Fabulous trip
 

I am at college in Bowling Green, KY, 3 hours from home. OR SO I THOUGHT.

I decided to go home for a big football game, and quickly had two guys that wanted to go with. They of course had lots of laundry and stuff, and we pretty quickly had the CD loaded as full as it would get with stuff and guys. Filled up and got on the interstate.

At first I tried to keep it down to 75, but pretty soon it was 80, then 85, then I was having to hold it to 90. I really haven't ever sped like this before, I always keep it down to 70-75. However, this was on a really deserted highway with no cops and this is my first real trip in the Benz. It felt completely controlled at 90 mph, I accidently got up to that fast, noticed only after looking at the instrument cluster, then liked how it felt and kept going.

I got home in 2 hrs 15 minutes and managed to pull 23 mpg.

I have a 1975/115/300d that has the same tendency to go fast. I start out at 60 and before you can say speeding ticket the car is up to 80. Unfortunately it rides so smoothly that the only warning you get that you are doing 80 is a red and blue light flashing in your rear view mirrow. "What, officer, doing 80, this is a Diesel, it can't be going that fast".

Be careful at those speeds. You are young, ignorant (I didn't say dumb) and don't have a clue just how fast you can end up dead. It is over before you can even get your wits together.

My TD is comfortable at 80 MPH. Thats where it wants to run. I consistently get 28 MPG with it but most times am by myself with nothing in the cargo area.

Last summer I had a long distance trip where I followed a truck going 90 MPH for over 150 miles. Afterwards I thought what other 21 year old car would I feel safe going that fast? Rock solid.

Kip does have a point. I had a long motorcycle racing career and know how fast things happen. Believe me, in the blink of an eye a catastrophe can happen. And do remember that you not only have your own life in your hands but your friends and any other drivers that you may encounter in your hands too. There could potentially be a number of forever scarred parents should something happen.;) I have friends who lost their daughters/sons to high speed crashes and they will NEVER get past it, even after many years. Several parents I know who lost their kids still have the kids room set up just like they left it. And their deaths occured over 30 years ago. Just keep that in mind.

Cheers,

Bill

I've been know to bend a few speed limits myself, but you really need to use some common sense. My "comfort zone" is around 80-85 in my 300D, and that has more to do with the other drivers than with me or my car. When you are driving at 90+, there is a considerable speed difference between you and the other traffic and that difference is probably more dangerous than the speed itself. Personally, I set the cruise at about 80 and avoid the temptation to push it much faster.

Death can occur at 25mph. I, however, managed to survive a crash at 120MPH. On a bike. Against a truck. Truck won, I walked away. (which was very difficult to explain to the officer when they came to arrest me for a hit and run).

Its amazing how fast you cover ground at 100+:D I have to whatch it as well, the SDL is only to happy to settle into a nice 105-110 cruise.:D

If my safety degree and Defensive Driver Instructor memory serves me correctly the difference in 55mph and 90 mph is somewhere on the order of 8 - 12 times more likely to be killed in the crash. It's just the laws of physics at play. Sure there are exceptions like my dad who was doing 120 in a modified Nomad lost it, took out utility pole, rolled countless times and was ejected from the scene. Trust me alcohol WAS involved.

People are dead from airbags deploying during Parking Lot accidents.

One can die doing anything. The Germans prove again and again that speed alone does not kill, other factors are involved.


Lifes to short not to enjoy a nice burst of speed once in awhile.

The voltage regulator on the alternator was getting worn down to bare brushes on the black 350SDL.

There was almost no traffic whatsoever. The instrument cluster was playing tricks on me that day.

Anyway, I came on to the highway, and noticed it took a bit longer than necessary to reach my crusing speed of 75 mph. The engine also seemed to be revving a bit higher than the tach read (about 3000). The white lines on the interstate seemed to zip by quite fast, but everything indicated I had only sped up to 75 mph. It seemed I couldn't go much faster, either! Hmmm..

I noticed a car I passed in the inside lane traveling considerably slower than myself. 10 seconds later, the speedometer jumped to 115 mph, and the tach to 4500 rpm....

But it was so quiet and smooth, it made no difference. Oops.:o

Anyone ever have that happen?

I ped my speedo to the top all the time, really want to get one that goes above 85. Not very comfortable glancing over at the laptop with GPS on it to check my speed at those speeds.

yes, I should be careful. If I had cruise, it probably wouldn't go over 80-85. Need to get on that. The roads I was on were virtually empty, but in a car that is old enough to drink it might not be smart to push 90 too much. I generally am a safe driver, safer since a freak 40 mph crash in a Toyota Corolla I was driving ended in me rolling the dang thing. I now feel much safer going fast on a highway than any speed on windy little country roads.

My two older kids drive back and forth from college to home on the weekends. We "olds" worry all the time when our kiddos start driving.
Kids are bullet-proof, and yes, stupid. Yall know how to steer, but not yet how to drive.
It will come. Parents just pray you live through it.......

at 115, you thought you were doing 75???
 

hmm, at those speeds I would think the engine noise would be a good clue. I am constantly listening to my car for changes and such. (radio not working helps a bit:rolleyes: ) anyway, if I was doing "75" and my engine felt fast, I would make a b-line for a tranny shop.

at 90 on most highway trips I am usually keeping up with traffic. rarely passing anyone. as long as safe 2 second following distances are followed, and constant scanning of the horizon shows clear visability. I see no reason 90 on a INTERSTATE would be unsafe. if there are crossroads, FORGET IT. (can you say James Dean?) imagine a blowout in a front tire at those speeds. ouch ouch ouch ouch etc.

in my vette days, I easilly have exceeded 140mph on interstate. looking back I wonder how I made it past 25.
learning how to DRIVE is a very long process filled with learning experiances.
paying attention to all the mirrors, while driving, not just when you want to change lanes or something is important. learning how to read other cars behavior, learning how to tell by brake or turnsignal patterns what dangers lie ahead. learning how to look to the sides of the road as well as looking through the cars, not at them. and most importantly, knowing where you are going.

glad you enjoy your car. just be safe at those speeds.
John

S class MB's in good tune are very good at this, it is very easy to pass into triple digit speeds and there is no idication other than the needle on the speedo showing it. Not so much with the diesel cars though because they simply lack a lot of power. But the 400hp+ S600 is a master of this. A simple push of the throttle to pass a car can yeild 120+ speeds before one realizes it.:eek: This trait is most disturbing when cops are around. The only time one hears the engine is at close to redline so the driver can enjoy the scream of a 4 cam V12 or V8.

Braking is impressive as well. On any S a hard stab of the brakes at speeds well over 100mph will throw you against your seat belt.:cool:

hmm i cant get my 240D over 70... im hoping this is due to dire need for a valve adjustment and another tranny fluid change :confused: