There are all sorts of car clubs devoted to all kinds of cars out there but let's stick with MB cars. I know MBCA is probably the largest but is it really the best?

I know there are several MB clubs recognised by MBCI. Gullwing Group, 190SL Group, MBCA, MBCC, M100 Group amd maybe one more that I can't remember. How would you rate the job they're doing or not doing?

The PeachParts Club

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

The cheap wagon club

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg

I hate to be negative - really I do, but here's my impression of the ones I've been associated in the past:

The MBCA group sounds good on paper, but from my experience on-line via email, and at some of the functions, well, never again is about all I can say about them. Seems over the past 10 years that there are enough rude and obnoxious officers at the top to run people off left and right, was my experience with both clubs in the DFW Metroplex. Be happy to give details off-line to any interested parties.

BTW, I have met some really nice people in person at the MBCAs, just not some of the officer jackazzes. Sorry, but they really are...

My experience that mostly the membership at meetings is of rich old boring white men that would , and do, rather talk about and eat, food, than anything to do with cars.

Their driving events are a little better, though.

A tour for a whole day through the California Highway Academy arranged through prvate connections of one MBCA club officer that knew the right people at the academy, of the club was utterly riveting and very educational.

Though I got in trouble for doing a burnout in their parking lot. lol

But in many of them, the cars are so new, and so loaded with complex computers and sensors, now way would they try to fix them, he cars to them are just a status symbol, or part of (to quote the Mercedes Benz acessories catalog) "The Mercedes Benz lifestyle".


Membership in the club, besides the glossy useless puff-piece magazine, "The Star" does usually almost always net you the 15% parts discount at the MB Classic Center, (and the dealers usually too) so it's worth it at the parts departments of those places, I buy enough parts with the MBCA club discount to recover the costs (and more) of the $45 MBCA yearly dues.

And in 1997 or 1998 my wife flew me out to Colorado Springs to a national seminar they had, (the MBCA hq is there) and that was fun in winter, I admit that.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Clubs are only as good as the folks running them.

The local chapter (with mostly okay officers) [when the membership was asked for any ideas for a function, my input was quickly brushed aside and the office I was interested in, no one could explain the job] finally folded into GWS, (too far away) a finely run club. Due to lack of, well, I'm not sure I left before that happened.
Officers get free annual dues and after a year, free functions, so there's an incentive.

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83 SD

84 CD

I hear many good things about the BMW and Porshe clubs. If I had a one of those I would surely join them.

I am an active and participating member of the MBCA, as I have several Mercedes.

As in all good things in life - you get out what you put in.

We have many members that consider the 6 issue a year of the Star plenty of reason to join the club. And that's all they do (or don't do). They read the magazine. That's good for them. (It would be nice to get 12 magazines a year, as Porsche club)

• I on the other hand have participated in the outing.
• I have won awards
• I was invited to drive my car in the William & Mary home coming parade
• I was in a parade on the Wildwood boardwalk
• I get parts discounted at the Mercedes Dealer
• I have gone to the Mercedes Benz Preparation center in MD, where I have seen some new and unique cars - such as one that was bullet proof.
• There are the friends I have made
• The opportunity to get a better car
• The opportunity to ask others, that I see face to face, how to fix things
• I have taken some members with me on car searches.
• I get into the Philadelphia Car show early

In all - there are some frustrations, some politics, but when you get down to it the MBCA is a collection of car people that I share a common interest in.

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Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup

I belonged to PCA a long time ago. It was nice, but I'm not really a "club type."

I really like our INdy region of the SCCA!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The MBCA is best judged by the regions and local chapters. Some are truly "dead" while others are extremely active; some are "wine & dine" exclusive oriented while others mix it up with driving and social events. I expect that the same is for most marque clubs with local chapters.

I've been a member of several clubs over the years and did get involved. I was president of my local antique car club as well as being on the BOD for 190SL Group and another operation. I've been a member of MBCA but droped out of that in favour of MBCC.
MBCC is pretty low key. They have a summer car show and picnic, spring tour, fall tour and Christmas party as well as some things like going to the local dealership. They're not what I'd call overly friendly with MB since they receieve no funding from them that I'm aware of. I hold events at my place which are for MB cars but anyone can show up.

What about ' internet ' car clubs? Everything you see and do is on the site with maybe a GTG now and then. Does that seem like a real club?

I guess I may as well be somewhat specific, as toomany MBZ was forthcoming.

It is a cooked deal in trying to change anything the officership/board is planning/doing here at the MBCA Chapter level. The $45 is $25 more than I believe I am getting in value. I have a wholesale account at both the MB dealerships for reduced parts and labor costs at one of them, so I don't need the MBCA Club discount rate. I deal in automotive wholesale supply sales, is why I get the discount.

One of the officers - actually two of them have behaved rudely at the DIY sessions toward me over the years when I was either working on my car, or, trying to get lift time at the MB dealerships on a Saturday morning. They both acted as if they owned and run the dealerships by continually telling you to get finished quickly when working on a project that involves some expert coaching from the MB dealer shop forman/mechanics. Neither of them offer to lift a finger to help you with the task, and these two individuals spend only time with each other's cars. One of the officers performs rather tedious/complicated automotive work on his car, but quizes you on what your task(s) are, discouraging you from asking the shop forman for assistance - even when somewhat easy as contrasted with the difficult projects he has done, with the shop forman, btw. The clique of this chapter have run-off several of us from the club that really want to work on our own cars. Every single time, I just wait until they leave the dealership, then get some private time with a shop forman to help me get my task done, without them badgering me for no reason. I pay my own way with a $10 lift charge, so it's not like they are doing favors for any of us. These individuals seem to be implants of the local chapter/club, trading the presidency back and forth - at least for a couple decades that I know of.

I am impressed at least from what I've read about the camaraderie and support/fellowship that the Corvette Club of America seems to have in and for it's membership. Unfortunately, I don't own a Corvette, but have a mild interest in acquiring another one someday.

The AMG Private Lounge is by far the best supported. No dues and lifetime membership for owners.

I need to renew my MBCA membership. I'm only in it for the magazine and discount.

The chapters near me are nothing but old people and new E-classes

i had it 20 years ago when i was a mb newbie.... didn't really see any value, unless you liked to read the magazine.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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