ue
to forecasts for severe thunderstorms, the Deutsche Marque Concours, originally
planned for May 2, had to be postponed and will be rescheduled. A new date – most
likely in July – should be selected by the time you receive this newsletter. Check the GWS web site and watch for more information in the next Tri-Star.
The Historic Eastern Shore
June 26!
ummer
on the Chesapeake is one of the special pleasures we have here in the Greater Washington Section. And for 2004's Summer Dine and Drive event members will get to experience that first hand with a pleasurable time driving and dinning on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
To entertain us on a June Day there will be a rally driving event. Not to worry... this is not a timed event and there will be no tests, but, rather, an opportunity to find out more about this very historic area of Maryland's Eastern Shore. GWS members who live on the Eastern Shore are putting together an interesting and informative drive for you to test out your directional skills (or that of your satellite navigation systems) through Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline, and Queen Annes counties.
To top off the day, dinner will be served at the Robert Morris Inn – which is included in the Select Registry of Distinguished Inns of North America. The Robert Morris Inn is on the scenic Tred Avon River in Oxford Maryland and was built in the early 18th Century by ship's carpenters. It became a residence for Robert Morris, the father of the financier of the American Revolution.
The Inn is known for its quaint lodging and the finest crab cakes on the Eastern Shore. And speaking of dinner, you will have your choice of prime rib, crab cakes, or fresh fish as your main course. A cash bar will be available.
See: <www.robertmorrisinn.com>
For those wanting to make a weekend out of the trip, contact the Robert Morris Inn directly at 410-226-5111 to reserve your room. A two-night stay is required if staying over, so come Friday or stay over on Sunday and give yourself a mini-vacation. The Inn has several different lodging options, all with private baths, from simple rooms with a double bed to the Sandaway Suite. Per night prices range from $130 to $350. Mention that you are with the Mercedes-Benz Club and you will get a discount on one night's lodging. And, any stay at the Robert Morris Inn includes the "Oxford Experience" as a part of the package – be it a stroll down lover's lane, a walk along the strand, or just the sunsets, sailboats, and shops.
The town of Oxford is charming. Originally a seaport for the British, once the American Revolution came about, other east coast cities became the hub of commerce. Now it is a boating paradise with the Tred Avon River and the Bay close at hand. Just note that a 25 mph speed limit is strictly enforced!
Driver's information packets will be handed out prior to the day's activities. Cost for this event is $48 per person for dinner with the choice of prime rib, crab cakes, or fresh fish.
Please fill out the form in the centerfold and mail it to Bill Hopper. If you have questions, contact Bill at 202-363-4189 or email him at wwhrestoration@att.net.
've
wanted a new W211 bodied E class for more than a year. After many subtle (and not so subtle) hints, my wife finally agreed that it was time to buy. That's when serendipity struck in the form of a job-related conference in Berlin this July. The web site for Mercedes-Benz USA contained encouraging information on the European Delivery Program, but made it clear that we would have to place our order through an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer in the U.S. American Service Center's record of support for the Greater Washington Section, and the convenience of their Arlington location, made them the obvious choice to handle our European Delivery order.
At ASC we met with Chuck Albert, the person to see if you're considering a European delivery. Chuck's years of experience in handling both European deliveries and diplomatic sales have made him an expert on the whole process of ordering, arranging delivery and transportation, and handling the myriad details involved in importing a U.S. specification Mercedes delivered in Germany. Chuck is also MBUSA's go-to guy when problems arise with a European Delivery arranged by a dealer or sales rep lacking the expertise and attention to detail essential to make the experience rewarding for every customer buying a new Mercedes.
We spent about an hour with Chuck while he went over the European Delivery Program, during which he noted that MBUSA has delivered more then 100,000 new cars under the European Delivery program since its inception in 1965. Over the years, the process has become a smooth operation delivering both an exceptional automobile and a fantastic experience for the buyer. The clincher for us, was the new for 2004 seven percent discount on the total vehicle MSRP.
Because I had used the "Build Your Own" feature on the MBUSA web site to create a vehicle configuration, and because we both had current passports, we had everything needed to place an order. Chuck took time to review and offer helpful comments on potential issues with our selected options. With our option issues resolved, Chuck filled out the order form, verifying and entering our passport numbers as required by MBUSA. The final step was to sign the order form and an application for the German export tags that serve as our temporary registration in Europe, and write a check for the required $2,000 deposit.
