once again, i was in los angeles.

and this time i stayed in a hotel that furnished me the free use of a 2004 E320.

without going into too much detail, i also had access to a new xj8 jaguar.

i trialed the benz for 2 days and gave it back. what a bunch of junk.

i am sure that the jag is a more expensive vehicle. certainly it is a better vehicle.

better ride. better handling.

but to my mind, the salient virtue of the jaguar is that the controls are all intutitive. one doesn't need the manual to figure out how to manage the car.

that is not the case with the benz. it seemed to me that it was designed to challenge the driver to operate its controls successfully.

what i found most obnoxious was the interior's mood lighting. perhaps there is a way short of cutting wires to turn it off, but damned if i could find a method. when i stopped by a benz dealer to question them on the subject, simonson in santa monica was quite offended. apparently, benz is quite proud of this constantly on at night mood lighting.

i hate it. just what i want to do, drive around at night so that everyone outside the car can clearly see what is going on inside the car. is this some kind of patriot act intrusion?

basta, benz.