What about all the U.S. Partially Assembled Mercedes (A.K.A. Alabama Trashcans) ?
Did any of their original owners get Price Breaks?

What with the Pre-Ecological Self Recycling Wiring Harnesses of the middle/late
1990s which was the beginning the Abandonment of Quality Control by Mercedes on all Models
that we now enjoy.


Is there some sort of Secret Re-Imbursement program for
owners of New Mercedes in which the Owners agree contractually to perform
their own Quality Control in return for a 25% Price Break?
(The Contractual Agreement is "Hidden" in all the "Mice" (Microscopic) Print.)
(So,The Owners don't know they should get a Price Break and the Stealers just
keep the Money.)

What about all the Mercedes Diesel Owners in Europe
(Some of Whom had to to without their Mercedes for 6 Months or more)
Who got Screwed in the "Delphi" Injector Catastrophe over the Last 24 Months?
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/77050-blue-efficiency-injector-recall.html



Mercedes launches new slogan: The best or nothing

To coincide with a major product offensive, Mercedes has unveiled a new slogan - "The best or nothing."
Set to be launched today (June 11th), the new motto is meant to exemplify "perfection, fascination and responsibility" as core values for Mercedes-Benz. It will be used in a major media campaign (print, TV and internet) that will feature a revised star logo with a three-dimensional appearance.

Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/110061126767/mercedes-launches-new-slogan-the-best-or-nothing#ixzz1cP2zpxOC

DOES THAT MEAN MERCEDES (LEGAL DEPARTMENT) HAS FINALLY FORCED THE ENGINEERS TO OFFER US "NOTHING" ?

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

This looks like it will address the issue New York City is having with the new Taxicab design they are proposing.

Similar in idea to the Austin in London, the cab must accomodate the handicapped (low floor-high roofline), be eco friendly, carry up to 5 passengers in the rear, etc, etc. NYC has a fixed number of Taxicab medallions (license to own a Cab) which I think is between 12 and 13,000 cabs. (a medallion goes for $980,000). The vehicle will cost $40,000.

Nissan has expressed interest in building the cab, but has stated it will lose money on each one produced but wants the contract to develop a market.

For 30 years, NYC Taxicabs were either the Ford Crown Vic or the Checker Marathon. 6 years ago they allowed smaller cabs, and Toyota Camry's, Ford Explorers, Honda Pilots and now Toyota Prius's are in the fleet...and yes several Mercedes 400 series are registered as cabs. All cabs must be replaced after 3 years in service or 300,000 miles whichever is first.

NYC also has Black cars (Town cars usually Cad De Villes or Lincolin Town Cars) which are not metered, local areas have car services which usually run older ex Police Crown Vic's. But none of these is allowed to pick up street hails. They have to be called to a pick up. They will not be subject to the new taxicab requirement.

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Jim

The Nissan thing is absolutely moronic. Why not allow competition instead of giving the monopoly to Nissan and their mommyvans? Wonder how much Nissan bribed Mickey Bloomie and Yassky to make that decision. Create a set of standards; any car that meets them should be allowed to be used.

As far as black cars, they're actually going to be allowed to pick up street hails outside of lower and midtown Manhattan legally. Though they already pick people up illegally all the time!

BTW - the Nissan mommyvans are NOT accessible to handicripples for the most part. And are inferior to both the old Checkers and current crop of minivans, since they will only seat three -- a proper taxi would have a front-facing bench in back, and 2-3 jump seats facing backward. London cabs are still like that. Not to mention the tiny side windows -- who the f*ck thought that a taxi that you can't see out of the sides of was a good idea? This shouldn't be the City Cab from Judge Dredd!

One more reason why I hope that control-freak Bloomberg pulls a Steve Jobs before the next election

Soperton has a taxi.

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Jim

You know that you're dealing with a pretty rudimentary design when you consider a MX-5 as a "tourer".

Was that really necessary?

If you read the whole story you'll realize that Nissan doesn't have a monopoly on NYC taxis. This was a 1 time large order for vehicles specifically designed for taxi duty. The city will still allow other types of taxis including EVs, hybrids and diesels.

As of 2011, approved models for use as New York City taxis are:
2011-Ford Crown Victoria Stretch
2011-Ford Fusion
2011- Ford Escape
2011- Audi Q7 3L TDI
2011- Lincoln MKZ
2011- Hyundai Sonata
2011- Toyota Camry
2011- Toyota Prius
2011- Toyota Highlander
2011- Nissan Altima
2011- Volkswagen Jetta S &TDI Sedan
2011- Volkswagen Touareg 3.0L TDI
2011- Volkswagen Golf 2.5L TDI Sedan
2011- Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec
2011- Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec
2011- Toyota Sienna (Wheel Chair Accessible)
2011- MV-1 made by VPG (Wheel Chair Accessible)

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

[snip]

Nope. Those vehicles are only approved until 2013, after which Bloomie & Co sticks us with the f***ing mommyvans for 10 years. And max age for a NYC taxi is 5 years, so the fleet will be all mommyvan by 2018.

Adding insult to injury, the NV200 looks as if the rear windows are sealed shut:
(a) I love riding in a cab with the windows down on a cool morning. Wakes me right up
(b) I get carsick sometimes if I don't have a window open

Therefore, chances are that I'll be frequently wishing Bloomie and his sidekick Yassky the worst when I get into one of the brave new NYC cabs. Or just hailing an illegal "gypsy" cab if and when possible.

Hoping for another hard recession, so that NYC goes back to its grotty 80s self, rather than the mayor ordering mommyvans for tourons from Iowa.

The last event of the year in my scca chapter autocrossing is a fun event at which folks jump in as many cars as they can and try them out. I have loved the looks of the Lotus 6/7 ever since 1956 when my dad showed me one written up in Mechanix illustrated.

I had the opportunity to run in a couple of them, both first class rides and both very fast...within a second or so a lap as fast as my Formula Ford.

Unfortunately with the front engine configuration, my butt sitting inches in front of the rear axle, put a little too much stress on my back and by the end of the day my comromised disc in my back was acting up and it took me two weeks to get my back to normal.

The lotus seven replica business is alive and well and has at least four active offerings from Caterham, Westfield, locost and Ultra lite. There are also probably a dozen other companies who through the years have offered 7 continuations or clones.

That caterham pictured above looks very cool!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

uh.....

In aviation, which is way more unforgiving to error than autos, exemption from the rules are granted, as are equivelant levels of safety. And, some proof of compliance strictly by testing and analysis is granted. Why not for a car?