1999 C70 T5M Autobahn blast up to 160mph

[crispinds]

5th gear doesn't come into play until 125 mph.

Found that out with my wagon! Got it up past the max on speedo, kept accelerating, I let off because the car was shaking so bad it scared me.

(Tires and control arm, and tie rod end replaced shortly after)

[LOB]

A question -
Did he get his oil up to temp at the beginning before he blew down the motorway at full throttle?

Observations -
The first segment roadway wasn't all that smooth to be going those speeds.
The closing speeds with slower cars and big trucks are ridiculous. One little screw-up, a blown tire, or one idiot pulling out into your lane, is likely fatal for somebody.
The third segment was the first wide and smooth road.
His screw-up towards the end could have been just that. Was that extreme brake shudder we just saw? Front end wear?.. ..very odd for a well-maintained car.

Just thoughts from someone who likely used to drive just like this as a young punk.

Driving on the Autobahn is not like driving in the US. The left lane is strictly for overtaking. If you're driving around constantly in the left lane like you do in the US you'll make people crazy and you'll get a fine. Driving on a US highway is a lot more relaxing than in Germany/Europe but not so efficient (my US road trip was from Houston to Seattle).
Cars driving above 200 kph is not uncommon on the Autobahn.

[BlackBart]

I've read that, but isn't there the odd distracted Fiat diesel driver who pulls out around a lorry without checking? There's not enough reaction time. How many execs in a big Benz have pounded a little hatchback into oblivion?

And yes, we have idiots on the road, not paying attention, looking at their phones, no turn signals, driving in the wrong lane - and not just because they don't know any better; there are angry people who think they "deserve" to be in the fast lane and sit there defiantly. People who refuse to look in their mirrors.

In the old days, you might give a gentle headlight flash and they'd say OOPS, and move. Now you're likely to trigger a redneck.

[Clemens]

Honestly, it is great that you can still go full throttle on some parts of German Autobahns. But at the same time it is really dangerous. Because at these speeds there is little room for error or malfunction. I took a way younger Audi A6 to 240kph once, it is great, but I don't enjoy it. Above 200 things get hairy, IMHO.

But boy, that C70 pulls quite nicely.

[abscate]

A question -
Did he get his oil up to temp at the beginning before he blew down the motorway at full throttle?

Observations -
The first segment roadway wasn't all that smooth to be going those speeds.
The closing speeds with slower cars and big trucks are ridiculous. One little screw-up, a blown tire, or one idiot pulling out into your lane, is likely fatal for somebody.
The third segment was the first wide and smooth road.
His screw-up towards the end could have been just that. Was that extreme brake shudder we just saw? Front end wear?.. ..very odd for a well-maintained car.

Just thoughts from someone who likely used to drive just like this as a young punk.

Driving on the Autobahn is not like driving in the US. The left lane is strictly for overtaking. If you're driving around constantly in the left lane like you do in the US you'll make people crazy and you'll get a fine. Driving on a US highway is a lot more relaxing than in Germany/Europe but not so efficient (my US road trip was from Houston to Seattle).
Cars driving above 200 kph is not uncommon on the Autobahn.

The first time I had someone from Germany in my car in Boston, we got passed on the shoulder by someone on 128, not I the parts that open that lane for rush hour.

I’ll never forget Thomas...” In Germany, if you do this, you must turn. In your license”

[hausmeister]

Honestly, it is great that you can still go full throttle on some parts of German Autobahns. But at the same time it is really dangerous. Because at these speeds there is little room for error or malfunction. I took a way younger Audi A6 to 240kph once, it is great, but I don't enjoy it. Above 200 things get hairy, IMHO.

But boy, that C70 pulls quite nicely.

Agree, it is definitely dangerous. Probably a lot less with cars that were built for these speeds, but the Brakes (and suspension) on the 850 and c70... well, you can see his reaction These Volvos are not really built for these speeds imo.

[smacknab]

A question -
Did he get his oil up to temp at the beginning before he blew down the motorway at full throttle?

Observations -
The first segment roadway wasn't all that smooth to be going those speeds.
The closing speeds with slower cars and big trucks are ridiculous. One little screw-up, a blown tire, or one idiot pulling out into your lane, is likely fatal for somebody.
The third segment was the first wide and smooth road.
His screw-up towards the end could have been just that. Was that extreme brake shudder we just saw? Front end wear?.. ..very odd for a well-maintained car.

Just thoughts from someone who likely used to drive just like this as a young punk.

Driving on the Autobahn is not like driving in the US. The left lane is strictly for overtaking. If you're driving around constantly in the left lane like you do in the US you'll make people crazy and you'll get a fine. Driving on a US highway is a lot more relaxing than in Germany/Europe but not so efficient (my US road trip was from Houston to Seattle).
Cars driving above 200 kph is not uncommon on the Autobahn.

The first time I had someone from Germany in my car in Boston, we got passed on the shoulder by someone on 128, not I the parts that open that lane for rush hour.

I’ll never forget Thomas...” In Germany, if you do this, you must turn. In your license”

Sounds about right