The Magnificent, class of one E55 AMG Station Wagon

469 hp, 516 lb./ft. torque

Perfect for taking the carpool to school at 155 mph

CURT'S NEWSLETTER

January 2005

Detroit Auto Show

Mercedes-Benz to Debut Four New Vehicles at Detroit Show

M-Class World Premiere Leads Vision R, Vision B and CLS55 AMG Debuts

DETROIT With the world premiere of their next-generation M-Class sport utility and the North American debuts of three more significant vehicles, the new-product cup is running over at the Mercedes-Benz exhibit during the Detroit Auto Show. Beyond the first-ever appearance of the 2006 M-Class, the Show represents the first U.S. appearance of the Vision B and Vision R concept vehicles as well as the CLS55 AMG high-performance production car.

World Premiere of New-Generation M-Class Sport Utility

When the Mercedes-Benz M-Class first arrived seven years ago, the sport utility vehicle started a trend that inspired the entire auto industry to shift toward more car-like SUVs. Now the all-new 2006 M-Class is characterized by an aggressive wedge shape complemented by sweeping front fenders, dramatic shoulder lines and a sharply angled windshield, as well as a completely redesigned interior that provides more comfort and more user-friendly space.º Scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. this spring and in Europe this summer, the second-generation SUV features a new unibody platform as well as redesigned suspension that delivers impressive on-road driving performance and comfort.º

Grand Sports Tourer Vision R Showcases New Luxury Vehicle Concept

With a sharp focus on performance, handling and safety, the Grand Sports Tourer Vision R also combines the distinct advantages of several disparate vehicles the comfort and style of a luxury vehicle, the performance and handling of a fine sports sedan, along with the versatility and four-wheel-drive traction of a sport utility.

Useful technology and innovative design now make possible an automotive decathlete a vehicle that excels at an unprecedented range of owner needs without sacrificing aesthetics.

Evolving from a concept first presented in 2002, the long-wheelbase Grand Sports Tourer Vision R is designed as a roomy six-seater three pairs of comfortable single seats finished in leather, in a spacious interior trimmed with aluminum and olive ash wood. The individual seats in both rear rows can each be folded down, and dual sourced flat-screen monitors built into the back of the front head restraints provide entertainment for passengers.

The long-wheelbase show car is about the length of an S-Class. As a dramatic indicator of comfort and roominess, the spacious interior of the Grand Sports Tourer Vision R boasts 34 inches between the first and second seat rows, and there's more than 30 inches between the second and third rows!

Compact Sports Tourer Vision B Provides a Peek into the Future

Offering a glimpse into the future, the Compact Sports Tourer Vision B concept vehicle combines the advantages of a sports sedan, SUV and wagon in one versatile vehicle that seems destined to establish a new automotive category.º

The Compact Sports Tourer Vision B provides an unusually impressive combination of features the comfort and style of a luxury vehicle, the performance and handling of a fine sports sedan, along with the versatility of an SUV.º Innovative design and useful technology now make possible an automotive decathlete a vehicle that can excel at an unprecedented range of owner needs without sacrificing aesthetics.

CLS55AMG

More Power and Grace for the Graceful CLS

While the CLS500 will arrive shortly in the U.S. with a 302-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, the new CLS55 AMG is powered by the Engine Technology International magazine's "Best Performance Engine" of 2003. The breathtakingly beautiful coupe-like car with four doors now boasts a 469-horsepower V8 engine from AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz. AMG has worked its magic on the CLS power train, interior and exterior, including AMG sport seats with nappa leather and new-design 19-inch AMG alloy wheels.

Now before you call to place your orders, the M-Class is a real, production class. The CLS55 is a real, production vehicle. The Vision R is a SHOW CAR. The Vision B is a SHOW CAR. Cars based on these will eventually come into our inventory, but they will be different in many ways.

On the other hand, odds are they'll be sold ahead the first year, so go ahead and order. Just don't be surprised when the cars change a lot before going into production.

E55 AMG Station Wagon

MERCEDES-BENZ TO DEBUT WORLD'S FASTEST WAGON AT L.A. SHOW

AMG Engine Makes E55 AMG Wagon the Ultimate Automotive Decathlete

LOS ANGELES The world's fastest wagon the new Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG is making its North American debut this week during news media activities preceding the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public January 7-16 at the L.A. Convention Center.

While it delivers the same stylish design, sumptuous comfort and versatile utility found on all E-Class wagons, the new E55 AMG wagon also packs the purposeful power of 469 horses and 516 lb-ft of torque, thanks to its 5.5-liter supercharged AMG V8 engine.

The limited-production E55 AMG wagon is the first AMG vehicle of this body type to be offered in the U.S. This model has proven highly successful in Europe, and AMG owners in the U.S. have been asking for this unusual combination of thoroughbred high performance and Clydesdale utility.

The exclusive new wagon also comes with AMG aerodynamic bodywork (deeper front and rear aprons as well as sculpted rocker panels) and AMG 18-inch alloy wheels with staggered tires 245/40 ZR 18 in front and 265/35 ZR 18 in the rear. Inside, black Birdseye maple trim is standard, and special AMG gauges and sport seats finished in nappa leather upholstery hint at the performance that's always on tap.

The new E55 AMG wagon stops as fast as it goes, thanks to high-performance four-wheel disc brakes with oversize perforated and ventilated rotors with multi-piston calipers.

V8 Kompressor The Dual-Personality Powerhouse

The new AMG wagon sprints from zero to 60 m.p.h. in just 4.6 seconds, and the 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine with a sport exhaust coupled with the Formula 1 style steering-wheel-mounted gearshift buttons and AMG-developed four-stage Airmatic air suspension make it an unforgettable driving experience.

Its 5.5-liter, supercharged and intercooled V8 engine is hand-assembled one at a time by expert technicians at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany and is bench-tested to ensure top performance. The sturdy V8 engine uses a Lysholm-type, belt-driven supercharger with scrolling aluminum rotors, providing usable boost virtually from idle speed, generating a maximum of 11.6 psi (or 0.8 bar) of boost pressure.

The Kompressor V8 also uses a specially developed air-to-water crossflow intercooler located in the "V" of the engine block beneath the supercharger. The intercooler reduces intake air temperature, creating denser intake air and further boosting power. Other features of the Kompressor V8 include a fast-acting electronic throttle, revised cam timing, high-rate valve springs and lightweight valves.

AMG SpeedShift Gear Selection at the Steering Wheel

The towering torque of the E55 AMG engine requires a high-capacity five-speed automatic transmission with SpeedShift programming that nets 35-percent quicker gear changes. In manual mode, gear changes can also be made by pressing either of the two steering-wheel mounted shift buttons left side for downshifts and right side for upshifts. If asked (by holding the gear lever to the left when in Drive), the SpeedShift transmission can also switch to an "Optimum Gear Selection" program, automatically downshifting and determining the best possible gear for maximum acceleration in any situation. The SpeedShift transmission will also hold a selected gear under high cornering loads, preventing an upshift in mid-corner. A lightweight torque converter can lock up in all forward gears when conditions warrant. This all adds up to the liveliest, most dynamic performance possible, yet exhibits refinement when driven under normal conditions.

Like all Mercedes-Benz cars, the E55 AMG wagon uses ESP stability control to prevent skids and spins in poor weather driving. However, because the E55 AMG expands the performance envelope, ESP is programmed specifically for the model, with high power, handling grip, dynamics and braking performance all playing a crucial role in its new programming.

Stronger and Safer Than Ever

Underneath the sleek, elegant E-Class exterior is a super-strong body structure that provides a solid foundation for occupant safety. High-strength steel accounts for about 37 percent of the car's weight, and nearly ten percent of the car is lightweight aluminum, including the hood, front fenders, hatch lid, as well as the front sub-frame and bumper cross members.

Advanced Restraint Systems

Adaptive front airbags deploy with lower force in less severe accidents and with higher force in more serious collisions. The front passenger airbag even takes passenger size into account, getting its signal from a special sensor in the front passenger seat. In collisions, seat belt tensioners remove belt slack, and belt force limiters then loosen the belts progressively, reducing chest loads and gaining greater benefit from the front airbags. A rollover sensor deploys the curtain airbags and belt tensioners if it detects an imminent rollover.

Large-Scale Use of Electronic Braking

An innovative electronic braking system another Mercedes safety first is standard equipment in all E-Class models. The electronic braking system provides faster, more sure-footed response, especially in emergencies. Although electronic braking made its industry debut on the SL roadsters, equipping all E-Class models with electronic braking represented the first large-scale use of this revolutionary technology.

With electronic braking, the brake pedal works with an array of sensors, an electrically driven hydraulic pump, a high-pressure reservoir and a computer that tells four fast-acting valves exactly how hard to apply the brakes on each wheel.º With split-second accuracy, the system can change brake pressure on each wheel over uneven surfaces and can even increase brake pressure on the outside wheels when braking in turns.

S-Class Derived Dual-Control Air Suspension

The E-Class rack-and-pinion steering, four-link front suspension and patented five-link rear suspension are similar to that of the S-Class. A new AMG-developed four-stage version of the Airmatic air suspension provides unparalleled control of wheel motion on the E55 AMG. Airmatic suspension uses sensors that monitor road conditions, driving style and cornering forces to ensure that the system always chooses the best air spring and shock absorber settings.

The system can switch between different suspension modes in a fraction of a second, and the driver can also select from four pre-set suspension response programs. In essence, the Airmatic suspension system eliminates the compromise between handling and ride comfort, because it automatically optimizes both.

Even Greater Luxury

All E-Class models feature a stylish interior with a sweeping dashboard and center console, soft-touch trim surfaces, elegant wood and chrome trim elements as well as a full array of power amenities such as power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power windows with one-touch up/down operation and auto-dimming mirrors.º The limited-production E55 AMG wagon comes with standard four-zone climate control that allows different temperature settings for the rear outboard passengers as well as the driver and front passenger. Also standard on the both the E55 AMG wagon and sedan models is a Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system that features seven-channel surround sound, concert-quality output and 12 high-end speakers.

I Want One

I've always liked the "stealth" car, the "sleeper" car. Drive a Corvette, and you'd better watch your manners, because all of the revenue collectors will be watching you. But an innocent looking little station wagon.... no one has to know about the big red S on its chest under the Brioni suit. Aficionados will know, and they will wave or wink knowingly, or smugly ignore you, but they'll know. Joe Six-Pack won't. The Revenue Collectors won't, but they think all Mercedes are fast and their drivers deserve a ticket just for driving them.

Yep, this is the ultimate AMG product. Until it came out, I had the ultimate AMG, an innocent appearing SUV that goes like hell. Now we have a STATION WAGON that does 4.6 second 0-60, 12 second quarter miles, and is perfect for taking the ankle biters to school at 155 m.p.h..

Yep, I want one. Fat chance.

You May Be a Bad Driver if:

1. You change lanes to get through heavy traffic. If you're changing lanes very often, you're doing something wrong.

2. You tailgate. (No MAY here. You ARE a bad driver.)

3. You use an obscene gesture more than about once every 6 months in a car.

4. You try to retaliate when another driver cuts you off, innocently or intentionally.

5. You cut off another driver.

6. You speed up to keep a driver from entering the freeway. (no MAY there, either.)

7. When entering the freeway you fail to use the acceleration lane to accelerate. Getting to the end of it and stopping is incredibly stupid.

8. When exiting the freeway, you fail to plan ahead and cross 2-6 lanes at 90° to traffic, without signaling, of course.

9. You speed in residential areas and urban/suburban surface streets. Driving faster than the speed limit on a rural freeway does not count as all rural freeways are under-posted for revenue purposes.

