Hello friends:

It's been AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGES since I've posted on here, and I hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying their cars!! Just wanted to stop by, say hello, and also say I can't wait until I can be a Benz owner once again!

After my 190e was reconstructed after a deer collision, the poor thing fell apart because the shop did a crappy repair job. Had to get rid of it (sadly) and had to get something practical for at least a few years as $ is tight. So what did I get ... a 2002 Ford Taurus?

It's OK ... not very exciting, and makes me want to be behind the wheel of a Benz once again. I guess once you own one, it's hard to stay away from 'em!

The Taurus has been doing its job - it hasn't had any problems yet, but boy does it get bad gas mileage! I was really surprised.

Back up here in Wisconsin, it's starting to get chilly, and whenever I have the heat on (like bi-level, or just the feet, but NO defrost), the stupid a/c compressor keeps kicking on and off like I have the A/C on. Does anyone know why it would do this?

On a more positive note, am thinking about what MB to get in about 1.5 more years!! Diesels are not practical up here in the north; will probably get a gasser. I really like the "big car feel" of a 300e, but the evaporator failure has me concerned. What percentage, would you say, of 300e owners experience the evaporator fail? I'm trying to figure out how common this problem really is.

The other car I thought about was a 97-99 C230 (no kompressor). I really liked the 190e, but I'm 6'4" and I found myself cramped for space with passengers in the back seat. Does the C230 have the same cramped back seat area as the 190e? Just by looking at it, it seems that the C230 has LESS back seat room than the 190e did - which makes me lean more toward a 300e.

As always, your thoughts and comments are always well-received.

Hope everyone is well.

Take care,
Michael.