The E500 gets killed!

[Daesun]

So I'm on my way home from the office, driving my usual route down the mountain and along the ocean, when I spot a black CLK in my rearview, weaving through traffic in an effort to work his way up to me. He finally gets behind me, and we play some cat and mouse, but nothing too wild because there are still other cars around. I notice that he's keeping up extremely well, but I'm not going all out, so I'm not too worried yet. Finally, we both turn onto the ocean road, and it's just the two of us. Now he's really on my tail, and I can't shake him. Off we go, through a series of twisties, reaching 80+ mph. "A worthy opponent," I think to myself. I start getting more aggressive, but I still can't lose him. Finally, on a long sweeper, he passes me on the outside lane. Mind you, we're at 80-90 mph on a blind two lane sweeper around a hill, and I'm really on it. I'm in shock at this point. Suddenly, we both realize that this is a decreasing radius curve. I quickly slough off some speed to retain my line and effectively concede defeat. As I come out of the sweeper, I see the CLK get a bit sideways as well, confirming my suspicion that we were both in over our heads. We both chill out after this brush with disaster (hill on left, ocean on right). Thoroughly humbled, I get behind him and cruise with him. Curious, I take a closer look at his decklid. I should've known. CLK55 AMG. I smile to myself. I follow him the rest of the way home, and it turns out he lives on the same street. I try to wave him down to give him his well deserved props, but either I don't get his attention or he ignores me. Oh well, maybe we'll meet again.

Although he got me at the end, this was actually a hard fought battle. Ultimately, he edged me more with his handling than outright power, as I was unable to apply any more throttle without flirting with the limits of my tires' adhesion. In conclusion, it sure sucks to lose, but at least I was vanquished by a brother-in-arms. Also, I hate my wheels/tires.

[el presidente]

Good times

I fully expect the same to happen to me this Saturday....by an SL55 or '03 CL55 on the drive over to MB Autowerks. It's tough to keep up with 500hp

Steve
'02 CLK55

[placo1]

Daesun,

I guess you still have to be impressed that a 10 year old car can nearly keep up with the best of Mercedes newest offerings.

Just out of curiosity what is your wheel and tire setup?

[Bryan Harter]

Daesun,

Owning both the new and the old, I can appreciate the charm and fine finish and materials of the 500E, it has a solid feel that the CLK does not. The CLK by virtue of its transmission feels so much quicker, sounds meaner (my 500E exhaust is stock) and feels more agile. Two very unique cars indeed.

[Daesun]

Originally posted by placo1
Daesun,

I guess you still have to be impressed that a 10 year old car can nearly keep up with the best of Mercedes newest offerings.

Just out of curiosity what is your wheel and tire setup?

Yeah, even though I lost, it was no easy kill for the CLK. By the end, we were both really pushing our cars, something I'm sure neither of us usually have to do to leave lesser adversaries in our dust.

I still have the butt ugly 16" SL wheels with near bald no name POS rubber. ASR is my most hated nemesis. Honestly, if I'd had some decent running gear, I think I could've made the race a lot closer, as I ran out of traction prematurely (the engine/chassis wanted more).

Thanks for the consolation, fellas. If I'd been aware he was packing that 5.4L V8 from the start, I wouldn't have been so eager to test him, but I made the foolish assumption that it was just another 430 (it's tough to tell them apart in your rearview). What can I say, it's time to start saving for that blower, and for the love of God, some wider, stickier rubber.

[placo1]

The right rubber makes a huge difference on these cars, I hardly ever see the ASR Light come on unless I'm really pushing the car in very tight corners while on the gas. In those situations I'm glad I have the ASR. (I currently have the Bridgestone SO2's which are 10% Front, 30%rear)

I just placed an order for the EVOII Wheels and will get the SO3's since I've heard nothing but praise for them. Hopefully will have them on before the big 500 GTG in June!

You should definitely consider new rubber as your next upgrade.

[-fad]

Gees Daesun- - for safety sake and purely from an 124.036 enthusiast's view- - put on some decent rubber on the car!

...at minimum, (good stockers) on 225/55/16 ZR sizing have very cost effective choices in the High Performance category

your E500 will not even perform to the minimum factory engineered specs (braking, handling, etc.) and will not perform as safely on these jaunts- - we'd hate to see you take a splash over PCH

fyi- tech's are car-types can always tell alot about a car by looking at the tire choice, condition, and maintence...