Advance planning and a sales representative experienced in handling European deliveries are critical. Here are some helpful items to help you prepare for your first purchase:
- If you're considering a European Delivery and that seven percent discount, which makes this a very attractive alternative, check the Mercedes-Benz USA web site (www.mbusa.com)
- Consult a European Delivery specialist at your nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer. If you're in the Washington, DC metro area, I highly recommend a visit with Chuck Albert at American Service Center.
- Place your order at least four months in advance – five months for 4MATIC cars. While you may be able to take delivery in less time if there is an unclaimed car available for European Delivery, you are unlikely to get a car built to your specifications.
- Take valid passports with you when placing your order.
- Be prepared to put down a $2,000 deposit. There's an additional deposit of $1,200 if you choose the optional Black Forest – Alps Rally package, which I'll discuss in more detail in the next article in this series.
| Paul Vandenberg, GWS Webmeister |
ifty
years ago, on February 6-14, 1954, Mercedes-Benz held the international unveiling of its now legendary 300SL Gullwing coupe at the New York Auto Show. An unusual event for an auto company that still unveils most new cars at European shows, the New York debut was proposed by entrepreneur and Mercedes-Benz distributor Max Hoffmann, who recognized the unique appeal of the 300SL in the U.S. market. At that time, the International Motor Sports Show was held in the New York Coliseum at Columbus Circle, where the new Time Warner complex is now located.
A 300SL racing sports car had caused a stir in the motorsports world as early as 1952, winning both the famed Le Mans 24-hour race and the Carrerra Panamericana endurance rally in its debut season. Then, to the surprise of many, the company entered the car into series production. After its debut in New York City, the SL started an enduring legacy of exciting sports cars from Mercedes-Benz.
The 1954 debut of the 300SL coupe and a prototype of the 190SL roadster marked a flashy kickoff for the SL model line, which has played a key role ever since in making Mercedes-Benz the world's premiere automotive company. The first of five generations of Mercedes sports cars, the 300SL coupe is best known for its eye-catching gullwing doors, which open skyward like a bird's wings. The 300SL featured then-innovative technology such as the world's first four-stroke gasoline engine with direct mechanical fuel injection, as well as a race-bred tubular space frame and independent suspension.
In March 1955 the final version of the 190SL – a small convertible that actually represents the spiritual genesis of the modern SLK line – was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. While the 190SL resembled its larger 300SL sibling, it was built with different chassis architecture, was less expensive and, as such, helped spread the word about Mercedes' fun-to-drive, high-quality sports cars.
Two years later, Mercedes-Benz introduced a convertible version of the 300SL, which continued through 1963. Production of the 300SL roadster and Gullwing coupe totaled only 3,258 cars for the first-generation SL line, code-named W198 inside the company. By 1957, a total of 1,400 units were produced. Today, the 300SL is highly prized by car collectors, and in particular, the rare and charismatic 300SL Gullwing commands sale prices well over $300,000.
Mercedes-Benz launched the second-generation SL coupe/roadster in 1963 with a larger, more powerful version of its in-line six-cylinder, fuel- injected engine. The new 230SL was to replace two models of the former sales program at once, the 190SL and the 300SL.
Affectionately known as the "Pagoda" SL because of its hardtop's distinctive profile, the SL of the 1960s was the first in a long series of soft-top convertibles with a split personality -- a wind-in-your-hair, top-down roadster or, with its removable hardtop in place, a quiet, luxurious coupe. Totaling 48,912 cars over an eight-year production run from 1963 to 1971, the Pagoda SL line carried a W113 internal designation and included the 230, 250 and 280SL models. The sports car of choice for Hollywood celebrities, this SL further anchored Mercedes-Benz as the "car of aspiration."
In 1971, an all-new SL began an astonishing 18-year reign as the highly coveted Mercedes-Benz "boulevard cruiser." The SL of the 1970s and '80s (known internally as the R107) encompassed such memorable models as the 350, 380, 450 and 560SL. Production of the third-generation SL totaled a record 237,287 cars through 1989.
With the launch of the fourth-generation SL in 1989, Mercedes-Benz locked up the SL's claim as the world safest convertible by debuting an integral roll bar that popped up in 1/3 of a second if the car ever sensed an impending rollover. In this same spirit, the new SL came with unusual seats that integrated the shoulder anchor for the seat belts directly into a magnesium-frame seat back.
