This Is How You Enjoy A Car With 738 lb-ft Of Torque

"Torque Affair" (torqueaffair)
12/20/2014 at 11:55 • Filed to: CL65, AMG

If you own a car that has 738 lb-ft of torque, there is one you have to do with it...at least once.

Take it to a drag strip.

The CL65 AMG was a $180K Mercedes supercar at the time it was built many years ago. Like all other AMGs, the insane depreciation that the CL65 experienced over the years has made it possible for my buddy to buy this beastly Mercedes for a mere $30K which I talked about !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

A drag strip makes sense in this case because the CL65 has so much torque that you can't really experience it in all its glory out on regular roads. Sure, you could floor it at a stoplight, but I wouldn't recommend it since some old lady with a shopping cart could step out in front of you as you're speeding down the road trying to show that STI who the man really is.

It's just not worth it.

At a drag strip facility, however, you can keep racing until the wheels fall off your car. Or until you run out of gas. Or until you are so bored of driving in a straight line over and over again that you just give up and go home with the end result being having to pay thousands of dollars for new tires and whatever else you ruined while you were racing.

Neither of us had ever been drag racing before and so we were excited - albeit a little nervous - to visit the place which was located out in the middle of nowhere. It was called the Little River Dragway and as we got closer to it, our phone signals started to fade.

Where were we?

Not only were there no signs, there were very few cars on the road.

After being in the near vicinity of where the facility was located, we went up and down the street a couple of times before spotting a tiny sign with the words, "The Little River Dragway", that were too small to read without squinting.

We took the turn and headed down a road that was barely paved. At this point, we still didn't see any cars and were surrounded mostly by grass. After driving for a little bit, we found a shack where we bought a $30 ticket that allowed us to race as many times as we wanted. Then we were directed to head over to the "Test and Tune" place. That sounded fine but where was it?

We headed out again to find the mysterious "Test and Tune" place. Still no cars in sight.

A little while later, all of a sudden, we found ourselves amidst American muscle like Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, Corvettes and a few trucks. I'm not sure when, if ever, an AMG, has been to this place, but we certainly didn't attract any attention with the Mercedes.

If think about it, an AMG is really a muscle car dressed up with sophisticated accoutrements. The brutish CL65 AMG, is an especially powerful example of this with a gigantic 6.0L 604 hp V12 with 738 lb-ft of torque! It belongs on a drag strip and has all the luxuries that you would want so that if you get stressed losing to a Dodge Ram ( and this is not even a joke ), you can cool down with the vents in the seats and turn on the seat massagers during your drive home.

Eventually, we found the "Test and Tune" shack which was actually called "Tech" with red letters signifying this. Ironically, I didn't see anything remotely tech-related at the shack. They might have had some "tech" stuff hidden in the back but from what I could tell the "Tech" shack was just a shelter built to provide air-conditioning to the folks in the heat of the summer.

There were mostly trophies sitting on the desk outside and a paper we had to sign that made sure that if anything bad happened it was entirely our fault.

It was a little unnerving to line up to hit the drag strip. There were no instructions and absolutely nothing was conveyed that was safety-related. There were a few obvious hand gestures and some signals but no one told us anything about what to expect. On top of that absolutely anyone who had paid $30 (or you could probably even bypass that) could race. Anybody!

For example, there were these two cars that I think were rentals.

Or perhaps, they were just wanting to have some fun in their 4-door grocery getters.

I guess it's sort of obvious what you do at a drag strip, but shouldn't there be someone at least trying to give us some sort of instruction? Even at the McDonalds drive-in they tell you to pull up to the first window to pay, and the next window to pick up the food.

As we pulled up nervously, getting ready to launch, virtually everyone started doing really loud burnouts with tire smoke billowing. Of course, we didn't do it, because neither of us had ever done a burnout and also, we weren't interested in destroying the tires.

Our first race was against a Chrysler 300C SRT-8. We were beat badly but there is a valid excuse - it was mostly because of our very delayed launch and the fact that there were two of us in the car.

Next time around, we slowly and quietly pulled up in our not-so-great sounding V12 next to a powerful and monstrous...

