Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > General Discussions > Off-Topic Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-16-2005, 01:15 PM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Talking Back in the fold!!!

OK...after going for two years w/o a Benz (other than occassionally driving the '89300TE that we bought our daughter a few years ago) I am finally back in the "family." Thursday night I bought a "new" 1998 E320.

The car has Java interiors and what the dealer describes as "desert silver" but it really looks more like champagne. The car has 85k miles and it is absolutely in perfect condition. It was a one-owner (now two-owner) car. It has 4 new Michelin tires (the spare is also brand new). The paint is spotless (except for very minor "key rash" in the trunk). The rim are the standard Benz rims (not chromed) and look brand new (no curb rash or anything).

The interiors are in great condition. I don't think that the driver ever carried any passengers, because the passenger seats are immaculate. The steering wheel is a little dirty, because it is a very light color, but I'll take care of that.

i am very happy and I am particularly happy to be back in the Benz family. The Cadillac N* engine was nice and powerful, but I really hated driving the Seville SLS. The only times when it was fun to drive was in an open, straight road, like in my trips from L.A. to Santa Fe. There, the big N* engine was a lot of fun and it got great gas mileage. The rest of the time the car was just not that much fun to drive or to be in.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get around to it.

Again, it is great to be back in the family.

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-16-2005, 01:55 PM
elau's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MD.
Posts: 1,725
Welcome back!!
__________________
95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-16-2005, 08:44 PM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Quote:
Originally Posted by elau
Welcome back!!
Gracias!!!
__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-16-2005, 08:54 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Posts: 8,538
Welcome back to the fold, brother.

How do you like the java interior? I love mine.
__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-16-2005, 09:42 PM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Quote:
Originally Posted by suginami
Welcome back to the fold, brother.

How do you like the java interior? I love mine.
Thanks.....

I love the java interiors. After two years of black ext/black int. (my Seville was black on black) I love the lighter interiors. The java int. reminds me of the parchment interiors in my old 420SEL, except that the contrasting color scheme is a lot nicer.

The accelaration in that V6 engine is just amazing. Smooth power curve and very smooth at idle. the tranny in the Seville was smoother shifting, but I have driven several E320, and they all shift the same way. My daughter's 300TE shifts similarly.

Next week I am going to have Enrique look at the harmonic balancer thingy. Just for "insurance" reasons....


Funny thing about Mercedes. It has to be about the only car brand where people are as happy and excited about buying a "used" one as they are about buying a new one. Just getting my car's "pedigree" was like a "hunt."

Again, thanks for the well wishes.
__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-16-2005, 10:43 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Welcome back!

A MB is a MB it doesn't matter whether it is new or used.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-16-2005, 11:19 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Posts: 8,538
Quote:
Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB
Next week I am going to have Enrique look at the harmonic balancer thingy. Just for "insurance" reasons....
Remember that there is a recall on the balancer, and if yours is the original "bad" part number, then they will replace it for free.
__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-17-2005, 12:24 AM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Quote:
Originally Posted by suginami
Remember that there is a recall on the balancer, and if yours is the original "bad" part number, then they will replace it for free.
I didn't know that about the balancer.

Thanks. I'll look into it....
__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-17-2005, 02:09 AM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Equipment question

Is the BOSE stereo, with M-B CD changer standard equipment for the E320. MIne has both and I am curious.

Thanks.
__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-17-2005, 01:14 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Posts: 8,538
Quote:
Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB
Is the BOSE stereo, with M-B CD changer standard equipment for the E320. MIne has both and I am curious.

Thanks.
I don't know if the Bose is standard, but the CD changer is not.

I believe there is a sticky in the tech forum on the balancer recall.
__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-21-2005, 12:30 AM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Today I received copies of my car's complete service records, courtesy of the Santa Barbara Auto Group (formerly Cutter Motors). I am just amazed at how friendly and courteous they are. I expected some computer print-out, instead I received copies of the car's entire service history. WOW...

My car had been serviced at Cutter Motors/Santa Barbara Auto Group, by the previous owner, since it had 12k miles on the clock. The records are complete. The owner had it serviced on a regular basis. Everything that needed to be done, was done on scheduled.

Other than some minor andnormal stuff, the car seems to have been in great health while in service to the previous owner. I hope it continues that way.

As far as the harmonic balancer is concerned, I called MBUSA and gave them my address as the new owner. I will then get the letter that everyone else has been getting. I susppose that IF soemthing happens between now and the time I get the letter, M-B is on the hook, so I am not overly concerned.