10. You fail to signal turns but, amazingly, leave the right turn signal on while driving in the left lane of the freeway while doing 10 mph less than the speed of the center lane.

If you do all of the above, then (a) you ARE a bad driver, and (b) there is a special place in Hell reserved for you. It is the same place that Adolph Hitler, Jeffry Dahmer, Josef Stalin, and the inventor of the Karaoke are consigned.

FAQ

Q. My express close/express open-windows won't work. If I push the button they only go a few inches, and I have to repeat several times to raise/lower them. I don't want to drive 243 miles to the shop for this. Can I fix it myself?

A. Yes. Your windows have gotten out of synch. There's a pinch safety so that Phydeaux or Jr don't get their heads or other parts caught in an auto-closing window. Children have been killed by such devices (other brands). When the window control loses power, it loses its memory and has to be reset. 1st. Read the owner's manual.

Switch on ignition

Pull the power window switches until the side windows are closed.

Hold the switches for approximately one second.

If your car has a sunroof with express close, do the same for it.

Q. I'm broken down. How do I get someone to come out and help me?

A. If you have TeleAid, push the wrench button for three seconds and wait. Eventually someone will come on the line who can send a tow truck.

If you don't have TeleAid, call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes. (367-6372). You'll get the same Roadside Assistance.

Roadside Assistance is available for any Mercedes. One of my clients, a collector, called them for his 1960 300SL Roadster.

If your battery is kaput, odds are the Roadside Assistance vehicle will have one. You won't have to be towed in. He can put it on where you are, saving you immense amounts of money and time.

Q. I needed new tires at 15,000 miles. The man at the tire store told me the tires wore out because they were underinflated. Did your people fail to check the tire pressures, or did you sell me cheap, defective tires.

A. Variants of this also include tires wearing out due to alignment, and, of course, Z rated (and W and Y) tires wearing out "prematurely. Let's take these one at a time:

Tire Pressure: The Operator's manual will tell you to check the tires every 2 weeks. That's too much for even me. I put in the High Speed pressures (over 100 mph) listed on the car's fuel filler cap, and I check the tires and pump them up accordingly once a month. All tires lose 1 lb. a month, and temperature variations will change tire pressures. Tires pumped up in warm weather will be low after the freeze hits. With high speed pressures, the tires, after one month, will not be underinflated according to the "under 100 mph" pressures. Generally I find that tires wear more evenly when inflated to the high speed pressures.

Alignment: cars leave the factory with perfectly aligned suspensions. Prior to alignment the car is put on a shaker (and MLs driven over railroad ties) in order to "settle" the suspension components. Generally this works, and cars leave here properly aligned. Then they go through a cruel world, potholes, parking curbs (never, never, never pull all the way up to the curb. The nose of the car should be before the curb), and other hazards. Misalignment due to toe-in or toe-out does not cause pulling one way or the other. You must inspect your tires often.

Z rated tires: cars that are safe at high speeds and corner better than 99% of the tires out there just don't last forever. 20,000 miles is average.

Red Light Camera Study

A study done at the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University, prepared for the U. S. Department of Transportation completed in July has just been fully released.

It analyzes the impact of red light cameras (RLCs) on crashes at signalized intersections. It examines total crashes and also breaks crashes into categories based on both severity (e.g., causing severe injuries or only property damage) and by type (e.g., angle, rear end).

Prompted by criticism of the simplistic methods and small data sets used in many studies of red light cameras, they relate the occurrence of these crashes to the characteristics of signalized intersections, presence or absence of RLC, traffic, weather and other variables. Using a large data set, including 26 months before the introduction of RLCs, we analyze reported accidents occurring near 303 intersections over a 57-month period, for a total of 17,271 observations.

Their findings won't be popular at Houston's City Hall:

"The results do not support the view that red light cameras reduce crashes. Instead, we find that RLCs are associated with higher levels of many types and severity categories of crashes."

