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  #1  
Old 04-28-2008, 09:39 PM
TylerH860's Avatar
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wichita, Ks
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Autocrossing the SL this weekend

and I'm nervous.

New brakes, and newly flushed radiator. I keep up with everything else like I should, but I'm thinking of flaking out. This car is my baby, and if I screw something up I'll torture myself for a long time.

Checklist anyone? Tips to drive the car conservatively while still being competitive?

I've been to a few driving schools, enjoyed Bondurant http://www.bondurant.com/ the most, but I've never driven one of my own vehicles competitively.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
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1980 240D Stick China 188k
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  #2  
Old 04-28-2008, 09:48 PM
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Just make sure the throttle works, the brakes work, and the tires are good. Autocross is not that hard on the car.
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  #3  
Old 04-28-2008, 10:33 PM
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Chalk the tire sidewalls, and check to see how far over they're rolling after your first lap (that will rub the chalk off) and inflate to compensate if your chomping the rims...

Also, I assume your on stock seats, so pull the belt out all the way and lock yourself in (keeps ur ass in the seat)

Remove the spare, run on like 1/4 of a tank (bring a few full cans)

Um yeah, have fun, dont crash?

good luck, POST PICS!!!
~Nate
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  #4  
Old 04-28-2008, 10:49 PM
iwrock's Avatar
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Chalk the tires, remove any extra weight, and bring an air compressor to jack up the tire pressures if the chalk rubs off.....




Does you SL have an LSD?



It shreds tires... I shredded a set of nice Potenzas in about 10 runs.


Other than that, they usually have tons of open space, so if you wipe out, its all smokey fun!
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  #5  
Old 04-28-2008, 11:02 PM
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Yeah If youre running on street tires, somewhere in the 40-50psi range is good to start with, keep the rears 2-4 psi lower then the fronts.
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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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  #6  
Old 04-28-2008, 11:06 PM
TylerH860's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iwrock View Post
Does you SL have an LSD?

I don't think so. Anybody want to correct me?
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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
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1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!
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  #7  
Old 04-28-2008, 11:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
I don't think so. Anybody want to correct me?
If its a Euro car, it may have an LSD in it....... HAve you lit em up at a stop light?



Euro cars got better options than US spec cars!


You gotta post pics though man!
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91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.
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  #8  
Old 04-28-2008, 11:11 PM
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When I autocrossed my 84 500sec, I used s in the b location on the shifter. That way you will be able to use engine braking just by letting off the gas.

Try to brake only in a straight line, then turn. I would not start with more than 40# in the tires, but have a guage and plan to let air out after each run as it will build up. These benzes are tough, don't worry about hurting it. I ran the whole season in my sec and the only thing that bothered was the ps pump which I changed out with a used one I had in stock. I probably could have just changed the filter but I didn't realize there was a filter in it.

Its a heavy car for autocross but surprisingly nimble. You probably won't win any trophys but you can have a lot of fun at it.

Its pretty hard on tires so if you want to do it much you will want to invest in an extra set of wheels and some slicks. In my first event I ruined two brand new michelin tires by flat spotting them (no abs). My second event I had slicks.

About the only way to do any serious damage is to go WAAAAAY off course and hit a light pole, so don't do that.

Have fun!

Tom W
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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #9  
Old 04-29-2008, 10:46 AM
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I used 42 psi in all tires and that worked pretty well. Oh, make sure your motor mounts are low miles and low age. My low mile 10 year old mount gave way and yanked the neck off the radiator.
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  #10  
Old 04-29-2008, 10:47 AM
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One day I'm going to do that.
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  #11  
Old 04-29-2008, 11:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mistress View Post
One day I'm going to do that.
Hows May 25th sound then?

Tyler, I have a thread with some pics of mine in the diesel performace section.
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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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  #12  
Old 04-30-2008, 08:35 AM
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Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll come. Where is it?
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  #13  
Old 05-01-2008, 09:43 PM
Johnhef's Avatar
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Winchester Va. click the autocross link on www.gws-mbca.org
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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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  #14  
Old 05-01-2008, 10:34 PM
iwrock's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee8go View Post
Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll come. Where is it?

I want to see some pictures of that wagon flying around an auto-x course....


Capeeche?
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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.
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  #15  
Old 05-02-2008, 08:58 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Frederick, Md
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ok youre really going to need to buy those vogtland springs from thedon if you're gonna do that lol

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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