Curt's Newsletter

September 2005

The new ML63 AMG, 0-60 in under 5 seconds and 155 mph (Governed) top speed. The ultimate SUV

The engine builder's signature is on a plaque on each AMG engine. One man, one engine. AMG builds 24,000 engines a year, making them exclusive as well as extremely desirable

ML63 AMG

TO MAKE WORLD DEBUT AT FRANKFURT

All-New Performance SUV Delivers 503 Horsepower

Affalterbach, Germany Mercedes-Benz has released the first pictures of the all-new ML63 AMG prior to its world debut at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt Germany on September 12. The ML63 AMG also celebrates the debut of the all-new AMG-developed 6.3-liter V8 engine, providing a unique combination of high-revving power in a large displacement engine. The newest addition to the AMG lineup will make its U.S. retail debut in Spring 2006.

Distinguished as the first unique engine developed entirely by AMG, the new 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine produces an astonishing 503 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and maximum torque of 465 lb.-ft. at 5,200 rpm. The 6.3-liter V8 also features four valves per cylinder and four continuously variable overhead camshafts to ensure maximum performance in all driving situations. When compared to the preceding ML55 AMG, the new ML63 AMG generates 46 percent more output and 23 percent more torque. This powerful engine is mated to an AMG Speedshift 7-speed automatic transmission with a Direct Select shift lever mounted by the steering wheel. Three shift modes (Sport, Comfort and Manual) can be selected via a switch in the center console, and vary shift characteristics to suit different driving situations.

As in a Formula 1 racing car, the seven gears can be changed using the gearshift buttons on the AMG ergonomic sport steering wheel. The permanent four-wheel drive of the ML63 AMG has been optimized for sport-oriented driving, delivering power to the front and rear axles with a 40:60 percent bias front to rear.

The AMG 6.3-liter V8-engine provides the performance levels of a sports car, with acceleration from zero to 60 in under 5.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 155 mph (electronically limited).

AMG Sports Suspension And AMG High-Performance Braking System

The AMG-developed Airmatic sports suspension system ensures high cornering speeds, precise directional stability and low levels of body roll while providing excellent long-distance comfort. The air suspension features AMG-specific damper struts and the specially configured adaptive damping system ADS. A level control system automatically lowers the suspension at higher speeds.

Outside, the ML63 is distinguished by standard 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels incorporating a five-spoke design with 295/45 R19 tires (an optional 20-inch wheel and tire package will be offered). Short braking distances are guaranteed by the AMG high-performance braking system, which features internally ventilated and slotted brake discs at all four corners.

Striking Appearance With AMG Styling And Flared Fenders

Wide, muscular, with a broad stance and poised to leap forward the visual appearance of the new ML63 AMG immediately confirms its special position in the range. The athletic design of this powerful SUV is characterized by its striking AMG styling with a front and rear apron, an AMG-specific radiator grille, flared fenders, stainless steel running boards with rubber studs and tinted rear lights. Both visually and acoustically, the AMG sport exhaust system with two chrome-plated twin tail-pipes emphasizes the power and dynamism of the top-of-the-range model in the M-Class.

Dynamically Designed Interior with Exclusive Standard Appointments

Sportiness is also the order of the day in the interior of the ML63 AMG. The exclusive interior features include AMG sport seats with Nappa leather upholstery, Alcantara inserts in the shoulder areas, a multicontour function and heating, the AMG ergonomic leather sports steering wheel with gearshift buttons, AMG door sills and stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs. The AMG instrument cluster is equally dynamic with its AMG-specific lettering, red needles and 200 mph speedometer.

The ML63 AMG also meets the highest requirements in terms of safety: standard safety features include the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints in the first seat row, adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger, front sidebags, windowbags and belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all the seats.