They concluded that although accidents are becoming less frequent, about 5 percent per year. But they found that at intersections with RLCs, a statistically significant and large (40% increase) effect on accident rates occurred.. In addition RLCs increased the number and severity of rear-end accidents, sideswipes, and accidents involving cars turning left (traveling on the same roadway.)

"The one type of accident found to experience a decrease at RLC sites are those involving a left turning car and a car traveling on a different roadway."

"When accidents are broken down by severity, RLCs were found to have a statistically significant (p<0.001) and large effect (40-50% increase) on property damage only and possible injury crashes. There was a positive, but statistically insignificant estimated effect on severe (fatal, evident, and disabling) accidents."

"These results run contrary to the many studies in the RLC literature. Previous studies have sometimes found an increase in rear-end accidents, but often find offsetting decreases in other types of accidents. While this study incorporated many advances in methodology over previous studies, additional work remains to be done. Because accident studies rarely use a true experimental design and data are not perfectly observable, additional careful study of RLCs is warranted to verify our results."

Yet the idiots in charge at City Hall are saddling us with these dangerous devices. Let's see, we elected these clowns because...?

Miscellaneous Ravings

Houston Auto Show

The wunnerful auto show is at the end of the month at Reliant Center. I don't have my schedule yet, but I'll be there, no doubt. Expect to see most Mercedes production cars there, but not the prototypes at Detroit, LA, and NYC. This is a third tier auto show and doesn't rate show cars. Call me if you want to go when I'm there.

Hours

We were closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the Sunday after, New Year's Eve, New Years, and the Sunday after. I don't think anyone was inconvenienced by this, but it's possible. The employees, especially the sales force, appreciated the 2 three day weekends. Such are unheard of in the sales end of things. We take time off, but we feel guilty for being off when the store is open. From force of habit I felt guilty Friday and Saturday of both weekends.

But our competition was open Christmas Eve, and Sunday after Christmas, then they were open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. This meant they were open 7 consecutive days, which, unless things have changed quietly, violates Texas law. In any case it violates moral laws about abusing your staff. I'm aware that many forms of retail have insane hours and no real holidays. It does not follow that this is necessary in the car business. I can remember when Timmers Chevrolet decided to stay open on July 4th 1977. They were thrown out of the Houston Automobile Dealers Association for 3 years and had to beg to get back in. I'm sure the corporate headquarters of the mega-chain owning the other local stores couldn't care less about any such repercussions.

It's funny. Other countries manage to survive with retail open 9-6 Tues, Wed, and Fri, 9-9 Mon, and Tues, and 9-1 Sat. Why we have to have men's clothing stores open at 0300 on Sunday is beyond me.

"No Smoking" E-Class

If you bought a 2003 or later E-class from me and didn't get the little pad that turns the ash tray area into a storage area, drop by. I keep them at my desk now. Early ones came with them. When they stopped, I started getting them from parts. If anyone else does this, it's news to me.

Buying Process

A couple was relating the difficulties they had convincing friends to come to see me for a car and avoid the meat-grinder stores. We discussed the fact that they had fun buying their car here.

BUYING A CAR IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN. It's a major purchase you make several times over your life. You get to see, smell, taste, and drive all kinds of shiny new toys. It's shopping taken to a high point exceeded only by buying a new house.

But then there are those stores that turn this pleasure into pain. They have sales people who insult you, either directly or to your intelligence when they answer your questions. They make you wait forever in order to test drive the toy of your choice. They give you the third degree, and they demand a hasty decision. The advice they give you is directly proportional to the bonus they're getting on a particular unit.

And we haven't even talked about the business department, finance contracts, extended warranties, etc.

I try to think like you. When I'm buying something I want, I'm enjoying myself. Making the decisions is stressful, but it's usually overcome by the fun of trying out, seeing, feeling, smelling, and tasting the toys that are in contention for my money. I want someone who knows his product very well to give me intelligent information so I can make an intelligent decision.

