[barry putnam]

S280

Gill:
Thanks for the information, I didn't know the facts regarding the S280. I have owned cars in the 1800cc class that have had amazing performance for the engine size. Such as the 1967 MGB and a volvo P1800 both of which had no trouble exceeding 110MPH (with overdrive).

I also recall returning south from Scotland in a VW Golf traveling at 100MPH and being passed by peugeots and forein cars I didn't even know the names off, and they went by to quickly to be identified!

Cheers

Barry

 

[wmedia]

280 is great!

i drive an S280, and it's far from underpowered. but granted, it does flip through the 5 speed auto box at quite a rate, as the smaller engine does deliver peak power over a narrower rev range, but hey...

 

[dieselrulz]

Re: Vette Vs. Porsche 911 Turbo

Here is an example of a small, well engineered engine beating the crap out of a large gas guzzling engine:

Porsche 911 Turbo Vs. Crovette ZO6

///S320

Yikes. That logic train derailed before it left the station. Just so we're clear on how much better the engineering SHOULD be - let's review the prices.

Corvette Z06 MSRP $51k (http://tinyurl.com/s8a8)
Porsche 911 Turbo MSRP $116k (http://tinyurl.com/s8ah)

So these cars shouldn't even be COMPARED. but just for fun.
0-100km
Porsche 4.2 seconds (http://tinyurl.com/s8ek)
Corvette 3.9 seconds (http://tinyurl.com/s8et)

I have to admit, I'm sketchy on the corvette being FASTER than the porsche, but I would bet that the vette is within a half second to 60mph or 100kph. But where does the extra $65k go? Oh yeah, gas mileage. because one of them is a "gas guzzler."

EPA Estimates in Miles per Gallon

Porsche 911 turbo: 15city, 22hwy (http://tinyurl.com/s8ah)

Corvette Z06: 19city, 25hwy (http://tinyurl.com/s8a8)

So the numbers speak for themselves. Now - driving? the 'vette is not the mullet-clad driver, loud, stiff, difficult driving experience it was in '88. or even in '95. It's shockingly tight, and smooth in the gearbox. The porsche (which i have NOT driven) is probably a better sports/driver's car than the vette, however - all i'm sayin is the vette ain't no rattle trap. I would hope, strongly, that for the extra $65k you pay for the porsche, you get SOMETHING... like ergonomics, or drivability, since it's so obvious you don't get more performance or gas mileage...

I won't buy either car. now, or ever - likely. I do believe however, that bashing a car just because it's American, is not reason enough.

Diesel

1992 Acura Vigor 5spd
1982 K1500 6.5L Suburban w/Banks Turbo

 

[Benz Boy 07]

Yeah!!!

Yeah what that guy said!!!(BTW nice cars!) The vette gets excellent fuel economy (much better than the CL600) and that burble is music to my ears. I have driven a 911 turbo and I noticed that some of that $65k went into the interior. That's one thinh I would change on the vette. The interior is plasticky and kinda funny looking. Nice car for the money though!

 

[///S320]

Re: Re: Vette Vs. Porsche 911 Turbo

1992 Acura Vigor 5spd
1982 K1500 6.5L Suburban w/Banks Turbo

AND

2003 Harley Davidson F-150
2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Is coming.

Actually, i absolutely dont like to use this forum as means of tit for tat answering (especially with folks who dont have a mercedes/German car). I think this forum is to discuss issues, ideas and comments related to the very classy W140.

Now, since iam answering your post, let me put few things on the side:

I understand why people, especially here in sweet ol usa get paranoid about corvettes. I like corvettes, i would certainly love to own one, only if its given to me for free. But keeping things staright, i can safely say that certain models of Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and Audi can at any point, any time releif corvette of its pain, and transfer her into next life.

Since we started talking regarding S280 and we are generally talking about "engineering" not "cost", here are few things to look at:

Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes are not made local here in the usa. They are "imported" from germany, where additional taxes are added and so on. I agree the cars themselves are more expensive. More money is spend on engineering. Like my dad once said, "if you want it more sweet, you gotta add more sugar". Same case here with expensive german speedsters.

I beleive you know that a corvette has the following:

"5.7" liter, V8. Now this huge, massive, gas guzzling engine can only and only go 0-60 in 4.6 Secs. Once agian brother, 5.7, V8 can only go 4.6 seconds 0-60.

Iam assuming you are very knowledgeable in these things, but here are few other facts:

BMW M3 (lets not even compare M5 here):
"3.2" liter, Inline 6. Now this tiny engine, when compared to a massive "5.7", actually takes you 0-60 in about 4.7 secs. Just 1 sec slower than a car that has almost twice the power.[:0]

I would like to rest my case here. But before i leave, i would like you to see this:

Road and Track (Feb, 2001), comparision of the titans (Porsche 911 carrera, Chevy Corvette ZO6 and BMW M3). Directly from page 58:

"The verdict of the test between 3 cars, all three cars here are excellent. However, overall, the BMW M3 probably should be declared the winner because in addition to its steller handling performance, it also wins points for having 4 proper seats and the largest luggage area. IT CAN EASILY KEEP UP WITH THE OTHER 2 CARS EITHER ON HIGHWAY OR THROUGH THE TWISTIES. The BMW M3 is also eual to the price of a Chevy Corvette ZO6."[:0][:0]

I do think i arrived my destination safe and sound, perhaps my train never de-railed.

Over and out for this perticular discusssion.

 

[dieselrulz]

crazy train

Somehow, during that entire post, you've managed to miss the whole point to my *correction.* Let's review the quote:

"Here is an example of a small, well engineered engine beating the crap out of a large gas guzzling engine:

Porsche 911 Turbo Vs. Crovette ZO6

///S320 "

Well, I've shown that the Porsche is the gas guzzler of the two. And that the corvette is capable of the same speed as the Porsche.

