Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / December 2004
Mercedes E320 or Lexus GS300 (New in March of 2005)
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Jeff Sloane - 08 Dec 2004 23:37 GMT I have a dilemma. I've long been an admirer of Mercedes, engineering and rock solid reputation for reliability. But as I move closer to making the decision (and I am doing the homework) I am hearing things that are making me hesitate. Friends, people I talk to at the gas station about their Mercedes and comments on the web are all suggesting that the new vehicles are much less than reliable, it is hard to get a service appointment with a lead time of less than 2 or 3 weeks and in several instances vehicles have been damaged at the dealer and they have refused to accept responsibility (one owner had a driver side mirror broken and Mercedes tried to charge him $500). A reoccurring comment is that Mercedes is definitely not a car you want to own AFTER the warranty expires and since I'm going to buy - not lease, with the intention of owning the car for a number of years this is troubling. I've owned two Lexus's in years past and each was in the shop just once (which is a marked contrast to the Volvo S80T that I currently own which was in the shop 15 times in the first 16 months).
I'd appreciate it if you folks could take a few minutes and give me the straight and skinny.
Duffy sabre36@optonline.net
Steve - 09 Dec 2004 02:22 GMT Jeff,
I owned a 1990 300E for 11 years, purchased new. I loved the fact that it was a Mercedes, but the fact is that far too many things broke on the car. It never left us stranded, but I think the maintenance bills were rediculous for a car of its "quality". I bought a 2002 GS300 new. It has 21,000 miles on it and has been flawless. You take it in to be serviced and they give you a new Lexus as a loaner car. Mercedes makes great cars, but Lexus beats them hands down, no contest, for quality. By the way, lest the Mercedes-only crowd tries to jump on me, I bought a 92 300SL about 18 months ago, 87,000 miles. So far, I've spent $4500 fixing things that really shouldn't be broke, e.g., tranny, air conditioning evaporator, radiator. I love the car, but a transmission should last longer than 85K miles.
Good luck with your Lexus.
> I have a dilemma. I've long been an admirer of Mercedes, engineering and > rock solid reputation for reliability. But as I move closer to making the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Duffy > sabre36@optonline.net MCBRUE - 09 Dec 2004 02:34 GMT If you really don't want to have to fix your car all the time, stay with Lexus. But don't buy the MB unless you are willing to put up with REALLLLY GREEDY STUPID shops. And the car will need lots of service. Wish it weren't so, but even the car mags won't recommend the S class cars because they are not reliable.
mcbrue sadly under the bridge in the trailer down by the river
96 S420
Mark Conklin - 21 Dec 2004 02:15 GMT Lexus does not compare to Mercedes on the highway. Unfortunately Lexus is clearly superior in reliability.
> I have a dilemma. I've long been an admirer of Mercedes, engineering and > rock solid reputation for reliability. But as I move closer to making the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Duffy > sabre36@optonline.net admin - 25 Dec 2004 10:01 GMT Consider the expensive JAP spare parts in long term running.
the highway. Unfortunately Lexus is
> clearly superior in reliability. > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Duffy > > sabre36@optonline.net Martin Joseph - 25 Dec 2004 17:52 GMT -glaze with sherry, add the reduced broth. Finally, put in the root vegetables and simmer for 15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. Place the pie pan in 375 degree oven for a few minutes so bottom crust is not soggy, reduce oven to 325. Fill the pie with stew, place top crust and with a fork, seal the crusts together then poke holes in top. Return to oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until pie crust is golden brown.
Sudden Infant Death Soup
SIDS: delicious in winter, comparable to old fashioned Beef and Vegetable Soup. Its free, you can sell the crib, baby clothes, toys, stroller... and so easy to procure if such a lucky find is at hand (just pick him up from the crib and he?s good to go)!
SIDS victim, cleaned ? cup cooking oil Carrots onions broccoli whole cabbage fresh green beans potato turnip celery tomato ? stick butter 1 cup cooked pasta (macaroni, shells, etc.)