The first SL with a fully automatic convertible top, the 1990-model 500SL also marked the debut of Mercedes' four-valve-per-cylinder, dual-overhead V8 powerplants with variable valve timing -- engine architecture later featured in many Mercedes-Benz cars of the '90s. A six-cylinder 300SL was also available, and a formidable six-liter V12-powered 600 SL was added in 1993. About 200,000 SL sports cars carrying the R129 engineering designation were sold through 2002.
he
current SL500, which made its debut in 2002, is the first SL with a automatic retractable hardtop -- technology that transforms the car from a luxury hardtop coupe to a top-down convertible in 16 seconds at the push of a button. The 2003-model year SL500 was also the first-ever car with electronic braking, which works together with ESP stability control and ABC active suspension to provide unparalleled handling and safety.
Since its launch, a SL55 AMG with a supercharged V8 and the V12-powered SL600 -- both boasting nearly 500 horsepower -- have been added to the current SL line. The latest edition the SL lineup is the new SL65 AMG powered by a 6.0 liter V12 engine producing 604 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque.
Considered by some to be a limited-production vehicle, the SL has nonetheless amassed sales of more than a half million cars over the past 50 years. With demand outstripping supply for many years, the Mercedes-Benz SL is considered to be one of the most successful car lines ever produced, not to mention one of the longest running model lines in continuous production.
ercedes-Benz
has received the coveted Honored Marque award from the editors of Popular Mechanics magazine. Editor-in-chief Joe Oldham presented the award to Mercedes-Benz USA president and CEO Paul Halata in Las Vegas at the Automotive Hall of Fame awards ceremony held in conjunction with the annual convention of the National Automotive Dealers Association.
"The annual Popular Mechanics Honored Marque award was created by our auto editors to recognize the great auto manufacturers that have had a lasting impact on the American motoring scene in a meaningful and enduring way," said Oldham. "When you consider milestones, or longevity of existence, or you start listing accomplishments and innovations in the car business, all other brands fall by the wayside in comparison."
The Honored Marque award recognizes nearly 120 years of Mercedes-Benz automotive innovation and achievements, ranging from the 1886 Benz Three-Wheeler to the 2004 SLR McLaren supercar. Along the way, Mercedes-Benz has distinguished itself with milestones such as the 1902 Mercedes Simplex that established basic car architecture for the entire auto industry, the first diesel-powered car in 1936, and the legendary 300SL Gullwing sports cars in the 1950s, as well as safety technology firsts that include crumple zone design, ABS anti-lock brakes, traction control, ESP stability control and PRE-SAFE.
While the company has long recognized its unique heritage, Mercedes-Benz celebrated its impressive history by establishing a Classic Center in Fellbach, Germany in 1993. Now the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA, created along the lines of the renowned Fellbach facility, is the first such operation to be established in the United States by an automotive manufacturer. The U.S. Classic Center provides specialized services for Mercedes-Benz classic vehicles (models at least 20 years out of production) via its web site (www.mbusa.com/classic) and toll free number 866-MBCLASSIC (866-622-5277) including parts purchasing assistance and technical information. The Classic Collection, a boutique featuring Mercedes-Benz classic accessories and automobilia, can be reached through the web site or the toll-free number.
With a move planned later this year to a new facility in California, Classic Center operations will expand to include the purchase and sale of classic vehicles as well as appraisal and repair services. An inventory of vintage Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be on hand, in part to recreate the unique Mercedes driving experiences from past years.
Calendar of Events
Greater Washington Section Events
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President's Message
News and Notes
enjoy taking the time to inform our members of the goings on in MBCA – both locally and nationally. So here is the latest news and notes... First, the newsletter. We regret that the last issue was late. Our printer's grandson was in a horrific car crash and in a coma for some time. The driver of the car he was in was killed. Janet did notify folks on our email list of the upcoming events and we did update the web site to keep you informed. Thanks to those of you who asked us to pass on their well wishes and prayers!
This issue is really a "late" April issue with hints of the May issue still to come (hence the "Part 1" in the masthead). We'll be back on track by the June issue.
Speaking of the email list and the Online Bulletin, Janet McFarland now has the addresses of nearly 1000 members. If you don't want to miss a single event, make sure you send her your email address!
