ith
the loss of Woodlawn Plantation the Deutsche Marque has a new venue – Nottoway Park in Vienna, Virginia.
Nottoway Park is located off I-66. Get off at the Nutley Avenue exit towards Vienna. Go three traffic lights and make a left. (Last month we incorrectly list that it was a right turn.) The charge for Show class car is $25. The charge for Display class is $15.
In the Display class one parks the car and the attendees and general public vote their choice for "best" car. Show class cars are judged in minute detail for originality and cleanliness, including the engine, exterior, and interior. Several classes are established, usually based on (the car's) age and type.
Trophies are awarded in both categories. The date is Sunday May 6 and usually draws over 100 magnificent Porsches, BMW's and our favorite Mercedes-Benz's.
The registration form is in the centerfold. Don't wait! Register now!
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Saturday April 28 at 1:00PM, join us for a guided walking tour of the National Park Seminary Historic District at the Forest Glen section of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Forest Glen has been called "one of the most whimsical places in the country." We will be led by Save Our Seminary docents to see one of the area's most interesting and endangered collection of architectural treasures.
Despite its rustic setting and its location adjacent to the Capitol Beltway, Forest Glen is to architectural and artistic idealism what Coney Island was to amusement parks.
What you will see is an amazing collection of buildings from a Pagoda to an English Castle, a Greek Temple, and interesting garden ruins. On this visit you will learn about the fascinating history and the future of this most surprisingly unique historic site.
The tour will last between one and two hours. Portions of the site are wheelchair and stroller and accessible. However, the terrain and length of the tour may be difficult for young children and those with disabilities.
Cost for the tour is $8 per person or $15 per couple. Please fill out the registration form in the centerfold.
This event is something quite different than the events we've held recently. We hope you can join us for what will be a very unique day.
Directions: get off at the Georgia Avenue exit of I-495 (Exit 31), south towards D.C. Turn right on Seminary Road (just after Staples). Take Seminary in for a short bit and bear left onto Linden Lane. Follow Linden Lane onto the Walter Reed complex.
The buildings will be on your right. The parking lot is on Linden Lane near Woodstock Avenue (across from bus shelter near the Indian Statue). Look for signs for the tour.
If you need more information, contact the club's Social Committee Chairs, Judy Roth at 301-774-5390 or Bill Hopper at 202-363-4189.
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June 2, the section will hold a Tech Forum at the Merchant's Tire Training Center in Manassas, Virginia. The forum will begin at 9:00AM with coffee and donuts. The morning
session will include presentations from tire and oil specialists, as well as from Tom Ishler of
Mercedes-Benz USA. If history repeats itself, Tom will have some interesting "for-your-ears-
only" comments about the new models and current happenings on the international and national
scene.
Lunch is included in the $20 registration fee and will be served at noon. The afternoon session will include a hands-on demonstration in Merchant's on site maintenance bays and involve the replacement of brakes pads, rotors, and wheel bearings. Bob Hafenmair of Star Auto Service in Baltimore will perform the work and guide the members through each step.
The forum will conclude at 3:00PM or when the last question is answered.
To reach the Merchant's facility proceed on I-66 West and take Exit 53 (Route 28 South). Travel for approximately seven miles. Turn left on Liberia (Burger King is on left). Proceed two streets and turn left on Euclid Avenue. The Merchant's facility is on the right just beyond Eastern Manufacturing.
Previous forums at the Merchant's facility have enjoyed significant member attendance. Space will fill quickly! Please send your $20 fee and registration to Treasurer Craig Dabroski right away. Questions on the forum should be directed to our Technical Chairman, Vern Luke.
| Mason Beale |
Calendar of Events
Greater Washington Section Events
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President's Message
Thoughts of a Car Guy
pring!
We never thought it would get here. Our spring performance driver's school was a
success, although a cold success. The weekend of March 24-25 was dry, sunny, and cold at West
Virginia's Summit Point Raceway. Members from near and as far away as Indiana, New York,
New Jersey, and even Minnesota took the opportunity to motor south for the driving weekend.
Instructors from Bill Scott racing along with our own cadre of experienced teachers kept
everyone safe and enjoying their cars.
Several new members came out with some fantastic new models. Two E55s, an ML55, and a CLK55 turned heads in the paddock. A large group of 190E 2.3-16 Valves were in attendance. Many of them are second Mercedes in the car family and were acquired just for performance driving in track events and autocross. The car is still competitive and has one of the best suspensions ever put together. These cars can be purchased for about $10,000 and are reliable and fun second cars.
Our tech crew has finalized our tech forum for Saturday, June 2, at Merchant's Tire training facility in Manassas.
On the social side, Bill Hopper and Judy Roth have set April 28 for the walking tour of historic Forest Glen Park in Montgomery County. The National Park Service operates Forest Glen and our dog friends are not allowed.
Hopefully the FBI has moved their agents and surveillance out of Nottoway Park in Vienna for the Deutsche Marque Concours on Sunday, May 6. As you might recall, ex-FBI agent Hansen used the park for his drop site while spying for the Russians. Directions to Nottoway Park are in the cover article. It is conveniently located off I-66 and then off Nutley Street in Vienna.
The show usually draws more than 100 magnificent Porsches, BMWs, and our favorite Mercedes-Benzes. There is no charge to come and watch and enjoy the day. The fee to enter the judged competition is $25 and it is $15 to display your Mercedes-Benz. Trophies will be awarded to three places in the display group, and to at least three places in several classes in the judged category. Judging entails the close examination of the exterior, interior and engine compartment for cleanliness. The goal and standard is factory new. So if you're going to enter the judged classes, get busy cleaning.
And if you do go through the trouble of prepping the car, consider entering the Mid-Atlantic Concours at our Annual Picnic on Sunday, July 15, at the estate of Hank Harris in Potomac. If you are careful the car will still be relatively clean with just a little prep needed. And then the car will be ready for Tri-0-Rama on the first weekend in August. See how easy it is.
| Dick |
ast
month Mercedes-Benz announced the new CLK55 AMG Cabriolet. Previously it was
the new SLK32 AMG and the C32 AMG. This month it's the new G-Class – the G500. What's
next? And more importantly... what's a boy to do?
Garages are only so big. It's not like there are lots of old warehouses in Northern Virginia going for a song... and waiting to be converted into a gorgeous contemporary loft for living quarters with 10,000 square feet of space left over for the "collection."
Choices, choices, choices. But I do have an idea. The Greater Washington Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America needs a club house. You heard right... a club house. We'll buy an old gas station or unused dealership in some "far off" place like Hamilton or Winchester... and make sure it comes with a huge piece of land behind it for expansion.
We would set it up with lifts and tools, and hold mini-tech sessions six days a week, ten hours a day. Lift rents would be set at reasonable rates. As the money rolls in we would add a large stone stable in the back for the collector cars of members who have no storage room at home. Of course, the caretaker would need a set of keys for each car in case they had to be moved in an emergency and to occasionally blow the cobwebs off the engines.
Then we could build a stone house to match the stables. Nothing fancy. Six or seven thousand square feet... a great room for club parties ... and a pool. On the back 40 we could pave five or six acres for defensive driving and autocross.
Then we could...
pylon alley by Joe Wozney
Autocross 2001
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2001 Autocross Schedule April 29 May 20 June 10 July 8 August 26 September 23 October 14 November 4 |
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first autocross of the year is a short time away. Please come out and join us...
just to watch is fine if you think you'd like to get a feel for it before giving it a try. Here's
how to find us:
Apple Pie Ridge Road
Winchester, Virginia
Directions:
Take the Greenway (continuation of the Dulles Toll Road) to the end – stay in the left lane. The Greenway is discounted on weekends to $1.25. Get on the Route 7 Leesburg bypass west. Take Route 7 all the way to Winchester. Get on I-81 north. Go one exit and get off I-81 ("To 37 and Stephenson"). [If you take Rt. 50 west instead, it's 2 exits.] At the exit traffic light, make a left. Stay in the right lane and get on the Route 37 bypass (the road splits). Get off at the first exit (Berkeley Springs). At the exit stop, make a right. Go to the next light (100-200 yards) and make a right on Apple Pie Ridge Road. The school is at the left on the hill.