About AMG

AMG has been a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler since 1999 and is located near Stuttgart in Affalterbach, Germany. AMG employs 650 specialists in development, production and administrative areas. AMG develops each of its models, from the engine and driveline to suspension, brakes, chassis and aerodynamics. Each engine is produced and tested at AMG's headquarters in Affalterbach, and AMG models are assembled at the main Mercedes-Benz vehicle assembly plants.

Notes From the R350 First Drive

This is a BIG vehicle. It's bigger than an S-Class, bigger than a standard Escalade. BIG.

The room for 6 is comfortable, even in the back seat. Getting in the back is easy due to the way the center seat gets out of the way and due to the fact that the rear side door is HUGE. Don't pull into any tight parking places with a full house. They'll beat the cars next to you to death getting out. We put a 6'5" guy in the rear seat. He could sit up straight with headroom and he didn't go berserk or break anything.

There are people comparing it to a Chrysler Pacifica. It has as much in common with a Pacifica as an S-Class does to a Taurus. A Pacifica will fit inside this thing. The R is 1 ft. longer.

Sunroof options:

You can get it with no sunroof, a regular sunroof, or a panorama sunroof. I'm not a fan of panorama sunroofs, but this one works very well. It's the only way to get the power rear quarter windows also. (I didn't make that rule. Don't shoot the messenger.)

All of the antennas are in the roof. The rear panel is space-age polycarbonate and hides them. Thus Sirius Satellite Radio must be factory installed.

Bi-Xenons a must

As you know, I'm a big fan of Bi-Xenon headlamps, especially the new active variety, so I would suggest them anyway. But some @$!%!^*&! made the decision that fog lights are available only with Bi-Xenons. Then they're the cornering fog lights.

Tall Tailgate

They call the Hatch a Tailgate. Don't blame me. When the tailgate was opened, the 6'5" guy could stand under it. But the 5' woman had to jump up to reach the hand-hold to close it. Buy the power tailgate.

Escape Hatch

The Tailgate has to be openable from the inside for use as an escape hatch. And the handle is above the luggage cover. It is also childsafe.

Interior/Storage

Huge. I believe they said 85 cu. ft. with the seats folded, and 7'9" in length (41" wide).

Bottle Openers

Both twist-off and pop-top bottle openers are standard. When you join the R-Class cult, we show you the secret location. You will be sworn to secrecy.

Cup Holders/Power outlets:

Six and five respectively.

Conquest Sales:

Up to 75% of sales are expected to go to people new to Mercedes.

Reclining Seats:

The third row seat has 3 reclining positions.

Cargo Tie Downs:

Eight.

Adjustable Armrests:

The second row of seats has adjustable armrests with 6 positions.

Dashboard

The dash is pretty much M-Class. I couldn't find any difference at first glance.

Airbags:

Two in the front, standard, two side curtains for all 3 rows, standard, side bags for front seats standard, for second seat optional ($385).

Air Conditioning:

Standard: 2 zone wheel adjustable, with vents to second row and controls for second row.

Optional: 3-Zone digital with vents to second and third rows and a third temperature setting for second row.

Comparison to other vehicles in its class:

There are no other vehicles in its class. BMW and Audi, upon seeing it, have started building their own versions for some years in the future.

Annual Production Planned

60,000.

New Mercedes Phone Program

(This is from a training session. I took copious notes and have a pornographic* memory, but I might have gotten something wrong, so this is subject to later correction.) For several reasons, the MBUSA phone program has been less than satisfactory. The phones, when installed, are great and work very well. But you have had to use a MB handset, and when they became obsolete, sometimes new phones couldn't be retrofitted. Recently, our handsets have been very expensive, as well.

Bluetooth has not been available in the car. There are two reasons for that: 1) Several MB vehicles have infra-red rejecting windshields and glass. If the phone is connected by Bluetooth to the car's Telematics, then it is not connected to the car's antenna. The on-the-phone antenna won't work well through this glass. S-Class from 2000 have had this glass. 2) Bluetooth is not secure. According to the MB spokesman, a lot of companies have begun requiring their executives to disable Bluetooth because of industrial espionage.