The Deutsche Marque postponement was, to our knowledge, the first cancellation in the 21 year history of the event. We'll get the word out as soon as we have the new date. We hope you can make it.
We welcome a new advertiser this month – Wagonwork Collision of Alexandria. Thanks to the efforts of Bill Hopper and Steve Walters, we had a packed-house tour of their facilities on February 28, and it was a fantastic experience. It's a true state-of-the-art shop that owner Mike Anderson can be proud of!
In April, we hosted a meeting of officers and board members from other sections in our region at Curry's new location in Chantilly. Regional Director Robby Ackerman presided and will bring our ideas and concerns to the National Board meeting in early May. Thanks to Matt Curry and Bill Shaw for the use of the facilities and the donuts. (We had enough "un-low carb" donuts to feed an army!)
Bill Hopper and former GWS President Chuck Landenberger – who will be visiting from his new home in Hawaii – will attend the National Board meeting in Pittsburgh and we'll get you a report of their adventures soon.
GWS board member Mark Elie will be taking on the role of Concours Chairman. The to-be- rescheduled Deutsche Marque will be his first event. Please contact Mark if you'd like to be a judge for the Deutsche Marque, the Annual Picnic, or train to be one in the future. Our thanks to Bruce Roth for all his work as Concours Chair for the past year.
Tom Newman has asked me to remind you to make sure your teenagers (and "older" family members) attend the Defensive Driving and Autocross School we're holding in June at WSSC. The information is in his Pylon Alley column on page 6. Last year's turnout was fantastic...Don't miss out on this great training exercise.
| Joe |
pylon alley by Tom Newman
Defensive Driving School
he
section will offer a defensive driving school for our Mercedes-Benz owners on June 6.
The school will be an excellent opportunity to "improve" and "brush-up" on your driving skills, especially as we head toward summer vacation driving. The driving school is also the perfect opportunity for your household's young drivers to improve their driving skills in a controlled environment.
The school will provide an overview of safe driving techniques followed by a "hands-on" maneuvering (at controlled speeds) of the school's driving course in your own Mercedes. By driving your own Mercedes, you will become more comfortable and better acquainted with your car in challenging situations. We will have experienced instructors on hand to "walk" you through the exercises.
Teens under age 19 will be permitted to use the car they would normally drive, even if it is not a Mercedes-Benz. If possible, we would prefer that those teens be accompanied by a parent or guardian. So bring your Mercedes and your young drivers to the school.
Complete the centerfold coupon with the $25 per person fee and mail it today. The fee at the gate will be $30. Remember, this is the only local defensive driving school to be offered this year, so make plans to attend today! If you have questions or desire additional information, please contact Tom Newman at 703-266-2959. See the next two articles for event directions, the autocross part of the day, and what you'll have to do to prepare for the event.
Mercedes-Only Autocross
The section will also hold a Mercedes-only autocross on June 6, after the Defensive Driving School is completed. The start time is planned for 1:00 PM. The only exception to the Mercedes-only rule will be for those teens that will have driven another car in the Defensive Driving School.
Many Mercedes owners have requested that we offer this type of autocross, so tune-up your Benz and dust off those race tires (if you have them) and come to your autocross ready to show your stuff.
The event is open to all Mercedes drivers with a special invitation to our former Mercedes autocrossers who have not attended an event for some time. We look forward to renewing friendships and reestablishing good-natured challenges on the course. Even if you have never attended an autocross, bring your Mercedes out and see the great fun associated with this event and how it improves your driving skills. We drive rain or shine...except for thunderstorms.
Fill out the centerfold coupon and identify yourself as an autocrosser and mail the coupon and $25 fee today. The fee is $30 at the gate. There is only one fee per person, whether you attend only the defensive driving school, only the autocross, or both. If you have questions or desire additional information, contact Tom Newman at 703-266-2959.
The Place!
Both the Autocross and Defensive Driving School are scheduled to be held in Maryland, just off the Beltway, at a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) site. The biggest advantage of this site is that the timing and waiting area is all under cover! You won't get wet even if we see yet more rain!
Directions to the WSSC site:
- From the Beltway (outer loop): Take exit 28 (New Hampshire Ave./Route 650) northbound to Columbia Pike (Route 29) northbound. Continue on Route 29 until you reach Industrial Parkway. Turn right onto Industrial Pkwy. Straight ahead to the gate and take directions from the MBCA member at the gate.