Thanks for your notes welcoming me back to the family. I feel like a kid, but there is nothing like staring down the hood of my car and seeing that 3-pointed silver star.
__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-21-2005, 12:38 AM
Lebenz's Avatar
backwoods member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: In the fog
Posts: 2,862
Congratulations on the new toy! The power of MB to bring folks back time and again is nothing shy of amazing.
__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-21-2005, 10:02 AM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lebenz
Congratulations on the new toy! The power of MB to bring folks back time and again is nothing shy of amazing.

I agree with you 100%

Incidentally, you have a very "scary" avatar.

Back to the Benz. the funny thng about Benzes, is that whatever the year, once you sit behind hte wheel, you feel right at home.

I just bought my youngest daughter a 2002 Volvo V70, Certified. I had owned volvos in the 1980s. This volvo feels nothing like the old volvos. This is a better Volvo than the ones I previously owned, but there is no sense of continuity, like there is with Benz.

My only "complaint" is that the new grills are not the old, massive, huge grills. I don't like the hood ornament on the hood. I like it on top of the grill.

Oh well, a minor complaint at that.
__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-21-2005, 10:21 AM
Lebenz's Avatar
backwoods member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: In the fog
Posts: 2,862
I was at the local dealership yesterday and saw a new, 500 CLS. Looks factory chopped and channeled, very gangsta’. Then I saw another one in the shop that was lowered with 22” wheels and tires about as thick as a single band of electrical tape. I commented to the SA that the owner had more $$ than brains. He laughed and said the 22” wheels (and car) belonged to one of the local BB players. Later I was talking with the owner, who was delighted to tell me about their 3rd store opening north of town. A Lexus dealer had a new facility built across the street from their current one, and the dealer owner (Phil Smart) got an okay to expand from MBUSA and leased the old Lexus building. He was grinning ear to ear like a kid wit a new toy. Based on this, it is pretty clear that a) the economy, at least locally is doing really well, and that, b) MBUSA isn’t terribly hit by issues of declining quality….

And the dealer had a lot of nice toys. I saw a shiny new E55 4-matic wagon, and their entire used car collection were almost all AMG, half SLs and the sole non AMG standout amongst the cars was a cool white colored ‘96 S420 with about 28K miles on it. They also had several of the new generation of ML and a couple of G55s.

What is scary about my avatar?
__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-21-2005, 11:27 PM
BENZ-LGB's Avatar
Strong, silent type
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,663
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lebenz
I was at the local dealership yesterday and saw a new, 500 CLS. Looks factory chopped and channeled, very gangsta’. Then I saw another one in the shop that was lowered with 22” wheels and tires about as thick as a single band of electrical tape. I commented to the SA that the owner had more $$ than brains. He laughed and said the 22” wheels (and car) belonged to one of the local BB players. Later I was talking with the owner, who was delighted to tell me about their 3rd store opening north of town. A Lexus dealer had a new facility built across the street from their current one, and the dealer owner (Phil Smart) got an okay to expand from MBUSA and leased the old Lexus building. He was grinning ear to ear like a kid wit a new toy. Based on this, it is pretty clear that a) the economy, at least locally is doing really well, and that, b) MBUSA isn’t terribly hit by issues of declining quality….

And the dealer had a lot of nice toys. I saw a shiny new E55 4-matic wagon, and their entire used car collection were almost all AMG, half SLs and the sole non AMG standout amongst the cars was a cool white colored ‘96 S420 with about 28K miles on it. They also had several of the new generation of ML and a couple of G55s.

What is scary about my avatar?
Deers are scary to me. Mountain lions I have no problems with. Sharks, I don't fear (you kow, I am a lawyer, so I get professional courtesy from sharks). But deers...that's a whole different story.

The economy, at the very top levels, is doing great. Also, lots of people with too much equity in their homes are taking equity out to buy fancy cars that they could not otherwise afford. I personally know of people driving cars that they cannot afford. But they cashed out ont heir equity and now they have the fancy car...IMHO that is the worst possible use for home equity. But then again, my wife and I are a couple of tight wads!

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Swapped the CCU, the problem came back - new theory, still need help with a/c diagnos bodyart27 Diesel Discussion 1 06-29-2003 04:34 PM
Front Seat - Back Rest git0 Tech Help 0 06-03-2003 12:09 AM
Yes, I'm back - minor problem tho Capt Kirk Diesel Discussion 1 03-13-2003 10:08 AM
A trip to Cleveland...and Back! deluvak Diesel Discussion 8 04-11-2002 09:56 PM
Eek! 6.9 might be back in hibernation! Aaron Vintage Mercedes Forum 2 03-05-2002 10:38 PM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:45 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page