Wait....

Is that a Dodge Dart?

YES!

Another rental??

I had never thought of this before going to a drag strip but the next time I have a rental, I'm definitely going drag racing. For an auto enthusiast, who is in another city with a rental with nothing to do, this sounds like a great option.

Besides the rentals, there were a couple of trucks. Believe it or not, there was actually a huge Dodge Ram that was faster than many of cars out there. It hit the 1/8 mile marker in 7.5 seconds!

It took a few tries to get the launch down correctly although, as you would expect, it wasn't nearly as good as some of the experts who seem like they do this for a living.

Luckily, the torque in the CL65 AMG made up for the lack of experience in the launching department. Racing anyone was not necessary and for all intents and purposes it was pointless - although there was a guy in a SHO who did want to race.

I loved it when I overheard someone exclaiming "Dude, that's a V12!"

The track was only an eighth of a mile which means it was over before we even got started! A quarter mile strip would've been more fun - if you watch the video you'll see how quickly things end.

After a few more runs, we reached a respectable time of 8.28 seconds. Googling a 1/8 mile to 1/4 mile conversion table, it looks like a quarter mile time would've been reached in just under 13 seconds which is not bad at all!

I am very happy to report that after all that drag racing, the AMG is in perfect condition and drives like a dream - like it never went to the drag strip in the first place. I'm glad we went because experiencing that kind of torque with the AMG is intoxicating.

Here is a video where we put the CL65 on a dyno.

As Tavarish has mentioned many times - why buy new when you can buy cars like this and have this much fun with? I'm sold.

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DISCUSSION (100)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 15:08

Diesel trucks are a hell of a drug.

bobkustofawitshz > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:01

Great read. CL65 is my dream, as those AMGs are are among my very favorites.
I actually recommended Doug DeMuro buy one as his next car to write about.

GeorgeyBoy > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:06

As Tavarish has mentioned many times - why buy new when you can buy cars like this and have this much fun with? I'm sold.

-Reliability

-Depreciation

-Insurance

-Gas

-Being stranded on the side of the road

-Remortgaging your house to cover repairs

The Guy > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:16

I have been passing by this drag stip on my way to Taylor, TX since around 2003. My Dad used to race here in the 60's when he lived in Temple. I've always wanted to burn some rubber there. Was this on a weekend ?

Detroit 9000 > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:16

I'll take the SHO. Made on Torrence Ave. USA. South side of Chicago. I love my giant Taurus SHO wagon, a.k.a. Flex Limited EcoBoost.

CAcoalminer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/20/2014 at 17:18

I hope more people understand this.

Viggen > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:23

I'm going to assume the Ram was a Cummins?

Dake > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:24

Wow - what a case of blue balls. Are 1/8 mile drag strips common? I'm sure it would be fun to a certain extent and I guess it's a great way to improve your launches, but still.

flabberboozled > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:29

Good read. I think Ezra Dyer took a CL65 to the drag strip many moons ago as well. That CL65 was an 11 second car, and track management asked him to slow down.

Yep, found it. Here's the article.

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/conver…

DAAPslapped drives a Civic > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/20/2014 at 17:44

It's always amazing to me how fast they can run a 1/4 mile with relatively few mods and a tune.

blackjack666 > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 17:44

None of these are real issues if you do your research. Buy a '06+W211 Bluets and none of this will apply...

kahpentah > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 17:49

1 hour from the Lincoln Tunnel. Island Dragway

//AMG YES > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 17:57

One thing I would add to Tavarish's comment is that it's definitely not for everyone. But there are many, like myself, that would be willing to sacrifice not having 40 mpg. Depreciation with these cars is pretty bad, but if you're thinking about selling a used AMG before you even bought it, you're looking at the wrong kind of car. With proper maintenance, like any other car, these cars are pretty reliable. As for your other reason, that's why you have AAA am I right? I kid. I kid.

KatzManDu > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 18:01

I owned a CL55 AMG — a pre-2003 model, which meant no supercharger. Just a N/A 5.5L V8. It was a fun ride and the ultimate commuter car. Every creature comfort and every ounce of horsepower you could want, plus rock-solid handling.

