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.

__________________
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


[/SIGPIC]

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

__________________
[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.

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.

__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

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

__________________
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)

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.

__________________
dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

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....

__________________
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!

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.

__________________
'95 s500 (bought for wife but can't bear to share!!!) 125kms
'92 legend 180kms
'88 tbirdturbo(fantastic car-only regular maint.)120kms
'87 mustang gt(gone)
'86 tbirdturbo(gone)
'85 mustang gt(gone-but not forgotten)

I was a member in the mid-80s and I was disappointed. The Star had some pretty pictures and there are ads for suppliers, but I'll repeat what has been said about tech issues.

Another thing that could have been good was the free advertising for cars for sale. Unless you had a car that was in direct competition with one owned by the editor.

I had a 280SE 3.5 and put an ad in. It read 280 SE and despite my attempts to get the v-8 part into the ad in subsequent months, it never happened. Later I found out the editor was trying to sell a like car.

Coincidence? Not from what I heard later. All the dirty laundry about where your dues were really being spent got pretty well aired out when the internet started being used by membership, though the club leaders tried to censor and ban and stifle any dissent.

I'd have to see a complete turnaround before I spent any more money on them.

I hope this information is out of date and they are better now.