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#1
11-22-2002, 06:23 PM
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Little things about driving a Benz
I would be interested in reading your descriptions of some of the little things about driving a Benz that you enjoy.
I realized last night that one of the little things I like very much is when driving at night, especially on a relatively dark stretch of road, the silver star on the hood is siloheutted against the patch of pavement lit by the Euros...
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David His: 2003 Dodge Durango SLT 2002 BMW E39 530i Sport 1988 Mercedes 300TE Hers: 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1999 E430 
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#2
11-22-2002, 06:38 PM
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The sound of the Bosch starter when you crank up, and the characteristic sound of the engine when it idles...
...funny thing though, all MB engines have a distinctive engine sound, unique to MBs, but I can't put my finger on what it is!? My Dad's '59 sounded like his '71 much later in life, and now mine all sound the same as well.
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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle 2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car 2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver 2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car
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#4
11-22-2002, 06:58 PM
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Quote:
 One thing I really like about older Mercedes is the sound of the vacuum locks. They just sound so smooth! Sadly, the newest models are using electric solenoids/motors.
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#5
11-22-2002, 08:12 PM
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Our trip this morning...
After everyone is buckled in, I fire the engine. The SmartKey makes this a simple task, with just a quick flick of the wrist. The "cylinder" is located on the dash, not the steering column, so it's easy to find and use. Next, I switch on the seat heater. No complicated knobs or settings. Just turn it on high, it warms the seat quickly, then turns itself onto a nice comfotable setting. The ACC is set to 22C, and needs no attention from day to day. The interior is always perfectly comfortable. The heated mirrors are on automatically. No buttons or switches to worry about. No worries about snow or frost accumulating on the glass... I clean the windshield, and thanks to the washer fluid being heted by engine coolant, there is no frosting of the glass. Nice. Thanks to the huge over 5L washer tank capacity, I don't worry too much about running out. The windshiled jets are also heated, meaning no clogging. We arrive at Parent's Place. It is windy, but my door stays open at the first detent, thanks to the very positive stops that MB doors have. I switch on the "rest" feature, ensuring the car will still be toasty when I get back. At breakfast, Helen calls me, thinking about finishing some yard work this weekend. Hhhmmm. On the way home, I switch on the Weather-Band feature on the radio, and catch the forecast right away. Pulling into the cul-de-sac, the road is pure ice. I use the Homelink opener to pop the garage door from some distance, and the ABS pulses a little before pulling into the drive, and then into the garage. Those are just a few things about Mercedes-Benz automobiles that make me grin each and every day...
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John Shellenberg 1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif
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#6
11-22-2002, 11:23 PM
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John,
I have to say you really have a way with words.....you never fail to create a perfect picture. Some little things I love about the Benz other than what's already been mentioned is the size of the sunroof opening. I especially love taking the car out at night when the air has cooled and the stars are out. Before leaving the garage I open the roof, turn on the heated seats and turn off the climate control. The cool air circulates through the cabin and the seats keep me nice and warm. 
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Afshin Current: 02 C32 AMG Previous: 92 500E 84 190E 2.3 5 Spd
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#8
11-23-2002, 12:49 AM
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The little things:
My 123 Two things stand out: 1) just the way the hood slopes down in front of me with that beautiful star at the end. 2) I wonder if anyone else has ever noticed this: the inside and outside sills on the doors, right where your forearm rests when it hangs out the window, slope in opposite angles from each other so your arm is always comfortable. Ever notice on other cars that after resting your forearm on the window sill for a while that you end up with a huge dent in your arm from all the extra rubber?? Mercedes thinks of everything!!  My 190 16-v That incredible exhaust note!! My E-320 Haven't had this car that long, so I'm still working on finding those "little things". One thing I appreciate, though, is how elegent the interior is-- classy without the unnesessary "add-ons" that other manufacturers throw in to make the car seem better than it really is. A little thing common to all Mercedes Real WOOD instead of cheap plastic.