Oh- - yep that CLK55 is fast...from my experience it easily out performs the E500 (driver=driver).

best regards
-fad

PS- wouldn't hurt in the looks dept and collectiability dept to get yourself some Original Equipment forged MB 8-hole 500e exclusive wheels too- - they have been appearing for sale quite cheap these days...

[Daesun]

Believe me, guys, I've been craving new wheels and tires since I bought the car. Unfortunately, something has always taken precedence. At the moment, I'm holding out for 18 or 19" Brabus, and I'm definitely wrapping them in 245s up front and 275s in back. S03s are likely choice. I had them on my previous CLK320 and loved them. Seemingly endless grip (then again, it's hard to break 255 series max performance tires loose with a feeble 229 lb/ft.).

fad, you're completely right, my car is not even performing to factory spec at the moment. ASR intervention has reached an all time high after the addition of 1st gear start. I can't even power out of a soft turn without feathering the throttle ever so gently unless I want a harsh reprisal from the electronic nannies that be. Sadly, as desperately as I want and need new running gear, I have been set back once again, this time by the recent purchase of my new home. I'm hoping I can scrape together some expendable cash later this year.

All excuses aside, that CLK55 is one quick little sucker.

[placo1]

Daesun congrats on the new home purchase!

I too had the same situation with priorities, wheels came second to a new home and projects in the house.

Good luck!

I can only agree with "Lebenz", great story man

I really enjoyed reading it, I can just imagine how exciting that race must have been You maybe got killed, but at least it was by another Benz

[Daesun]

Originally posted by placo1
Daesun congrats on the new home purchase!

I too had the same situation with priorities, wheels came second to a new home and projects in the house.

Good luck!

Thank you! My love affair with my car has been diminished somewhat by my newfound infatuation with home ownership.

Oh, and yes, it was an exhilarating run indeed. It was my first defeat in the E500, but I suppose you can't win 'em all. Maybe it was karmic justice for that Maxima I embarrassed, or that G35 I shocked, or that A6 I left standing, or all those unsuspecting E46 Bimmers...

[-fad]

Lebenz- are you curious as to a specific reference of "forged" 500e500 wheels?

If so, you can search here on Neil's posts...he has scanned and posted the page within MB factory reference: "500e Intro to Service manual".

I believe that the W124 wagons came with OE "forged" wheels, but only the 500e500 had 16x8 sizing 8-hole (forged).

The classified's parts section here have a couple of FS references for 500e500 wheels for sale. I do have a set for sale-fyi. According to Neil- they will fit other W124's with correct tire sizing: 205/55/16.

...and where did "I" see the e500 exclusive forged wheels????
I take a peek inside my garage (have two sets of them).

Best regards
-fad

[yal]

Originally posted by Daesun
Thank you! My love affair with my car has been diminished somewhat by my newfound infatuation with home ownership.

Oh, and yes, it was an exhilarating run indeed. It was my first defeat in the E500, but I suppose you can't win 'em all. Maybe it was karmic justice for that Maxima I embarrassed, or that G35 I shocked, or that A6 I left standing, or all those unsuspecting E46 Bimmers...

Hey imagine how that guy is feeling. He's probably on the phone to Kleeman after that. I mean he couldn't shake loose a 10 year old car with an almost 20 year old design with bad tires no less No wonder he didn't look your way it was best to forget it never happened

[tom woolner]

Fad,
My reason for wanting to change out my wheels back to OEM is that

1. 17" wheels and tires are noisy
2. They apparently put more strain on front end parts
3. Tires are more expensive
4. Apparently, for my rather non-aggressive driving style, the handling differences are minimal.

Do you agree?

How much are you asking for the OE wheels, and what tires are currently mounted on them?

Tom
92 500E
17" AMGs, SO3's

[placo1]

Daesun,

The best part of home ownership is the GARAGE! I love having my own place to work on the car.

Tom,

To answer a few questions.

1. I don't think 17" Wheels will make the car noisier, it is more than likely caused by the type of tire used.

2. Regarding front end strain keep in mind that in 1994 the E500 was fitted with 17" wheels without modification to the power steering or any other steering components. I wouldn't be too concerned about this.

3. Tires are definitely more expensive. I just bought a set of 17"s and compared to the 16"s, $192/Tire vs $158/Tire respectively. You definitely will save some money here.

4. For non agressive driving you definitely don't need the 17"s, 16"s with a good set of tires will be more than suitable. It should be a bit more comfortable but from my seat of the pants experience I couldn't tell the difference. You will notice a little more lean and slightly less traction on take off.