GeorgeyBoy > //AMG YES
12/20/2014 at 18:04

Totally agree. Nothing wrong with having an "exotic" used car if you completely understand and can afford the ownership of it.

I just get mad when I see "why buy a new $30k car when you can buy a used once $200k car for the same price". That comparison couldn't be more misleading.

pat34us > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 18:05

if you go back you go on the third yellow, don't wait for the green

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 18:06

Buy one at CarMax with the extended warranty that solves most of those problems

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > DAAPslapped drives a Civic
12/20/2014 at 18:07

Torque is the answer to all things.

GeorgeyBoy > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
12/20/2014 at 18:10

Apples to oranges.

If you actually find something like this on Carmax offered with a warranty, all said and done you would be comparing it to something far more expensive new.

Also I've seen you on the front page for years it feels like, you never venture to oppo?

//AMG YES > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 18:11

Exactly, just because someone can afford a $30k car doesn't mean they can afford the repair bill of a $200k car.

TVE93 > Detroit 9000
12/20/2014 at 18:12

Actually there made on East Lincoln Highway in Chicago Heights, I live on Torrence ave on the south side of Chicago, Lansing more specifically

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 18:18

Kinja'd!!!

Icantthinkofanythingwitty > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 18:20

I couldn't agree more. Not just because of the difficulty of ownership, but simply because I'm not actually that enthusiastic about going fast to begin with. It seems like an extremely limited basis to use to contemplate cars. Enough pep to move adequately, of course, but speed just does nothing for me. Aesthetics aren't just a selling tool, they're worth the money if the car makes you feel awesome every morning.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 18:20

I used to hang out in Oppo but then lost the ability to post during one of the Kinja updates, and just never really got back into it. On the Carmax front why drive a Fully Loaded new F150 when you can drive this CL63 instead?

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/…

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 18:22

Kinja'd!!!

WHY???

Rand0nS > Dake
12/20/2014 at 18:29

Sadly they are very common. They are handy for getting launch techniques down, but nothing else in my opinion. A fast car does the 1/8 in 100mph which again is nothing.

9brghtn4 > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 18:30

-I've heard that story many times before

-Don't be a pussy

Rand0nS > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 18:34

Wow, I'm suprised by that 1/8 mile time. Wasn't expecting it to be sub 8 seconds for sure. What were your 60 foot times and MPH in the 8th?

Update, that's my bad. I don't know that car as well as I thought. Your time aligns with other stock CL65 on dragtimes.

http://www.dragtimes.com/Mercedes-Benz—…

JordanFiveOh > Dake
12/20/2014 at 18:37

Little River is 1/4, or used to be, but I think they recently had a death out there and made it 1/8th only.

bk335 > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 18:38

New cars depreciate way more than a 5-10 year old car...?

JordanFiveOh > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 18:40

I started reading, and thought I recognized this place! I used to go there all the time when I lived in Waco (not much else to do). It was definitely a 1/4 mile track, but IIRC there was a death out there recently, and they have since made it 1/8 only.

I found this, but it looks to be around the 1/8 mile mark where it occured anyway, so I dunno for sure.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines…

James > jvirgs drives a Subaru
12/20/2014 at 18:49

No one knows what you're talking about. Use your words.

GreatPower > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 18:54

I'd like to re-iterate this key "feature" for anyone else that considers themselves a car enthusiast:

-Being stranded on the side of the road

Getting home and getting to work are big on my "to do" list. My life isn't a never-ending vacation though, so these priorities likely don't apply if your "to do" list involves "going to the track" and "getting back to my buddy's place to play Xbox"

Illegal Machine > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 18:59

1/8th mile is so gross.

GeorgeyBoy > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
12/20/2014 at 18:59

How much would the maxcare be on that, if you can even get it? It still doesn't cover normal maintenance and wear items. Cost to own will be more than a F-150. I would still get the Merc though.

Illegal Machine > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/20/2014 at 19:00

They totally troll 1/8 mile drag strips.

