I got under the car...did a little investigation with some friends, and found that the problem was with the solenoid in the starter...it is dead...I gave it a quick bang with a hammer while somebody was cranking with the key...and the car sprang to life...enuff steam I am hoping to drive to a shop that was recommended to me to get the thing rebuilt...much cheaper than dealing with the M-B dealership...
However, I bought an Interstate M93 battery by accident thinkin' that my original battery was dead...ugh...and I can't return it...that is like $190CAD down the drain...