| Author | Message | ||
| David Albright (Dalbright)
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BRABUS North America Inc. 4040 Campus Drive 92660 CA Newport Beach, USA tel: 1.949.797.0177 fax: 1.949.797.9177 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.brabus.com  | ||
| Michael (Mtabije)
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AMG builds some nice cars, they are available through my local MB dealer. Does anybody know if Brabus has a shop out in the US? They seem to make really extreme Merc models like the C61 Sport V8: 462bhp/0-60mph in 4.4sec/189 top speed or the CL67 V12: 450bhp/0-60 in 4.9 sec/191 top speed | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
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There's a good article on the new SL500 in this week's AutoWeek (11/12). The supercharged AMG version will be incredible.... V12 SL600 too. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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I got my parents a 500E, its 1 mean sedan, it'll blow the doors off a 328  In case u dont know the car it is similair to the AMG Hammer. MB took a 300E body off the assembly line, shipped it to Porsche who added the suspension, then Porsche sent it back & MB added a 5.0 V8 where the 3.0 6cyl used to be. Its hilarious my Mom drives it to the supermarket & it drives like a pussycat then I get in & wake the tiger up | ||
| Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
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Reliability and longevity might not be an issue with many people, but based on my experience (2 mercedes, one 150K mi, the other 240K plus miles, and almost 15 & 18 years, and still driving 75+ mph 135 to 140 miles a day), I cannot think of a better car. I have no experience with the newer models, but I hope the quality is not that far from the older ones. By the way, I have several friends with over 300K miles on their Benzs (one has I believe about 320-330K miles, and the other has over 600K miles on his). All are S-class cars, I know some of the smaller models tend to be less reliable than their bigger siblings, but I believe the quality was the same, perhaps they get trashed more. | ||
| tCoupe (Allen)
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Hi Tim, I had my mind set on the S series MBZ and so did the wife so we didn't look at any other brands. We had people suggest to look at BMW, Lexus and Jag for the every day family Sedan. The Q45 was also mentioned. I had met the Benz salesman a couple months back and he turned out to be professional and painless to deal with. That's half the task right there. Then yesterday we worked out a deal that put smiles on our faces and ended up driving it home. Tim, I am impressed with the build quality and the coach work is flawless. | ||
| Adam Goldman '86 TR (Icnsltmfg)
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I have been a MB fan for years since my family had our MB Dealership, and currently have a 2000 ML430. I love the SUV, however there are some Benzisms that are missing, that I know they put in the new 2002. When my lease is over I want the new ML55 when the body changes or the BMW X5 4.6. BTW being up at BMW NA, the new 7 is fantastic, esp comparied with my father's S500. Anyone buying the new M3 should look at the SMG package ( F1 shift ), it is even faster 80 Mill Sec, than the 360, and is a true electronic manual vs a super automatic. | ||
| Thomas Nehlert (Ferrarickx)
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William, here in Germany all car magazines praise the quality of the new Mercedes SL. I am sure it is a nearly perfect car. But if one loves Ferrari - what's a Mercedes ? I would prefer a Porsche or a BMW (think at the Z8 or the M5). Keeping the fingers crossed for Ferrari (and for Michael Schumacher) in the Formula 1 I can't like a Mercedes ! Thomas | ||
| William_Huber (Solipsist)
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So what do you think of the C230 coupe? I'm wondering if this car be a bomb in the US market. I should have seen this coming sooner. A MB hatchback thats going after rich rice racers. (say that 5 times fast) | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
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Benz's are amazing. I was at the dealer in greenwhich on saturday and i looked at all of them. Allen, the S500 is an engineering marvel. There are so many features and amenities in that car it is borderline rediculous. Did you look at the Q45 also? It is about 30k less and has alot of things too, thats the car i want. built quality for benz's is superior to BMW, but not to audi for the cheaper models. | ||
| tCoupe (Allen)
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William, my wife wanted a S500 for sometime and finally yesterday we purchased a 2001 S500 Gold/desert sand leather and burlewood interior. It has the works. Electronics are incredible! I think MBZ is a great value for the daily driver. Got a Smoken deal! My wife says she really now knows how I feel about the Ferrari. She actually said that! She absolutley has fallen in love with her S500. Maybe now she will be very cooperative and understanding when I decide to up-grade to the F355 or F360. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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BTW, they already have the 2003 SL500 (not 55) at my mom's work, I guess one of the high up guys has it right now, it's a sweet car. Go to: http://mbspy.bacosys.be/ You'll find a lot of info there about any new MB you like. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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My mom works for Mercedes and has for a long time so I've grown up around them. The ML is the only car made in the US, all others are made in Stuttgart (C, E, SL, S, CLK, SLK, G, A, etc). I emailed my sister (she works for them too) about the new SL you're talking about William to try and get some info. We've had just about every Mercedes over the years that they're made since my mom started working for them (mid-late 80s) and they've all been great cars. I've always found the build quality to be excellent with them, but I will admit that often times they have finicky problems when they're new and need to be sorted out in the first few hundred miles by the dealership. We had the SLK 320 a couple months ago with the AMG package and a 6spd, it was a great car and a lot of fun to drive. Had enough HP to get the tires chirping and just a ball all around. My sister's boyfriend has a CLK and that thing is a lot of fun too. The only thing that really annoys me about MBs is that the throttle has a delay. I don't know why they set it up this way, but they do, and it's stupid. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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Ernesto; you are right on the ML but the CLK to my knowledge is made in Stuttgart. The SLK is also made in the US. I had a SLK (super bad made car and is nothing like a Mercedes should be), so I have been told about the ML. We now have a 430CLK AMG and that car appears first beter made but is the same sh*t as the SLK. Poor made and lots of problems. I was told the CLK 55 is not that much faster than the 430. In all the added price is not worth it. William, concerning the new SL. If you can get it for list price you can not go wrong I guess. You should still have enough buyers for the car if you do not like it after all. I would not buy it. I am totally over Mercedes after the SLK and CLK experience. Both were my wifes cars. As Michael said, poorly made cars, the newer ones. Its a shame, there goes a reputation that took years to build! | ||
| Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
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I believe the CLK and ML are assembled in the USA. That is why the fit and finish is not up to par with other MB's. Love the ML55 though. Any changes for 2003? Ernesto | ||
| michael (Scmguru)
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William, I've always known you had great taste! Just watch out.. Fit an finish on the newer benzes aren't that great.. I've got a 2000 CLK and it's just OK, had a lot of problems w/ it. The SL should be better and she sure is pretty. I like their metallic grey/blue color. mc | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
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A buddy of mine just bought a CLK 55 AMG Convertible. It hauls ass. I think any AMG Merc would be a great daily driver. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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No she's not a girl The 2003 MB 55SL by AMG, Damn thats a fine car. I use the Ferraris as track toys & I have all sorts of race & full tilt sports cars. Maybe cus I'm 37 I'm feeling older & I want something not quite so crazy for everyday driving. Now if I could just get a manual box with it. Oh well, I'll just have to talk to Hartmut at Renntech about that |