GeorgeyBoy > bk335
12/20/2014 at 19:02

Yeah usually. I just included it because these depreciate like a rock.

Nick-Speed > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 19:18

That track is a joke, as 1/8 mile strips always seem to be. A 13 second 1/4 mile in that car is 2 seconds slower than it should be. You need to learn how to floor the gas pedal, and, go to a 1/4 mile track.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 19:23

WAG it would be about $2000 and I maintain a Jag, so I am not worried about everyday Maintenance. On the other hand I can't imagine oil changes would be much cheaper than on an Ecoboost F150 IIRC those require full synthetics like the Merc

dogisbadob > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 19:26

Kinja'd!!!

the 4-door S65 is better because you get a hood ornament :p

Lowrent McCheepniss > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/20/2014 at 19:29

I do dealer trades for a local Ford dealership, and can 100% concur... any time I drive a Super Duty my right foot swells up and gets real heavy. I might have a slight allergy.

GeorgeyBoy > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
12/20/2014 at 19:34

I maintain a Jag(kinda) as well. I guess if you do your own, an oil change would be similar, not sure if that is even allowed in some warranties. Merc dealer price vs Ford is a whole different world. Not to mention brakes, tuneups, etc.

Can't speak for Mercedes, but just changing a battery in a BMW requires a dealer scan tool. (I think you can do this yourself now with your computer somehow, but Jesus it's just a battery..)

Reckoning Day > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 19:34

Torque rules.... not horsepower.

JR1 > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 19:34

I envy your friend. I'd love to have a CL600 of similar vintage! Ultimate grand tourer!

simon_C > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 19:40

Are you sure you're on the correct website?

GeorgeyBoy > simon_C
12/20/2014 at 19:42

Why is that?

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 19:49

With the Carmax warranty you can get that stuff done outside the dealer, I do my own brakes but I pay for my oil changes at the local euro import place because the savings isn't worth the hassle of disposing of your own oil.

Torque Affair > JR1
12/20/2014 at 19:55

Totally!

Torque Affair > Reckoning Day
12/20/2014 at 19:55

Indeed!

Torque Affair > Nick-Speed
12/20/2014 at 19:56

That track was a joke actually. Yep, a 1/4 mile track would've been way better.

ScreenShot > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 19:56

' drag strip facility '? What are you, some sort of real estate wonk?

All that verbiage and it's just about running an 1/8th mile? The over-descripted sign was longer than that. Way to hit the word count tho - good job.

samssun > Reckoning Day
12/20/2014 at 20:06

Horsepower is the car's ability to accelerate, full stop. You can gear power into whatever torque you need (just means you'd be towing at F1 revs), but for a given peak power level, all the torque in the world won't change that.

What a torquey engine does is give you off-redline power, ie for the same 400 peak horsepower, you might have 250 hp available in the midrange vs. 150 in a peaky torqueless engine.

Torque Affair > JordanFiveOh
12/20/2014 at 20:14

Wow didn't know that! Crazy...there's no control out there so anything can happen.

Torque Affair > Illegal Machine
12/20/2014 at 20:16

Way too short!

Torque Affair > Rand0nS
12/20/2014 at 20:17

Let's see - still have the receipt! 60 ft time was 2.26, 1/8 mph was 91.4.

Torque Affair > pat34us
12/20/2014 at 20:19

Yeah someone actually gave us that advice...started doing that towards the end. The 8.2 second time was from that.

simon_C > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 20:20

This is oppo/jalopnik. The whole point of this site is that we are about oddball, unreliable, weird, or nonstandard cars. Reliability and cost of ownership are really not all that important.

Torque Affair > kahpentah
12/20/2014 at 20:21

nice!

Torque Affair > flabberboozled
12/20/2014 at 20:25

Thanks for the compliment! Yeah 11 seconds sounds achievable with the perfect launch.

Torque Affair > Dake
12/20/2014 at 20:26

I'm not sure actually...the 1/8 mile went by SO fast.

Torque Affair > The Guy
12/20/2014 at 20:26

Yeah this was on a Saturday. You should check it out!