The trip will take about 60 minutes from the Beltway at the Dulles, so plan your start time to arrive between 8:00 and 8:30AM. From Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, Rt. 15 south intersects Rt. 7 at Leesburg and will save some time. For those of you who have attended the last two or three Tri-O-Ramas, it's the same lot we used for our autocross at that event.
To get a better idea of your travel, for maps, and a trip plan go to MapQuest.
Click on Directions or Maps. In the "from" box add your city and state (street address not necessary). In the "to" box type in Winchester and VA. Double check, as the suggested route is not always the best.
See you there!
ercedes-Benz
USA (MBUSA) reported sales of 19,166 new vehicles during the month
of March 2001, a 3.1 percent increase over last year's March 2000 sales record of 18,595. March
represents the highest March sales volume ever by MBUSA and the second best month ever.
Year-to-date sales dropped marginally for the first quarter of 2001, a decrease of 1.5 percent to
47,073 versus the 47,788 vehicles sold during the first quarter last year.
Sales were led by the all-new C-Class, which recorded its best sales month ever with 4,822 vehicles sold, up 79.5 percent. The E-Class posted sales of 4,384, a decrease of 6.1 percent. M- Class sales recorded 3,911 units, a 14.2 percent decrease from 2000. The S-Class had a decrease of 7.6 percent in March sales with 2,594 units sold. The all new CL recorded its best March ever with sales of 401 coupes, a 95.6 percent increase. The SL-Class saw 209 units sold, a decrease of 66.8 percent. The CLK family of coupes and cabriolets came in at 1,819 units, a 1.8 percent decrease. The SLK had a decrease of 13.9 percent to 1,026.
MBUSA's high-performance line, AMG, continued its momentum with March sales of 638 vehicles, representing the best March ever for AMG vehicles. Model leaders were the S55 AMG (189 units sold) and the ML55 AMG (141 units sold).
For the year-to-date, the C-Class accounted for the largest volume with 10,998 vehicles sold, up 62.9 percent. The M-Class sales recorded 10,481 units (vs. 13,008). The E-Class reported 10,284 units sold (vs. 11,831). Year-to-date S-Class sales decreased slightly to 6,622 (vs. 6,672). The CL-Class jumped 123 percent to 895 vehicles (vs. 400). The CLK model line sold 4,782 units, a decrease of 5.2 percent (vs. 5,042). Sales of the SL-Class posted a decrease of 54.3 percent to 670 (vs. 1,466). The SLK showed a decrease of 10.5 percent to 2,341 (vs. 2,617).
The Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, recorded sales of 3,231, an increase of 15.1 percent compared to March 2000.
ercedes-Benz
USA has announced that it will launch the rugged yet luxurious G500
sport utility vehicle in the U.S. this fall. At a press conference preceding the New York
International Auto Show, company officials disclosed that the 2002 model G500 will be priced at
$72,500. The V8-powered G-Class is a limited production vehicle, and about 1000 to 2000
annually will be sold in the U.S.
A compact SUV that's about four inches longer than the popular Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport utility, the G-Class is handcrafted at a manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria. Called the Gelaendewagen in Europe, the G-Class is a no-compromise off-roader with a cliff-climbing, stump-pulling personality. It can climb grades up to 80 percent, and it's even stable on lateral slopes up to 54 percent!
Building on the success of the M-Class, the U.S. launch of the fashionable G500 addresses a strong market trend favoring high-end luxury SUVs. Its primary competition includes the Range Rover 4.6 HSE and Lexus LX470, while secondary competitors range from the V8 BMW X5 to the AM Hummer. G-Class buyers are likely to be people who can afford to buy a vehicle just for recreation but require that it be practical as well. They're also likely to be very self-confident and proud of their individuality.
With a simple, classic design – plus many technological innovations for safety and convenience borrowed from Mercedes cars – the go-anywhere G-Class balances its proven off- road credentials with a liberal dose of sumptuous on-road comfort.
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Board Members
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The new sport utility is equipped with a standard GPS navigation system featuring a large, integrated display on the center console. The display also controls a nine-speaker audio system (including a six-disc CD changer) as well as an optional integrated Motorola Timeport phone that can be operated hands-free through the in-dash display. The phone comes with an electronic voice recognition feature that allows both the phone and the audio system to be controlled by simple voice commands.
