500SL.... any good for a trackday ?

[500sl-man]

Hi everyone, i am new to ythe forum and new to pistonheads, i have been looking around the site and getting a feel for all the cars used etc. I have a 97 500SL and was wondering if its up to the job... so would'nt mind some advice. thanks

[Lonman]

Frankly.....no.

[jleroux]

pick the right circuit and it can certainly be enjoyable. you want a high-speed track that's easy on the brakes - somewhere like Goodwood or Snetterton. avoid the brake killer tracks such as bedford, rockingham, cadwell and oulton.

It's never going to be a track weapon and it could end up cheaper to hire a car for the day than chew through those big brakes and tyres - but you'll certainly have a giggle with it.

Jonny
BaT

[Germantrack]

Could be fun weapon of choice maybe on somewhere like Bruntingthorpe, it is not used often
but could be fun.
Some big Mercs are a good laugh on track had one of these and i was very surprised

[2skiddy]

Hi, recently bought a CLK55 after loads of Beemers etc. The car is a lot better than expected round the track. No it`s not a race car, but lots of fun and easy to drive on the road. Hope you have the same with the SL. Have you thought about the SL55? You can never have too much power???????

[RatBoy M3CS]

Well, it will be fun to watch...! I am not sure how much fun to be in at the time.., my friends SL goes round bends like a 3 legged camel trying to stand up on a well greased spacehopper...

Funny but not attractive...

Try it up the 1/4 mile instead... !

Seriously... you can have fun in anything.. but dont expect much in the bends, and brakes department...

[PHOENIXUK]

Took my SL55 round Donnington, great laugh and surprisingly sure footed, FD the front brakes mind! Amazingly managed to get discs/pads on warranty as it had only done 5k miles, service manager tried to get out of it by saying I had been driving the car to hard, I pointed to the AMG badge.

[500sl-man]

Hmmmm ok thanks guys, well i knew it was not a porsche anyways, so i will put the roof down, pop on a helmet and a least look good while i am trying to save the brakes. I live nr guildford, so i was going to try Brands Hatch....what do you think.

[SplatSpeed]

you obvisly have money

suggest you hire a car for the day

ie one of the bat cats

lot more fun and no damage to your car

or hire one from avis

[shim]

all bo**ckls to be honest

just get out there and enjoy. If you want to take your 5000Sl on track you will have a very quick car and show up some so called track cars BUT be prepared to either take it easy regarding track time OR to get some brake wear and tear.

Ive seen a few M5s out and AMGs and very quick on the straights and ok in cornering.

[Penguinracer]

Perhaps fit some more heat resistant brake pads (Pagid or equivalent) & some Castrol SRF brake fluid. Keep your tyre pressures up as a heavy car will distort the hell out of the tyre's sidewalls & tyre could be massive. Wear your Commodore's jacket & enjoy the voyage!

[500sl-man]

thanks guys, i appreciate the advice, where can you get this stuff..

[castrolcraig]

im going to enjoy watching the big merc squirming around cadwell on the 28th!!

[Penguinracer]

For Castrol SRF you could buy online: www.racelubricants.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=10... or www.raceparts-direct.com/products/fluids_and_lubri...


For the Pagid brake pads you could try - www.motorsportworld.co.uk/frame-detail.asp?PAGE=/p... or www.mtmotorsport.co.uk/SHOP/index.html?target=dept...

For info about the brake pads go to: www.pagid.com or www.needforspeed.co.uk/htmlpages/techBRP03.htm

Getting the best fluid & pads on the car will enhance your enjoyment of the day.
An oil & filter change using a top spec oil (Mobil 1 or better) is a worthwhile expense before you give your car a caning!

[lee69]

So what day & TDO did you decided to go with ?
I am out to play on the 16th April at Oulton if you fancy chasing an MK 1 GTI 20v Turbo.