Torque Affair > KatzManDu
12/20/2014 at 20:27

A buddy of mine had a CL55 - I liked it quite a bit. It's hard not like the AMGs with the V8s - they sounds so good!

Torque Affair > Detroit 9000
12/20/2014 at 20:28

I did like that SHO actually. Nice car.

Torque Affair > bobkustofawitshz
12/20/2014 at 20:30

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. It would be awesome if Doug gets one.

GeorgeyBoy > simon_C
12/20/2014 at 20:30

Which is why I drive an unreliable used car.

Cost of ownership is usually important because you need to make sure you have enough money to own it..

I love the AMG. I just answered the op's question.

rosslitman > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 20:50

In the dyno video I couldn't help but notice it did 489 horses at the wheels. Which only translates to 562 horses at the crank (assuming a 15% drivetrain loss). At 20% that's still only 586 horses. Does it need a service?

CzechMonster76 > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 20:52

Let's all go ahead and buy an unreliable used German car that costs arm and a leg to fix and go drag it every weekend. These posts make me want to vomit.

Driver > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 20:55

Think they'll be renting those 707 HP Hellcats? "Uh, no, I don't expect to be putting too many miles on her."

Detroit 9000 > TVE93
12/20/2014 at 21:10

I was down at Chicago Assy. (CAP) for the initial supplier kick off of the Five Hundred/Montego/Freestyle in 2002 with a second visit in early 2012 for the Taurus/MKS/Explorer 13MY updates. Fun times. It's funny how the D258 program code has held on so long...

Dave Averill > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 21:10

Over 100 bhp down!?

Rand0nS > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 21:18

Yup, you pretty much matched a 2004 that ran back in 2007. Not bad.

Left car.

Kinja'd!!!

LTIROCKS > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/20/2014 at 21:29

Actually, engine torque is essentially irrelevant at the drag strip.

Approximate peak engine HP = (Trap speed/234)^3 * Race weight

****REGARDLESS OF ENGINE TORQUE****

Trap speed indicated the car's potential, based on its weight to horsepower ratio. The vehicle must then be engineered (GEARS and suspension) to get the ET.

And an 8.28 second 1/8th mile ET is nothing to brag about.

S62B50daily > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 21:37

I think that you take the title to these articles way too literally. They are meant to grab your attention, and at this point you've read enough of them that you know what the outcome will be. Up to you to click on the link.

They are great entertainment and reflect what most car enthusiasts think when they browse CL or Ebay and think: "What if?" in a daydreaming kind of way.

GeorgeyBoy > S62B50daily
12/20/2014 at 21:44

That's usually how I take them, Tavarish has had a few articles where he genuinely tries to sell a ludicrous incomparable choice though.

I just jokingly answered the op's rhetorical question.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 21:49

that's what she said

Maxidrom > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 21:50

so this behemoth of a car with 738 ft lb tq can do a 1/4 mile in just under 13??

My 4000 lbs sedan with 350 tq can do much better than that :/ I think u mean under 12s...as in 11.8ish...? That sounds more like it for that much power.

desertsoldier22 > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 22:07

Little River is only an 1/8 mile? Wow that place has went to hell.

crowmolly > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 22:10

Englishtown is nearby too but you are limited to 3 runs and it's very busy. Island is "more friendly" and you get more runs for your $.

For what it's worth, track prep makes a big difference, too. This place looks pretty backwater and I'd guess that they barely do anything to prep the line. Some of the bigger places will do a lot to make sure you can get a good launch.

Curtis > GeorgeyBoy
12/20/2014 at 22:14

I actually bought my 2005 e55 wagon in 2007 from Carmax. At the time the car had 40k miles on it and I bought the extended warranty. That was a big mistake. The car currently has 150k on it and has never left me stranded, it might be the most reliable car I've ever owned. In the 110k miles I've owned it the only things that have failed have been an airshock and a supercharger belt. I paid $47k for a car that stickered at $97k just two years previous. The big costs associated with the car are new tires every 12k miles and the poor mpg. Not bad trade offs for a car that's more rare than most Lamborghini's and Ferrari's, can haul 7 people and smoke most exotics. Rest assured, the next car I buy will be a two to three year old e63 wagon for half the price of new. Two years ago I was on a European vacation with my family and were able to tour the AMG factory, the level of service we were treated to was amazing. They raised the US flag upon our arrival and gave us a private 2 hour tour along with a bag of AMG goodies. After that and the great experience we have had with our car, I am an AMG client for life.

macanamera > CAcoalminer
12/20/2014 at 22:14

I understand it.