Starting September, as parts become available, the phone program will change. The basekits will be essentially the same, but they will work with a number of commonly available phones. A complete listing will be available. Thus you can go to your phone company with that list and come back with a phone. We will install the correct cradle for the phone, and it will work with all of the Telematics in the car. These phones are all Bluetooth, but the in-car connection won't be Bluetooth, avoiding problem 2 above. Should you desire, Mercedes has a company that you can consult with and who can provide you with one of the phones that work properly set up and activated to your account, or they can change providers for you. They will be competitive in price with the mall phone sellers but will be knowledgeable about MB phone service. They would overnight the phone to you.

That's new cars, of course. Hang on. We'll get to your '03. Beginning in spring of next year the Multiple Handset Interface (MHI) in the new Mercedes that have it, will have a Bluetooth cradle. So then you can connect via Bluetooth. Docking won't be necessary. You won't have a connection to the antenna. See "1" above. Your phone won't be charging, either. You can also plug the phone in, assuming you have the right cradle.

Now, for '01-'04 cars needing new handsets, none will be available that will dock and work. This is a problem as ATT/Cingular will be turning off the TDMA network soon, and your TDMA phone will no longer work. If you have such a phone, ATT/Cingular will be sending you a certificate for a new phone. When that happens, you will also need to buy a Bluetooth device from Mercedes-Benz parts that will dock in your current phone's cradle and connect to your new phone via Bluetooth. You won't be able to download your phone book, and you won't have Caller ID. But you will have a working phone. If you have a car with IR glass, see "1" above.

Summary:

Mercedes-Benz USA is getting out of the handset business. You will be able to use the handset you get from Verizon, ATT/Cingular, etc., with some restrictions.

*Pornographic memory-I only remember the dirty pictures.

Do You Know:

1. How to check the oil in your car? Many of our cars don't have dipsticks under the hood. Oil is checked electronically from the driver's seat. It's in the operator's manual.

2. How to open a stuck fuel filler door? Each car has a pull release inside the trunk to do that. It's in the operator's manual.

3. What your tire pressures should be? Open the fuel filler door. There they are, usually 2 sets, below 100 mph and above. Usually the above are best. (1) your tires generally will last longer and the car will handle better (2) if you fail to check your tire pressures once a month, the tires won't be below the minimum (low speed) pressures for 3 months or so. Tires lose 1 lb. a month. Yes, even Michelins. Additionally, tires filled in the summer will be several pounds down in the dead of winter due to the temperature variations. Tires filled in the dead of winter will seem to gain pounds as temperature rises. Note the tire patch, the area of rubber touching the road. Those few square inches of rubber to road contact are the only contact your car has with the road.

NOTE: Cars with Tire Pressure Monitors and Run Flat Indicators do not pump up low tires.

4. What all the "Settings" are in the multifunction controls on your steering wheel? Are they set the way you want them? It's in the operators manual.

5. Where to put your EZ Tag and radar detector in your Infrared reflecting windshield? It's in the operators manual. This usually applies to the current 2000+ S-Class, but Premium Package 06 MLs have it. Others will.

6. Where your battery is? It's in the operators manual. Some are under the hood. Some are in the trunk. Some are under the rear seat. Some are under the right front seat.

7. How to add windshield washer fluid in your car?

Customer Satisfaction Rises

A survey of recent Mercedes-Benz buyers by market researchers at J. D. Power Associates showed that customer satisfaction had risen significantly since 2004. Mercedes-Benz rose from its ranking of 29th of 38 automakers last year to tie Cadillac for fifth place, out of 37. Covering 135 criteria in nine categories, the survey included new cars bought in November and December 2004. Problems encountered during the first 90 days of ownership numbered 104 per 100 vehicles for Mercedes, below the industry average of 118 (being below average is good here). The top brand was Lexus at 81. The worst was Suzuki at 151.

Remember this: on the J D Power survey a problem is a problem. "I'm confused about how to set the seat memory," is equal to "my car blew up, killing my entire family and 3 neighbors."

A lot of first 90-day complaints are due to simple lack of understanding of complicated cars. Sometimes it's the customer's fault, because they won't sit still for a new car instruction session. Most of the time it's the sales person's fault for not teaching the customer. Failure to understand the "Key Dependent Settings" is probably 2 of those complaints. (Thus I turn it off at delivery now. Mercedes has learned this neat feature is beyond its customers and dropped it from the next S-Class).

The "1st Visit" has helped. Customers get to ask questions about things they don't understand, and if they have found something wrong, we can take care of it. They have to bring the car in anyway (well, they don't have to, but someone who won't bring the car in for a free service probably won't fill out the J. D. Power form. It is a long, complicated questionnaire.)

TeleAid helps for those people who use it. Now that it's airtime free, more people will. (I know, I know, a few minutes air time shouldn't matter to someone who just bought a $50,000 car, but)

And yes, the efforts at Mercedes to constantly improve quality control are paying off.

SAXy S600s

THE FIRST 20 ALL-NEW 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 FLAGSHIP SEDANS OFFERED TO ANNUAL SAKS FIFTH AVENUE "THE GIFT" HOLIDAY CATALOG CUSTOMERS

First Official Photographs of the 2007 S600 Reveal Exclusive Signature Edition Flagship Mercedes-Benz

Montvale, NJ Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) will offer the first 20 all-new 2007 S600 flagship sedans as an exclusive Signature Edition model that will be available only through the Saks Fifth Avenue annual "The Gift" holiday catalog. Priced at $145,775 (MSRP including $775 destination and delivery), the exclusive and limited Signature Edition S600 Sedans will be delivered to 20 lucky owners before the S-Class debuts in dealerships for public retail.

The Signature Edition S600 will feature an envy-inducing 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that delivers 510 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque.

Surrounding the commanding engine, the Signature Edition S600 will wear stylish Mocha Metallic Black exterior paint and wrap passengers in a warm almond beige interior. Hand-polished Piano Lacquer Black wood accentuates the dash and doors. The almond beige colored dash console lightens the cabin with soft surfaces and artful style, while contrasting black carpets and headliner envelop the driver and passengers in tasteful elegance.

A generous complement of standard equipment will also be featured. Highlighting the striking interior and creating a greater sense of space, a dramatic transparent glass Panorama Roof will run the length of the cabin. Dynamic Rear View Monitor and Parktronic are especially convenient for city navigation. Audiophiles will delight in Sirius satellite radio and a DVD audio changer, both of which present superior listening variety and audio quality through all fourteen speakers and 600 watts of the harman/kardon Logic 7 surround system. Drive Dynamic Seats have four massage levels that work throughout the seatback to reduce muscle fatigue, and Night View presents infra-red driving assistance.

About the S-Class

Widely recognized as the world's benchmark luxury sedan, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class can trace its history back to 1924. Since this time it has continued to redefine the pinnacle of automotive engineering with each new generation introduced. Pairing an aggressive and commanding design, with revolutionary technology, such as Night View infra-red driving assistance, the all-new 2007 S-Class will make its official public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September and is expected to arrive in US showrooms in early 2006.

Miscellaneous Ravings

Rumor Mill

At training one of the trainers let it slip that the new 7-passenger Mercedes SUV due out next spring might not be the new "G," that the current G might be continued. The G is the big box that looks like it should be in desert camouflage with a .50 Cal. mount sticking out of the roof. It's been around since 1979, and its original purpose was as a military vehicle. But the ones we get here have S-Class quality interiors and virtually everything standard. It's the last hand made Mercedes. It's built at a plant in Graz, Austria.

Well, according to the trainer, the people at the G factory want to keep building it, and they have a lot of power in the company. So it might continue. We only get 2,000 a year in the US, so it's not a factor one way or another.

What will the big ML be called? I guess we'll know soon.

Quote

"Why, it appears that we appointed all of our worst generals to command the armies and we appointed all of our best generals to edit the newspapers. I mean, I found by reading a newspaper that these editor generals saw all of the defects plainly from the start but didn't tell me until it was too late. I'm willing to yield my place to these best generals and I'll do my best for the cause by editing a newspaper."

Robert E. Lee

It seems the press has been second-guessing military operations for a long time.

Oil Shortage?

1970 OPEC reserves 421 billion barrels.

Production 1970-2003 390 billion barrels

2003 reserves 890 billion barrels

Source: Over A Barrel," by Raymond L. Learsy

What's Wrong With This Picture?

You are more likely to be a victim of gun violence in Washington, DC than a soldier is in Iraq.

Fuel Economy

I've been through several gasoline "crises." Of course, if you're filling a big, heavy vehicle it's a crisis. If you have a lot of oil stocks, it's not. It's at times like these when people start asking fuel economy questions. I don't give the politically correct answer: "Trade in your Suburban and take the 5 kids to school in a Toyota Prius that you'll have to pay $5000 over sticker for. Don't worry about safety. You'll have a great funeral. In lieu of flowers ask people to send money to one of the eco-terrorist groups."

But I have some answers:

1. Keep the tires pumped up. Low tires require more energy. Over-inflated tires give the best gas mileage due to a loss of rolling friction, but then your expensive tires will wear out early, and you'll blame me. Instead keep the tires pumped to the "Over 100 mph" pressures on your fuel filler cap. And check them once a month. Even Michelins lose a pound a month, and temperature variations can cause them to be off spec as well.

2. Use the fuel grade that is on the fuel filler cap. This is the time when people start putting 87 octane in their high-compression Mercedes engines. This will cause a loss of fuel economy and performance. The engine management system will prevent the engine from burning itself up, but it's still not good. "But the commentator on TV said the whole high octane thing is a scam. Most cars don't need high octane." He's half right. Most cars don't need high octane. Your Chevrolet truck doesn't need high octane, and using high octane is a waste of money. Mercedes engines, however, are designed for 91 octane and above. I'm constantly amazed that people will buy $100,000 cars and then skimp on tires and fuel. The only thing between your car and the road is 4 patches of rubber a bit bigger than a handprint each. The engine ingests only fuel and air. Some of our engines cost over $30,000. Don't feed it junk food.

3. Smoothness counts on the road as it does on a track. When on the highway, use cruise control. It's smoother than you are. I ride with a lot of people. Smoothness is rare. Don't pump the throttle. Sounds basic, right? A lot of people do. Brake gently. This means looking down the road and preparing for a stale green to turn red. Plan ahead, and you won't be slamming on the brakes.

Quote II

"The trouble with our liberal friends are not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."

Ronald Reagan

The More Things Change

Several Democratic and one Republican senator are saying that Iraq is similar to Vietnam. They're right:

Vietnam was won on the battlefield and lost in newsrooms and the halls of Congress. The great military genius Walter Cronkite said we lost Tet of '68, so that lie became fact. 95% of the Viet Cong units were killed. The Viet Cong ceased to exist as a military force. North Vietnam had to send down North Vietnamese regulars from then on. It was a huge tactical victory for the US. Then Congress cut off funding, as they're threatening to do now.

If we lose, it won't be the military's fault. They're doing wonders with inadequate, obsolete equipment (like Vietnam) and with the active hostility of much of the Democratic Party and a significant portion of the gullible public that believes the media.

Some of the anti-war, anti-military fanatics have the nerve to say, "it's not the military. I'm protesting the President's actions." It IS the military. When they have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs (like Vietnam) because anti-military fanatics demand it, it's the military who die. When they have to use tactics that are more dangerous than optimum tactics because anti-military fanatics demand it, it's the military who die. Falluja was a perfect example. The tactics used were absolutely the worst for the safety of the troops. If the safety of the troops had been taken into account, when a shot came from a building, the building should have been taken out. Smart bombs are very good at that. But no, the Marines had to take one room at a time because it wasn't politically correct to do it right. But Curt, what about civilian casualties? Well, weren't civilians given several chances to leave? At some point you have to go on the principle that American troops lives are more important than hostile civilians either too stupid to get out of the battle or supporting or fighting for the enemy.

If the safety of the troops were important, we would immediately replace all Beretta M9 magazines with ones that work. Beretta magazines work in the sand. The lowest-bidder specials the military uses don't. Then we would replace the ammunition with something that would stop a charging poodle more than half the time with one shot. We've known that milspec 9 mm Parabellum ammunition has been inadequate since 1908. Ammunition that works in that pistol exists, and most cops condemned to carry the Beretta use it.

If the safety of the troops were important, we wouldn't be stuck with Hummvees. Every second lieutenant knows you don't take an unarmored vehicle past the line of departure. But the line of departure in this area is the plane or ship that sent the equipment there. The US has a long tradition of sending its soldiers to war in deathtraps. In WWII the M4 Sherman tank wasn't called "Ronson" for nothing. In Vietnam we called the under-armored M113s we were using "Zippos" (especially the gasoline burners I was stuck with.) We're doing it now. Hummvees should be replaced with armored cars of the same interior size and basic capabilities, and it should have happened 20 years ago. Ditto unarmored 2.5, 5, and 10 ton trucks.

If the safety of the troops was important, gunners on vehicles wouldn't be exposed from the waist up. We knew that in Vietnam, and dad knew it in WWII. We modified our inadequate vehicle, the M113 to ACAVs with the addition of armor for the gunners. That seems to be forgotten.

If the safety of the troops was important the current 5.56 mm ammunition would be replaced with ammunition that worked. When I used it, it was reliable, and it made holes big enough to stop the fight. Then the Army redesigned it to ACLU standards. The current ammunition punches small holes through targets, and sometime later, if he hasn't already blown himself and you up, he realizes he has been hit and seeks medical attention. The purpose of shooting bad guys is to stop them from annoying you with their weapons, not to cause them to die next week.

And don't tell me that you're thinking of the troops when you say you want us to cut and run. We cut and ran in Vietnam, and millions of people died or live now under a repressive Communist gumment. You take more casualties when you retreat than when you attack. If you care about the troops, then back winning, not losing.

During the Vietnam War many of the protesters were draft-age males who didn't want to go to war. Would someone please tell these protesters the draft is over. All of the military is volunteers.

Why Lassie was a dog, not a cat

Everyone knows that the TV show Lassie was about a dog. If it had been about a cat, when Timmy got stuck in the well, Lassie the cat would be seen looking at the well, washing himself, and wondering who was going to feed him now.

On the other hand, my dog, George S. Patton, Jr., would excitedly jump down the well and lick Timmy's face while wagging his tail.

But there are times

One morning as I staggered into the kitchen desperately seeking caffeine and about to fill 2 cups with coffee I noticed my male cat Arthur Pendragon lying on the floor in pounce mode staring at the refrigerator.

He never does that. His food doesn't come from the refrigerator. He will rub around the food dish spot when he wants food. So I stopped and paid attention. I looked around and behind the 'fridge to see if it was leaking anywhere. No.

But it was making a noise. Further examination proved the noise was coming from the freezer, and it was a dripping sound.

Even my caffeine deficient brain was able to realize ice doesn't drip.

The freezer was thawing, and we might not have caught it without Arthur's assistance before going to work. The Redhead had it working again in a few seconds, and nothing was destroyed. It's not getting help to rescue me from the well, but, hey, he's a cat.

Curt Rich September 2005

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