Fellow Max owners,

Could the Max spank a 97 and up E320 to 0 to 60 and the quarter miles ?
Just a thought, with no mods just bone stock.

Thanks

Well Car and Driver tested a long term one 0-60 in 6.7. Thats pretty quick. You might have a chance if you have a manual.

Here is some MB knowledge. The current generation of E Class (W210) began in the '96 model year. For the first two years, the E320s used the old I6. Starting with the '98 model year, MB started using the modular V block in all cars, including the 3.2L V6 of the newer E320. MB engines have a way of gaining power after break-in. So, as stated above, if you have a manual, you might have a chance.

I have hung with them before. 0-100 you may be one or tow cars ahead but over 100 they seem to pull on the 5 speed Max... Now a 430 shows me a nice view of his license plate before it gets blurry from the distance.

Mercedes' current 3.2L V6 (215hp) is deceptively powerful. It has a very broad torque curve and MB's gear their automatics for quick acceleration. I think the E320 does 0-60 in under 7 seconds, so unless you have a 5-spd, it will be very difficult to burn a E320. Even if you have a 5-spd, it will be a very close match.

If you have an automatic Maxima, you have no chance.

I raced an earlier generation one. Met him on the highway. I was minding my own business and he flew by. I decided to go after him. I caught up, he saw me and proceeded to try to shake me. Wasn't happening. I passed him on 2 occaisions but then let him get ahead. We were in a spot where cops might be and I didn't want to be busted in the lead. Given that the race started at 70 mph I thought I could easily take him cause his power was similar to mine, but he had a 600 lb dis-advantage. If it was an out and out race from 0 to top speed, we would be pretty even to 60 and then my weight advantage would let me pull away and slowly get further and further away from him. Those E320s may be geared to get to 60 fast, but the weight takes over at higher speeds. He should have gotten an E430 or E55. An E430 will wipe my *** to 60 and just keep going. Funny, tho, the E430 will hit its limiter at 130 mph, I'll catch up and pass him onto 140. I've never done that with an E430 but I'm sure that's what would happen

DW

You don't know what you're talking about.....weight doesn't matter at high speeds....just down low. E320s shine on the highway...not out of stoplights. My friends mom has one...and I can spank it out of a light...but when we race from 80 on....I pull about a carlength..and then at about 120 he slingshots by me...only to stop at his 130 speed limiter. THEY ARE FAST UP TOP.

People don't forget that cars like that are designed to drive 120+ all day long without breaking a sweat. I'd say up top an E320 would smoke a Maxima 5spd.

Yep Brian knows from fist hand experience what Mercedes will do on the highway. Mercedes are made to run at highway speed such as 70+ and so are Audis and Bimmers. The E320 has 221 hp and 232 ft. lbs from 3000-4800 running through a very effecient 5 speed transmission.

Sorry pal, but weight does matter, all the time. Perhaps you should figure out what you're talking about. Your situation was one where the Benz could use its 0 to 60 momentum and good gearing to overcome its weight dis-advantage. The 0 zero to 100 momentum helped it to slingshot past you. Try racing again, but this time start even at 80 to 100 mph and then go from there. I met my challange at the highway. That was the difference.

DW

You guys are mis-informed. I've raced an A6 2.8 and E320, both met on the highway. I took em both, marginally, but I took em. Yeah, german bahn runners run great on the highway. Their greater weight gives a more planted and connected feel to the road at speed, hence increased driver confidence. But weight is weight. The Max with at least 17" rims on it runs with great confidence at hi speed. The hi speed confidence is worth it in my book.

DW

My dad has a 2000 C230 Kompressor, low end speeds i can kick his a$$, the problem is if u are street racing those things have incredibe handling at high speeds, trust me i have driven it, and my next door neighbor has a 99 E320 which once again i can beat on the low end because it isa big heavy car, but them high speeds, the handling is amazing

Actually, an A6 2.8 is a real dog. 0-60 in 9 seconds or something like that. The E320 on the other hand is much faster.

I have 17"'s on my Maxima as well, but I find that with modified suspension and rims, the ride is just too harsh to really do any crazy driving. If you've ever autocrossed a Mercedes or BMW, it's the smoothness of their suspensions that let you take the car to the limit with confidence. With my Max, it handles well, but it's so bumpy and jarring that it makes me afraid to push it that hard. So in my opinion, even with 17's, a Max is no match for an E320 in terms of high speed stability.

You dont know what you are talking about. I was the one that raced Brian in our 99' E320. We raced from about 80 on and he got a quick jump of about 1 1/2 cars on me and i reeled him in by 115 and then proceeded to pull a car on HIM by the time i shut down at about 125. Now your car doesnt have a y-pipe which helps on the top end, so i doubt you beat a E320 that was actually racing.

My mom owns a 97' Benz E320, and I've got a bone stock 96' SE Auto Max. My friend followed me once in my moms car while I was in my max. We raced off the line and I was 1/2 car length ahead of him off the line in o/d. After 60 mph it was pretty much neck and neck, then he began to pull on me a little bit. So if you race on a 1/4 mile scale you will win definitely!!

I'm not sure, but I seem to recall either in 97 or 98 is when Mercedes switched over to their modular V6's. The new V6 (the 3-valver) is very strong and much improved over the similar spec older generation 3.2L v6.

Read my earlier post on this thread for the answer.