Maxing the F355 soon - circa 185 mph
Discussion
Dear PHers,
I will be spending 3 months in Vienna with the F355 next month, and will drive the 1000 miles or so from Berkshire through Northern France, Belgium and via Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Nürnberg, arrive in Vienna.
Naturally, for a brief period, if conditions permit, I will want to hit maximum speed in the F355, aiming to register between 180 and 185 mph.
My questions are:
- have you maxed your vehicle?
- where?
- what was the indicated speed?
- and most importantly, how is the best way to calm and ease everything back down?
Regarding the last question, does one just ease off the accelerator, should one brake gently, or should the gears be used in anyway?
I will be spending 3 months in Vienna with the F355 next month, and will drive the 1000 miles or so from Berkshire through Northern France, Belgium and via Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Nürnberg, arrive in Vienna.
Naturally, for a brief period, if conditions permit, I will want to hit maximum speed in the F355, aiming to register between 180 and 185 mph.
My questions are:
- have you maxed your vehicle?
- where?
- what was the indicated speed?
- and most importantly, how is the best way to calm and ease everything back down?
Regarding the last question, does one just ease off the accelerator, should one brake gently, or should the gears be used in anyway?
Edited by DrYazz on Sunday 14th February 18:08
Yes i have maxed my spider out often in Europe. I do a tour every year, last year i did 8 countries in 9 days. Covered great driving roads from the Route Napoleon to the stelvio pass ect ect. there are threads about it on www.ferrarilife.com
You will not get to the claimed 185mph. My speedo indicated just over 182mph, my Tom Tom said 178mph.
I did that on a private road by the way. I dont think you will ever get anyone with sense telling you were they broke any speed limits on the public roads.
Oh and you need to visit this place in France and do a fly by
;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqRNLJL9uEc
You will not get to the claimed 185mph. My speedo indicated just over 182mph, my Tom Tom said 178mph.
I did that on a private road by the way. I dont think you will ever get anyone with sense telling you were they broke any speed limits on the public roads.
Oh and you need to visit this place in France and do a fly by
;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqRNLJL9uEcferrari spider said:
You will not get to the claimed 185mph. My speedo indicated just over 182mph, my Tom Tom said 178mph.
But you have a convertible - everyone knows these are slower than their tin-top equivalents I thought sections of the German AutoBahn network are still un-restricted?
Don't intend to attempt the V-max anywhere else.
Coming towards the end of the Dolomite's mountains coming into Germany. The road runs parallel to the Autobahn. Its literally side by side, so i drove on it when i wanted and just rejoined the B road when i wanted a more relaxed drive.
Sod all this Spider v GTB stuff. My 355 is carrying my 19 stone bulk as well as my son and full luggage. So i suppose a standard dweeb built bloke with no passenger and no luggage might hit over 180. So if you think you have the balls....go for it brother
Oh Yea, there are some very serious cars in Germany. Heres an M6 G-power that i came across at a petrol station on the Dolomite's. I was doing some very serious speed at times and this G-power car just came up besides me and straight past when ever he chose. He was a cool guy who was game for many many miles. Awesome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE6zc48FUgk
Sod all this Spider v GTB stuff. My 355 is carrying my 19 stone bulk as well as my son and full luggage. So i suppose a standard dweeb built bloke with no passenger and no luggage might hit over 180. So if you think you have the balls....go for it brother
Oh Yea, there are some very serious cars in Germany. Heres an M6 G-power that i came across at a petrol station on the Dolomite's. I was doing some very serious speed at times and this G-power car just came up besides me and straight past when ever he chose. He was a cool guy who was game for many many miles. Awesome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE6zc48FUgk
Edited by ferrari spider on Sunday 14th February 22:50
ferrari spider said:
Sod all this Spider v GTB stuff. My 355 is carrying my 19 stone bulk as well as my son and full luggage. So i suppose a standard dweeb built bloke with no passenger and no luggage might hit over 180. So if you think you have the balls....go for it brother
Weight in the car makes zero difference to top speed. It's all aero load in the 100's. Because of this, the biggest difference when testing cars is usually which way the wind is blowing....DrYazz said:
- have you maxed your vehicle?
- where?
- what was the indicated speed?
- and most importantly, how is the best way to calm and ease everything back down?
To answer:- where?
- what was the indicated speed?
- and most importantly, how is the best way to calm and ease everything back down?
