Couldn't keep up with A8L (in the rain)

[330toSRT8]

This morning I was leaving a parking lot and had to wait for an A8L to back up. As soon as he went into "D" he took off like a bat out of hell. He made it through a yellow light and I had to wait. Then I got behind him at the next light waiting for a left-turn light. As soon as it changed he took off again. I wasn't looking for a race in the rain, all I wanted to do was keep up with him. The rain had absolutely no effect on his fast left-turn. Meanwhile, I barely press the gas maybe a 1/4 of the way and the tires spin and I'm fighting the traction control. Then as I'm starting to straighten out the traction control lets go for a second and the rear end slides just a bit and the traction control cuts power again. I don't know if this guy had the 4.2 or the 6.0, but obviously AWD is a beautiful thing.

Also, I noticed the traction control light doesn't go every time it's working. I was driving around and from just about every stop I could feel the wheels spin and then power was cut (or brakes applied), but no light.

[chiromikey]

Originally Posted by 330toSRT8

...Also, I noticed the traction control light doesn't go every time it's working. I was driving around and from just about every stop I could feel the wheels spin and then power was cut (or brakes applied), but no light.

are you sure it's the traction control and not the lack of lsd giving you that "feeling"?

[EricG]

Do Mercedes vehicles come with an lsd?

Eric

[330toSRT8]

Originally Posted by chiromikey

are you sure it's the traction control and not the lack of lsd giving you that "feeling"?

I could hear at least one wheel slipping and the car definitely wasn't moving forward with the normal force.

Edit: meant to say "could hear," which is what it says now.

[chiromikey]

Originally Posted by EricG

Do Mercedes vehicles come with an lsd?

Eric

some do now...at the expense of the $10k 030 option. one would be better off with the quaife and it's only 1/4 the price.

[First300COwner]

Originally Posted by 330toSRT8

I couldn't hear at least one wheel slipping and the car definitely wasn't moving forward with the normal force.

Yup.... These cars suck in the rain. Well, if you know how to drive a car with this much HP thats RW drive you'd do better then me. These are the times when Civic Si's are good races LOL.

You race anything with AWD in the rain and you might look silly.

Have I mentioned I hate the front spoiler issues.

[EricG]

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricG
Do Mercedes vehicles come with an lsd?

Eric

some do now...at the expense of the $10k 030 option. one would be better off with the quaife and it's only 1/4 the price.

10k? What the hell, is that thing made out of gold? The C isn't that annoying without one, but there are definitely times you wish there was one there. When I bought this car I definitely thought it had one - just expected it you know...

I'd say that's my only gripe on the mighty SRT8.

Does the E55 have one? Any AMG cars?

Eric

[stevesrt8]

most mercedes use the same setup we have. I am pretty certain they have just started to offer LSD on their cars.

Most of my cars difficulty in the wet is due to tires. I've had better rain tires for sure, and some of my better ones sucked on dry road.

It won't matter what you do, no 2 wheel drive is going to catch that kick ass 4wd Audi A8. That's the weather his was designed for!

[shodanusmc]

At times like that, you need the Grand Cherokee SRT-8. THey are great, wet, dry, snow.......