All Entries Tagged With: "MERCEDES-BENZ"
eBay Watch! 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img via eBay ::: 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL for sale
PERUSING eBay listings, you can always tell which cars come from California.
Californian cars listings are the ones where the posted pictures are taken with a quality camera, precisely framed, and shot on a location that provides a lovely, complimentary backdrop to the subject – in this instance a flawless, 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 “Pagoda” SL with just 44K on the odometer.
Achingly beautiful, this deep forest green over horse-saddle brown Benz represents the consummate Teutonic – or should we say Californian – boulevardier. Bid is up to $31K with one day to go.
[eBay]
Thirty One Years. At Least Four More. Mercedes G-Class
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img MBUSA ::: Mercedes G Class
SOME things carry on well past their time. Inexplicably, their merits see through feast and famine, upheaval, and the whims of fashion, conscience, and government regulation. The 2011 Mercedes G-Class, nee Geländewagen, is one such example.
As enduringly relevant and timeless as an issued stock certificate in an eTrade world, the G-Class is to many MB traditionalists a vestige of a different time when the Mercedes-Benz maxim, “engineered unlike any other,” was something more solid than just a fair tagline.
2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Renderings
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img Daimler AG ::: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Design
MERCEDES introduced us to the novel concept of the four door coupé seven years ago. It was a bold, segment defining leap, and many critics praised the CLS’ romantic themes. Oddly, Mercedes saw the 2003 CLS-Class as a kind of replacement to the W124 generation E-Class coupe – which makes about as much sense as, well, it doesn’t.
With the latest generation CLS, they’re continuing that original concept in a pretty evolutionary way. The 2011 Mercedes CLS contains much of the same design DNA as the 2003 CLS only in this instance, viewing the design drafts, we can see how the design team were approaching a bolder, more masculine second generation.
Flame surfacing along with bulging power apertures and an SL inspired grille and headlamp treatment now give the new CLS a more in-your-face stance. It’s kind of vulgar and kind of appealing at the same time. But does this a classic make?
Second Generation Mercedes CLS Takes A Bow
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img Daimler AG ::: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
SEVEN years after forging a new niche – the four door coupé (with careful emphasis on the accent aigu over the “e” in coupe) – the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class embarks upon its second generation which bows in Paris. Only this time the CLS will face plenty of competition; from the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera to Audi A7 and BMW Gran Coupé. And despite the original CLS’ dowdy appearance that many misguided critics thought “sexy”, we should thank Mercedes for having the foresight to attempt to reintroduce sex into the sedan marketplace.
The first (C219) and likely the second generation CLS-Class coupés were/are based on the (W211 & W212) E-Class, only the new CLS is sculpted to appear even more provocative with “refined sportiness”, “athletic proportions”, and a “perceptible design idiom.” I’m not actually sure what that last bit meant but only know that Mercedes means business when they say it.
The original CLS-Class sold 170K units worldwide. With all-LED exterior lamps (71 bulbs in all) and more flame surfacing than a crême brulée shop (there’s that accent again!) we can expect similar enthusiasm particularly from the newly moneyed East.
As for skeptics, given that some of us thought the original CLS looked like it owed much to the late 90s Mercury Sable, the jury’s still out on the next generation.
Mercedes 300E AMG “Hammer” v. 500E
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: Mercedes-Benz 300E AMG “Hammer” and 500E
STOP the presses and hold your horses! Turning the corner of the 80s and understeering into the 90s, there was not one, but two hyper-tuned, E-Class super-saloons of power: the 300E AMG a.k.a. “The Hammer” and the 500E.
Yours had recently made the error, grievous as it was, to dare call the 500E “Hammer”. As a commenter rightly explained it’s simply not true. Here’s the difference:
>>> the difference following the jump >>>
1973 Mercedes 450SLC For Sale + Chat With Seller
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img via eBay ::: 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC for sale
“NOTHING’S perfect,” David Wayne, eBay seller for nearly five years tells me on the phone. “My dog’s not perfect, my house isn’t perfect, but compared to most used cars, it’s damn near perfect.”
Mr. Wayne, a Texan with a quarter-century of selling cars under his belt – among other dealers, he was a fleet manager at Park City Ford in Dallas – is looking to sell a mint-looking 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC with 170K+ miles on the clock.
Like any good car salesman, he’s as adamant about his offer as anything and his clients (the SLC’s third and longest owners) are said to have chased every detail.
Fortunately, he says he’s got 20 years of receipts to back his story.
“They have put a ton of money into this car over time. Whatever it needed, they gave it. They were going to have the best running SLC around.”
And good running SLCs seem hard to come by these days. This 450, one of fewer and fewer visually prime specimens of the C107 generation S-Class coupés, received a fresh paint job in the early 2000s. According to Mr. Wayne, the owners spent $16,000.
“No expense was spared on this car. I’ve got receipts [totaling] over $50,000.”
He lists what works: the AC blows cold (choice), the body’s without rust, the engine leaks no oil and is otherwise without sin (aside from needing a good detail), and the transmission shifts as it should.
“The seats are firm and nice,” he advises.
