F111F

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Track your car. Pics under Garage and vBgarage. Enjoy

dsb

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I wouldn't run with the top down. I tried it out a couple times. The car feels a little looser around the corners. Also, the one time I 'left' the track was when the top was down. BTW, some track events wont let you run with the top down, but if they do, try it out. It's fun but the car handles better top up.

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'06 Mercedes Benz SLK55
Caspian Blue / Black & Ash / DPE 19" R07s, Other Stuff

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Ynot

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I agree, it feels looser with top down, I did both top up/down driving during the autocross, and with top up I got faster times but it wasn't as fun. Down top with esp button press off, I was drifting and sliding all over the course, yes I know that's not what you're suppose to do but it was the last couple of runs and I felt like having fun, since I didn't get much enjoyment just driving the autocross course.

BMWCCA will not allow convertibles without a roll cage, I think NASA will only let you drive with top down with a rollcage.

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06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR.


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dsb

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True, but it was with NASA that I tried the top down. A friend was sitting passenger as we waited to enter the track. I wondered if they would stop me with the top down. So, minutes before my group went out, I lowered the top. They waived me on like normal. Cool. Of course, it looked good... until I got squirrely and left the track. So, no more top down for me. For AutoX, it wasn't as big of a deal since speeds are relatively low. At a road course, speeds exceed 100mph and I think there's a benefit for top up driving.

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'06 Mercedes Benz SLK55
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Ynot

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Exactly, it's run for the AutoX b/c of the low speed. I would play it safe on a road course.

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06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR.


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arcbmwz3

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Not surprising really. All 3 marques come from racing heritages even if most do not realize it. You really hit the nail on the head here. The AWD drive in the EVO and Suby can make up for some mistakes for handling. And, well, the Lotus is a go-cart! In a short track, it's going to be hard to beat by anyone!

I hope the STI you ran into wasn't a 2007, if he didn't have his ECU re-mapped then I'm SURE he ran into detonation issues on the track, which seriously impacts performance.

What your post brings out to me though is that the SLK is is what I expected it to be...I REAL drivers car from a standpoint of handling being it's forte, combined with excellent torque and hp to keep it competitive. The only real issue I have is that performance upgrades are so exhorbitent for the SLK's. I know many feel that MB's have a more "relaxed" ownership population, but MB has a very rich racing heritage and I think many times that is forgotten by modern MB owners.

I hope to see many MB's in the future to race against...and one black SLK 55 AMG sitting in my garage in the next year or so. I'm certainly saving for it!