Well, we're about to close the deal on a '99 ML320 that a local dealer has for sale. I thoroughly checked the car over, found all the campaigns to be done, however I did notice that the curier bearing is making noise and the transfer case is making a slight shudder when you cut the wheel hard either way. Both will be taken care of under warranty. The truck is Astral Silver over Grey leather. Right at 50,000 miles and has been very well cared for by the previous owner, having changed the oil (synthetic) at 5,000 mile intervals. I made sure of that because I remember putting bottom ends in MLs when I worked at the dealer because of MBs screw up with the FSS system and dino oil! He used Mobil 1, but since I stock Agip lubricants in my workshop, it will be switched to Agip full synthetic, and of course will still be changed at 5K intervals. I wasn't a huge fan of the M-Class but decided that my '94 Cherokee was about due for replacement and why not make it a Mercedes? Of course, a G-Wagen would be nice, but the new ones are out of my reach financially and the old ones rust terribly.

But overall, I'm pleased with my decision.

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Aaron,

Congratulations on the acquisition! If there is anyone who knows how to do a pre purchase investigation you are on top of the list. I’m sure you will find a lot of enjoyment from your ML!

Regards,

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Tracy,

Yeah, I think it'll make a nice winter vehicle for us. I am still going to drive my '70 280SE though. I just can't stray away from the antiques myself.

Although now that I think about it, perhaps I should have gotten an ML430 so I could pull a flatbed trailer. I guess the V6 could do it, but I hate to stress it that much. Well, there's always the friends with the diesel pickups for towing!

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

If I had the variety of MBs to play with that you do, I’d definitely cycle between them, except when going skiing, of course

I can’t speak to the MLs prowess at towing -- it is rated at 5,000 lbs but the only thing we tow is our fat tire bikes. . .

Cheers

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

5,000 pounds might herneate the transmission on a 320, but that's ok. I can usually call a buddy with an F250 Diesel for any towing needs (my most current one being having to get my 280SL into storage since I can't take it there under it's own power). I had hoped to have that done before the snow began falling, but I was just too busy with work and all.

Something I've been considering doing is to buy an old Mercedes truck (you've probably seen them in box van form), and convert it to a rollback. What better to tow MBs around with than a Mercedes wrecker! Yet another project to add to my list


P.S.--Tracy, I'll be out your way this coming summer for the Mercedes-Benz M-100 Group show. Last year it was in Portland and I missed the trip because the tranny in my 6.9 gave out a week before we were scheduled to leave. This year the show is in Seattle (home of my soon-to-be wife!) and I'm looking forward to coming out there---and seeing the world's largest Nordstrom!!

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

The truck sounds like a formidable project, but classy, to be sure!

Let me know when you get closer to coming out! We can hook up, if you have time, and can probably drag a few other local site members along. Also what is the M-100 group show?

Regards

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Ok,

Now I know a little something about the m-100. I think I want one!!!!!

The 300SE L6.3; the Banker's Hot Rod that started it all!

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Tracy,

The M-100s are the three Mercedes models powered by the M-100 engines. They consist of: 600SWB, Pullman and Landaulet, the 300SEL 6.3 and the 450SEL 6.9.

I own a '79 6.9 and it's one of those "banker's hotrods". Kind of like the 500E of the '70s. You can find all the info you are curious about at http://www.m-100.org

Last year, the M-100 Group show was in Portland, Oregon but I missed it due to transmission failure the week before we were to leave Ohio! I could've hopped a ride with some guys from New York in their 6.3, but I decided it was best to save the trip money to use on the transmission rebuild.

My fiance' has been trying ever so hard to convince me to pick up and move shop to Seattle. Although she's actually from Olympia, she loves Seattle and keeps her eyes open when she's out there for old Mercedes so she can build her case against my hesitation to move!

I will admit, the view from her parents' house onto the Puget Sound is better than our view of Lake Erie, lol!

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Aaron,

Thanks for the link and explanation! The M-100 was put inside of some darned nice machinery! So how are M-100 based cars for maintenance & performance? I would guess that most everyone that had access to 300 German horses would exercise them, at least on occasion. How do they corner and stop? I read a long time ago that the 600 stretch won sevaral road races, while carrying 6 people!

As to moving to Seattle, you would be most welcome in ways I’m sure you can imagine, but perhaps not to the extent. There is a serious lacking of MB specific shops in town. The major dealer here just opened a classic car center. A couple of folks I know moved from the dealer’s other location to work there, Most indes setup in the Bellevue/Issaquah/Redmond area (about 15 miles east of Seattle) Driving that far really sucks but folks in Seattle have too little choice. IMO the only bad thing about Seattle is the traffic. And if you can stay away from rush hour it is entirely livable.

Regards

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Tracy,

Well, we leave for Atlanta tomorrow! The ML is being dropped off at the dealership for the warranty work tonight and we'll be picking it back up tomorrow late morning, then we're off!

The M-100s are truly a wolf in sheep's clothing, so to speak. Looking like any stodgy old Mercedes going down the road, they will surprise many motorists when asked to stretch their long road legs. A 6.3 and 6.9 can do standing-start burnouts with ease and the 600 is tops for cruising at 120mph in utmost comfort and quiet. The 6.3 accelerates from 0-60 faster than the 6.9, but the later car has a higher top end and is more refined.

So what's the dealer's classic car center like out there? I assume you are referring to Phil Smart's place? 600 East Pike Street?

Do you think a shop like mine (vintage MB service and resto) would survive out there? I thought maybe a city like Bellingham would be nice. Perhaps Olympia?

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Aaron

Here’s a link to Phil Smart Vintage Car Care Center:

http://www.philsmart.com/servicevintage.html

I was by the site once. It is sprawling, because it is multi use. They combined vehicle storage from something like 10 city blocks to one large area. Not surprisingly, they also moved their vehicle prep and detailing to here. Sadly, they also took the best technicians too! I worked with Smokey and Jorn since I bought my ‘TE. I am disappointed to see them inaccessible. The web page makes it look as if there are more people than are really employed as they include all the service teams on the right.

I’m not up on the type of demographics for starting up a vintage vehicle center, but would think that the more vehicles (and people) the higher percentage of vintage MBs. As such, Olympia and Bellingham are both nice places – Olympia has Excellent access to the coast and peninsula and Bellingham has Mt Baker and the northern Sound is largely a college town otherwise. They are both a long ways away from any “major” population centers but are far from being without anyone around. Of the two I think Olympia has more people.

If you don’t want to be in Seattle, Tacoma is just north of Olympia and is the 2nd or 3rd biggest city in the state. The Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah areas are about equal in population to Seattle and you can find property in part of that area, plus they are a little closer to the mountains, plus the entire area is upscale (as you may know, Redmond is the home of Microsoft). If it were me making a move like this I’d contact the MBCA local region and ask them if they have any demographic info, or check out the local Dept. of Motor Vehicles to see if they can give you a listing of the concentration of classic MB vehicles. Any way you look at it, I am absolutely positive that you’d make a good living. The initial biggest hurdle would be the advertising front. Folks will drive 30 or more miles to have their car taken good care of. My recommendation would be to spend a week when you come out and check out the 'hoods

Regards

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"