C32 handling - MBClub UK

AlanD · 24-01-2011, 11:16 PM

I promise not to ask about snow tyres, but I am interested in how "chuckable" the C32 is, particularly since the roads are so greasy at the moment. Does it drift or oversteer predictably or throw you off the road with contempt!? My nerves are slightly shot from a 50:50 moment at very high speed on the motorway before Christmas where with no warning at all I found myself sliding about 100m or so down the road with full reverse lock on (wife, kids & luggage in the car) and by luck as much as skill found myself still alive and pointing the right way. My sin - a slight lift off the throttle while looking in the (frozen) mirror to move back in a lane after passing.

Don't get me wrong - I like a lively car and love chucking things around tracks and occasionally the odd open road. I don't love things that will kill me out of the blue! This is especially relevant since my wife will be driving it all week long until I can play with it at the weekend!

So two questions really - how well behaved is it for a "normal" driver who won't be pushing it at all; and how much fun is it for a more enthusiastic driver who's plenty happy with a bit of movement, as long as it's intentional!? How is it on slow speed bends - does it understeer and feel heavy and cumbersome or turn in nicely and allow for a little tail wagging?

Charles Morgan · 25-01-2011, 10:02 AM

It isn't. It is great in straight lines (if the traction control allows you to get going), but finesse, control, plantedness around corners are not part of the deal. Others mileage I am sure will vary, but having come to own one after a Porsche Boxster I thought the handling was positively feeble.

Swozza · 25-01-2011, 10:44 AM

I'd have to disagree with the post above. However I've never driven a Porsche, but as its not a 4 door saloon I can only compare with other 4 door saloons I have driven and my experiences.

In good conditions the C32 is brilliant on UK roads. Its soft enough that it doesn't break your spine, but yet sporty so when you do give it the beans its controllable and fun. The power is manageable.

However on the flip side in bad weather if you drive it like you've just stole it you are going to an early grave. But thats true with all cars.

Dizwen · 25-01-2011, 12:01 PM

Porsches are designed as sports cars where as the C32 is a different beast. I too went from a Boxster to the C32. It doesn't have the same feedback as a porker but you can still have fun in one. the steering is weighted nicely and as long as you know how to feed the power in you can get alot from the car. slow in fast out and the tail will wag!

My wife uses it to go to work (normal driver?) and loves it. easy car to drive at normal speeds.

Neiltodd · 25-01-2011, 01:36 PM

I agree with both above posts.

AlanD · 25-01-2011, 01:59 PM

Thanks for the replies. So the back end is easy to tame under moderate poke out of corners? Does the traction control ruin the party or only if you overcook it? Can you totally disable it? How about lift-off oversteer (something you Porsche drivers are sure to be familiar with!!)?

If you do push it too hard, does it basically understeer, or throw a fit and pitch you off the road!? With the smaller front tyres, I was thinking perhaps the former ..

Swozza · 25-01-2011, 02:58 PM

I've never had under steer only over when pushed hard and if you use the manual option and change gear yourself you can have loads of manageable fun with over steer, I must point out that this also has alot to do with the driver not just the car as must rear wheel drive cars can be driven in this manner. (Just not in bad weather, I won't be responsible for your death).

Londonscottish · 25-01-2011, 03:18 PM

Sound v odd to me.

My C43's and now my W211 E500 are smothered with electronics to prevent this sort of thing from happening.

Can't say any of them have ever stepped out except under extreme provocation or ice/snow.

Swozza · 25-01-2011, 03:24 PM

Under normal driving true, but we're not talking about normal driving. Also you can turn ESP off. Totally off (includes ABS).

AlanD · 25-01-2011, 03:26 PM

Haha .. yes, I shouldn't make it sound like I'm an unhinged loon! I do err on the side of caution in poor weather of course, but conversely, on certain open roads (or even roundabouts!), it can be easier to "play" when wet as less momentum/general energy is involved!

Londonscottish · 25-01-2011, 03:54 PM

All the driver aids in the world can't defeat physics (cold summer tyres, ice, sudden weight transfer, relatively-lightly loaded read wheels etc).

When Evo first tested the C32 their conclusion was that it was more adjustable than a C43 but "still curiously inert" - ie still too nannied by all the electrical safety blankets for their style of driving.

Mavster · 25-01-2011, 05:58 PM

I owned one for a while, while in a straight line its speed was very very impressive, it didn't really leave me feeling confident about it's cornering/ handling ability at speed. Mid range acceleration was mental

BenzedUP · 25-01-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swozza

I'd have to disagree with the post above. However I've never driven a Porsche, but as its not a 4 door saloon I can only compare with other 4 door saloons I have driven and my experiences.

In good conditions the C32 is brilliant on UK roads. Its soft enough that it doesn't break your spine, but yet sporty so when you do give it the beans its controllable and fun. The power is manageable.

However on the flip side in bad weather if you drive it like you've just stole it you are going to an early grave. But thats true with all cars.

I agree,

C32 AMG's are great great cars and handle well enough for the road and will eat more or less anything on the road and round the bends it doesnt get the credit it deserves it handles well maybe not as balanced as a Boxster or dare I say an M3 but it's allot more comfy than both and in a straight line it will munch both!

AlanD · 25-01-2011, 07:08 PM

It's a shame (unless I'm being thick!) that there don't appear to be any decent (and English) video reviews of the C32. Have Top Gear/5th Gear really never tested one?

marty359 · 25-01-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Morgan

It isn't. It is great in straight lines (if the traction control allows you to get going), but finesse, control, plantedness around corners are not part of the deal. Others mileage I am sure will vary, but having come to own one after a Porsche Boxster I thought the handling was positively feeble.