The exterior features body-color bumpers, rub strips, rocker panels and mirror housings as well as 18-inch alloy wheels and a stainless-steel spare tire cover mounted at the back.
Proof of its military roots, the durable G-Class suspension makes use of superstrong rigid axles at the front and rear as well as longitudinal and transverse links with coil springs and gas shocks at all four corners.
The G500 uses a power-assisted recirculating-ball steering system, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, and 7.5 x 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/60R18 tires.
The G500 is powered by the same 5.0-liter V8 as the S-Class sedan and SL roadster. This technologically advanced, all-aluminum engine develops about 300 horsepower while operating at remarkably clean emissions levels. It uses a twin-spark/three-valve-per-cylinder arrangement. Two intake valves are accompanied by one exhaust valve per cylinder, making room for two spark plugs per cylinder. A dual-path intake manifold boosts torque at low engine speeds for remarkable acceleration and quicker response at all engine speeds.
The G500 harnesses its power through an electronic five-speed adaptive automatic transmission with Touch Shift and a sturdy full-time four-wheel-drive system, which includes a transfer case with electronically controlled high and low ranges. Its fully synchronized low range can even be engaged on the fly, at speeds up to about 15 miles per hour.
The G500 distributes torque through front, center, and rear differentials and is the only production vehicle that features mechanical locks for all three differentials. To reduce wheel spin in extremely low-traction situations, the center and rear differential locks can be engaged anytime that the G-Class is off-pavement. In the unlikely event the vehicle gets stuck, the front differential can be engaged momentarily for maximum traction.
While differential locks are much appreciated by experienced off-road enthusiasts, the G- Class also comes with four-wheel electronic traction control that will help less experienced drivers through most conditions.
Traction control is integrated with another Mercedes-Benz invention: ESP stability control. Standard on all new Mercedes-Benz models, ESP detects an impending spin or slide and applies the brakes on one wheel – front or rear, left or right – to keep the car on track!
The safety of Mercedes-Benz vehicles is most meaningful in one way – real life. All new developments are put into production based on careful analysis of actual traffic conditions and accident histories. The technical safety aspects of the G-Class don't just meet government standards, but also reflect in-house Mercedes-Benz accident research. Based on Mercedes-Benz' own stringent guidelines, the G-Class is designed for the greatest possible impact safety and features a tough body-on-frame design with a torsionally rigid chassis.
Two-stage front airbags for driver and passenger deploy in two levels, depending on the severity of impact. In most collisions, only one chamber of the generator is deployed, so the bag is not filled as fully or as quickly as it is in a severe front impact. In a more serious accident, the second chamber is deployed 5 to 15 milliseconds later.
Standard ABS anti-lock brakes provide directional control during emergency braking, while Brake Assist automatically ensures full-power braking in panic stops. In addition, Electronic Brake Force Distribution ensures stability when braking on curves.
Mercedes-Benz brought a new dimension to automotive safety with the 1999 debut of its Tele Aid system, which provides convenience and emergency services at the touch of a button through a special cellular connection. For emergency help, there's an "SOS" button above the rearview mirror that immediately establishes voice contact with response specialists who can dispatch local police or other emergency services. It transmits precise location through GPS tracking, car model and color to help emergency services locate the car quickly.
If a collision deploys any airbag, Tele Aid automatically establishes contact. The onboard transmitter is crash-secure and has access to redundant antennae. Mercedes was first to make emergency calling equipment standard.
The two non-emergency uses of Tele Aid are accessed from inside the center console. One button marked with a wrench puts the client in direct contact with Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance. To answer questions about the car, another button marked "i" connects users with the Client Assistance Center.
Tele Aid eliminates the need to juggle a handset, dial a phone number, use a cellular access code or locate street names during an emergency. Moreover, the standard Tele Aid system does not require a cellular phone or service – it operates on its own cellular system.
An additional benefit of Tele Aid is vehicle theft tracking, which can actually help authorities locate the car once it's reported stolen. Last year, Tele Aid was enhanced with a new remote diagnosis feature, as well as emergency door unlocking and theft alarm notification.