- From the Beltway (inner loop): Take exit 30 (Columbia Pike Route 29) northbound to Industrial Parkway. Turn right onto Industrial Pkwy. Straight ahead to the gate and take directions from the MBCA member at the gate.
- From Route 70 area: Take Columbia Pike south to Industrial Parkway. Make a left turn onto Industrial Pkwy. Industrial Pkwy. is two to three miles south of the 198/29 intersection. Straight ahead to the gate and take directions from the MBCA member at the gate.
Do I need race tires for defensive driving or autocross? No! But to make your car handle better for these events, add ten pounds of air over the Mercedes recommended pressure (not what it says on the tire). You can find the recommended pressure on a sticker in the glove box or on the back of the fuel filler flap. The same still applies if it's raining. We suggest you add the air before coming to the school. Drive on a full to nearly full gas tank.
Remove everything from the car you won't need and leave it at home. Bring plastic trash bags to store the items you do bring along. You will have to remove all items before running the course. No leather soled shoes or sandals. Wear sneakers. Bring a rain jacket, an umbrella, and something warm to wear if it turns cold cool. Bring portable chairs. Bring a camera! Loaner helmets will be available. They are required for autocross and are optional but recommended for defensive driving.
We'll have water and soft drinks. Drink lots of water... especially if it's a warm day. You'd be amazed at how fast you become dehydrated.
ig,
bold gestures, ultra-smooth moves and out-of-the-box innovation are just some of the indelible attributes that make each category winner of the 2004 Drivers' Choice Awards a standout. From PBS's MotorWeek, America's longest-running automotive magazine show and the nation's most trusted source for industry information, this year's batch of winners yields a 13 hot cars and trucks.
This year's toast of the town, "Best of the Year," is the Volkswagen Touareg, a bull's-eye hit by all accounts. According to John Davis, MotorWeek's host and executive producer, this freshman effort by Volkswagen "has few compromises among all of the missions it must handle – from people mover and off-road vehicle to luxury highway cruiser to utility – it hits its market perfectly."
"Best Luxury Sedan" takes the Mercedes-Benz E-Class for another spin this year. From timeless but modern styling to a full compliment of active and passive safety features, to the understated elegance of both design and fabrics, this is the car that all other luxury cars emulate – and so far have failed.
"Best Dream Machine" is a triple winner. The Bentley Continental GT, Ford GT, and Mercedes- Benz AMG are MotorWeek's top picks for helping Power Ball winners divest their fortunes.
MotorWeek's third "Dream Machine" award goes not to one car, but to the entire lineup of Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles (Mercedes-Benz C32, CLK55, E55, G55, CL55, S55, SL55, SLK32 and SLR McLaren). From sport coupes to sport-utilities, there is a high performance AMG product for every taste. Mercedes' in-house tuning experts have also produced limited-edition cars, with exceptional performance, that don't neglect the luxury and safety integral to the brand.
The annual MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards are selected by a team of 10 judges, comprised of the writers, producers and crew of MotorWeek. Judges' decisions are based on superior performance, technology, practicality and dollar value. MotorWeek test-drives more than 150 cars and trucks annually.
The Drivers' Choice Award trophy was created by noted automotive artist Dennis Simon, whose illustrations have been seen on the pages of Road & Track, Sports Car International, Automobile, and Vintage Motorsport magazines. Simon's commissioned trophy design evokes the passion of driving, an underlying principle of the Drivers' Choice Awards.
MotorWeek is produced by Maryland Public Television and can be found online at www.pbs.org/motorweek.
he
Amelia Island classic car show is a great excuse to get on Route 95 and head for the sun. I slipped into the cockpit of "Stinky," my 1980 Mercedes 300CD, at 2:00 AM on Thursday, March 11 and was in Florida before sundown. I had sandwiched my escape between two northeast snow storms. My old diesel coupe hit her stride at 77 m.p.h. as we passed into North Carolina. I cranked open the sun roof an extra couple of inches for every 100 miles of travel south through Dixie. By the time we sailed into Georgia it was fully open. At the Florida line the side windows came down.
The old 300CD isn't my favorite mount. I'd rather get behind the wheel of my trusty 1973 914 or my 2002 C230K Carlsson Mercedes with 6-speed manual tranny. However, when I consider the cost of fuel, the disparity between diesel and premium unleaded, as well as the inherent economy of compression ignition... I made a perfectly rational choice. Besides, for straight line interstate travel there's nothing wrong with this good old clattering starship.
