TURBOdiesel -> race it?! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Holson Adi · #1 01-17-2003, 12:54 AM

This is really starting to make me wonder.

Wherever I drive I have been noticing that people really like to drive aggressively around me when I'm driving my old diesel.

They would tailgate me, switch lanes speed up and cut me off for no reason.

On the highway an Audi S4 was doing some 100mph probably came up really fast behind me (I was doing 65 on the rightmost lane) and he flashed his hi-beams and overtook me from the break-down lane, laughed and sped off.... He was a few inches away from my side mirror.

and a bunch of other episodes with ricers and just a lot of Audis and VW's (maybe because there's a lot of them around)

Seriously I do not get the same 'treatment' when I was driving my friend's 2000 BMW 323CI. It's not like I drive slow with the diesel either. I drive relatively similar in both cars (judging by my relative speed around traffic)

What is it about these unattractive clattering diesels that say "race me!"?! 'TURBOxxxxxxx' maybe?

I don't get it.. oh well just wondering.

The Warden · #2 01-17-2003, 01:16 AM

It might be the "I don't WANNA be behind a diesel!" stigma. I actually don't get it nearly as often in my Benz as I do in my truck (which has no badging at all currently)...in my truck, I regularly get people zipping past me while giving me dirty looks. Funny, the speedo says I'm doing the speed limit...

DieselHead · #3 01-17-2003, 02:49 AM

Beating a diesel makes some people feel big.

pentoman · #4 01-17-2003, 06:24 AM

Yes, when I drive the various diesels my family owns, there does seem to be an occasional 'I can't let this diesel car be infront of me, I have to try and blast by' mentality.

Holson Adi · #5 01-17-2003, 11:50 AM

Yeah some people really couldn't take it when I overtook them (going to the NE GTG) on the highway. I wasn't going like 140mph either. My optimistic speedo indicated 75+mph and these econoboxes would suddenly switch out of their lanes (I always get back into the right lane after I overtake some) blow by (could hear their little engines scream) and look at me..

the Audis I just don't understand. Do they go around telling people that they've beat MB's or something. "I beat this Mercedes.. 300... cool huh?"

I find Mercedes drivers to have nicer attitude on the highway except for some. I had an 03 SL600 Twin Turbo just follow me all the way. I slowed down figuring he was going to just open up the throttle a lil and just blow by me because I wanted to see it so bad!! But he didn't and he exited..

TTaM · #6 01-17-2003, 12:31 PM

What I don't like is when I am driving the 240D at the speed limit or a little over and I come up to someone going slower than me. I mean, come on, this car needs to maintain its momentum. If you are getting passed by a 240D, you need to get off the road

rickg · #7 01-17-2003, 12:49 PM

I had a guy in a Caddie that wanted to show me he could blow the doors off a "Turbodiesel". But I didn't give him the time of day, and he got bored and backed off.

rickg · #8 01-17-2003, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
Perhaps he was just giddy from diesel exhaust fumes.

LOL!

At the time, I wished I still had my old 220D. That had a great tail-gating deterrant. I'd just put the throttle to the floor, and they'd disappear into the smoke!

Got them to back off every time!

searaypaul · #9 01-17-2003, 04:37 PM

What you really need is a 1999 E300 TD. I was going down I77 when a hopped up Honda started trying to race. The kids from work were just a laughing and carrying on with hand signals. They made the mistake of dropping back on my bumber and flashing lights etc.

Big mistake!!!! I jumped on the pedal and with a giant cloud of smoke was off. They held with me just long enough for the turbo to kick in and then it was good bye. At a little over 100 I backed out and repeated the process when they caught up with me. By the way 100mph from 70 does not take very long.

Have a great day

Paul
1999 E300DT
87000

rickg · #10 01-17-2003, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by searaypaul
What you really need is a 1999 E300 TD. I was going down I77 when a hopped up Honda started trying to race. The kids from work were just a laughing and carrying on with hand signals. They made the mistake of dropping back on my bumber and flashing lights etc.

Big mistake!!!! I jumped on the pedal and with a giant cloud of smoke was off. They held with me just long enough for the turbo to kick in and then it was good bye. At a little over 100 I backed out and repeated the process when they caught up with me. By the way 100mph from 70 does not take very long.

Now THAT's a great story!