M5?

I don't know, but I'd like to find out! :D

I would think the 540 SC with mods would be faster

I dunno i've heard form owners of the e39 m5 that it pushed out around 500 horse, that's all i know about the car though, because i haven't really done any research on it at all.

I dunno i've heard form owners of the e39 m5 that it pushed out around 500 horse, that's all i know about the car though, because i haven't really done any research on it at all.
e39 m5 is a 400Bhp engine. The e60 m5 has 500bhp engine.

durr im a tool i got the other confused, i saw some dude at the car wash with an e39 m5, he sed it had 400 horse power, i dunno why i said 500. So what does that car dyno at?

The Benz driver must have been saying "WTF?" in his mind the whole time.
Or he takes it back to the dealer thinking something was wrong with his car.
S55's weigh ALOT more than 540s

and I'd say that and sc'd 540 is faster, unless it's very conservatively boosted.
But with 360 at the wheels, you're about 20-50 whp up on an m5.

But with 360 at the wheels, you're about 20-50 whp up on an m5.

Yup. I dyno'd at 333rwhp/331rwtq in my car ... bone stock, 41K miles.

Not trying to flame any one however just a question.
From what I have been told BMW weighs all of their vehicles with all fluids full tank of fuel and then they ad 175 pounds for the average driver.
How does Toyota weigh their vehicles?
Again I'm just asking.

There's no way when BMW weighs their cars and include an average driver weight and a full tank of gas.


That would mean an E36 M3 weighs less than 3000, and that is definitely not the case.

Mine weighed 3389 with a little gas in it and a full stereo system.

There's no way when BMW weighs their cars and include an average driver weight and a full tank of gas.


+1