The Amelia Island weekend has two components, the classic gimmick rallye and the Concours d' Elegance. I'm not a fan of poker rallyes but it is fun to see a 1929 Duesenberg, a 1935 Bugatti, a 1955 Zagato bodied Alfa, and a 1964 356C Porsche all driving off down twisty back roads under gnarled live oaks, heavy with Spanish moss. It was worth getting up early on the morning of Friday, March 12 in order to witness the flagging off of the classic rallye competitors.
The Concours d' Elegance takes place on Sunday, so this leaves Saturday free, except for a collector car auction at the Ritz Carlton. After previewing the cars slated for the block I drove inland to break some clay targets at the Okefenokee Sporting Clays Range with my classic Parker side-by-side. That was a lot of fun. However, when I compare the Amelia Island weekend with the Pebble Beach weekend, the big shortcoming of the Florida event is the absence of a classic car track event. A critical component of the Monterey peninsula activities takes place at Laguna Seca where the historic races are held. What Amelia Island needs to reach world class status is a wheel-to-wheel vintage competition event.
I know just the place. It's the Roebling Road track in Georgia. I've run time trials there with the Mercedes Club. It's a well-known SCCA and Porsche Club of America venue. Can you conjure the image Blower Bentleys, grand prix Delage, silver arrows, speedsters and bug-eyed Sprites... all churning Castrol and burning rubber under the Georgia pines as in the days of yore... Just my little suggestion.
This year's Amelia Island Concours featured quite a few Porsche entries commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 911. Most notable were the prototypes 901 and 902. It's been said many times, but it really is remarkable how Zuffenhausen has managed to continue building a practical classic from the 60s into the new millennium without missing a beat. Other vehicles which particularly struck my fancy included a 1952 Abarth Ferrari; a 1909 mahogany bodied Mercedes; a 1936 finback Delage; a 1941 Packard with coachwork designed by Darrin; and, a competition Type A Duesenberg.
Out of respect for "Stinky" I have to mention a couple of very unusual vehicles that were on display at Amelia Island this year. For the first time a diesel Mercedes made its appearance on the field of glory. A beautiful 1936 360D cabriolet created quite a stir when it was fired up with a cloud of thick black smoke and accompanying distinctive combustion clatter. Another important historical landmark car was the 1932 Cummins diesel racecar that had competed at Indianapolis. A diesel never won at the "Brickyard" but the Cummins was the first car ever to complete the 500 mile race without refueling!
After the show "Stinky" and I headed back north up Interstate 95. I managed to calmly post a very high average speed while sneaking by all the speed traps. I guess you could say I'm a sort of diesel person... low volatility, but slippery as greased lightning!
| John Kuhn Bleimaier |
Fluid Changes: Brake System
By Bill Shaw
Background:
Hydraulic brake systems rely on an incompressible fluid to transmit force. Because of the temperatures generated from the friction between the pads and rotors, brake fluids were specifically developed to work in this hostile environment. There are two types of brake fluids: ethylene glycol-based (DOT 3, 4 and 5.1) and silicone (DOT 5). Glycol brake fluids are the most prevalent and recommended by Mercedes – but they are also hygroscopic. This means that they absorb moisture from the air, which will eventually contaminate the brake fluid and ultimately lower the boiling point and prematurely wear rubber components. There are many ways for moisture to enter a brake system. Condensation generated from regular use, washing the vehicle and humidity are some ways water can seep into the system.
Of critical importance in determining a fluids ability to handle high temperature applications is its dry boiling point. Brake fluids are formulated with boiling points ranging from a minimum dry boiling point of 401°F (DOT 3), to 446°F (DOT 4), to 500°F (DOT 5.1 and DOT 5). The dry boiling point is the temperature at which a brake fluid will boil in its virgin, non-contaminated state. This is opposed to the wet boiling point, which is the temperature a brake fluid will boil after it has been fully saturated with moisture.
