View Full Version : Poll: Top speed ever (on public roads)
(Inspired by Nate's 150 thread)
We will assume that, in all cases, the traffic was light, the weather was optimal, the car was in tip top shape, and the road was well known to you.
That said, what's the fastest you've driven on public roads, per the speedo or, if applicable, the traffic citation? Please, no exaggerating (although the speedo is known to exaggerate a bit).
Also, what car were you in (make/model/year)?
136 mph in a 1989 (E34) 525iA (back in 1989).
clyde
01-13-2004, 10:26 AM
In my younger, less prudent years....85 as indicated by the 85MPH speedo of a 1988 Mustang GT. If the magazines of the time were to be believed, topped out in fourth gear was signficantly faster than that (and faster than topped out in 5th gear).
Something close to an indicated 140 in a 1991 Taurus SHO, in 1991.
~130mph in a 1998 BMW M3 in 2003.
~130mph in a 1998 BMW M3 in 2003.
I haven't taken mine past 120.
~130mph in a 1998 BMW M3 in 2003.
I haven't taken mine past 120.
It did fine; it wanted to go faster, but I wouldn't let it.
In my younger, less prudent years....85 as indicated by the 85MPH speedo of a 1988 Mustang GT. If the magazines of the time were to be believed, topped out in fourth gear was signficantly faster than that (and faster than topped out in 5th gear).
:?
In my younger, less prudent years....85 as indicated by the 85MPH speedo of a 1988 Mustang GT. If the magazines of the time were to be believed, topped out in fourth gear was signficantly faster than that (and faster than topped out in 5th gear).
:?
Methinks he's literally adhering to my stated "per speedo" qualification.
Although to state how fast he was really going would probably be a guess.
In my younger, less prudent years....85 as indicated by the 85MPH speedo of a 1988 Mustang GT. If the magazines of the time were to be believed, topped out in fourth gear was signficantly faster than that (and faster than topped out in 5th gear).
:?
Old Mustangs followed the convention at the time of having the speedo end at 85. True top speed in 4th (gearing limited) was closer to 150, IIRC, as long as you had increased HP a bit (and few Mustang owners didn't).
Oddly, if you took the trip odomoter stalk out, the needle would just keep circling. Nothing like looking down and seeing that you are going an indicated 20 mph as you pass everyone like they were standing still.
2003 BMW 330i Perf Pack on May 23, 2003.
135-140mph in the Autobahn outside Munich during Euro delivery.
lip277
01-13-2004, 10:41 AM
Me driving....
105 in my 2002 going to the Edwards AFB Open House (on a 2 lane highway in the middle of nowwhere....)
As a passenger...
135 (or thereabouts) in a 1963 Corvette Convertible. Note to self: DO NOT stick your hand straight up to see what the air feels like. Shoulders don't like it. :lol:
Mathew
01-13-2004, 10:42 AM
Indicated 135mph (probably an actual 128mph) in my 325 last summer.
clyde
01-13-2004, 10:53 AM
Old Mustangs followed the convention at the time of having the speedo end at 85. True top speed in 4th (gearing limited) was closer to 150, IIRC, as long as you had increased HP a bit (and few Mustang owners didn't).
As I recall, bone stock 1987 and 49 state 1988 models (1988 CA cars switched from speed density to MAF) were supposed to be good for 147-149 in 4th gear and ~135 in fifth.
Oddly, if you took the trip odomoter stalk out, the needle would just keep circling. Nothing like looking down and seeing that you are going an indicated 20 mph as you pass everyone like they were standing still.
I think that the stalk was about where 105-110 would have been. In 1989 they went to a 140MPH speedo.
125-130 MPH. Various Automobiles. I'm getting too old to remember which one and when (year).
ZHPhil
01-13-2004, 11:09 AM
All time ~ 130 mph GT Mustang near Pittsburgh
BMW indicated 125 in ZHP :undwech:
Roadstergal
01-13-2004, 11:25 AM
~120 indicated in the Miata. For legality purposes, I had to learn that 70 indicated = 76 actual. Dunno how that holds up at higher speeds.
Took forever to get there; it was a long gentle downhill (I-5 S in Oregon). :p
The HACK
01-13-2004, 11:34 AM
125 with top down on the Z3. 120 in the 323Ci, but that's achieved on Las Vegas Speedway, not a public road.
