PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

MikeTangas · #9 12-28-2003, 03:40 PM

I made it.

Covered 2700 miles in three driving days, even had enough time to take a two hour dinner break on day two to break bread with Larry Bible and his wife.

The trip started out in bad weather, heavy rain as we departed Temecula which turned to snow about 40 miles out. Once we got clear of the wet stuff and into the sunshine we hit one of those wonderful desert dust storms. Visibility dropped to nearly zero and I was getting worried the right side of the car was going to be sand blasted to bare metal. But we blew through the dust storm unscathed and just had wind to deal with for a couple hundred miles.

We drove to Las Cruces, NM the first day, kinda short of my 900 mile limit but we did get a late start. Second day was a little longer making Little Rock, AR for the night. I was making very good time until around Van Horn, TX when the nice State Trooper wanted to exchange Christmas cards. Seems he took exception to my doing about 90

. We chatted for about 20 minutes and since he was kind enough not to write me I was kind enough to knock it back to about 83. Made for a longer drive across the home State. After dinner with Larry we finished the day stopping in Little Rock. Decided to sleep in an extra hour (actually I slept through the alarm

) and made tracks to West Mephis where we turned north anglinf up through Mo and IL. The drive was a piece of cake until we crossed into Indiana. I don't know what was different, but soon as we cross the stateline, everyone became stupid. Seriously. It was a rough go between Terra Haute and Indianapolis due to all the lunatic drivers, then to make matters worse Interstate 69 had no signs anywhere along I-70. I knew I had to turn north on 69 somewhere in town so when I reached the east side I stopped and sought out directions. The three deputy sheriff's having dinner where I stopped politely informed me I missed my turn off. A few minutes later I was on my way and making tracks again. Rolled into Port Huron about 10:30 last night. All in all not a bad drive.

The 560 ran like a top. I averaged about 17.5 mpg for the 2700 miles with a couple tanks getting right at 20. Considering the load I was carrying I think that is excellent mileage. Besides all of my clothes, uniforms and a big tool box I also had all of my competition guns plus almost 10K rounds of ammo (not light).

I did notice that she was starting to use oil and it is most likely valve stem seals. Now I have to make a choice whether to let them ride until I have a garage to work in or to farm the job out to an independent shop. Driving around town today I only saw four MBs, and there isn't any MB specific shop in the phone book. I might just have to stop at one of the houses where I spotted a Benz and inquire who they use.

I know I promised to check in from the road but none of the places had a business center or internet availble to the residents. I thought all of the Hilton family hotels had the internet access but they don't. In fact here in Port Huron the hotel doesn't have a business center but for the long term residents (like myself) they will allow me to use the manager's desk to access on occassion. Soon I will have to do some laptop shopping.