Hi Everyone,

Here is an update. I would have done this sooner but I was on a business trip and could only get dial up connections and my company's HR department has a habbit of sending out about a dozen announcements a day with a lot of fancy graphics that take about 20 minutes to load, so I had no spare time on-line to post.

The My daughter and one of her travelling companions left Monday evening from Connecticut and made it to Troy, NY to pick up some of the other travellers. The departure was significantly delayed by problems realizing the size of the trunk and what they wanted to drag along were not compatible. They reached Cleveland the next day, Tuesday evening, and camped somewhere outside Cleveland. No incidents, car running fine, no leaks, temperature excursions, etc. The next day they stopped off in Chicago for the evening and night to visit with friends in the area. Thursday they drove through St. Louis, and, taking the advice passed on from here they avoided some of the interstate highways and took the local state highways. They stopped last night at the border with Kansas and may remain off the Interstate.

No problems with finding Diesel, getting near 30 mpg, used about half a quart of oil so far (she has 2 and 1/2 gallons of Delvac 1 with her) and has only been alarmed once, leaving St. Louis. She thought it started to rain, but it turned out to be an attack by the local insect population. They have had to stop three times to clear the windshield.

I think they will be taking Loveland Pass instead of the Eisenhower Tunnel, as I heard on the news the stretch of I-70 around Vail has been damaged by runoff from the melting snow and heavy rains of late. At one point I believe the reports were the stretch of I-70 in that area collapsed a few inches and the tunnel was closed. No report on where they are and how far they intend to go today.

So, thanks a million for all the offers of help and phone numbers. So far so good, and I have my fingers crossed. I get daily reports on fluids and tire pressures as well as anything else of note, like mileage and temperatures. All reports have been "within specifications" and the car continues to amaze me. The Rocky mountains will be the next test for the car, so I am still a little anxious.

Once again, thanks a million, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)