Imagine my parents' surprise when I showed up looking like the bride of freakin'stein and hair all sticking out backwards. That was 125mph SUSTAINED for almost 10 minutes, with the top down. The Z3 was making a god aweful whine at that speed. :thumbdow:
Indicated 145 in my '02 330i... about a month ago just east of Death Valley.
Indicated 187 in a 2002 M5. (it was past the last marking on the speedo)
Indicated 187 in a 2002 M5. (it was past the last marking on the speedo)
:jawdrop:
Terri Kennedy
01-13-2004, 12:20 PM
That said, what's the fastest you've driven on public roads, per the speedo or, if applicable, the traffic citation? Please, no exaggerating (although the speedo is known to exaggerate a bit).
Also, what car were you in (make/model/year)?
125 indicated in my '95 Eagle Talon. I still had 1500 RPM or so to go before redline, but as I was moving with the flow of traffic (!) I didn't want to stand out...
This was in the dead of night (2-3 AM) on I-80 in NJ. There wasn't much traffic, but what there was, was seriously moving.
Bruce330cic
01-13-2004, 12:33 PM
About 105 in the 330cic, top up, on the last stretch of the 5 going into Vegas from L.A. Car felt very solid, but I quickly slowed down.
Nick M3
01-13-2004, 12:36 PM
140MPH in my E36 325i.
120MPH in a 745Li.
110MPH in the Barge.
SpaceMonk
01-13-2004, 12:45 PM
135 in my 330Ci
115 in a 1989 240sx
125 in a 1985 firebird
hfh330i
01-13-2004, 01:55 PM
125 '87 BMW 325i Conv.
100 '97 Chevrolet Tahoe
130 '00 BMW 328i
105 '03 BMW 330i
lemming
01-13-2004, 02:39 PM
don't you guys wonder how different the response (plus language) would be (erudite post-collegiate versus neo-gangsta outta compton) if this poll were posted at e46fanatics or whatever the hell that blingbling site is?
i mean, these speeds seem kind of tame, not a lot of hyperbole or exaggeration here.
:smile:
jpgurl
01-13-2004, 02:42 PM
ok I guess I am the big chicken here... never gone over 95 (and that was in the E46 328i)
Methinks he's literally adhering to my stated "per speedo" qualification.
so he hasn't been indicated above 85 on any other car he's driven?
:shock:
Somewhere around 170.
140ish in the M3
clyde
01-13-2004, 03:55 PM
Methinks he's literally adhering to my stated "per speedo" qualification.
so he hasn't been indicated above 85 on any other car he's driven?
:shock:
Why are you asking him?
135ish 94MR2 turbo. PSTHHHHHHHHHH!!
SpaceMonk
01-13-2004, 04:13 PM
Why are you asking him?
So you haven't been indicated above 85 on any other car you've driven?
clyde
01-13-2004, 04:14 PM
Why are you asking him?
So you haven't been indicated above 85 on any other car you've driven?
The fastest that I've driven showed an indicated 85. :dunno:
Why are you asking him?
So you haven't been indicated above 85 on any other car you've driven?
He is saving himself for that special car. :twisted:
About 130mph on more than one occasion in my 2000 Grand Prix GTP.
There are a couple of stretches of US 15, somewhere between Maryland and Harrisburg, that are very straight and long. That was the first time, probably somehwere in early 2000. The other times happened in various places, most notably at the lead of a large caravan of Grand Prixs (probably about 20) en route to Kansas City in September of 2000.
I hit an indicated 125 in my '99 M3 a couple of times and refrained from going faster only due to lack of road. The Jeep has gone somewhat above 100 once. My '88 M3 has not seen anything above normal highway speeds. :cry:
Oh, and I hit that stretch of 15 roughly four times a month these days on business. All of the rentals I've taken there have hit triple digit speeds once, just to see.
The fastest that I've driven showed an indicated 85. :dunno:
what's the fastest you've driven on public roads, per the speedo or, if applicable, the traffic citation
per the speedo, you were going 85 in the Mustang. How fast have you gone in the xiT per the speedo? How fast have you gone in the RX-8 per the speedo?