1. Yes.
2. Autobahn
3. No idea. Flat out, things happen VERY quickly and slights kinks in the road look like hairpins. You're best off paying attention to the road rather than the speedo.
4. Just lift off the accelerator. Wind and road resistance slow you down quick enough.
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
ferrari spider said:
Sod all this Spider v GTB stuff. My 355 is carrying my 19 stone bulk as well as my son and full luggage. So i suppose a standard dweeb built bloke with no passenger and no luggage might hit over 180. So if you think you have the balls....go for it brother
Weight in the car makes zero difference to top speed. It's all aero load in the 100's. Because of this, the biggest difference when testing cars is usually which way the wind is blowing....weight will make no difference if you're on a level road
hth
as ferrari spider has said, you're not going to see over a true 180mph (might see it on speedo).
be very careful at that speed, things happen much quicker than you are able to deal with, before getting anywhere near it check tyre condition and pressure, all levels and afterwards let car cool gently, dont put handbrake on when stopping.
And would also never advocate that speed on public roads anywhere (autobahn is of course legal but doesnt make it safe).
good luck & enjoy.
be very careful at that speed, things happen much quicker than you are able to deal with, before getting anywhere near it check tyre condition and pressure, all levels and afterwards let car cool gently, dont put handbrake on when stopping.
And would also never advocate that speed on public roads anywhere (autobahn is of course legal but doesnt make it safe).
good luck & enjoy.
DrYazz said:
Dear PHers,
My questions are:
- ......
- and most importantly, how is the best way to calm and ease everything back down?
Regarding the last question, does one just ease off the accelerator, should one brake gently, or should the gears be used in anyway?
I would respectfully suggest if you are asking that question then your first step should be some tuition, somewhere like before aerodrome with long open runways where you can build up some high speed experience along the straights, at those kind of speeds your drive inputs need to be almost instinctive!My questions are:
- ......
- and most importantly, how is the best way to calm and ease everything back down?
Regarding the last question, does one just ease off the accelerator, should one brake gently, or should the gears be used in anyway?
Edited by DrYazz on Sunday 14th February 18:08
Cactussed said:
4. Just lift off the accelerator. Wind and road resistance slow you down quick enough.
+1. Its incredibly effective at high speeds, and you'll actually feel unstable with the brakes at that speed.I wouldnt go into the journey thinking that just because you're going on an autobahn there will be the chance to do such speeds. The weather, traffic and road conditions frequently conspire to stop such attempts.
andrew. said:
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
ferrari spider said:
Sod all this Spider v GTB stuff. My 355 is carrying my 19 stone bulk as well as my son and full luggage. So i suppose a standard dweeb built bloke with no passenger and no luggage might hit over 180. So if you think you have the balls....go for it brother
Weight in the car makes zero difference to top speed. It's all aero load in the 100's. Because of this, the biggest difference when testing cars is usually which way the wind is blowing....weight will make no difference if you're on a level road
hth
kryten22uk said:
I wouldnt go into the journey thinking that just because you're going on an autobahn there will be the chance to do such speeds. The weather, traffic and road conditions frequently conspire to stop such attempts.
I've done various trips on the Autobahns and I've only managed a long(ish) run at speed once. I'm sure early mornings in the summer might be better, but in normal daytime hours it's nearly impossible these days.Echo advice above.
Don't even think about looking at your speedo ro doing a capture on your sat-nav or phone. Just shifting in your seat can move you into the next lane once you are over 150.
Make sure tyres are new-ish, totally un-kerbed and properly inflated.
Track driving can only help, as it is a different world when you are doubling the national speed limit.
Would not like to be on the public road with someone doing their first ever "fast drive" (over 130mph).
No offence intended.
Don't even think about looking at your speedo ro doing a capture on your sat-nav or phone. Just shifting in your seat can move you into the next lane once you are over 150.
Make sure tyres are new-ish, totally un-kerbed and properly inflated.
Track driving can only help, as it is a different world when you are doubling the national speed limit.
Would not like to be on the public road with someone doing their first ever "fast drive" (over 130mph).
No offence intended.
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
I've done various trips on the Autobahns and I've only managed a long(ish) run at speed once. I'm sure early mornings in the summer might be better, but in normal daytime hours it's nearly impossible these days.
Not impossible, but finding an empty stretch is bloody hard. Early Sundya morning is usually a good time to have a nudge...Not in certain places in Europe its not hard to find clear traffic free roads. Some roads you can see for miles. I took a 430 upto 190 driving up through Spain ....easily on a clear road.
