It's finally over. My life with MB's has been fun and rewarding, but I traded in my dying 4matic for a new Honda CR-V, and I'm actually out of Benzes for the first time since '96. If anybody needs parts for a 4matic, look at the classified section for a full listing of my (new) leftovers.

I hope everybody appreciates their MB's as much as I did mine, but I also have to say I won't be looking at any MB's newer than '96 until they get their heads out of their butts. Read FinancialTimes.com for a report on how they're actually recalling more cars than they built in all of 2004 to address the quality issues that were, until now, ignored.

I will probably never have another car that drove as well as the '91 300TE 4matic, but I'm also sure that MB isn't building them like they used to either. I figure I got into them at their peak.

Good luck to all with their Tri-stars, it's been fun.

someguyfromMD

Hope you enjoy your new Honda!

buh bye!



Japan snatches another one from Germany!

__________________
2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

I sold my 300E also. It just gave me problem after problem, and I just got to my limit. My Monte Carlo is reliable and comfortable. I am also an MB sellout.

__________________
1987 mercedes 300E
1995 e320 conversion(hated the 300e grill)
HID/Xenon (D2S)
Keyless Entry
Monochromatic Paint (Custom Blue)
Smoked Tails
Flat Badged (front)
Debadged (rear)
custom "carbon fiber" console
18 inch HP EVO rims
Sold! Now I drive a Monte Carlo SS
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../352975_67.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../748335_24.jpg

Best of luck with the new vehicle, SomeGuy.

This catch actually surprised me. There are few NAFTA market Japanese vehicles that appeal to me as a sport sedan replacement for my E-class -- Lexus GS430 and the new Acura RL are just about the limit. The rest are too boring for a typical driving enthusiast in my opinion.

Interesting note: Just outside Daimler's native stomping grounds (i.e. Benelux), the most common vehicles on the road are manufactured by Ford, Opel, Honda, and Toyota. It is a common misconception among Americans that most Europeans drive what is considered a luxury marque inside North America. Seeing an Audi S8 tearing up a hillside in Luxembourg is just as rare a sight there as Main Street, USA.

Just my random 0.02[currency] for the evening.
-DM

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1995 E420 SE black/black
2004 Volvo V70R AWD

Man I have always wanted a Delorean since I watched Back To the Future...

Then I heard about how bad the engines were in the car and the crappy build quality of the chasis....

I still want an Audi S8 since watching that movie Ronin!

First, I have to see these cars in person!

__________________
2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

Ronin is a brilliant movie in my humble opinion, the best scene is where Deniro ambushes Spence with a coffee cup :-)

The S8 is an impressive sedan, all things considered. You can find a 2001 Audi S8 in good condition for well under $40k USD. Unfortunately the A8/S8 suffers from one expensive Achilles' heel: A hand-finished aluminum shell and frame. The last time I checked, there are two authorized repair facilities in North America: One in California, and one in (?) New Jersey. Where the typical Audi maintenance costs - and as an owner, I have a little context to comment - do not kill your wallet, insurance will.

I would rather go with the mid-tier model of any luxury car (5-series, A6/S6, E-class, etc.) than a bankbuster. Just my humble opinion!

-DM

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1995 E420 SE black/black
2004 Volvo V70R AWD

I sold out to the Japanese a month ago when I traded my '96 C280 Sport for an Infiniti G35. The G is no doubt a well built car and has loads of modern amenitites. But I gotta say, the car has no souls. It is like driving any run of the mill sport coupe. When the warrenty runs out in 5 years, I will trade it in for another MB, preferably a CLK. Once you drive a Benz, it's in your blood. Glad I still have two to fill my veins

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95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204