Remove as much meat as possible, cube, and brown in hot oil. Add a little water, season, then add the carcass. Simmer for half an hour keeping the stock thick. Remove the carcass and add the vegetables slowly to the stock, so that it remains boiling the whole time. Cover the pot and simmer till vegetables are tender (2 hours approximately). Continue seasoning to taste. Before serving, add butter and pasta, serve piping with hot bread and butter.
Offspring Rolls
Similar to Vietnamese style fried rolls, they have lots of meat (of course this can consist of chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp). Who can resist this classic appetizer; or light lunch served with a fresh salad? Versatility is probably this recipe?s greatest virtue, as one can use the best
Martin Joseph - 25 Dec 2004 18:28 GMT many vegetables; green beans work especially well. Meat is not necessary every day, don?t be afraid to alter any dish to vegetarian tastes.
1 premature baby, born dead Large bunch of mustard greens 2 white onions, 1 cup chopped celery Vegetable oil (or hog fat) Salt, pepper, garlic, etc.
Lightly brown onions, celery, garlic and meat in large heavy pot. Add a little water and the greens (which should be thoroughly cleaned and washed). Smother slowly for at least 2 hours, adding small amounts of water when it starts to stick. Stir frequently. When ready - serve with rice, grilled smoked sausage, green salad, and iced tea. Coffee and apple pie then brandy.
Maternity Ward Pot Luck Dinner
If you can?t get anything fresh from the hospital, nursery, or morgue; you can at least get rid of all the leftovers in your refrigerator.
1 - 2 lbs. cubed meat (human flesh, chicken, turkey, beef...) 1 -2 lbs. coarsely chopped vegetables (carrots, potatoes, turnips, cauliflower, cabbage...) Bell pepper onions garlic ginger salt pepper, etc. Olive oil butter
Brown the meat and some chopped onions, peppers, and garilic in olive oil, place in baking dish, layer with vegetables seasoning and butter. Bake at 325? for 30 - 45 minutes. Serve with hot di
Martin Joseph - 25 Dec 2004 18:32 GMT of chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp). Who can resist this classic appetizer; or light lunch served with a fresh salad? Versatility is probably this recipe?s greatest virtue, as one can use the best part of a prime, rare, yearling, or the morticians occasional horror: a small miracle stopped short by a drunk driver, or the innocent victim of a drive-by shooting...
2 cups finely chopped very young human flesh 1 cup shredded cabbage 1 cup bean sprouts 5 sprigs green onion, finely chopped 5 cloves minced garlic 4-6 ounces bamboo shoots Sherry chicken broth oil for deep frying (1 gallon) Salt pepper soy & teriyaki minced ginger, etc. 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in a little cold water 1 egg beaten
Make the stuffing: Marinate the flesh in a mixture of soy and teriyaki sauces then stir fry in hot oil for till brown - about 1 minute, remove. Stir-fry the vegetables. Put the meat back into the wok and adjust the seasoning. De-glaze with sherry, cooking off the alcohol. Add broth (optional) cook a few more minutes. Add the cornstarch, cook a few minutes till thick,
Martin Joseph - 25 Dec 2004 20:29 GMT > Consider the expensive JAP spare parts in long term running. Wow! Both offensive and completely dumb! Good job!
Martin Joseph - 26 Dec 2004 01:33 GMT and butter. Bake at 325? for 30 - 45 minutes. Serve with hot dinner rolls, fruit salad and sparkling water.
B?b? Buffet 1
Show off with whole roasted children replete with apples in mouths - and babies? heads stuffed with wild rice. Or keep it simple with a hearty main course such as stew, lasagna, or meat loaf.
