The "Snarl" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chris W. · #1 07-08-2003, 01:36 PM

Just got back from a 4th of July road trip, about 1200 miles in the 500E. I finally had a chance to experience a bit of high speed cruising for which these cars are born and bred. Going up 91N thru CT, Mass, and VT, I hooked into a 4 car train that was really moving.

We were doing 80 - 85 for an hour or so with short bursts up to 95+. I don't know about where y'all are, but where I normally drive, MD, that doesn't happen! Too much traffic, and too many gendarmes.

Anyway, the "snarl" is that sound you hear at about 3200 RPM when the M119 is on-cam and responds to the slightest touch. And it becomes a great sounding growl when you bump up to above 3500. The miles melt away as you stay focused on everything and everyone on the road... and you have that edge caused by being on the lookout for Crown Vics and flashing lights, etc.

Happy to say the car never missed a beat, including the other extreme - a bumper to bumper crawl for 45 minutes on 95 north of NYC where the thermometer showed 100F - my car never went north of 85C. Just cleaned the bugs and grime off last night and put it to bed, ready for the next trip!

Rgds,
Chris W.
Just nudged over 48K

Holson Adi · #2 07-08-2003, 01:58 PM

Yeah I think that is such a great sound from the M119 motor. It's definitely the sweetest sounding motor I've ever had! It's also the most powerful hehe.. :p - I usually shut off the radio when I wanna listen to the engine.. :p

Whenever I mash the throttle pedal a little, anyone who's been in the car made the same "sounds sweet" remark.

I don't know what I would do if I had a Ferrari....maybe take the radio out..

ke6dcj · #3 07-08-2003, 06:57 PM

The 32V valve-train makes a wonderful "snarl", however, I REALLY like the "snarl" from our 24V DOHC M104 C36 engine. It's even more pronounced.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

run.exe · #4 07-08-2003, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ke6dcj
It's even more pronounced.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

I believe the correct pronounciation is: fur,-AR'-ri

TIFOSI · #5 07-09-2003, 01:09 AM

Here is a sound clip of a Ferrari 308 going through all the gears on the dyno. Benz's are GREAT cars, my C36 could run circles around my 308 in most cases, but no Benz, ever, could sound as good as a Ferrari at full song!!! Turn up your speakers and enjoy...

Ferrari 308 redlined!!!

Alexis · #6 07-09-2003, 07:55 AM

Hi,
Yes the sound of the M119 is a great sound, but I don't think it is better than the sound of a Ferrari, and especially of a ferrari V12. The best V12 I ever heard is the one of a 365 GT, the ancester of the 412 but with the carburators. It is very metallic and quite frankly revving it makes you shiver.
If you have the opportunity to hear it, stop and take time, it's worth it.
Alexis

Jim's500E · #7 07-09-2003, 08:24 AM

Right on Chris.... that 'Snarl' turns into a lovely 'Prrrr' at 130+ !!

I totally agree that the Ferraris do have a most wonderful sound (love that sound byte, btw). But also on that same line, the new GT-2 Porsche sings just as nice, especially being behind one trying to keep up to it. Boy, those cars screw it fast.

bdrought · #8 07-09-2003, 12:49 PM

Yeah, friend of mine had a GT2 996 and the noise it made under full throttle was great.

He had a 355 before that with a straight through exhaust.... the sound made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up...! Recorded some sound clips of it and stuck them on my webpage.

http://www.briandrought.com/355sounds/

There in both MP3 and WAV format. Enjoy !

Holson Adi · #9 07-09-2003, 03:34 PM

Why does the 355 sound so good!! Whenever I see one on the road I just switch off the stereo and roll the windows down!

It even sounds great at idle...

I don't think the 360 sounds as sweet as a 355. In my humble opinion, the 355 is the Ferrari that I'd like to own. It's got the best noise .. excuse me.. music, most proper looks, and it'll hopefully be somewhat affordable when I am older.

http://www.ferrari-f355.tk/

his site is down but he's got a lot of 355 videos. Some are quite heart-breaking though..

bdrought · #10 07-09-2003, 03:36 PM

Well, this one sounded great before, and then my friend took the "quiet" Ferrari exhaust off and put a Damax race exhaust on it. Awesome sounding thing !

Blue Devil · #11 07-10-2003, 07:52 PM

I love the "snarl" of my 500E but I've had extended seat time (passenger) in my uncle's 355...no contest, the 355 exhaust is so sweeeet. It probably helps when the engine is right behind your head so the sound of the engine and exhaust is closer.