ARCHER
01-13-2004, 05:59 PM
All time: 165 - GSX-R 750
Car: ~125 - 330i
don't you guys wonder how different the response (plus language) would be (erudite post-collegiate versus neo-gangsta outta compton) if this poll were posted at e46fanatics or whatever the hell that blingbling site is?
i mean, these speeds seem kind of tame, not a lot of hyperbole or exaggeration here.
:smile:
That's the great thing about this place! :thumbup:
About 130 in an 87 trans am.
About 125 in the 330i (ran out of room).
For some reason, I haven't had the urge to top out the ///m. I keep thinking I will get to a track that is fast enough and not jeopardize my car. As much. I don't think I have had it over 110. I must be getting old.
clyde
01-13-2004, 07:22 PM
The fastest that I've driven showed an indicated 85. :dunno:
what's the fastest you've driven on public roads, per the speedo or, if applicable, the traffic citation
per the speedo, you were going 85 in the Mustang.(and 148ish per the tach) How fast have you gone in the xiT per the speedo? How fast have you gone in the RX-8 per the speedo?
xiT ~115
RX-8 ~101 the other day.
The fastest that I've driven showed an indicated 85. :dunno:
what's the fastest you've driven on public roads, per the speedo or, if applicable, the traffic citation
per the speedo, you were going 85 in the Mustang.(and 148ish per the tach) How fast have you gone in the xiT per the speedo? How fast have you gone in the RX-8 per the speedo?
xiT ~115
RX-8 ~101 the other day.
Am I a bad person? I do 100+ at one point or another most days.
clyde
01-13-2004, 07:47 PM
Am I a bad person? I do 100+ at one point or another most days.
A bad person? No. A person that is in constant jeopardy of having the state revoke his privilege to drive? Perhaps.
Am I a bad person? I do 100+ at one point or another most days.
I would too if I had a highway commute.
Though I'm not sure I would if I lived back there where you live. Are you doing 100+ daily in the martial traffic law state of VA?
Am I a bad person? I do 100+ at one point or another most days.
A bad person? No. A person that is in constant jeopardy of having the state revoke his privilege to drive? Perhaps.
There is that.
Am I a bad person? I do 100+ at one point or another most days.
I would too if I had a highway commute.
Though I'm not sure I would if I lived back there where you live. Are you doing 100+ daily in the martial traffic law state of VA?
I did when I did drive into VA. But now my commute is entirely in MD.
I just know when we move back I'm going to rack up points faster than an electric pencil sharpener. I've only had one ticket out here (behind the Orange Curtain on the toll road), but have lost all of the east coast restraint I used to have, due to the totally lax speed enforcement in CA.
Does MD use a point system? How many points do you have left before you have to take the bus?
I just know when we move back I'm going to rack up points faster than an electric pencil sharpener.
:lol: :thumbup:
Nick M3
01-13-2004, 09:10 PM
I just know when we move back I'm going to rack up points faster than an electric pencil sharpener. I've only had one ticket out here (behind the Orange Curtain on the toll road), but have lost all of the east coast restraint I used to have, due to the totally lax speed enforcement in CA.
Does MD use a point system? How many points do you have left before you have to take the bus?
At 5 points you have to attend a "Point System Conference."
At 8 points you have to take the bus for 90 days.
At 13 points you have to take the bus for a long time. A really long time.
It's better than jail time like in VA. :p
1-30MPH over the limit, or less than 85MPH is two points.
>30 over or >85 MPH is five points.
Negligent driving (standard tack on for wheel spinning or excessive speed) is one point.
Reckless driving is two points.
Needless to say, you can fuck yourself pretty thoroughly in one sitting.
I just know when we move back I'm going to rack up points faster than an electric pencil sharpener. I've only had one ticket out here (behind the Orange Curtain on the toll road), but have lost all of the east coast restraint I used to have, due to the totally lax speed enforcement in CA.
Does MD use a point system? How many points do you have left before you have to take the bus?
At 5 points you have to attend a "Point System Conference."
At 8 points you have to take the bus for 90 days.
At 13 points you have to take the bus for a long time. A really long time.
It's better than jail time like in VA. :p
1-30MPH over the limit, or less than 85MPH is two points.
>30 over or >85 MPH is five points.
Negligent driving (standard tack on for wheel spinning or excessive speed) is one point.
