Mbca

[yer-ol-pal]

Any members of the Mercedes club of America here? I got an invite to join, but there is no group in my immediate area and looking over there site they dont seem to have anything that I cant get right here. So basicly for me it looks like a $45 subscription to "Star" magazine. Any thoughts?

[1991 560 SEC]

I belong, great club. We just went to a sl500 preview that our section had arranged. The Star magazine is second to none.

Plus they have car raffles only open to members,and only 3000 tickets.

JOIN


John

[vrsmith]

I belong too. I haven't made it to a function yet, but will soon.
We have a rallye around Victoria BC next month that ends up at
a shop that restores gullwings!
There is a website with some technical information but not much
that you can't get here.

You could start a branch of your group in your city.

[420SEL]

I am a member too and am on my fourth year. When I first joined I lived in Halifax and I think there were 6 members in the whole province (Atlantic Section) and the president of the section never returned my calls. So I effectively piad my membership fee just for the Star (which is worth it by the way). Now that I live in Toronto the section is well organized and we have lots of cool events. We have one tomorrow morning in fact. I really enjoy the club, and like I said the Star mag is worth the money. I am pretty sure anyone can attend club events, even if not a member, so if you hear of one check it out.

[Crowe]

There is no doubt that a membership in MBCA is greatly enhanced if you have an active local section. Our last meeting in Atlanta was at a local MBZ independent shop and it featured several SLs from a 1954 Gullwing to the present day. You might want to check out the club website for details of membership at www.mbca.org

I hope you join and find it enjoyable.

[hill]

Some dealerships offer 10% off parts and or labor to MBCA members. MBCA also offer Roadside assistance.
Once your a member MBUSA will send you all kinds of brochures for the new models and some historical perspectives that are first rate.

[CarolinaMBZ]

Do a search. Much debate about pros and cons. Most related to the energy devoted to "politics" within the organization. $45 is expensive but the magazine is very good. You should also consider purchasing the old issues (about 60 of them still around) which are on sale now and have a ton of great reading. You can also get the license tag frame that subtlely shows others of the ilk that you are a fellow "enthusiast." Also, Starfest looks like a lot of fun but have never been. Their internet forum is not set up as good as this one and does not seem to have the same DIY support as here.

[Kuan]

I'm a new MBCA member and our local chapter meets every month at a local restaurant. We have a Minneapolis concourse d'elegance and this year two organized trips to Indianapolis. We also go karting with other car clubs so yeah, this chapter is pretty active.

Kuan

[thomas steffens]

It's worth it just for the magizine.

Originally posted by thomas steffens
It's worth it just for the magizine.

I join MBCA for a year or so; then drop. The magazine is nice, but hardly worth the $45 per year. Our local is sporadic--usually not much happening (I know, I should be more active, but I'm just not an organizer). I'm currently a member, but will probably drop out when my renewal comes up, since nothing is happening locally. MBCA could be a great organization (should be), but it has never quite made it. With e-groups like this one, I'm not sure they ever will. There's never been really great organizing or vision from the national group (and there've been a couple of really bad years, with fighting, registered letters from dissidents, back-biting, etc.). Mercedes Benz has done little to support the club--all their contributions to the magazine have been advertisements for new models, like I'm going to buy a $50,000 car. In your dreams.

[el presidente]

I have enjoyed my time as an MBCA member (since March '95).

But, like anything, you get out of it what you are willing to put into it.

For me, it's not the events or the magazine or the sticker on my windshield. It's the friendships and comraderie that has evolved with the time and effort...and participating as a member of the club. I have been overwhelmingly fortunate to meet men and women through MBCA who have become some of my closest friends.

Invest a little time and a few dollars and see for yourself. For some, it is worth it. For others, maybe not.

[jcd]

El presidente said it all

JCD