Some suggestions
Pre-mie pot pies, beef stew, leg of lamb, stuffed chicken, roast pork spiral ham, Cranberry pineapple salad, sweet potatoes in butter, vegetable platter, tossed salad with tomato and avocado, parsley new potatoes, spinich cucumber salad, fruit salad Bran muffins, dinner rolls, soft breadsticks, rice pilaf, croissants Apple cake with rum sauce, frosted banana nut bread sherbet, home made brownies Iced tea, water, beer, bloody marys, lemonade, coffee
The guests select food, beverages, silverware... everything from the buffet table. They move to wherever they are comfortable, and sit with whoever they choose. Provide trays so your guests will not spill everything all over your house from carrying too much, nor will they have to make 10 trips back and fourth from th
Martin Joseph - 26 Dec 2004 01:48 GMT potatoes in, boil for 4 minutes. Corn is added next, boil an additional 11 minutes. Put the live babies into the boiling water and cover. Boil till meat comes off easily with a fork.
Oven-Baked Baby-Back Ribs
Beef ribs or pork ribs can be used in this recipe, and that is exactly what your dinner guests will assume! An excellent way to expose the uninitiated to this highly misunderstood yet succulent source of protein.
2 human baby rib racks 3 cups barbecue sauce or honey glaze (see index) Salt black pepper white pepper paprika
Remove the silverskin by loosening from the edges, then stripping off. Season generously, rubbing the mixture into the baby?s flesh. Place 1 quart water in a baking pan, the meat on a wire rack. Bake uncovered in 250? oven for 1? hours. When browned, remove and glaze, return to oven and bake 20 minutes more to form a glaze. Cut ribs into individual pieces and serve with extra sauce.
Fresh Sausage
If it becomes necessary to hide the fact that you are eating human babies, this is the perfect solution. But if you are still paranoid, you can substitute pork butt.
5 lb. lean chuck roast 3 lb. prime baby butt 2 tablespoons each: salt black, white and cayenne peppers celery salt garlic powder parsley flakes brown sugar 1 teaspoon sage 2 onions 6 cloves garlic bunch green onions, chopped
Cut the children?s butts and the beef roast into pieces that will fit in the grinder. Run the meat through using a 3/16 grinding plate. Add garlic, onions and seasoning then mix well. Add just enough water for a smooth consistency, then mix again. Form the sausage mixture into patties or stuff into natural casi
Martin Joseph - 26 Dec 2004 02:22 GMT stuffing among the cabbage leaves then roll. Place seam down in a baking pan. Ladle tomato gravy on top, and bake at 325? for 30 - 45 minutes.
Umbilical Cordon Bleu
Nothing is so beautiful as the bond between mother and child, so why not consume it? Children or chicken breasts will work wonderfully also.
4 whole umbilical chords (or baby breasts, or chicken breasts) 4 thin slices of smoked ham, and Gruyere cheese Flour eggwash (milk and eggs) seasoned bread crumbs 1 onion minced salt pepper butter olive oil
Pound the breasts flat (parboil first if using umbilical cords so they won?t be tough). Place a slice of ham and cheese on each, along with some minced onion then fold in half, trimming neatly. Dredge in flour, eggwash, then seasoned breadcrumbs; allow to sit for a few minutes. Saut? in butter and olive oil until golden brown, about 6 minutes on each side.
Shish Kababes
As old as the hills, this technique has employed seafood, beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and vegetables; just about anything can be grilled, and young humans are no exception!
High quality marinade (Teriyaki and garlic perhaps) 1 inch cubes of tender meat, preferably from the nursery Onions bell peppers Wooden or metal skewers
Marinate the meat overnight. Get the grill good and hot while placing meat, vegetables, and fruit such as pineapples or cherries on the skewers. Don?t be afraid to use a variety of meats. Grill to medium rare, serve with garlic cous-cous and saut?ed asparagus. Coffee and sherbet for desert then walnuts, cheese, and port. Cigars for the gentlemen (and ladies if they so desire)!
Crock-Pot Crack Baby
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