Something I noticed in Germany.

[Chill72]

While driving on autobahn I am yet to see anybody race. Everybody just drives and goes on about their business. Conventional thinking would indicate that there would be more racing going on without speed limits. In US I saw people race on the highway almost daily...hmmm Maybe I'm never at the right place at the right time.

[osteome]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

The A-Bahn is more about seeing how fast your car will go for those who are curious and use the appropriate unlimited areas when traffic is at a minimum - like early Sunday morning around Sun up. Street racing is stupid, illegal and dangerous. On the A-Bahn the car with the highest top speed is king -- for the moment.

+1

Europeans in general seem to respect the given rules of the road for the most part and don't treat the autobahn as a personal raceway. The roads are generally engineered for much higher speeds than the interstate, but just because one can, does not mean one has to, when it comes to speed.

I can esily hit and sustain 120 MPH in certain sections of the Autobahn near my home, that are unmarked, and generally traffic moves over accordingly, without ensuing rage. Even though I can maintain this rate of speed, in sections that are not posted, it does not mean that I would not have a lot of explaining to do if something bad happened at any speed over 130km/hr.

[karussell]

i have had some friendly speed competition on the autobahn. i was in the GT3 and encountered a MR M3 coupe. we took turns on the left lane which was fun. never a race though. i also did the same with an DBS coupe while driving back from the ring. In my M3, i encountered a german woman in an E92 M3 coupe. we both hit the speed limiter which was kinda funny since neither could pull on each other. :-) I don't think i have witnessed any street racing though. just use of the left lane when appropriate. just have to remember always someone faster though so don't get too comfortable in that left lane.

[karussell]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

There is always something faster so keep right except to pass. It's always fun Porsche hunting with a 525 HP RS6 V10 or similar.

RS6 Avant is simply awesome. now thats a family car :-)

[Chill72]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

There is always something faster so keep right except to pass. It's always fun Porsche hunting with a 525 HP RS6 V10 or similar.

That's why I wish removing top speed limiter wouldn't void my warranty

[Chill72]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

The top speed limiter is a PITA and insult to me as a customer. One bloke claimed it was because the tires were not speed rated for higher speeds - as if BMW couldn't install the proper speed tires... It's just a means to get extra bucks from customers via exploitation IMO.

Yep that's what I think...BMW banks on people removing the limiter, BOOM warranty gone, one less car they gotta worry about. As for the tire thing, I was told once that the speed rating indicated on the tire shows the speed you got to travel at for an hour to damage the tire (if indicated speed is eclipsed that is). I guess I gotta wait till warranty runs out

[donovan]

Good times! The Autobahn is a glorious creation if I must say so myself. I hit my fastest ever at 162 MPH going towards Mannheim, Germany.

[Chill72]

Originally Posted by donovan

Good times! The Autobahn is a glorious creation if I must say so myself. I hit my fastest ever at 162 MPH going towards Mannheim, Germany.

I hope your top was up.

[M3Fool]

Man.... I sure hope the limiter is better than 162.......... I hit 163 in a Mini Cooper S on A3 going through Frankfurt at 0200 AM. I am on pretty good terms with the manager of the local BMW sales and service center (our kids play soccer together and share a common love of BMW's) maybe with some friendly persuasion he can reflash my computer with German software so the limiter.... just goes away without voiding the warranty.

[PIMP "E"]

well in the US everybody is living a movie, "10 seconds at a time." lol

[M3 Piotr]

Hey Tom,
not sure about you, but I had lots of people trying to race me on the autobahn. I had encouters with F360 (to my surprise he didn't pull on me and I slowly started walking), E55 AMG (he had me good, but didn't look stock), another E90 M3 (that I actually pulled on by a half/car length, maybe no power on), tons of S3/S4s and for some reason Audi A6s.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

The top speed limiter is a PITA and insult to me as a customer. One bloke claimed it was because the tires were not speed rated for higher speeds - as if BMW couldn't install the proper speed tires... It's just a means to get extra bucks from customers via exploitation IMO.

BMW will remove the limiter for you if you buy the 'drivers package'. It consists of a performance driving course at the M school - you don't even have to attend and they will de limit your car but it is $$$$. Speak to your local dealership for more info.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ss134

BMW will remove the limiter for you if you buy the 'drivers package'. It consists of a performance driving course at the M school - you don't even have to attend and they will de limit your car but it is $$$$. Speak to your local dealership for more info.

+1.

When you go thru the M-school your dealer will give you a 280 kph limiter. Normally the M cars come with a 250 kph limiter. I thought you need to show the dealer your cirtificate and race drivers license.

Or... go to one of the chip/flash tuners or car coders in DE. Tuners usually charge upwards of thousand euros - just to remove the limiter!

You can also contact Thorsten, he codes cars in and around Germany. He lives in Munich. I think he is fairly cheap for this service. You just pay for his driving time (20 euros per hours drive time) RT plus coding done.

wwww.car-coding.de


Dackel