It is not unheard of for brake calipers to exceed 212°F (the boiling point of water). So even if a small percentage of the brake fluid boils, the gas can create a vapor lock that will decrease the ability of the fluid to transmit force, which, in turn, could significantly reduce your ability to stop quickly. A typical 3 to 4 year old car that hasn't had its brakes flushed, for example, may have a moisture content of 3%. This small amount of moisture will effectively reduce the dry boiling point of DOT 3 "rated" at 401°F, to under 300°F. Many experts believe that if the brake system absorbs more than 4% moisture – which lowers the fluid close to the boiling point of water – it is only as effective as regular water. Prolonged braking, such as driving down a mountain or braking hard for Turn 1 at Summit Point, is not the best time to discover that you have brake fluid with a high moisture content.
DOT 5, on the other hand, is not hygroscopic. So as moisture enters the system, the brake fluid does not absorb it. This means its boiling point will remain relatively stable. But this results in beads of moisture moving through the brake line, eventually collecting in the calipers. It also means that any water that does get into the brake system will tend to form pure water pockets, which could exacerbate brake corrosion. If the steel pistons develop rust that prohibits them from functioning as designed, braking performance will suffer and could lead to brake fade, failure, and/or costly repairs since the brake calipers would probably need to be replaced.
Routinely changing brake fluid in your Mercedes will remove contaminants in the system, maintain a high boiling point, and prevent water from attacking and corroding internal brake parts like ABS modulators, pistons seals and other rubber components.
Flushing the Brakes:
For the reasons outlined above, routinely flushing hydraulic systems every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first, is recommended by virtually every automotive manufacturer. Preventative maintenance is unquestionably the best and most cost effective means of maintaining your Mercedes brake systems. This method of replacing brake fluid should not, however, be confused with brake bleeding. The term "bleeding the brakes" usually refers to eliminating air from the system without necessarily replacing all the brake fluid. The objective is to remove just enough fluid – often by "pumping and holding" the brake pedal – in order to force the air out of the system. Conversely, the purpose of flushing the brake system is meant to completely remove the old brake fluid and replace it with new fluid.
There are generally two accepted methods of flushing the brakes: pressure bleed or vacuum bleed.
Pressure bleed systems utilize a device that attaches to the master cylinder and using compressed air, forces the old fluid out through the bleeder screws in the brake caliper.
Curry's, however, prefers the vacuum bleed method. We begin by first extracting all the old fluid from the reservoir. Whenever possible, the reservoir is also removed from the master cylinder and thoroughly cleaned. After re-installing and filling the primary reservoir, an automatic refill/secondary reservoir is then placed on top of it and filled with brake fluid. The purpose of this device is to prevent air from entering the system as the fresh fluid is drawn through and out each caliper. A strong vacuum is then developed in a fluid recovery canister (using compressed air). Starting at the brake caliper farthest away from the master cylinder, fluid is then extracted from the bleeder valve/screw on the brake caliper. Once the fluid is clean and free of bubbles, this process is then repeated for each brake caliper.
When you add fresh fluid to your existing system, never mix fluids of different DOT classifications. Do so will contaminate the brake fluid and could lower the boiling point of the new fluid. If you do plan on using a different DOT classification brake fluid, we recommend that you completely and thoroughly flush the entire system first.
If you have any comments or questions, please post them in the Forum at www.CurrysAuto.com so others can benefit from the exchange of information. If you have any ideas for a future article, please send them in an email to bill@currysauto.com.
230SL 1966: White/red MB Tex, black soft top, white hard top. 54k miles. Auto, A/C, perfect in and out. $24,900 obo. Call Joe at 410-788-1551.
250S 1966: 4-door sedan. Recently rebuilt motor, sun roof, leather. $3000. Call David at 540- 428-3467.
280SE 4.5 1972: Grey/black. V8, IF, EI, PS, PB, A/C. Garaged. No rust. Runs great. $4850. Call John anytime at 410-392-9011.
280SE 4.5 1972: White. Stainless exhaust. General good condition. 70k miles. Garage kept. $8,500 obo. Call Joseph at 301-840-1441.
240D 1981: Grey/blue. One owner, original, magnificent. All records. A/C is cold. Orig. Becker radio works. Never damaged. Auto. Concours ready. $5,500. Call Martin at 703-528-0895.
500SEC 1986: Silver/dark blue leather. Euro model EPA/DOT cert. 67k miles. Immaculate, dealer maintained. Full service 1/04. ABS, sun roof, records. $14,500 firm. Leave message at 202-822-0993 or email <petersb@tatc.com>.