Any Mercedes owner with a Tele Aid equipped vehicle and the in-dash COMAND display can now subscribe to new web-based Info Services. Clients begin by using a home or office PC to customize personal preferences on their own web page (part of the Mercedes-Benz USA website). Then, any time they push a button beside the color LCD display, their selected stock quotes, news topics, sports and weather are downloaded from CNN Interactive and displayed on the screen. Calendar reminders are also possible through the system. (Photos of the G-Class are in the centerfold.)
ercedes-Benz
USA has announced that it is creating a classic vehicle center – the first
to be established by an automotive manufacturer in the United States. Expanding on the
Mercedes-Benz record of providing lifelong care for its vehicles, the Classic Center will offer a
complete, specialized service to classic car enthusiasts.
Center operations will begin at MBUSA headquarters in Montvale. Determining a site for the new Center and a date for commencing activities there will be a priority during the developmental process.
The Center will provide parts purchase assistance and technical information, buy and sell classic cars, and perform appraisal and repair services. A boutique featuring exclusive Mercedes-Benz accessories, automobilia, and classic automotive literature will be showcased on site.
A toll free number – 1-866-MBCLASSIC – has been set up to handle inquiries for vintage parts and technical information.
To be built and operated along the lines of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach, Germany, the U.S. Center will interface with its German counterpart, the first of its kind when opened in 1993 and which is now a worldwide benchmark in providing classic car services.
The Fellbach Center has acquired extraordinary restoration expertise from working with priceless vehicles which date back to those built 115 years ago by Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. This skill and service will be an additional area of support available for U.S. customers.
The Center in Germany also maintains world class archival resources that cover the history of the marque from its earliest days. Calling on these resources the new U.S. Classic Center will deliver the highest level of vehicle care.
The U.S. Classic Center will most likely be set in southern California because of its large concentration of antique cars.
MBUSA vice president of customer services said: "During this, the 100th anniversary of the Mercedes brand, it is fitting to announce an initiative that will reconfirm the Mercedes-Benz tradition of providing continuing care to its vehicles during their life span. It's part of our heritage to assist and encourage customers to drive and enjoy classic vehicles that are keepsakes of Mercedes-Benz history."
he
Northern New Jersey Section will run its Second Annual May Day Rallye on May 6.
The Rallye begins at 12:30PM at Harvest Moon in Ringoes, New Jersey. The participants will
depart at 2:00 sharp. The Rallye will take two to three hours to complete.
The Rallye fee is $15 per car and the dinner (back at the Harvest Moon restaurant) is $35 a person.
If you have questions about the event, please contact the Rallyemeisters, Doug and Nora Ochwat, at 908-850-9643. You can reach the South Jersey Coordinators, Marie and Ron Ludvig, at 609-208-1597.
Doug and Nora have promised a "great new format" for the event.
Send your check or money order, payable to MBCA-NNJS, to Lucille Chabala at 6 Brook Way, West Orange, NJ 07052.
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July 6-8, the Granite State Section will host the fifteenth annual New England Vintage
Meet for classic Mercedes-Benz at the Gideon Putnam Hotel located in the Saratoga Spa State
Park in New York State. Check out the hotel at: www.gideonputnam.com
This beautiful setting was also the site of the meet in 1996. There is a lot to see and do in the area including the famous mineral baths, horse racing (www.nyracing.com) and the performances of the Lake George Opera Company in the park a short walk from the hotel (www.spac.org)
Still the only MBCA full weekend event in the Northeast for classic Mercedes-Benz, this year's meet will feature touring, site seeing, a German banquet, and an informal car show.
The reservation deadline is June 4. The contact for the meet is:
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Henry Magno MBCA Granite State Section 19 Cranberry Lane
Burlington, MA 01803 | |
he
Chesapeake Region to the Porsche Club of America and Valley Motors will host the
Fifth Annual Valley Motors German Car Show on Sunday, May 27, 2001. The event was
formerly known as the Deutsche Marque Auto Show. (Sounds familiar. Mr. ed.)
Where: Valley Motors, 9800 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 410-666-7777.
Who: Mercedes-Benz, Porsches, and Audi, and air-cooled Volkswagens. To be eligible for the vintage classes, the car must be of 1979 or earlier model year.
Time: Gates open at 9:00AM for placement of vehicles. Judging begins at 10:00AM (no cars allowed on show area after 9:45). Lunch will be served at 12:30PM.