Reckless driving is two points.
Needless to say, you can fuck yourself pretty thoroughly in one sitting.
Eecch. Horrible.
So, doing 101 in a 70 zone could get you 8 points, bad coffee with a lecture, and 90 days of bus. Ugh. Horrible.
I think Jersey is probably very similar. :(
Roadstergal
01-13-2004, 09:33 PM
Am I a bad person? I do 100+ at one point or another most days.
If you lived in the PacNW, you would be a walking person by now.
Mathew
01-13-2004, 09:47 PM
120MPH in a 745Li.
I'm afraid to go at those speeds in that car. That's a shitload of mass and weight going at a very fast speed.
clyde
01-13-2004, 10:31 PM
Eecch. Horrible.
So, doing 101 in a 70 zone could get you 8 points, bad coffee with a lecture, and 90 days of bus. Ugh. Horrible.
I think Jersey is probably very similar. :(
Uh...what is this "70" that you are referring to? No state north of North Carolina and close to the Atlantic Ocean has a speed limit higher than 65.
JetBlack330i
01-13-2004, 10:44 PM
ok I guess I am the big chicken here... never gone over 95 (and that was in the E46 328i)Nope. Never gone over 85 in my 330i :paranoid:
Uh...what is this "70" that you are referring to? No state north of North Carolina and close to the Atlantic Ocean has a speed limit higher than 65.
Oh, right. :traurig2:
EDIT: Wait a minute... I think the Maine Turnpike has some 70 zones.
ANOTHER EDIT: But that's not in Jersey.
Highest speed: 140 (indicated) around turn 1 at PR. Although the car was very well behaved, I've just never had the desire to go through turn 1 that fast since.
And again: 140 along a very deserted stretch of highway in northern cali on the bimmerfest road trip. I chickened out at that point and let a 740 travelling with us carry on to higher speeds (no names!).
clyde
01-14-2004, 06:31 AM
Uh...what is this "70" that you are referring to? No state north of North Carolina and close to the Atlantic Ocean has a speed limit higher than 65.
Oh, right. :traurig2:
EDIT: Wait a minute... I think the Maine Turnpike has some 70 zones.
ANOTHER EDIT: But that's not in Jersey.
Nor is it in Maine. From The Maine Turnpike Authority (http://www.maineturnpike.com/html/about/rules.html):
"...the maximum speed of motor vehicles on the Turnpike shall be limited to sixty-five (65) miles per hour..."
Nick M3
01-14-2004, 06:47 AM
120MPH in a 745Li.
I'm afraid to go at those speeds in that car. That's a shitload of mass and weight going at a very fast speed.
The brakes are excellent. :p
Uh...what is this "70" that you are referring to? No state north of North Carolina and close to the Atlantic Ocean has a speed limit higher than 65.
Oh, right. :traurig2:
EDIT: Wait a minute... I think the Maine Turnpike has some 70 zones.
ANOTHER EDIT: But that's not in Jersey.
I drive up to "the City" quite a bit. New Jersey is actually not so bad, as far as speeds go. Enforcement is tough, but average speeds can be 80 mph plus on the turnpike.
It's nothing like living in Michigan, where speeds were rational, but it's better than Virginia.
Terri Kennedy
01-14-2004, 11:14 AM
Uh...what is this "70" that you are referring to? No state north of North Carolina and close to the Atlantic Ocean has a speed limit higher than 65.
Closest (if you can call it that) is West Virginia, which has some 70MPH zones.
Uh...what is this "70" that you are referring to? No state north of North Carolina and close to the Atlantic Ocean has a speed limit higher than 65.
Oh, right. :traurig2:
EDIT: Wait a minute... I think the Maine Turnpike has some 70 zones.
ANOTHER EDIT: But that's not in Jersey.
Nor is it in Maine. From The Maine Turnpike Authority (http://www.maineturnpike.com/html/about/rules.html):
"...the maximum speed of motor vehicles on the Turnpike shall be limited to sixty-five (65) miles per hour..."
Hmmm.... I coulda sworn.... :scratch:
rost12
01-14-2004, 11:52 AM
25* km/h per speedometer in 2003 M5.
glaws
01-15-2004, 08:06 AM
About 135 MPH on I 40 in the western desert. I cruised for extended periods between 110 - 120 MPH in the M3. Car felt rock solid, no strain at all. I was a little surprised at how much concentration and more focused I needed to be at those speeds. Kinda tiring.
