John,

All through the nineties I was a Regional Manager for one automation software company, then Area Manager for a competing company covering the same four states. Many of the places I had to visit in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and West Texas were not near airports, it was more efficient to drive the territory.

The size and type territory, coupled with the fact that I live in the boondocks, 117 miles from DFW airport makes for lots of driving.

Many people thought of this as something akin to a prison sentence, but for someone who likes to drive, like myself, coupled with having a pleasant car to do the driving in, made this an advantage, not a prison sentence.

In early '96 I gave my 240D to my son to drive (he had just turned 16) and bought myself a new E300, w210 car. I drove it a few years then found my five speed 300E. Once my son went off to the University of Texas, I reclaimed the 240D. When I started back in engineering in November '99, I drove it daily until the engine gave out. I got the parts car at that time and put the engine from it into the 240D. It laid down a little later and I went back to the 300E for a daily driver. I hope to put the 240D back on the road in the coming months and give the 300E a rest for a while.

Our company is on the edge, and the attack on the WTC hasn't helped us any. We are taking a pay cut and possibly will even go down the tube, so I may end up selling the new car and be left with the 240D and 300E for transportation.

I know this was more than an answer to your question, but once I get started I can't stop. Sorry.

Have a great day,