See that BMW in the video? He went straight to 160+ no problem, leaving me while i was doing a 3 figure speed.
While talking of hi speeds, in Italy were the lane discipline if second to none on the Auto stradas. Even a Fiat Punto will flash you over at 120+mph. Anyone who has driven in Italy will know were i am coming from
See that BMW in the video? He went straight to 160+ no problem, leaving me while i was doing a 3 figure speed.
While talking of hi speeds, in Italy were the lane discipline if second to none on the Auto stradas. Even a Fiat Punto will flash you over at 120+mph. Anyone who has driven in Italy will know were i am coming from
1st eurohoon after I’d only had the car 2 weeks, 170mph on speedo, with a mate in an RS4 sitting on my @rse who probably could overtaken me easily, very embarrassing.
A couple of years later on a beautiful completely empty dead straight (derestricted) motorway in Spain hit 180mph on speedo with the roof down. Took 2 miles to get to 170 and then a further 3 miles with foot buried in the carpet to hit 180. I reckon with the roof up I may have got a few extra mph but based on when I was at the Vmax day at Brunters it makes fark all difference.
As people have said please be careful doing these speeds, once you have vmax’d don’t brake, just let the car slow down naturally until about 120 then start braking.
A couple of years later on a beautiful completely empty dead straight (derestricted) motorway in Spain hit 180mph on speedo with the roof down. Took 2 miles to get to 170 and then a further 3 miles with foot buried in the carpet to hit 180. I reckon with the roof up I may have got a few extra mph but based on when I was at the Vmax day at Brunters it makes fark all difference.
As people have said please be careful doing these speeds, once you have vmax’d don’t brake, just let the car slow down naturally until about 120 then start braking.
Fastest I have ever driven is 160 mph indicated on my road angel, (Pretty slow in comparason to some on here!), but that was enough for me. Every 10mph over say 120mph seems a massive increase, my car felt fine and had plenty more to give, but your reactions need to be so quick. All it takes is a tyre to blow out, debris on the road etc and thats that.
I have had a few 355's and also other fast wheels where a max out is about the most incredible exciting thing that you can do - makes you feel alive like never before, probably because you are quite near to death if you cock up.
Mostly same rules apply no matter what car your in.
Take a few moments pre flight to check tyres, wheels also make sure she's fueled up because it will drink it like crazy.
Make sure all air vents are closed and turn off A/C (if you are looking for every MPH)
Find good road with extreme visability, good idea to drive down it first - again pre checking for anything unexpected!!
Once your off don't thrash her to the red going up through the gears, get into top early and then let the speed build, be smooth and measured. Once your flying the sensation can be quite unsettling until your vision and reactions adjust, above 150mph and you really are covering some ground. Remember to be incredibly smooth and gentle with no sudden movements or crazy moves, once you've done the business be gentle off the gas - as previously suggested you will soon slow down re air dynamics etc..All good fun!!
Mostly same rules apply no matter what car your in.
Take a few moments pre flight to check tyres, wheels also make sure she's fueled up because it will drink it like crazy.
Make sure all air vents are closed and turn off A/C (if you are looking for every MPH)
Find good road with extreme visability, good idea to drive down it first - again pre checking for anything unexpected!!
Once your off don't thrash her to the red going up through the gears, get into top early and then let the speed build, be smooth and measured. Once your flying the sensation can be quite unsettling until your vision and reactions adjust, above 150mph and you really are covering some ground. Remember to be incredibly smooth and gentle with no sudden movements or crazy moves, once you've done the business be gentle off the gas - as previously suggested you will soon slow down re air dynamics etc..All good fun!!
[quote=DrYazz]Fek, there was me thinking all I had to was plant the right foot and keep both hands on the wheel.
That is what everyone does really, I have never done half the crap I put down, just thought it sounded good!! Ring the bell and pedal like hell..............
Oh Yeah 355B manual - best I got was 180 on the clock. They never feel that quick to 100/130 but they just keep going on to a good top end. 180 is F FAST in anyone's book!!
That is what everyone does really, I have never done half the crap I put down, just thought it sounded good!! Ring the bell and pedal like hell..............
Oh Yeah 355B manual - best I got was 180 on the clock. They never feel that quick to 100/130 but they just keep going on to a good top end. 180 is F FAST in anyone's book!!
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