Hi,
Last Saturday we had the chance to put the W164 through its paces at one of the 15
M-Klasse Experience events that MB Germany organises this summer at different venues in Germany and Austria.
"Ours" was at the former US air base in Bitburg, only 40 miles from our home. After the check-in we were first treated to a very generous and delicious snack here:
then we were given a 30-minute briefing on the W164 and what we were going to do with it (and what we should rather not):
Finally, we were divided into three groups and off to the waiting W164's:
Our group was first off to the safety section (basic emergency avoidance, braking and so on), but we could see that the off-road section would be interesting:
The safety section was short and essentially meant to let us get the feel of the cars (and probably to filter away certain drivers). Like those who were looking who had robbed the shift lever!:
OK - having found it we were allowed to participate.
This section included obstacle avoidance without braking, braking in a 90 degree curve, and emergency braking on a wet surface (with a very solid-looking gate at the end to make sure you hit the pedal[;)]. Here are some shots of that:
We then swapped cars with the off-road group, but before getting to do stupid things, our two instructors told us how[;)][;)]not to damage the cars unduly:
The photographer was VERY cute, which can be clearly seen from the younger of the instructors [;)]
Off we went, and by chance we got the (originally silver) 350 behind the instructor. All the cars were stock except for the Dunlop Grantrek AT2 tires
- a few had the ORP package, but most - including ours - had not.
First mudhole:
Then off into the woods (not our car):
following the instructor
The run through the woods was narrow - thus no photos, as my wife was occupied making surre that I made sure not to leave parts of the 350 on the trees[:D][:D]
Out on the other side, and UP:
more impressive from the inside:
- but we made it, at the first try:
Once you're UP, you also have to come down:
Again, from the inside it's more spectalular:¨
Then off to get some more mud on the paintwork:
The instructor was a bit of a mud addict (or maybe had a grudge against the guy who had to clean the cars after the day):
Getting ready to follow him through the "twister" section:
and at the end some of the cars showed some wear and tear:
Back to the base for some coffee and a group photo with one of the off-road instructors:
before going on to the low-speed handling section:
- the weather was starting to act up some, but was still OK here:
Note that "low-speed" doesn't mean very slow [;)]
Drive fast and precise like this:
and like this guy:
you get a keychain and a nice 1/43 scale W164 to take home. Others, like yours truly, will have to buy theirs [;)]
The last section of the day was called "Dynamics" and included some relatively high-speed driving, emergency braking and avoidance, plus a slalom section. Quite fun, until the skies opened up - but amazing that you could still do decent times with the rain pouring down - it was more visibility than sheer adherence that slowed you down:
Now, will you STEP ON IT (and not hit me):
And the tires took a beating:
It was one of the better days lately [:D][:D][:D]
Negative points? None, apart from the fact that all Ash-colored Alcantara/MB-Tex interiors suffered from "yellow fever":
- but the MB people on hand were duly concerned.
This Monday afternoon we had the opportunity of doing a normal road test of a ML320CDI. Quite some difference from the track testing, but very satisfying. There's a BIG difference from my present 270CDI, both in performance and NVH. We took it "gently" on the outbound leg of our test, but due to unforeseen circumstances we were more than a little late in bringing the car back, so the return leg was at a more spirited pace. It rolls, this Benz! But in a very refined way - I had it quite some distance at 200+ kph (we were in Germany, but still this is FAST), and when my wife gently told me to slow down a bit, it was just a request - not the usual "slow down before the thing falls apart". I'm afraid one will have to be very careful with speed in this new one.....
Sorry for the long post,
Birger
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