Cost: $15.00 per car, which includes two lunch tickets. $25.00 at show.
Lunch: All car entrants will receive two complimentary lunch tickets. Additional lunch tickets may be purchased for $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 9 but only prior to the show.
Classes: Class will be Pre-1955; 1956-1960; 1961-1965; 1966-1970; 1971-1975; 1976-1979; 1980-1989 and 1990-1999. Additional awards will be given for "Best Cabriolet", "Best Vintage Auto", and several others.
Judging: This is a low-key car show with an emphasis on the camaraderie of the car clubs and enjoying the cars. Judges will spend an average of one to two minutes on each car. Only the interior and exterior will be judged. No storage or engine compartments or underside of vehicle will be examined.
Questions and volunteers: For further info, contact Todd Bernard at 410-461-6570 before 10:00PM or email him at <toddrb@home.com>. Volunteers are needed, if you are interested in helping, please contact me.
Please mail your check by May 21 payable to "Chesapeake Region, PCA" to 5416 Radel Court Ellicott City, Maryland 21043.
Include your name, email address, address, phone numbers, make, year, and car model.
ave
you ever noticed that the law stands between us and the satisfaction of some of our
fondest desires? If you are enamored of world peace or a pristine natural environment there is a
riot policeman and a water canon blocking your path. If you want to roll in the meadow or romp
in the woods, there is a "no trespassing" sign and some barbed wire standing in your way. If your
passion is inhaling the smoke of some dried vegetable matter... let's not even discuss it!
Well, my personal passion is driving fine machinery at speed.
If you drive responsibly so as to minimize the waste of natural resources; if you pilot your vehicle in such a fashion as to avoid the creation of traffic jams; if you obey the dictates of natural law; if you drive a safe, bright-colored, shiny automobile... you will get traffic summonses. It is inevitable. Why is this?
Perhaps the gasoline lobby wants you to drive at speeds which maximize your fuel usage. Perhaps real estate developers want to promote traffic congestion so as to build up demand for housing in selected markets. Possibly the bureaucrats who administer our motor vehicles laws are suffering from satanic possession and wish to challenge the inherent laws of God and nature. But we need not speculate. Let us accept reality as we find it. One way or another, if you are a good driver, you have a rendezvous with the constabulary in your future.
My purpose here is to help you face the grim future with fortitude and hope. First and foremost, never plead guilty to a traffic violation and send in your money without a fight. From an idealistic standpoint, let us remember that those who meekly submit to tyranny only encourage it. If everyone just pays up it encourages the regulatory Stalinists to utilize traffic ticket monies as a source of municipal revenue. More speed traps will be set up and more inane ordinances adopted so as to squeeze tribute from the innocent wayfarer. On the other hand if every motorist who receives a summons pleads not guilty and requests a hearing, this evil system will surely collapse! The cost of paying judge, prosecutor, and traffic cop to appear in the halls of justice for a trial far exceeds the most extravagant fine which might be levied. If you represent yourself before the tribunal only your time is expended in the interest of promoting the cause of freedom.
From a purely selfish point of view, don't forget that by pleading not guilty you just might end up beating the rap. Here's how. When you appear in traffic court the apprehending officer may well be unavailable and the summons could simply be dismissed. If the court's calendar is typically full the prosecuting attorney may offer you a plea bargain. This will involve your agreeing to pay the fine for a "no points" offense which at least will not go on your driving record and thus will not increase your insurance premiums. I have personally had a speeding ticket dismissed because of the unavailability of the officer and have on several occasions successfully engineered a "no points" plea bargain for myself.
A few points to remember when you are caught. Do not get out of your vehicle. If it is night time turn on the interior light in your car. Keep your hands in plain view at all times. Do not argue with the policeman. There are two personality characteristics encountered among traffic officers: apprehension and aggression. Herein lies one of the principal elements of danger encountered on the open road. Never provide an officer with an excuse to have his or her rod clear leather.