I've never gone over about 100 in the US... Usually don't ever go over about 85-90.
In Germany, I've had my current car topped out at an indicated 134 mph(which I guess would be 129 per the limiter).
On the same stretch of Autobahn a couple years earlier, I had a Volvo V40 Turbo (Hertz rental) maxed out at 240 kph -- just shy of 150 mph
clyde
01-15-2004, 08:54 AM
Uh...what is this "70" that you are referring to? No state north of North Carolina and close to the Atlantic Ocean has a speed limit higher than 65.
Closest (if you can call it that) is West Virginia, which has some 70MPH zones.
The "close to" comment was meant to include PA since it doesn't touch the Atlantic even though it's east coast (and to a lesser degree, VT since it's very close and the state that borders it on the west does touch the Atlantic).
But yeah...I try not to think about WV. Mountain mommas scare me.
GregE_325
01-15-2004, 09:21 AM
I've done a little over 120 in my 325. Most days on my commute, I can easily cruise in the low triple digit range. I guess that's an advantage of living out in the middle of nowhere.
VT since it's very close and the state that borders it on the west does touch the Atlantic
Actually, each state that it borders touches the Atlantic.
clyde
01-15-2004, 11:34 AM
VT since it's very close and the state that borders it on the west does touch the Atlantic
Actually, each state that it borders touches the Atlantic.
Yes, but so what if the state to the east, south or north touches the Atlantic?
Terri Kennedy
01-15-2004, 12:10 PM
But yeah...I try not to think about WV. Mountain mommas scare me.
I sort of think of it as "that narrow strip between PA and OH with the reasonable speed limit", since I drive from NYC to Illinois on a regular basis.
I don't usually stop there but go right through. One time was weird enough for me - I saw a sign for a Sunoco and a Taco Bell (think of it as "gas and gas") and stopped for both. They had slot machines and a mini-casino in the gas station / restaurant. Weird (particularly since I'm pretty sure this wasn't within the designated gambling zone).
clyde
01-15-2004, 01:33 PM
But yeah...I try not to think about WV. Mountain mommas scare me.
I sort of think of it as "that narrow strip between PA and OH with the reasonable speed limit"
Well, when I do have to think of it, I tend to think of it as "that place where 'man and wife' is often a euphemism for 'kissing cousins' or, sometimes, 'brother and sister.'"
operknockity
01-15-2004, 09:08 PM
Fastest ever was ~130-135 indicated (bouncing off both the speed and rev limitters) on our Death Valley run a couple of years back, in a bone stock '02 325i with an M3 steering wheel (hey... good for an extra 10hp, right :lol: ).
Fastest around town has been ~95 on the 405 (on the very(!) rare times when there is no traffic... do I hear hell freezing over :mad: ).
3LOU5
01-17-2004, 07:07 PM
Indicated 135 (slight downhill) mph on my 2002 325i outside of Austin, NV.
Indicated 62 mph on my 1998 Yamaha GP800 Waverunner on a smooth-as-glass lake outside my home in FL.
Indicated "too-scared-to-look-at-the-speedometer" on my 1997 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 on I-75.
:D
Keith
01-19-2004, 02:38 AM
130 in a '72 Dodge Charger, it flew, but it also floated quite a bit.
140ish in the 540 pictured, now "it" sticks to the ground and begs for more. :mrgreen:
Set a new record today in Death Valley... 155. I'd say the car had another 7-10mph in it, but I ran out of real estate.
Butthead hit 185 (!) in Stuka's Turbo.
rumatt
03-14-2004, 01:36 AM
Shouldn't this thread be in a subscription-only forum. :paranoid:
I've yet to hit the 128 speed limiter, but I've come pretty close several times. I always chicken out though because I start halucinating and thnking I see police cars on the side of the road. :rant:
What scares me more is when I discover I'm doing 115 without realizing it.
I've yet to hit the 128 speed limiter, but I've come pretty close several times. I always chicken out though because I start halucinating and thnking I see police cars on the side of the road. :rant:
East coast brainwashing.
