Got a chance to give my C140 (S500 Cpe w/ 94K) a serious run! Up to now, it's just tooled around town on the local expressways at speeds of 70mph or so. Most times with the traffic, you are lucky if you can do 60 mph!

But last week, we went to Napa Valley to attend my son's graduation and appointment as a CA Game Warden. Very proud parents! We enjoyed Napa and the surrounding valley very much. Took in a lot of restaurants and we had a great time. The weather was very cooperative, staying in the mid 80's with cool mornings of 60F! Just like San Diego.

So the C140 was tested by: 525i, 518i, M3, 500SL, a Subaru(?), and a few others that I can't quite remember. Remember passing a grey 500E that was driving very slowly. Good thing for me! Only the 500SL passed me! Can't win them all.

But it handles like a dream at 120 mph! I've really don't drive this fast as a rule but it just sat there beautifully at 120mph as it does at 60mph! Also wanted to 'clean' out the car's intake/injectors abit. Too bad I didn't have some X-66! Used Techron for three (3) tankfuls. I honestly don't notice any difference in it at idle (still very smooth) but some definite improvement in acceleration from standstill.

The acceleration from 80 to 110+ is really something. Of course, that's where the revs and torque peak. But it is impressive when you're behind the wheel.

For a large stretch of US5, there's nothing but straight road and lots of heat. Temp was around 100F. Also since some of it was repaved (heading North), it as smooth as glass. Not so on US5 South. Many sections still patched w/ asphalt and some sections are really bumpy. So held the speed down and went faster where conditions would permit.

Gas mileage was impressive. Averaged 20.6 mpg for the trip. Very good when you consider the higher speed and continuos A/C use.

Water Wetter with 60/40 water/AF ratio plus my aux fan mod: At 101F, the temp gauge read a little over 100C. At lower temps (90F), it stayed around 95C.

All I can say, I liked my C140 before but now I'm really impressed with it's performance, ride and handling. The run up and back were non-stop for eight (8) hours so it got a good test!

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

120 mph? Aren't there any police in CA? Here in N.J. you really can't get away with that kind of speed. Granted my diesel would never be able to that anyways, but there are just too many state police on our highways to do so if I could. Also, there are just too many cars here in NJ. My VW Passat has the 20V 1.8 Turbo engine and like your car, the throttle response is great at speeds over 70.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Rick,

just like NJ, there's not many places here either. But after you cross over (what's called) the Grapevine, you drop into a literal desert that's as flat a pan!

For miles and miles (about 300), there's nothing but two lanes going (it's a four line divided highway) as far as the eye can see. During the weekdays, it's deserted and a great place to do an "Italian" tune-up!

It's as safe as safe can be at those speeds. Going North on US-5, the road has been mostly freshly paved in asphalt so it's as smooth as glass. So you've got the picture.

The 300 miles is patrolled by aircraft, so it's a great place to have a little speed among friends.

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

Nice experience to share with the C140 ... passing the 500e made me think if you had somehow passed me this weekend in N Cal...

but alas......it is not so, since my E500 most definitely occupied the garage this weekend with the E320 Coupe doing weekend duty over to Mountain View for a Saturday dinner party....maybe you passed revbound, Cy, or EricH- other Mercedesshop members with Black Pearl 500e's here in N Cal?

Great to hear you enjoyed your machine, congrats to you and your son, and also good to hear you are back safely without hassles.

Are C140's electronically topped out at 155mph? Is yours chipped?

-fad

I've have a PAD chip for it but it was not in during this run.

The standard chip has a speed limiter but not sure what it is. If it is 155mph, I don't have the guts to find out! I'll take your word for it!

I too wonder who owned that 500E ? Since I've only seen a few of them, it must be someone associated with this forum, wouldn't you think? Maybe we'll find out.

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

With regard to speed limiters, Mercedes are governed to 155 mph. There is a "gentlemens agreement" among Germany's car manufactures that no car will go faster than 155, regardless of engine size or horsepower. This applies to "passenger cars", not sports cars ie; Porsche. I don't know if AMG Mercedes fall under this self imposed rule. So whether you have a 4,6,8, or 12 cylinder engine, your not going faster than 155, which works out to be about 250 Kph.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

The aformentioned Gentlemens Agreement in Germany limits high performance cars to 250 k.p.h., although I understand in the U.S. the chips tend to have even lower top speeds (usually regarding tire and legal issues).

I read somewhere that the S and CL classes are limited to 130 m.p.h. in the U.S. because of the type of tire they come equipped with.

I could be mistaken, so please correct me if I am wrong.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

I to have heard that most North American cars are electronically limited to 130mph. MOst dealer brouchures and road and track write ups mention this. Sounds like you had a nice cruise, I've never been up that high either, but three hours at 85 through the mountains of West Virginia is a fun drive, nothing fast, but all the twists, turns and hills sure are a blast. I still mamaged to average 16.5 mpg too.

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

For the past 10 (estimate...) years or so, Mercedes (US Spec) cars were limited to 130 mph. Though the AMG models are limited to 155!

JimF,
Isn't it amazing? I went to Arizona back in May, and really let it run. I probably cruised at about 90-95 for the majority of the time. I had spurts up to 120 or 125. Even when cruising at this speed, and flooring it (into 3rd gear), it still got 24 mpg. It's rated to get 26 mpg on the hwy (sorry to say, my driving style has NEVER let me achieve that ).
Anyway, if you did hit 130, I believe you would hit the rev-limiter. I did this once, and only to hit the rev limiter (really dumb... if I crashed... "only to hit the rev limiter"), and I hit it at about 132 mph. My car can get to 120-125 pretty easy, but from there to 130 was a real pain... have to be REAL careful of any other cars, and slow down for anything! My hands were sweating too.
Sorry to ramble! Glad you really got to enjoy your wonderful car, and safely!!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

....not all MBs in the past 10 years were part of the 130mph top speed limiting

..i.e. the 500E/ E500 was limited to 155mph

-fad

So Jim..

After that run, did you see any evidence of oil/water?

If not , I wouldn't worry much about it.

fad, yes I guess I didn't think about that; you're right.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

oil in the coolant after that run!!! Didn't check it for about a week after we got back. That's when I discovered it!

But it appears to be greatly dimished, so that's good news.

How's it going with you?

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

Jim- how long have you had your CT mod on your W140? or have you taken it off as you have your PAD chip?

tks-fad

No, the mod is still there and it's been there since Feb of this year. The picture on my web site is my car. The resistor lies outside of the connector housing as shown.

The tuning chip is out but I really like the CT mod. It's a keeper. And it cost but $0.03! Best I've ever spent.

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page