So I assume people are somewhat like me. Thus I want to treat them the way I want to be treated. I offer help, not pressure. If a sale does, indeed, end today, I will tell them. They might interpret this as pressure, but to fail to tell them that would not be serving the customer well.

And I try to make it fun. On our third floor, out of the weather, and clean, cool, or warm, are usually 100+ new toys. Remember the fun you had as a child in a toy store? You didn't tell mom, "I can't take the stress! I'll keep my old toys." You didn't let the sales person show you dolls when you came for Lincoln Logs.

What's different now?

Towing Ordinance

No man, woman, or child is safe in Houston. The City Council is in session. Their latest blatant attack on motorists' pocketbooks is the new towing ordinance. Break down on a Freeway, even the shoulder, and, within 6 minutes a tow truck will tow you away, charging $75, cash, no checks. If you don't have $75, they'll take you to the impound lot, and it'll cost a lot more to get the car back.

Now there are those of you who will argue that getting stalled cars off of our freeways is a good thing. I agree. But loosing the dogs of towing on an innocent public isn't. The details of the plan are very anti-motorist and pro money for their cronies.

But it's there for now. I'm pragmatic. Things I'm doing to deal with it:

1. Put $75 in a separate compartment in your wallet from your money.

2. Look at all 4 tires at least once a day. Pump them up to specifications once a month. Examine them for defects when you do that and when you fill the tank. Don't let them get below 3/32" tread.

3. If your car is several years old, make sure belts and hoses are fresh.

4. If you have TeleAid, renew it. If you don't, put 1-800-FOR-MERCedes in your cell phone address book. Our tow trucks can't tow you off a Houston freeway under the ordinance, but if you can get off the freeway and to a place of safety from them, we can, and we won't rip off the bumper off your car.

5. If you have a flat on the freeway, ride it to the next exit, and onto the feeder road, then into a parking lot. They can't tow you there. Call the above number or push the wrench button, and Roadside Assistance will come change the tire.

Yes, riding on the flat will destroy the tire. I'm of the opinion that if I have a flat at speed, the tire has already been damaged. Don't try to save it only to have a dangerous tire on your car. So leaving the freeway on it won't cost you any extra. The Houston Comical recommends a can of Fix-A-Flat (find a can without butane in it for obvious reasons). Then you can put it in the tire and get off the road. I won't argue that Fix-A-Flat might be useful, but only for a tire that is dying of a slow leak, and you found it in your inspection.

6. If the car starts running rough, exit the freeway-now.

7. Refill at 1/4 tank or above, not 50 miles after the yellow light goes on. What if the yellow light burned out? If you use your trip odometer for gas mileage calculations, it's also a useful backup for the fuel gauge. If you always get fuel at 300 miles and you see 300, get fuel.

Resolutions

1. I resolve to try to lose 20 lb. and fail miserably several times.

2. I resolve to continue to be completely controlled by The Redhead, the cats, and the dog, catering to their every whim and spoiling them immensely.

3. I resolve to continue to work my tail off, putting in long hours in a vain attempt to make enough money to accomplish 2 above, despite the unassailable cut in pay caused by now former management at MBUSA.

4. I resolve to miss attending some of the Cowboy Action Shooting matches I enjoy in order to accomplish 3, and to some extent, 2, above.

5. I resolve to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and lose at least one "done" deal a month.

6. I resolve to get grayer and add wrinkles.

7. I resolve to forget at least one important appointment a month, especially doctor's appointments made in the late afternoon when I am at the mercy of my customers and my poor memory.

8. I resolve to inadvertently tick off at least one subscriber to the newsletter a month. This doesn't count the things I'm accused of but haven't done, such as putting in lawyer jokes. To my knowledge I've never done that, but I've been accused of it.

Now there's only one resolution that REALLY counts involving business:

9. I resolve to make every deal possible. I hate to lose deals to other dealers. Usually it's because of something I cannot control, but if it involves the things I can control or influence, I'll make it.

May you all have a better year.

Curt Rich January 2005

back to Curt's Newsletter Homepage