The 98 C230 hit 155k miles today, so I dropped by the local dealership to get the form signed for the high mileage badge. The service rep asked "What is a high mileage badge?" I showed him the form and he insisted it wasn't anything Mercedes did, and he would have to check with his supervisor. Two levels later, they finally admitted that maybe it was a real form from Mercedes, and it would be OK for them to sign it for me to mail in, but next time I should make an appointment before I came by for 'service'! In another 25,000 miles I will take the 87 300E in for the 155k badge - hope they figure it out by then.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Doesn't that make you want to buy a car from them? I went to my local dealer, after calling, and they took care of it immediately, even mailed it for me. They were the same dealership that sold the car new, and were very glad to see it in good shape, with an owner who was taking care of it. I get to go back in 28k for the next one.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

A mile high badge is a...




Oh...sorry...never mind.

-Shelby

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

When I took my form to the dealer, the girl behind the desk obviously didnt know what it was, but she signed it cheerfully and didnt bother checking my mileage like they are supposed to.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

I'm surprised the rep didn't ask if it was for you or for the car!

Good to see you in here.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Shel- check the lavatory for souveniers(sp)....

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I'm really surprised, with as many Mercedes that are in California.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

The dealers don't seem to have much motivation for stuff like this. They want to sell new cars, not perpetuate people driving these old cars. I think that's short-sighted, but I can understand it.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

When I got my two badges for my 240D I went to the most established MB dealer in Phoenix. The supervisor signed the form and said congratuations without showing any interest in the car. I'd noticed that attitude quite often when I went there for parts. The parts guys were great. The rest of the outfit sort of acted like they wished I didn't exist. I wonder if the presence of a "real" Mercedes in their parking lot showed up the new stuff they were into selling in an unfavorable way and they weren't too pleased about it.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I got the badge for Max the Wonder Wagen at ASC in Arlington one Saturday morning. The sales manager came out and looked at it and was pretty complimentary of the car. I said something about what a testament to the brand these old cars are and how long-lived and durable they are. He agreed with me, but said, "Fortunately, most people just want a new car every few years."

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

You may be giving them too much credit. Do they see it as a real Benz? I mean, it doesn't even have cup holders.

I wonder whether the economic situation will cause Americans to adjust that thinking in the future. Or are we just waiting for the economy to bounce back so people can get back to wretched excess? One benefit of this recession, IMHO, is that it may make people think twice before buying houses that are twice as big as they need.

> I wonder whether the economic situation will cause Americans to adjust that thinking in the future. Or are we just waiting for the economy to bounce back so people can get back to wretched excess?

DIY businesses have largely flourished during the downturn, but human nature and the American culture being what they are, there is a lot of pent up demand building for all the goods and services that people want.

> One benefit of this recession, IMHO, is that it may make people think twice before buying houses that are twice as big as they need.

I doubt it. The result is that many people have lost the ability to buy more and larger, but not the desire. People buy bigger houses if they can because the ROI is historically pretty good. Plus people are running out of places to invest. The dot com implosion was a transition point. For a short happy time prior to that was the first time span that the average American could partake in stocks, and for the first time anyone with an internet connection could get up to the minute feedback on how stocks were doing. Money pored in from all over and made for a rapid climb. When it failed people started looking elsewhere. Real estate was a natural replacement for stocks.

With the banking meltdown, the desire to invest in stocks, bonds, and the typical 401K have become dubious. Some will, of course, because liquid investments are perceived by some as being a better value than illiquid investments, such as houses. Plus real estate has generally lost less value than any other type of investment, except precious metals.

Once the broader economy shows signs of turning around, and the stock market is a clear sign that has started, the question comes back: where to start to rebuild? Housing is still one of the best investments around.

For the OP: What he experienced was the result of vast numbers of people who don’t value hanging on to a car very long. The high mileage badge has become an antiquated custom whose time has sadly past.

Isn't a high mileage badge the same as a tramp stamp?

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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."

The salesmen are salesmen; they want to sell you something or they don't make money. They aren't car guys,... if the Mercedes sales gig doesn't work out they will be selling cell phones, hot tubs, siding or "green revolution" home improvements. They don't care about anything but making sales.
The mechanics and parts people are the closest you're going to find as "car people"...sometimes.

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"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration...
don't Fail Us Now"