Let me ask though, why does the bigger displacement number bother you? If the mileage is better, and the speed the same...

The only reason I posted was because of the absurdity of the notion proclaimed in the above quote. certainly not because I have some love affair with Corvettes. I haven't ever owned one, nor will I likely ever own one. It isn't for me. You still won't find me making false claims about it... or any other car.

I notice that you AGAIN, refer to the chevy motor as "huge, massive, [and] gas guzzling." HUH? I thought we covered that. The vette gets better mileage than the Porsche 911 (turbo or not) AND the M3. (16mpg city, 24mpg highway. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/16498.shtml)

So why beat this horse? it's not only dead, but it's FALSE!

Diesel

 

[bdonkersgoed]

Hehe . . . I love reading this stuff [8)]
Debating is good for the brain [:p]...

Hehe . . . I love reading this stuff [8)]
Debating is good for the brain []

 

[dieselrulz]

Is that sonic?

haha! that running guy is cool. []

 

[bdonkersgoed]

Re: Is that sonic?

haha! that running guy is cool. []

"That running guy" is Sonic the Hedgehog . . . don't you remember Sonic from the old Sega Genesis gaming system?

I never really played the game, but I thought the hedgehog is kind of neat . . .

 

[RobinG]

But wasn't there something funny going on at the autospy?

I can't remember it exactly, but I'm sure there was a big fuss about something like the chauffeur's blood not being kept refrigeriated, then being tested a few days later or something silly like that.

 

[dieselrulz]

Re: Re: Is that sonic?

"That running guy" is Sonic the Hedgehog . . . don't you remember Sonic from the old Sega Genesis gaming system?

I never really played the game, but I thought the hedgehog is kind of neat . . .

heh. yeah - thought it was sonic, but it's been a while. I never got to play it either - never had the genesis. nintendos to playstations...

 

[Benz Boy 07]

I like that sonic avatar too!!!

Do you have anymore?

 

[bdonkersgoed]

Re: I like that sonic avatar too!!!

Do you have anymore?

Sorry . . . I don't have the URL that I got it from. I just did a search on google for "Free Animated GIFS" or something like that, and found it on a freebie site . . .

 

[Benz Boy 07]

oh..

Oh, I guess my chomp monster will have to stay...

 

[Dual 5Ls]

Re: oh..

chomp monster

Just some FYI, they're called "Domocons" and I can't remember what they're from, but they're awesome none-the-less!

 

[Conrad]

Re: you guys make me laughThere is nothing wrong with the S280, how can you diss it without ..

you guys make me laugh
There is nothing wrong with the S280, how can you diss it without even having ever driven one.

It was never released in N.America because the gas guzzling mentality there is that anything less than 3000cc is underpowered, hence benz thought it would not sell

I really dont understand why you need large engines as you cant even drive over 55mph

I am sure there is nothing wrong with the S280. Just as there is nothing wrong with the 600 SEL. We all make choices. I prefer the 600.

1993 600 SEL owner

 

[busters the boy!]

On the subject of Princess Diana's car crash.

Henri Paul's autopsy report is almost certainly false.

His blood was "found" to have high levels of alcohol and Carbon Monoxide. Nobody who knew him, or was with him that night (including the bodyguard who survived) believes that he had been drinking.

Nobody can explain the levels of Carbon Monoxide "found" in his blood either.

I'm not a fan of conspiracy theories, but his so-called autopsy report is garbage.

BTW, I was shocked at the state of their car, I thought Mercs were virtually bomb proof!

 

[guydewdney]

RE: crazy train

dieselrulz - 10/24/2003 7:13 PM
"Here is an example of a small, well engineered engine beating the crap out of a large gas guzzling engine:

ok- what about this:-


lotus elise

rover K series 1800cc engine - making 143 bhp and 1743Nm and does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds

fuel:-
Urban: 9,9l/100km
Extra urban: 5,9l/100km
Combined: 7,3l/100km

whatever that works out to be...

http://66.139.73.25/lotus1.html

about 25K UK here

 

[Douglas Dees]

busters the boy! - 12/31/2003 12:39 PM

On the subject of Princess Diana's car crash.

Henri Paul's autopsy report is almost certainly false.

His blood was "found" to have high levels of alcohol and Carbon Monoxide. Nobody who knew him, or was with him that night (including the bodyguard who survived) believes that he had been drinking.

Nobody can explain the levels of Carbon Monoxide "found" in his blood either.

I'm not a fan of conspiracy theories, but his so-called autopsy report is garbage.
There was a program on CBC called the 5th Estate that probed the accident. The high levels of Co cannot be explained. The car was taken apart by the fire department hence the peeled back roof. the impact so so severe the fan shroud was in the front seat. The speed was estimated at 60 miles per hour. the length of the tunnel and the small engine prevented the car from going faster. I have driven through those tunnels in Paris. It took over an hour to get her to hospital that was only 3 km away.the French police wouldn't let mercedes examine the car and rejected their help in determining the speed of the car. You can get the tape of the story from www.CBC.ca
Doug Dees
toronto
BTW, I was shocked at the state of their car, I thought Mercs were virtually bomb proof!

 

[amgbnz]

i find it odd that a multi-millionare princess with a multi-millionare boyfriend leaving one of britain's ritziest hotel surrounded by bodyguards would drive away in a S230 and not a S600. i also recalled that the media mentioned that the benz had bulletproof panels installed which slowed down the rescue operation. would it make sense to bulletproof (a very expensive option) a vehicle with such a small engine? taking in account the much added weight and especially if it is used regularly to outrun the paparazzi.