GTI Stage 1 vs. Merc S550 vs. 328xi

[2015WhiteGTI]

So I dropped off my in-laws at the airport today and had some fun with two guys on the highway home.

First was a 2011 328xi. Poor guy wasn't expecting me to basically run up on him and just let off and then run up on him at will. I know those cars REALLY well as I had a 2006 330i for eight years. I knew he didn't stand a chance. He gave me the thumbs up.

Next, I saw a nice Merc S550 in front of me, but he was lagging behind traffic by quite a bit in the left lane. So, I moved into the middle lane and as soon as I did that, I saw the smoke come out of his exhaust as he floored it. I proceeded to just walk on him and continue to pull on him very easily.
We had to slow due to traffic and he pulled up along side of me. I thought he was going to be pissed, but he had a very strange, almost bewildered look on his face as he was literally talking to himself and scratching his head. I imagine he thought what in the world is that little white car that just kicked my butt.

 

[Hoon]

We had to slow due to traffic and he pulled up along side of me. I thought he was going to be pissed, but he had a very strange, almost bewildered look on his face as he was literally talking to himself and scratching his head. I imagine he thought what in the world is that little white car that just kicked my butt.

This is awesome.

Love owning an unsuspecting car!

 

[Jose_Gti]

It's great to be the underdog and then surprise them. I95 its full of police buy the airport thought.

 

[2015WhiteGTI]

It's great to be the underdog and then surprise them. I95 its full of police buy the airport thought.

For sure!

It was on Rt. 476. I know the airport has a ton of police presence and I don't mess around in that area at all.

 

[seanmcd1]

Just curious, but do you super street racers always assume the person is trying their hardest? For example If I was driving a stock S550 I doubt you would easily pull away from me.

 

[mk7rip]

Just curious, but do you super street racers always assume the person is trying their hardest? For example If I was driving a stock S550 I doubt you would easily pull away from me.

Newer s550s trap around 110, older ones barely trap 100. I believe it if it's an older one. A stage 2 gti should pull slightly on a newer s550.

 

[SLOWR]

These cars are heavy, so a stage 1 gti would put up a good race with the new s550.

 

[TroyI]

I'm not sure on this statement, but here's what I think the GTI stage 1 would do to an S550.

-On a 30 or 40 roll, we would give it a run for it's money
-From a dig, I think they would out 60 foot us and we wouldn't be able to catch up
-On a 60 or 70 roll, we would stay close for a few seconds, then the V8 power would take over and gap us

Might be all wrong though. I have yet to get a chance to see.

 

[seanmcd1]

I'm not sure on this statement, but here's what I think the GTI stage 1 would do to an S550.

-On a 30 or 40 roll, we would give it a run for it's money
-From a dig, I think they would out 60 foot us and we wouldn't be able to catch up
-On a 60 or 70 roll, we would stay close for a few seconds, then the V8 power would take over and gap us

Might be all wrong though. I have yet to get a chance to see.

Troy you are more or less spot-on. Exactly my point.

These cars are heavy, so a stage 1 gti would put up a good race with the new s550.

A brand new s550 would most likely beat a stage 1 gti

 

[2015WhiteGTI]

Just curious, but do you super street racers always assume the person is trying their hardest? For example If I was driving a stock S550 I doubt you would easily pull away from me.

It wasn't the newest generation S550, it was the last generation.

He was content to follow about 1/8 of a mile behind traffic at about 65 mph.
Whe traffic finally opened up, I swung out to the right and nailed it. Before I got past him, I saw his front end jump up and a quite a bit of black smoke coming out of his exhaust. He hit the throttle hard.

My car weighs a little less than 3,000lbs. and has about 320HP. So my HP to weight ratio is around 9.3.
The S550 weighs a whopping 4,729lbs. and has 429HP. So the HP to weight ration is 11.0.

Based on just the simple math, it would make sense that I pulled on him pretty hard. Even the latest S550 only has a HP to weight ratio of 10.3.
In order to have the same HP to weight ratio, he'd have to have 516HP.

When I install my IS38, the ratio will be 7.6 for me. The new S63AMG doesn't have that kind of HP to weight ratio.

Don't underestimate the "power" of lightness

 

[TroyI]

.
The S550 weighs a whopping 4,729lbs. and has 429HP. So the HP to weight ration is 11.0.


Don't underestimate the "power" of lightness

S550's are closer to 3800 lbs., maybe a little less. But yes, don't underestimate weight. If our GTI's were rear wheel drive, it would be an entirely different story.

 

[2015WhiteGTI]

S550's are closer to 3800 lbs., maybe a little less. But yes, don't underestimate weight. If our GTI's were rear wheel drive, it would be an entirely different story.

There hasn't been an S class that weighs that little in probably 40 years.
Mercedes has the 2017 S550 weight listed at 4,630lbs. That's without any options.
https://www.media.mbusa.com/releases/2017-mercedes-benz-s550-sedan-specifications

Vehicle Type Four-door, five passenger sedan
Chassis Aluminum unibody
Drive Configuration Rear wheel drive / 4MATIC


Exterior Dimensions (in)
Wheelbase 124.6
Length 206.5
Width (w/o mirrors) 75.0
Height 58.7
Track (front / rear) 63.0 / 63.2
Ground Clearance (max load) 5.12
Curb Weight (lbs) 4,630


Interior Dimensions (in)
Head room (front/rear) 39.7 / 37.4
Leg room (front/rear) 41.4 / 43.1
Shoulder room (front/rear) 59.7 / 59.1


Capacities
Cabin Volume (cu-ft) 112.2
Trunk Size (cu-ft) 16.3

 

[mk7rip]

Power to weight ratio can give you a general idea but will never be entirely accurate. You have to take power under the curve as well as torque into consideration as well. A 3,200 lb car that has a peaky powerband that makes 380whp for 500rpm then falls off sharply will get beat by a heavier car that makes 360whp but has a better curve and more torque.

 

[2015WhiteGTI]

Power to weight ratio can give you a general idea but will never be entirely accurate. You have to take power under the curve as well as torque into consideration as well. A 3,200 lb car that has a peaky powerband that makes 380whp for 500rpm then falls off sharply will get beat by a heavier car that makes 360whp but has a better curve and more torque.

For sure!

The new Ford Mustang GT and the Camaro SS 1LE are a good example of this. Latest head-to-head had the Mustang quicker in the straight line (engine just pulled harder at the top end) even though they both made similar HP and the Camaro made more torque.

 

[Sandman GTI]

This is a good example of design purpose of cars.
Type R designed for quickness and Clubsport designed for Autobahn life.
All depends on length of race I guess.

https://youtu.be/G0ey_Tido0g