I'm gonna need to get me some of that pretty soon. :paranoid:
rumatt
03-14-2004, 10:16 AM
I'm gonna need to get me some of that pretty soon. :paranoid:
When is this supposid move, anyway. I think you're just talking smack to get attention. :mad:
Set a new record today in Death Valley... 155. I'd say the car had another 7-10mph in it, but I ran out of real estate.
155, wow.
What RPM?
dredmo
03-14-2004, 11:32 AM
105 or so in the bimmer.
I used to have an 1/8 mile drag car with my dad, a 75 Camaro with a 400hp 350, 4:56 gears, and completely stacked. We hit 125+ once but stayed only for a second because by then the rear end was whining big time.
Set a new record today in Death Valley... 155. I'd say the car had another 7-10mph in it, but I ran out of real estate.
155, wow.
What RPM?
6K.
I'm gonna need to get me some of that pretty soon. :paranoid:
When is this supposid move, anyway. I think you're just talking smack to get attention. :mad:
I'm going to get the final yay or nay from my company this week.
Not surprisingly, an employee-requested transfer seems to go through "the machine" much more slowly than a company-requested transfer.
:nono:
6K.
Our speedometers don't match.
I'm at 6k at 150. We should have the same gear ratios...
6K.
Our speedometers don't match.
I'm at 6k at 150. We should have the same gear ratios...
You have a 330 5M?
Raffi's and my observations were in line with each other.
I could be off by a hundred RPM or so, as it was only split-second glances at the guages -- I didn't feel too comfortable taking my eyes off the road for very long at that speed.
Amazing how much more composed my car was at high speed with the PSS9s vs. the stock setup, though... Last time I was there on stock SP suspension, the car felt less stable at 140-ish than it did this time 15mph faster.
You have a 330 5M?
No, but the gearing is the same. It shouldn't matter.
And, next time you do a death valley trip, you ought to get a radar gun and make speed passes....
You have a 330 5M?
No, but the gearing is the same. It shouldn't matter.
Same 2.93 FD, too?
You have a 330 5M?
No, but the gearing is the same. It shouldn't matter.
Same 2.93 FD, too?
Yes.
And, next time you do a death valley trip, you ought to get a radar gun and make speed passes....
Yes, that would be more accurate for sure. But accurate speed measurements weren't really the point of the trip... having fun was. :D
kognito
03-14-2004, 04:56 PM
And, next time you do a death valley trip, you ought to get a radar gun and make speed passes....
Plaz has NAV, if I remember correctly.
Isn't the NAV setup pretty accurate??
Josh (PA)
03-15-2004, 08:49 AM
The fastest I've gone on a public road was 135 w/ the top down in the m3. It was perfectly composed and stable at that speed, but I felt like an a**hole for driving that fast on a public road
Other car top speeds:
110 in the e46 325i
120 in the e36 325is
89 maxed out in an old Subaru Loyale wagon after about a 1 mile run up.
Fastest ticket, I was clocked at 83mph on rt 78 in NJ. The officer was nice enough to point out that it would be over 120kph in case I was confused and looking at the wrong #s on the speedometer.
dredmo
03-15-2004, 09:41 AM
The fastest I've gone on a public road was 135 w/ the top down in the m3. It was perfectly composed and stable at that speed, but I felt like an a**hole for driving that fast on a public road
Other car top speeds:
110 in the e46 325i
120 in the e36 325is
89 maxed out in an old Subaru Loyale wagon after about a 1 mile run up.
Fastest ticket, I was clocked at 83mph on rt 78 in NJ. The officer was nice enough to point out that it would be over 120kph in case I was confused and looking at the wrong #s on the speedometer.
Hey Josh, welcome man. :P
Ty Vil
03-16-2004, 12:30 PM
And again: 140 along a very deserted stretch of highway in northern cali on the bimmerfest road trip. I chickened out at that point and let a 740 travelling with us carry on to higher speeds (no names!).
I was there for that, although I wasn't doing 140.
I did 165 indicated in my Dinan N/A E36 M3 twice (once on the way home from that road trip.
I hit 120 (wimpy!) in my current 330i last summer on a long, deserted bridge. My fear of speeding tickets, especially big-buck ones, keeps me from pushing things too far. That, and it seems that MN state patrol hands out tickets like no other place on earth. Yet another reason to move the heck out o' here.
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