GeorgeyBoy > Curtis
12/20/2014 at 22:22

Love it, thanks for sharing. I hope to own an AMG one day and would probably do the same as you. These bonkers wagons will definitely be a future classic.

Torque Affair > crowmolly
12/20/2014 at 22:24

They were doing some stuff, but yea I don't think they were doing all that much.

Torque Affair > desertsoldier22
12/20/2014 at 22:24

Seems like it

Torque Affair > Maxidrom
12/20/2014 at 22:24

Yeah probably...it's hard to say how good we would've done in a quarter mile with a good launch

Torque Affair > Dave Averill
12/20/2014 at 22:27

Yeah..potentially the age of the car? Not sure.

Torque Affair > CzechMonster76
12/20/2014 at 22:28

Nah, not every weekend! Just once - to see what it's capable of!

Torque Affair > rosslitman
12/20/2014 at 22:29

Yeah that was kind of weird. Not sure if that dyno was all that accurate - probably should get it done again to see if it's higher.

greenagain > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 22:30

Unfortunately the higher speeds of the longer run bring up more liability, and accident potential. Like you mentioned, there was virtually no safety warnings, or requirements, like a helmet.

Torque Affair > greenagain
12/20/2014 at 22:31

Also, someone else posted that someone else got killed in an accident at the 1/4 mile marker. Now it makes sense why they limited it to 1/8 mile.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 23:27

1/4 would have been much better for this car, it would hardly have traction until just before the end! That and they don't REALLY wake up until over 60ish anyways.

CAcoalminer > macanamera
12/20/2014 at 23:30

Well, you should as much as anyone.

Torque Affair > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/20/2014 at 23:32

you're right. A mile long strip would've been awesome! Next time.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 23:36

With a mile long strip you would have destroyed every other car there!

Torque Affair > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/20/2014 at 23:39

Yeah, that's what I was thinking!

DipodomysDeserti > DAAPslapped drives a Civic
12/20/2014 at 23:42

It's amazing how much easier it is to build power with Diesel engines. The best part is you get better gas mileage the more you tune them up. My wife drives a 335d, and with some exhaust mods, meth, a tune, and good tires it's an 11 second car...that gets 40 mpg on the highway.

quickquest88 > Torque Affair
12/20/2014 at 23:48

ayan, try this:

http://www.sanantonioraceway.com/track%20info.h…

A 1/4 mile ihra certified track. Much safer place to go. I've been to both, a SA is 10x better. About the same distance from austin, but the other direction.

Flavien Vidal > GeorgeyBoy
12/21/2014 at 00:36

Well, as far as depreciation goes... The new car loses by far :)

GeorgeyBoy > Flavien Vidal
12/21/2014 at 00:47

Depends

Captain Daytrip > Torque Affair
12/21/2014 at 01:39

There seems to be a misconception that going to a 1/4 mile track will somehow make this car run faster? Doesn't everyone know that an 1/8th mile is half of a 1/4 mile? If you could get that 60-foot time under 2.0 seconds and you could probably dip under that 8.0 second 1/8th mile.

Flavien Vidal > GeorgeyBoy
12/21/2014 at 03:22

The 30k$ car that was onec worth 200.000$ is most likely not going to lose much more money...

A 30k$ prius on the other hand... And that's one of the car that has less depreciation. A 30k$ BMW will end up being worth 6000$ after 5 or 6 years...

So you can choose: spend 24000$ in potential fixing over 5 or 6 years... and even for a Mercedes, that's A LOT. You can maybe even hope (who knows) selling the car for more than you paid for originally once you get rid of it

Or just buy the car for 30k$, have a warranty and everything and know that whatever happens, it will cost you 15 to 24k$ over 6 years.