Hey, Michael,

Just what I was hoping for -- a clear picture. Something tells me I'm going to have to get a digital camera and a host for pics myself. . . . Loved your description of the C230 as "the world's most luxurious super economy car".

EDL100 mentioned the plastic cover with the star on it. Mine has a gash in it -- literally; it looks like somebody drove a hole in it with a hot soldering iron. It's a dust/moisture cover? Is this part expensive to replace?

I just got back from driving the little gold beast to the grocery and out to dinner. The A/C is amazing, especially compared to the W126's (which was cold, but I live in SE Louisiana; there's a lot of heat and humidity to contend with). Quieter, too. And the backlit instrument panel, and that solid Mercedes "chunk" of the doors -- and they even thought to put a red light on that remote trunk open button, so that if you open the trunk at night, you'll know. I've realized all over again why we fuss with these cars.

Thanks again!

__________________
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-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino