© 2006
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2007 E320 Bluetec

Interestingly enough, this car shows the Sport Package, and the Sport Package is only available in the E350s and E500s. At least now you know what the new Sport Package looks like

Model Year 2007 welcomes a facelift for the E-Class and introduction of 3 new engines:
• E320 BLUETEC: 3.0L V6 with 210 hp, 388 lb-ft torque (available fall 2006)
• E550: 5.5L V8 with 382 hp, 391 lb-ft torque
• E63 AMG: 6.4L V8 with 507 hp, 465 lb-ft torque
Key Exterior Product Changes include:
• A more aggressively styled front air dam
• A new front grille
• Revised head lamps and tail lamps
• Aero mirrors (similar to CLS)
• New side skirts
• 2 new paints: Arctic White and Jade Green
Key interior product changes include:
• PRE-SAFE
• New steering wheel (CLS steering wheel)
• Re-designed HVAC operating unit
• New shift/selector lever
• 4 new upholstery colors: Black, Cashmere, Black/Sahara Beige (Sport Models only), Black/Cognac Brown (Sport Models only)
Equipment Modifications:
Value Enhancement:
The following options will become standard equipment at no-additional charge:
• Glass Sunroof
• harman/kardon LOGIC7 Digital Surround Sound System
• 6-disc CD Changer
New Packaging
Owing to the new standard equipment listed above, Mercedes has further streamlined their packaging.  Based on the successful E-Class Premium Package, launched with MY06, two “premium packages” will be offered,  P1 and P2, each of which offers significant value and includes options with proven customer demand.
P1-E350/E320 BLUETEC, $2390/ E550: $2840/ E63 AMG $2,000
• DVD Navigation
• SIRIUS Satellite Radio
• Hands-Free Communication System (requires Multi-Handset or Bluetooth Interface)
• Heated Front Seats (Active Ventilated Seats with Heating Feature for e550 and E63 AMG)
• Power Rear Window Sunshade (Rear Side-window sunblinds for E350 4MATIC wagons)
P2-E350/E320 BLUETEC: $4290/E550:$4740/E63 AMG:$3900
Includes all items in P1
• Bi-Xenon low-beam and high-beam headlamps with active curve illumination system
• Keyless Go
• Heated Headlamp Washers
Sport/Luxury Strategy
In addition to the enhancements planned for the upcoming MY07 Facelift, we would like to announce the start of a new E-Class Sport/Luxury product strategy, similar to the successful C-Class strategy.  The Sport package cars will have more aggressive and sportier styling.  The E350W, E350W4, E550W and E550W4 will adopt a 2-prong approach (Sport and Luxury) while the E320 BLUETEC an E350S4 will remain exclusively luxury.
E-Class Sport Sedan
This is a no-charge package that features key “sport” elements including 18” 10-twin spoke wheels, sport rear bumper with dual exhaust tailpipes, lowered sport suspension, blue-tinted glass, Black-Birdseye Maple Wood, and matte chrome surrounding the gearshift with a white-gauged instrument cluster.
E-Class Luxury Sedan
Similar to the current, stylish model.  Key “luxury” features include 17” wheels (for the E350 and E550 models only, the E320 BLUETEC gets 16” wheels), an elegant rear bumper, comfort suspension, green-tinted glass, and Burl Walnut Wood complementing the well-dressed interior.
Exterior:
New Colors:
• Arctic White returns, replacing Alabaster White.  Mercedes salesmen could spell Alabaster, and most of them misspell Arctic, so this was brought back as a subtle intelligence test for Mercedes salesmen.
• Jade Green replaces Everest Green
Wheels:
The E350 models will receive a new 7-spoke 17” design.  Additionally the E63 AMG will receive a new 5-spoke 18” design.  The E320 BLUETEC, E550, and Sport Package will retain their current wheels.
Chrome wheels are available for the first time in the E-Class, based on the 5-spoke 17” wheel currently seen on the 2006 E500 and will be available on selected Luxury Models only.
E-Class Station Wagon:
A single variant, the E350S4 continues the best station wagon line going.  The power Tailgate becomes standard equipment.  Wagon buyers are buying the R-Class or GL-Class, so this will be a rare bird.  It shouldn’t be.  As wagons go, it’s more than a classic, it’s the standard to which other wagons aspire but fail to emulate.

Upholstery and Trim are ordered independently from packages, meaning you can have a fairly un-optioned car with leather, or a loaded car with MB Tex.  MB Tex, Mercedes’ patented textile backed breathable vinyl, has a great reputation for wearing forever, stopping small caliber bullets, and being hard to stain.  If the bullet penetrates, vinyl repair is cheaper than the emergency room.  Okay, I’m exaggerating about the small caliber bullets.

As noted last month, they have adopted the 3-tier packages concept, with 3 Premium Packages, P1, P2, and P3.  The total of the individual items in each package would cost considerably more ordered separately.  Anyway, the Japanese manage to have 3 options, base, middle, and loaded.  These packages incorporate elements from previous packages (Trim, Premium, Comfort, Entertainment, and Air Suspension packages).

2006 MY Appearance package has been broken into two packages; an interior and exterior package that can be ordered independently of each other.

The 19” Chrome Wheels and 18” Double-Spoke Wheel options have been dropped. This means a ML320CDI or ML350 either has 17” wheels or 19” Appearance Package wheels or 19” Sport Package wheels.  The 19” tires are W-Rated.  17s and 18s are H-Rated.  Assume 19” W-Rated tires will cost twice as much and wear out twice as fast as 17” or 18” H-Rated tires.  The trucks are governed to 130 mph; so W-Rated tires are a bit of overkill.  But they look really good.

New Standard Equipment:
• Full MB Tex (ML350, ML320 CDI, ML500)—Cloth interior eliminated.  (The cloth interior was so unpopular I never saw one.)
• Brown Birds-Eye Wood Trim (ML350, ML320 CDI)
• Roof Rails (ML350, ML320 CDI)
• Privacy Glass (ML350, ML320 CDI)
• New Black and Chrome Grille (ML350, ML320 CDI)
• Cargo Cover (All M-Class)
• Rear Side Airbags (all M-Class)  (Never should have been an option)
• Active Head Restraints (all M-Class)

New Optional Equipment:
• Bluetooth capability (requires Accessory Bluetooth Adapter)
• Dual Screen, Dual Source Rear Seat Entertainment System
• Rear-View Camera
• Heated Steering Wheel and Rear Seats
• Factory installed running boards
• Distronic (radar cruise control that slows down when the car ahead does, etc.)

ML320CDI Specifications:
6-cylinder, 90 degree V-6, 2987 ccs, 221 net hp, 376 ft./lb. net torque.
0-60 acceleration: 8.0 Sec (vs. 8.2 for 2006 ML350, 7.9 for 2007 ML350, 6.7 for ML500, and 5.0 for ML63 AMG)
Fuel economy: not released yet.  Enquiring minds want to know.

Phone Prewiring:
All of the premium packages show “Phone Pre-Wiring.”  In the past that meant that the antenna was built in, and the wiring harness was there, so you could add a hands-free phone kit and cradle/handset or Bluetooth adapter.  Apparently now it means all you need is the cradle/handset or Bluetooth adapter.  As mentioned last month, Bluetooth is taking over.  With the Bluetooth adapter, you’re freed of our handset.  So if Cingular says, “You’ve been a great customer for 11 years.  Sign this lifetime no cut contract, and we’ll give you a new phone,” you can take the phone.  Phones become obsolete pretty quickly, while Mercedes-Benz automobiles will last 100 years if taken care of.

New-Generation S-Class Features Roof-Pillar Cut Lines For Rescue Workers

MONTVALE, NJ – The new-generation 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan is the first-ever car that comes with lines marking where the roof pillars should be cut if occupants are ever pinned in the car after a serious collision.  Imbedded in the black shading at the edge of the windshield and the rear window, the lines show rescue workers the points where the heavily reinforced roof and “A” and “C” pillars can be cut safely.

Those markings complement the comprehensive rescue guidelines that Mercedes-Benz makes available without charge.  While the guidelines on its web site at www.mbusa.com are most often used for training of rescue workers, they can provide a wealth of helpful information for any interested consumer.

From Air Bags to Mirrors

The company’s web site includes easy-to-use diagrams showing air bag and battery location for various Mercedes-Benz model families.  Especially important when fire is involved, the diagrams also show the location of magnesium parts, ETR seat belt tensioners and auxiliary batteries that are used on some models.  And, since auto-dimming mirrors contain a thin layer of corrosive electro-chromic liquid, even the identifying dot on all auto-dimming mirrors is called out as a caution to rescue workers.

The guidelines cover many of the high-tech Mercedes-Benz features that should be considered in an accident rescue.  For example, an easy-entry-exit feature that moves the seat and steering wheel might need to be turned off during a rescue, and workers can learn the basics of the optional Keyless Go system that can unlock and turn off the car without needing a key. 

The information includes instructions about removal of head restraints, including the Mercedes-Benz active head restraint system, as well as cautions about working near the pop-up roll bar that is standard equipment on some convertible models.

Tele Aid to the Rescue

Another key element of post-accident care covered on the site is Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid – an emergency calling system that might have helped summon the rescue team in the first place.  Standard on many Mercedes-Benz models and optional on the others, Tele Aid automatically uses the cellular phone network to establish contact with a trained response specialist if a collision deploys any emergency seatbelt tensioner or air bag in the vehicle.  Simultaneously, the system transmits the location of the vehicle via GPS satellites.  The response specialist can then notify the nearest appropriate emergency service and help guide them to the vehicle.  After responding to the emergency, the response specialist also can notify the owner’s designated emergency contacts.  And, vehicle occupants (or rescue workers) can contact a response specialist at any time simply by pushing a button marked “SOS.” 

SUVs With Stability Control Have 80 Percent Fewer Rollovers

MONTVALE, NJ – Mercedes-Benz – the well-known automotive company that pioneered ABS anti-lock brakes, traction and ESP stability control – has further confirmation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that the stability control system originally developed by Mercedes-Benz dramatically reduces accidents.

Now being used by other manufacturers, stability control systems reduce the likelihood of all fatal accidents by 43 percent and fatal single-vehicle crashes by 56 percent, according to the most recent IIHS accident study!  And, when the IIHS recently updated the results of their 2004 accident study, they found that stability control provides even more life-saving benefits for sport utility vehicles. 

Although the safety system provides significant benefits to both cars and SUVs, sport utility vehicles with stability control are reported to have 80 percent fewer rollovers than vehicles without the system.  The study also concluded that the risk of all types of single-vehicle crashes in an SUV was reduced by 49 percent.

Mercedes-Benz Makes Cars Safer

After bringing the industry’s first ABS anti-lock brakes and traction control systems to consumers in the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz invented ESP stability control and introduced it in 1995.  The new safety system made its debut on the 1996 S-Class line and became standard equipment on most Mercedes-Benz models by the 2000 model year and is standard on all Mercedes-Benz models today. 

How Does Stability Control Work?

ESP can sense impending loss of control at the front or rear end.  The system works in a split second by braking individual wheels and/or reducing excess engine power, something that even the most skilled driver cannot do.  ESP can be compared to having four individual brake pedals, one for each wheel, with a powerful computer to determine which pedal should be applied when and for how long.

The Mercedes-Benz ESP system helps drivers maintain stability, especially on slippery roads, by helping to prevent oversteer (rear-end “fishtailing”) or understeer (front-end “plowing”).  Even the “ESP” abbreviation helps underscore the system’s benefits – it works invisibly, seemingly intuitively, to help keep the car going where the driver points it, under driving circumstances that might otherwise lead to loss of control and a possible accident without the system.

Using electronic sensors and lightening-fast computer logic, the system constantly monitors a vehicle’s actual path against its intended path.  If there’s any difference between what the driver is “asking” (primarily through the steering wheel) and what the vehicle is doing, the system works in a split-second by braking individual wheels and/or reducing excess engine power, even before the driver may sense any changes.

ESP uses the angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the four tires to calculate the path being steered, and it gets electronic signals about lateral “g” and vehicle “yaw rate” to measure what the car is actually doing.  (Yaw can be demonstrated by rotating a small model car on a toothpick stuck down through its roof; engineers describe the vehicle as rotating around its vertical center axis.)
ESP measures any tendency toward understeer (when a car plows over its front wheels) or oversteer (when the rear wheels try to swing around, causing the car to “fishtail”).  Whenever it senses understeer in a turn, ESP increases brake pressure to the inside rear wheel.  With an oversteer tendency; it increases brake pressure to the outside front wheel.  For example, if the rear wheels begin sliding to the left so the vehicle is yawing clockwise, ESP applies the left front brake to counter the yaw and stabilize the vehicle.

Unlike traction control alone, ESP is effective during acceleration, braking and coasting.  The system enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability in turns as well as when driving straight-ahead.

As a joint project of Mercedes-Benz and Bosch, the development and testing of the ESP system had been underway for several years before its introduction in model year 1996.

Words of Wisdom:

Give me the strength to change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big bag of money.

The Army in Which I should like to fight:

 “I’d like to have two armies: one for display with lovely guns, tanks, little soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering generals, and dear little regimental officers who would be deeply concerned over their general’s bowel movements or their colonel’s piles, an army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

“The other would be the real one, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display, but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That’s the army in which I should like to fight.”

Jean Larté Guy

While I’m too old and too blind to fight now, once, for a brief, fleeting moment, I was in that army, doing things that were hairier than a Persian tomcat. If you would believe the media, the current military is worthless, too big, too small, too mean, too soft, nothing but people who can’t get a job “in the real world.”  All they do is commit atrocities and get themselves killed.  Read The New York Times, watch ABC News, and if you find a positive word about the military, you’ve looked through a lot of libel and lies.

But the killing of Abu Al-Zarqawi by a very dedicated joint task force “composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display, but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught,” proves that Army exists.  Despite what you see on the evening news we are winning the war on terror.  Seldom is good news reported, and all bad news is multiplied and exaggerated.  We have an excellent military, and it is well led.

The leaders, the soldiers involved, and the administration are ignoring those who would have us lose the war on terrorism just to get into power.  I suggest you do the same.  My congratulations to all involved in the quest for and elimination of “high value targets.”  Good hunting in your further quests.

Hot on the used market

Currently the hottest things on the used market are the C-Class coupes.  They’ve been dropped from the current lineup because of slow sales.  But they’re hot used.

C230 Kompressor Sedans are almost as hot.  That, at least, is not a surprise since they were hot sellers when new.

Certified Pre-Owned Abuse

Only Mercedes-Benz dealers can sell Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned cars.  If you find a used Mercedes at another dealer, and the car has a CPO sticker on the doorjamb, it does NOT have a CPO warranty.  It did when it left a Mercedes store in the hands of a happy owner.  Then he traded it on something else later.  When it went into the dealer’s hands, it lost its warranty.  If the previous owner had sold the car himself, retail to retail, the warranty could be transferred once.

To my knowledge no extended used car warranty will transfer through a dealer.  Only private sales will transfer, usually with considerable restrictions.

We’re having a real problem with CPO cars coming through the shop that have lost their warranty by being sold to a dealer.  Often the dealer brings the car here for repairs.  Sometimes we catch it.  If we don’t and MBUSA does, we get charged back the warranty payment.

If you really want a first class used Mercedes, go to a dealer.  Get a CPO car.  We only keep the really good ones, usually trade-ins and lease turn ins.  For example, in June I traded for 2 real beauties: 2003 SL500 Sport, 12,000 miles, Panorama Sunroof, wood/leather steering wheel, bi-xenon headlamps, built-in radar detector, XM Satellite radio, DVD player, Pewter, Ash leather.  Traded on 2007 SL55 AMG European Delivery.

2006 E320CDI, Black, Black leather, Bi-Xenons, Premium Package, 12,000 miles.

Emerald enjoying the backyard jungle

Arthur Pendragon explaining how upset he is to be left inside while we were outside

Our junior cat, Arthur Pendragon, a 3-year-old Shaded Silver Persian male, never set foot on grass until recently.  The Redhead and I began a practice of taking our evening Margaritas and/or wine on the back deck while George S. Patton, Jr. runs amok in the back yard.  We do this in a vain hope that we can wear Patton down to the point he will sleep through the night.  He does on weekends, when he spends most of the day in the yard terrorizing birds, frogs, etc.  But during the week at 11 pm he licks my face until I wake up and let him out in the back yard.  There he terrorizes night creatures for half an hour or so, and I let him back in.  Then he’ll sleep until, depending on the day of the week, between 2 am and 5 am.  That is unless he discovers some new monster.  One night the outdoor grille cover blew into the pool, and the entire neighborhood knew about it before we could get him back in.  I should say before The Redhead could get him back in.  I couldn’t, using recall techniques that usually worked.  But when The Redhead turned off the lights in the back yard and walked out onto the deck naked, he ran inside sheepishly.  That always works when I’m running amok in the back yard, too.

George S. Patton, Jr., protecting us from Polly, the Polaris Pool Cleaner. Since he began patroling, Polly has not left the pool and attacked the house.

Anyway, while we were sitting on the deck, Arthur would scratch mournfully on the glass of the back door and meow silently to be let out.  Emerald, the senior cat, would sit nearby.  She hadn’t wanted to go out since years ago while we were in the hot tub; she fell into the pool and had to be rescued.  Catching her to dry her off was a unique experience.  I believe she was in a far corner upstairs, and most of the house was wet.

So we opened the door one evening.  Arthur slowly put one foot, then the other, out.  It took half an hour or so for him to get firmly onto the deck.  Emerald decided that if he could do it, she could, and she went into the rose garden.

He stayed on the deck.  After a few days he began to explore the deck.  Emerald was getting lost in the ligustrums and the sago palms. 

Arthur was on the deck.  He touched the lush grass at the edge of the deck gingerly with one paw once, but he wouldn’t go out on it.

After about a week of this he finally went out onto the grass, which has been particularly green and thick this year.

Of course, George saw him out there and immediately chased him back inside.  It’s been two more weeks, and he hasn’t tried the grass again.

George S. Patton, Jr. stands guard

When it’s time to go in we just ask George to become a cat herder.  He can get Arthur back inside in a minute.  Emerald usually requires that I catch her and carry her inside.  She demands Pounce for the ordeal, but then she demands Pounce for just about everything.

George S. Patton, Jr. after a hard day of herding cats