Ghost drivers are people that enter the autobahn going the wrong direction. Some people do this as a way of death-on purpose. Some, however, do it on accident and kill many people.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

So basically they're like people with Alzheimers in the US?

Yeah, the distances between cities is a big deal in the states. It really takes a special kind of mindset to maintain triple digit speeds over several hours while maintaining attention and control. I mean, yeah, we've all done it I'm sure but think about some of the people you know that aren't "car-people". Stereo blasting, cell phone on, and some huge "literacola" from Quick Trip. Whoa...

In the US's defense, a lot of our cars are totally capable of high speeds over long distances. Its just that most the people trying to do it aren't driving on of them! I even drove my Explorer for 2.5 hrs at full throttle, right around 100 mph. No problems, no traffic, great weather. I was going to a funeral and was running late.

Also, have you noticed how fast people are driving regardless of speed limit? Totally stupid. Here in KC, people on "435" drive like its the autobahn; its always crowded and it cuts through the burbs around the city.

100mph is slow. 125mph is a great crusing speed most of the TDI VWs and Audis 1.9Ts were doing that speed. They seem to be the most frequent car at the most frequent higher speed (125mph). And thats abouthalf throttle. That is the big difference between US cars and German cars.

The only american cars I would trust over 100mph are corvettes, vipers, and maybe the crossfire because thats basically a benz.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

That's the experience I had driving a Ford Taurus going over 100 mph once. I lost the road feel on the steering and the car was getting rather unstable.

Even they mentioned that in the show. The commentator said American cars were not designed to drive in such highs speed becaue the roads are not engineered that way. In the US, the pavements only have 11 inches of ashalt, whereas the autobahn is covered with 24 inches. That translate to smoother surface and less cracks and pot holes that can be deadly in high speed.

__________________
95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204

27" twenty-seven inches
0,7m

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

That's scary



American roads are also too straight according to the show, its one of the reasons why our cars are so far behind when it comes to suspension design. I mean they had to fly the CTS over to Europe in order to get a clue.

Been there, done that

Years ago, I was volunteering as a VIP-driver for the Track and field world championship in Stuttgart. We got S 420, S 320 and for one day I had the 600 SEL with the unrestricted 408 hp V 12...

And, yes, it is impressive, how easy and well to handle the W 140 reaches top speed.

For my company I had to bring a Audi TT 185 hp from Cologne to Stuttgart. It was one of the early models without the rear spoiler. The actually lifted the tail at speeds around 200 kph and became pretty scary. It was a good idea for Audi to add this spoiler... The Audi still topped out at around 235 kph...

With the right equippment and on the right road, fast driving is not such a big deal... But you want to have good tires, a good suspension...

My daily runner, the W 123 230 E topps out at about 180 kph. I changed the final drive from 3,58 to 3,07 and that helps to see this going downhill:



On the Rheintalautobahn (that is in Austria behind Bregenz going to the Ski Ressorts) there is a speed limit of 130 kph. An Audi RS 6 did go a little over that, unfortunatly passing an unmarked police cruiser. They got his number plate and followed him. If you scroll down, you will find a link "Video". Yes, that is 221 kph. Speed of the police car. They didn't catch the Audi.

Anyway, with the registration they met the guy at his office. His licence will be suspended for minimum six months and for the speed violation he will get a ticket of minimum 2200 Euro. Plus the fine for getting too close to the white car (closing in for six feet going at 100 mph. will get you prosecuted)

Enjoy the film...

Fast Austrian...


Kind regards
Eberhard

Rick,
You forgot the part about, "Here, hold my beer, ..."

B

Hey what's up with the 'Quickie-Marts' down in the South? They all sell single beers in iced tubs right next to the checkout counter. Are these for when you get home or what?

Z, you worked in Acadiana and you gotta ask silly questions?

Friend of mine told me that he got his culture shock in Mamou. Local was buying several 24 ouncers in anticipation of a long drive to Houston. A co-worker from Salt Lake City brings his visiting friends to the drive-thru daquiri shacks for a little mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

To steal from my Texan neighbors sales pitch: "It's a whole nuttah country, cher".

Perfect example why we do not have this type of road in the USA:

Truck driver with a load of crushed rocks about 3mm in diameter called "cinders." Drives down I40 with no cover. He sandblasts my car because he's in the left lane doing about 80mph, where you are supposed to go 65mph, like I was. I saw the phone number to the truck, so I called it.

(928) 220-0990

I said, "yeah, do you deliver rocks?"
He said, "Yeah, what do you need?"
I said, "I need you to cover them and stop delivering them on my mercedes."
He said, "who the he%% is this?"
I said, "this is Austin."
He said, "well, I think you're full of ****."
I said, "OK."
He hung up on me.

See, in Germany, everything must be covered so that the road surface is safe. In Arizona, there is a law saying you are responsible for your load, but they don't say anything about covering it. However, In california, now, they have a law saying that these gravel trucks must go through a carwash first because the insurance industry was tired of paying for windshields, and people's fancy cars that got rock chips.

Enough Said! Trucks RIGHT LANE ONLY please!

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Just wanted a confirmation...just try and imagine my Yankee terror when riding motorcycle on those bayou backroads down there...

So how far did the speedo go Eberhard? Thats awsome did you ever go over 200mph? (I think it's 320kph)

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

There is a site out there called drive right pass left. They are pushing for an American Autobahn but we all know it will never happen people doing well below the speed linit drive in the left lane clogging traffic

How far did the speedo go? Up to 250 kph. The engine was unrestricted, the speedlimiter still kicks in at that speed.

But 250 is really enough. It is impressive, how easy the big ones reach that speed. It is like hitting 55 mph with a Ford Taurus :p

Kind regards
Eberhard