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#9
11-23-2002, 12:51 AM
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#10
11-23-2002, 01:19 AM
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Haven't had the privilege yet of hearing a Jag V12. I'm sure it's sweet.
But I was thoroughly impressed by my cousin-in-laws '89 Porsche 928. Upon starting it has such a sophisticated growl!!!! I'd love to have that car just for this experience. Also when you close the doors on this car they feel so vault like - as if they are super solid and PERFECTLY fitted. It's hard to explain unless you've felt it. What I love about my 400e - 1. The way it sounds upon starting - like a much more muted 928! 2. The thrust of merging onto the freeway. The jet like acceleration at highway speed. 3. The real wood trim. 4. The feel of the steering wheel. It's a nice diameter and there’s just a hint of padding to it. 5. The way I can cut and thrust through traffic when I need to. 6. The high quality of the leather. 7. The style of the gages - I spent many of my formative years in Benzs ('72 - '77 in a 220d and '77 - 83 in a 240d respectively) and the instrument panel in my w124 still looks much the way it did in the w123. Somehow makes me feel nostalgic. 8. The clean lines of the interior. I think they are timeless and will age well. 9. The high quality of the vinyl parts of the interior. Though not leather, it still looks very high end (except those darn armrest!). 10. The vacuum lock mechanism (well until it breaks!). Again it makes me feel nostalgic like the IP does. 11. The single blade wiper. Don't know why, I just like it. 12. The solidness of the chassis and high speed stablitiy. Contributes greatly to the "strudy" feel of the car. That's all I can think of for now...
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#11
11-23-2002, 01:13 PM
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the sound of the MB v8s starting is one of a kind. Also the seats and the smell of the leater (close to the BMW but not the same) and of course the way the glove box light could be seen even when the glove box dor was shut. ahhhhhhhh how I miss it
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#12
11-23-2002, 07:32 PM
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Quote:
The M116 in the 380SE, with a larger diameter low restriction exhaust, sounds like a much more refined Ford Mustang, especially when you're under load at low speeds with the windows down (e.g. climbing a STEEP residential city street). I agree that BMW starters have a pleasant whir-whir-whir before the engine catches. -Sam
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#13
11-24-2002, 02:57 AM
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Kinda partial to the interesting yet pleasant aroma of 30 year old Benz interiors. Not sure what the source of the aroma is, but it is soothing.
Maybe in another 14 years or so the 560 will have that same aroma. Plus the solid, vault like "thunk" when closing the doors. Very reassuring.
__________________
Mike Tangas '73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP  Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72 '02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel Non illegitemae carborundum.
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#14
11-24-2002, 04:27 AM
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And I actually enjoy washing the Benz. Nothing more satisfying then washing off the road grim, then standing there admiring it all clean and shiney. I love going shopping and then walking back out into the parking lot and seeing that awsome looking Benz sitting there waiting, knowing IT'S MINE!  I like to lean over to the wife and say "Let's take that big blue Benz home". She always chuckles and gives me a nudge. sigh....
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past MB rides: '68 220D '68 220D(another one) '67 230 '84 SD Current rides: '06 Lexus RX330 '93 Ford F-250 '96 Corvette '99 Polaris 700 RMK sled 2011 Polaris Assault '86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)
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#15
11-24-2002, 10:31 AM
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Little things about driving a Benz................
Lemme see, the contiued solidness of the doors on a car that is 43 years old and begging for me to get busy restoring it. The oddity of a pull start knob, and counting out to myself the glow cycle before firing the old beast up. The heaviness of a car so solidly built, that nothing other than another Benz can compare to it's quality in manufacture. Then there is the ride, so smooth, yet not wallowy like many US cars are. I love the column shift and the soft clickety sounds that it makes as you guide it through the gears. I love the sound of the diesel engine as it works hard to pull the cars weight around. MB's are special cars, especially the old forgotten ones.
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