The odometer has been replaced. This is the second which shows more than 70K miles. The original stopped at around 100K – a service which was also documented.
The wire-wheels, Euro-spec headlamps, and thin, pre-US-five-mph-reg. bumpers suggest a gray-market Benz, but Mr. Wayne says otherwise.
“I think this was the first year they brought the 450SLC to the US. It was the most expensive car you could buy from Mercedes,” he says.
A quick fact check proves that this is mostly true. The 350SLC was first introduced to the US in 1972, the 450SLC followed in ’73 and every SLC was imported with specially made sealed-beam units that were installed on all North American market R107 and C107 Benzes up until the R107 series discontinuation in 1989.
That means that one of this SLC’s three owners likely swapped out for the more powerful Euro halogens.
Mr. Wayne is looking to sell the 450SLC for $11,995. It’s the second time he’s listed it on eBay and he says he’ll ship anywhere.
“I’ve got another [R107] SL I’m going to sell,” he says, “but I’ve got to sell this one first.”
eBay Watch: 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 4.5
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG eBay
PARTIALLY, but professionally restored with fresh Mercedes-Benz 728H beige grey paint and refinished walnut paneling: a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 4.5.
Carefully considered listing with all original literature and some service records. Exhaust was replaced with stainless steel system for longevity.
Original pneumatic shocks said to be in full working order with the seller acknowledging:
Most 300SEL’s have worn out air valves and air bellows. Trouble with the air suspension will cost quite a bit of money. It is uncommon to find a car such as this that has been well maintained and all air suspension components replaced.
More than 140K miles traveled, though the seller states that the odometer reads only 42K. A buyer might check VIN with MBUSA as an additional source.
Eight bids have the price at posting @ $5,000 with three days to go and the reserve yet to be met. Based near Portland, Oregon, this W109 Benz sedan cuts a handsome figure, indeed. Aficionados will note that it lacks the mighty 6.3 designation with big-bloc m100 V8.
The trade off? An apparently cared for vintage Benz of seeming quality that will sell for less. Tremendously enticing, though as always, caveat emptor.
Should Volvo Make a Convertible? Yes!
By Gunnar Heinrich
HOW I adored the original Volvo C70.
Perhaps it was Pininfarina’s masterful tailoring that silkened those Swedish curves. Or, maybe, it was Porsche’s rumored influence behind the spirited, turbocharged Inline-5 cylinder motor.
No, it had to be the polished scent of Volvo leather as it was tanned and oiled circa 1999.
Or – and this really could be it – it was summertime. In SoCal.
The weather was warm. And the coral blue on cream just seemed so perfect. When we pulled up to the Shutters in Santa Monica, the valet paid our ride an honest compliment after just tending to the tutto rosso F355 that had preceded us.
The C70 really was Volvo’s masterful coup.
And no one bought it.
Well, that’s not quite true. You do see a few of the 1st gen. C70s on the road, de temps en temps. But truly, between BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even Saab, few considered putting $40K down on a Volvo convertible 10 years ago.
You bought a Volvo for safety. For family. For utility with comfort. Not for fun-in-the-sun. And so it was: the C70 languished in anonymity while BMW took orders for the 3er drop top.
The C70 -gasp- wasn’t even perfect.
Based on the original 850/S70, Volvo suffered engineering setbacks from the start; pulling on the convertible’s launch time and again like a seized caliper.
The power roofs failed. Often.
Those five pot engines leaked oil.
And despite the “Drive Safely” marketing, the loss in structural rigidity meant the C70s weren’t that safe.
Add salt to the wound, a decade on, there are so few examples that aren’t dog-eared from hard use. Generally, the first generation C70s lived thankless lives as rough ‘n tumble commuters.
Thankfully, neither poor sales nor defects stopped Volvo from producing a second generation C70 convertible and now a third.
Both penned by Pininfarina and constructed by Pininfarina’s unit in Sweden; the latest hardtop-droptops improved on previous foibles while reminding us that, yes, Sweden’s other car company is versatile, dynamic, luxurious and not just for hauling kids ‘n gear to practice.
Given the choice that people have in spending $40-$55K on a 2+2 topless tourer (would you like German or Japanese?), it’s right that Volvo makes a convertible.
Proud Parent: Mercedes’ AMG SLS Featured on GranTurismo 5
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG Daimler, AG
YOU can just hear it: “PLAY-STAY-SHON”.
As the Jalops are busy buffing their lapels at their inclusion into the Forza Motorsport entertainment brand, Mercedes-Benz, too, is tickled as punch to have their Gullwinged AMG SLS on the cover of PlayStation’s GranTurismo 5.
Yours happens to have been an avid Gran Turismo fan. Addict, really.
What high school wing nut wouldn’t be? The graphics were fantastic and the physics simulations were really, truly impressive.You could sample all your favorite cars from the comfy confines of your living room sofa.
Hours and hours of time well waisted.
Since home entertainment consoles are becoming big, big business, ( us Generation Y’ers have never lost our zeal for computer games thanks to Mario ), car companies like Mercedes are definitely seeing the light and the dollar$ in playing along.