Under all circumstances, avoid geniality. Anyone who is all smiles when he gets pulled over is probably drunk as a coot. Make your ticketing experience as routine as possible so that it will not stand out in the officer's memory. Then he or she will not make it a special point to appear for your trial and will not object to the prosecutor working out a plea bargain with you. Finally, if you happen to be of Irish, Greek, Slovenian or of any other particular extraction and notice that the officer's name tag indicates a shared ethnic heritage, do not be tempted to remark. Cops are for some reason quite sensitive to any comments which might reflect on their parentage in general or their mothers in particular.
| John Kuhn Bleimaier |
SLK230, 1998: Silver/charcoal interior. Super clean. Multiple concours winner. All standard features plus 6-disc CD, car cover, bra, lexan windscreen. Stock wheels plus set of TSW custom wheels. Always garaged, little rain, no snow. Dealer maintained. 27k mi. Factory warranty until Jan. 2002. Upgrading to AMG version. $33,500. Call Bruce at 301-774-5390
E300D, 1999: White/tan. Showroom condition. 12k miles. Garaged. No smoke. $45,000. Call Goetz at 301-365-1061.
500SEC, 1986: Silver/blue leather. 58k miles. Euro version converted to EPA/DOT when new. Sun roof, all power, ABS, records, immaculate. $19,500. Leave message. Call 202-822-0993 or email <petersb@tatc.com>.
280SL, 1970: Ivory/ivory hard top/brown soft top and interior. 4-spd manual. Always garaged. Excellent condition. All original paperwork, $29,500. Call Stephen at 410-745-5846.
Wheels: Four 16 in. alloys and spare from 00 E320. Less than 200 miles, $400. Five 16 in. Borbet Type R alloys. Less than 1k mi., $500. Four Michelin MXV4 215/55R16. Less than 1k mi., $250. Call Ed at 703-308-2823 or email <thegeneraltso@juno.com>.
Wheels/tires: Four 225/55R16 Pirellis on orig. factory wheels from 1998 SL500. Update your 1990-1995! Price incl. dust shields. Perfect. $995. Call Ian Speisman at 301-469-6683.
Wheels/tires: Four perfect 1991 SL factory wheels with almost new Pirelli 6000 tires w/15k miles. $450. Call Rick at 703-607-6301.
Wheels/Tires: For SLK, 4 Pirelli 205/55-H16 Asimmetrico 210 winter tires on Mille Miglia Star wheels. 80% original tread. 6.3k miles. $700 + ship. Free del. 100 mi. radius Cumberland, MD. Call Mac at 301-724-4020.
Steering wheel: Burled walnut/charcoal leather. Flawless. In factory box. Fits 1994 up E/S Class. Sell $495. Call George Brugger at 301-486-1900.
126 Series parts: 2 oil filters, $6 ea. Upper radiator hose, $4. Lower radiator hose, $20. Ignition wires (8), $50. Blower motor, $80. Front/rear brake pads, $50. Call Robert at 301-251-2894 or email <chefrobert1966@hotmail.com>.
300E/190E parts: For 86-95 300E: gray MB-Tex rear seat, good shape, $75 offer. For 190E, black MB-Tex front/rear seats, good condition, $50 ea./offer. 190E complete dash, no cracks, $75/offer. Other misc. W124/W201 interior parts and driveshafts. Call Pete at 703-759-4413 (h) or 410-290-3322 (w).
123 Series parts: Euro headlight, both tail light lenses, gray trunk mat, spare steel wheel/tire (175SR14), 123 jack, 3 Becker Europa radios, factory service manuals (several). 116 Series parts: 4 pc. brown MB mats, 1 set wheel well liners, 4 (15-slot) alloys w/205/70-14 Michelin XH4 (new cond.), factory service manuals (several). 124 Series parts: 4 (15-slot) alloys w/195/65-15 Misc.: 2 ski racks roof mount, 1968 114-115 Series factory service manual. Contact Paul at 410-461-3480 or email at <pf928S4@erols.com>.
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American Service Center
703-525-2100 EuroMotorcars 301-986-8800 Merchant's Tire & Auto 800-637-2426 RC Imports 301-762-4205 Curry's Auto Service 703-502-0400 MB Motors 703-978-4564 Potomac German Auto 800-831-7686 |
Radial Tire Co.
301-585-2740 Dent Wizard 800-336-8949 EMB Parts 703-425-5380 Wheel Worx 410-969-7301 MB Roadside Assistance 800-367-6372 Electronics Service Center 301-881-8637 |
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