Mixed views but im with Mr Morgan on this one, straight line speed its very fast and stable and not too bad on fast sweeping bends but as for twisty roads mine really doesnt give me enough feedback to trust it so the ESP never really gets turned off.

Now the wifes Mini Cooper on the other hand is great fun

24-01-2011, 11:16 PM	#1
AlanD Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Car: C55 AMG Posts: 316	C32 handling I promise not to ask about snow tyres, but I am interested in how "chuckable" the C32 is, particularly since the roads are so greasy at the moment. Does it drift or oversteer predictably or throw you off the road with contempt!? My nerves are slightly shot from a 50:50 moment at very high speed on the motorway before Christmas where with no warning at all I found myself sliding about 100m or so down the road with full reverse lock on (wife, kids & luggage in the car) and by luck as much as skill found myself still alive and pointing the right way. My sin - a slight lift off the throttle while looking in the (frozen) mirror to move back in a lane after passing. Don't get me wrong - I like a lively car and love chucking things around tracks and occasionally the odd open road. I don't love things that will kill me out of the blue! This is especially relevant since my wife will be driving it all week long until I can play with it at the weekend! So two questions really - how well behaved is it for a "normal" driver who won't be pushing it at all; and how much fun is it for a more enthusiastic driver who's plenty happy with a bit of movement, as long as it's intentional!? How is it on slow speed bends - does it understeer and feel heavy and cumbersome or turn in nicely and allow for a little tail wagging?

25-01-2011, 12:01 PM	#4
Dizwen Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: near Derby Car: C32 AMG Posts: 120	Porsches are designed as sports cars where as the C32 is a different beast. I too went from a Boxster to the C32. It doesn't have the same feedback as a porker but you can still have fun in one. the steering is weighted nicely and as long as you know how to feed the power in you can get alot from the car. slow in fast out and the tail will wag! My wife uses it to go to work (normal driver?) and loves it. easy car to drive at normal speeds. Last edited by Dizwen; 25-01-2011 at 12:06 PM.

25-01-2011, 10:02 AM	#2
Charles Morgan Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2010 Car: Mercedes W210 E320cdi, 190E 2.0 and a couple of others Posts: 3,481	It isn't. It is great in straight lines (if the traction control allows you to get going), but finesse, control, plantedness around corners are not part of the deal. Others mileage I am sure will vary, but having come to own one after a Porsche Boxster I thought the handling was positively feeble.

25-01-2011, 10:44 AM	#3
Swozza Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sheffield Car: C32 AMG Posts: 359	I'd have to disagree with the post above. However I've never driven a Porsche, but as its not a 4 door saloon I can only compare with other 4 door saloons I have driven and my experiences. In good conditions the C32 is brilliant on UK roads. Its soft enough that it doesn't break your spine, but yet sporty so when you do give it the beans its controllable and fun. The power is manageable. However on the flip side in bad weather if you drive it like you've just stole it you are going to an early grave. But thats true with all cars.

25-01-2011, 01:36 PM	#5
Neiltodd Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: moray Car: c32 amg estate Posts: 196	I agree with both above posts.

25-01-2011, 01:59 PM	#6
AlanD Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Car: C55 AMG Posts: 316	Thanks for the replies. So the back end is easy to tame under moderate poke out of corners? Does the traction control ruin the party or only if you overcook it? Can you totally disable it? How about lift-off oversteer (something you Porsche drivers are sure to be familiar with!!)? If you do push it too hard, does it basically understeer, or throw a fit and pitch you off the road!? With the smaller front tyres, I was thinking perhaps the former ..

25-01-2011, 02:58 PM	#7
Swozza Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sheffield Car: C32 AMG Posts: 359	I've never had under steer only over when pushed hard and if you use the manual option and change gear yourself you can have loads of manageable fun with over steer, I must point out that this also has alot to do with the driver not just the car as must rear wheel drive cars can be driven in this manner. (Just not in bad weather, I won't be responsible for your death).

25-01-2011, 03:18 PM	#8
Londonscottish Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2007 Location: London Car: S211 E500 Posts: 1,220	Sound v odd to me. My C43's and now my W211 E500 are smothered with electronics to prevent this sort of thing from happening. Can't say any of them have ever stepped out except under extreme provocation or ice/snow.

25-01-2011, 03:24 PM	#9
Swozza Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sheffield Car: C32 AMG Posts: 359	Under normal driving true, but we're not talking about normal driving. Also you can turn ESP off. Totally off (includes ABS).

25-01-2011, 03:26 PM	#10
AlanD Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Car: C55 AMG Posts: 316	Haha .. yes, I shouldn't make it sound like I'm an unhinged loon! I do err on the side of caution in poor weather of course, but conversely, on certain open roads (or even roundabouts!), it can be easier to "play" when wet as less momentum/general energy is involved!

25-01-2011, 03:54 PM	#11
Londonscottish Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2007 Location: London Car: S211 E500 Posts: 1,220	All the driver aids in the world can't defeat physics (cold summer tyres, ice, sudden weight transfer, relatively-lightly loaded read wheels etc). When Evo first tested the C32 their conclusion was that it was more adjustable than a C43 but "still curiously inert" - ie still too nannied by all the electrical safety blankets for their style of driving.

25-01-2011, 05:58 PM	#12
Mavster Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: London Car: E320 cdi V6 Sport AMG Posts: 120	I owned one for a while, while in a straight line its speed was very very impressive, it didn't really leave me feeling confident about it's cornering/ handling ability at speed. Mid range acceleration was mental

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25-01-2011, 07:08 PM	#14
AlanD Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Car: C55 AMG Posts: 316	It's a shame (unless I'm being thick!) that there don't appear to be any decent (and English) video reviews of the C32. Have Top Gear/5th Gear really never tested one?