300TD 1987: 7 passenger wagon. Excellent. 2nd owner. 154k miles. Everything works. No rust or dents. Inspected. $7,450. Call Rick at 410-758-1129 or (cell) 410-212-0744.
300D 1992: 2.5 turbo diesel. White/Palomino MB Tex. Orig. owner. 170k mi. Flawless interior/exterior. Dealer maintained, all books/records. $9500. Call Perry at 410-741-1652 or email at <pmissel@comcast.net> for pictures.
300TE 1992: Two tone grey/light grey. Superb. Garaged. 145k miles. Fanatically maintainted. Recent tires and brakes. Must see. Call Miguel at 703-645-0414.
E320 Cabriolet 1995: White/black top/grey leather int. 38k mi. Garaged since new, all papers, non-smoker. Phone, car cover, wind screen, mats always covered. Serious buyers only. $36,500. Call Jerry at 301-881-1808 or 301-881-4888.
C43 1999: Silver/black & sliver leather. Heated seat, 6CD, phone, xenon, headlight washers, rain sensing wipers, AMG rear spoiler. 48k miles. Ext. warranty. All dealer records. $30,000 obo. Call Andrew at (cell) 240-876-4729 or (w) 240-386-6073.
CLK55 2001: Silver/blue & charcoal. 18k miles. Never in snow. Barely seen rain. Garage kept. RennTech air box. 6CD. Extended warranty. $55,500. Call David at 703-250-0905.
C32AMG 2002: Silver/grey leather w/blue inserts. Xenon lights, rain sensor, CD player, headlamp washers. 26.5k miles. 24 months on warranty. New tires. Excellent condtion! $38,000. Call Mason at 703-941-1055.
C240 2002: Capri blue/Java leather. Sunroof. 6CD. Perfect condition. $22,900. Call Joe at 410- 788-1551.
FREE!: From 1995 SL320 – folding hardtop stand, hardtop cover, windstop (behind seats). No charge! Call James Cullen at 410-435-7766.
Hardtop Storage Cart and Cover: For '90-92 SL (129 series). Excellent condition. Best offer. Call Thomas at 410-942-0673 or 410-688-6207.
Tires: 2 Michelin MXV4 185/65 15 off 1991 190E. About 7k miles. $75. Call Tom at 703-765- 1613.
Factory Wheels plus Tires: For SLK32 or C32. Kumho VictorRacer track tires. Only one event on tires. $1100. Call Mason at 703-941-1055.
Radio: Becker-Bose MB 4 band stereo cassette w/CD changer controls. Will fit pre-1994 models (w/adapter @ $15). List $748. Sell for $135. Also, excellent Becker Model 1480 for $125. Call Andrew at 202-966-6194 or 202-452-7723 or email at <squasher@starpower.net>
Sheepskins: For 123 4-door sedan. Complete beige wool, ultra-plush set w/head and arm rests. $100 obo. Call Dave at 703-624-7008 or email at <david@reflectionsinc.com>
Manuals: Service: Maintenance and Tuning, 114-115 starting 1968 (200, 200D, 220, 220D, 230, 250 – fair cond.); engines 615, 616, 617.91 – good cond.; body & chassis series 114-115 Vol 1 & 2 – gd. cond.; maint. manual 220D thru 1978 – gd. cond. $50. Manuals: For 124 – Chassis & body, Vol. I, II (86-92), Electrical Troubleshooting, Technical Data, Engine/Chassis/Units starting 92, Engine 103. Maintenance (81-93) Excellent cond. $75. Call Gary at 301-365-1502.
Coco mats: Black/grey flecks. For E-Class W124 ('85-'93). Never installed. $80. Wheel: New 16x8 500E replica wheel w/new Continental all season 205/55HR. $100. Email Rui at rui@raponte.com
For a guardsman called to duty in Iraq:
2002 Subaru WRX – delivered 8/01. Silver. 37k miles – one adult owner. 17x7 Mille Miglia Evo5 wheels and 225/45WR17 Sumitomo HTR Z Tires (all new 6/03). Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set – same as Subaru STI Springs (installed 6/03). Premium audio system with subwoofer, 5-CD changer. Wet Okole front seat covers (Blue/Black) with WRX logo (new 6/03). Alloy shift knob. (Stock aluminum wheels and tires w/24,000 miles also available for purchase.) $19,500 obo. Call Michelle at 703-568-2845.
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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 Wagonwork Collision 703-706-8151 |
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