MBCA renew or not?
 

Well, it's time for the annual renewal. However, I find myself just thumbing through the magazine.

I find technical advice either non-existent or very elementary.

Do you feel the same way? I am starting to think I would rather donate the money to this board.

Lee - you've got a pretty active section in the Carolinas. They do some nice events all over SC as well as in western NC. MBCA discounts are available at some of the dealers in the area. Also, next year the STAR gets a new editor and even though the current STAR is an excellent magazine, we're hoping for it to be even better next year. Also, for those of you who buy newer cars, MBCA has just signed an agreement with MBUSA to rebate up to $2500 to MBCA members on the purchase of a new or nearly new car. This is in effect through the end of 2006, but we expect it to be renewed annually. Must be an actvie member for at least a year to get this rebate and it is after you've made your best deal. Have you seen the MBCA discussion forum? Got a great bunch of tlaented folks on that one too - http://mbca.cartama.net/. Between this one and that one, I'm not too fearful of tackling any job on my cars.

Len
MBCA Southeast Regional Director

it is worth it to me.

tom w

Sounds like ability to socialize with local MB owners isn't high on your priority list.

Getting technical advice on an Intenet list is pretty iffy, especially if there's an "engineer type" in your local club who will most likely ALWAYS provide better help.

I was in our local MBCA chapter 20 years ago and was the youngest member. Then I went through a BMW period and only recently rejoined. I'm STILL the youngest member.

I was a member till about 6 years ago. Lots of really good people in it, and good national events, also, but only the magazine disappointed, it was basically an "attaboy" for all things Mercedes, almost like an advertisement for the brand. The saving grace was the technical articles written by Stu Ritter/Richard Easley.

The publishers and MBCA board ruthlessly suppressed dissent and criticism and things got ugly (anyone remember what happened to Kathy Kennel, before she died?)

I never regretted leaving that club. Though a real benefit was a 10% parts/service discount if you asked for it

Don't know what the situation is like today

The dealer in my area offers 20 - 25% discounts on all parts to MBCA members including the parts they put on the car when something craps out like a radiator or even brake rotors. Makes it worth it for me.

I just signed up this year and for sure i'll be a long time member! It is a great club with fantastic people and cars.

Membership in MBUSA is a good thing if you are a fan of the brand and a true car guy. The real benefit is if you have a very actice local section with events that appeal to all types of owners. The Peachtree Section in Atlanta has some great events and provided access to some car collections or other outings not open to the public.

I am going to sign on for another year. I have been disappointed in the lack of events on my side of my region. Traveling 3 hours or more to the coast isn't very practical. I have been tempted to go to Atlanta.

Pick anything that interests you in any section at all and you are welcome to attend. Here's what's going on in the Southeast - www.mbca.org/southeast
There's a Mystery Drive Event the weekend of July 22 & 23 that leaves Columbia, SC and Mooresville, NC. Haven't gotten that up on the website yet. Peachtree has hooked up with the 190SL convention in Athens, GA the end of September. That sounds like a nice activity with tech sessions, a car show and much more.

Len

I have been on the fence. Our area doesn't seem very active. I get enough MB socializing from this site. Heck we should start a club, at least the diesel guys in my area do 2-3 nice meets a year. Always a blast.

Membership dues are free to!:D

Their newsletter is OK, kind of a lightweight pat on the back mag. Not very interesting. Mercedes Enthusiast is a better read when you can get it.

I don't need the discount. I buy enough from the local dealer, I don't pay list...

Still one day I will probably join.

I always find this to be a strange question. I would turn it around back to you and ask what do you want out of the club. With organizations like MBCA, the members get out of it only what they put into it. If you're sitting around on your duff wondering why there are no events that interest you or why there are no events at all in your local region, it's because people like you and me haven't done anything to make them happen. Best suggestion... Renew and make things happen. Make it worthwhile to renew in the future. Make it worthwhile for others to renew in the future.

cheers,
Brett

I like the articles.

I also like the 15% discount from Performance Parts and the 10% discount I get from the dealer's parts department...all courtesy of MBCA.

Plus their ombudsman services seem to work.

It is all worth it for me....

Yeah, the "MercedesShop Club" would be nice. No dues, plenty of information at your fingertips, and meet a whole lot of MB owners at meets of various ages. But MBCA does have a few benefits that MercedesShop doesn't have.

When you say the newsletter, are you referring to the regional newsletter or "The Star"? I like The Star, especially when they focus on the older MBs, I loved the 1969 250C and 1983 300CD features. But there aren't too many younger members or those from different "backgrounds" in the club. When I go to the MBCA autocrosses, I'm just about always the youngest one there, probably by 20 years or so. They're still fun to attend though. I think MBCA should try to attract younger members, take a look at one of your local newsletters and look at the faces. You'll see what I mean. The events they do (visiting museums, antiquing, dinners, etc...) are not really a younger person's cup of tea.

I'll keep renewing my membership, though my local dealer doesn't do the discount deal, but I've still been able to get parts for a discount from other sources.

mbca? in a word they SUCK!never have i been so dissapointed in an organization/magazine as i was when i was a three year member(never renewed but took the three year term from the beginning). i agree it was an exercise in chest thumping the three pointed star but had no substance to their articles.tech help was a joke.from there i went to aldata and then ultimately to here.would pay for this site but since we can't(probably a good thing in the long run) i make sure to but all my parts from phil.
i can't say enough good things about this site, the rest of them , well, it's better that i'd don't say any more.