for the 1st time in a long time, i sat in atlanta rush hour traffic twice today. one thing i noticed:

in an approx 1 mile stretch of 90+ deg muggy a$$ bumper to bumper, i saw three 85-95 vintage MBs with the windows down. 2x 300e and 1x 190 with the AC off and the windows down. all 3 drivers "appeared" smart enough to know that their MBs had an AC system.fortunately i did spot another 95 e320 with the windows up just after. i felt their pain, as my prior 300e had an AC prob, that probably would have been a min of a $1250+ repair at the dealer. my issue was the famous 3-piece hose that the dealer wanted $800 for the hose alone. i drove the 535 bimmer when the heat was above 80. lucky for me that i was hit and totaled last summer, and got a W202 to replace the 300.

it seems to me that as a group, MB owners are willing to forgive AC probs that we wouldnt even stand for if riding in a hundai. lets see, does that hundai 10 year warranty cover AC systems? :p

i also saw a small car stuffed under a 18-wheeler up to the trunk lid. lucky for them that they were only 5 minutes away from what is probably THE best trama center in the south, grady hospital. i wouldnt drive within 10 miles of the place if i needed elective surgery, but its THE place to go if you get shot or get your head cut off!