Have ordered a Lexus LS430. The main problem with the MB550 is the lack
of a good dealer in town, closely followed by the anticipated lack of
reliability for the money. When I test drove the thing, the salesman
commented he wouldn't test drive a car on that section of road, which
is why I was there with it. The Lexus did better on it. In fact, the
Lexus drove a bit better in general, even though it is cramped. The
Lexus dealer just throws the keys at you and says to have fun. A lot
better test drive happens! Of course I go over the cars in great depth
before I turn on the key or press the little button. Have the
reallllllly duded up version of the 2006 LS430 coming in. It has all
the little copycat things to mimic the S550, so I won't feel too
lonely. When I called the dealers to find out about tire costs, ole
Heavy Carl's guy was rude while the Jap guy was very polite, even
though he was really a red neck from tha hills! Just typical of the
dealer problems. Not sure what to do with the boys in tha back! Guess I
will let them stay with the kar. It has 147,750 miles on it and runs
good. Of course it just had a new $165 key and $1100 worth of hoses and
stuff - the little plastic T in the hi pressure water system behind the
motor ahead of the fire wall broke and that stranded me for the 3rd
time in a Mercedes. Have been driving my own cars since 1962 and I have
only been stranded 4 times - three times by Mercedes Benz and major
repair time measured in days was required each time with them. The
other time was with the 68 Ford Wagon which stopped in New Orleans
major traffic, but the ignition pig tail started up again when the New
Orleans police man and I jiggled it around a bit. Just little things
like that, combined with the simultaneous ownership of two Lexus ES3NN
series while I have been in these Mercedes have pushed me over to
Lexus. The ES3nn cars had problems two or three times, and just minor
things easily fixed at the next visit to the oil barrel at the dealer
who gives loaner cars and smiles nicely. The pricing of the S550
options and inability to get active suspension and night vision in less
than 2 to 3 months while ordering it from Germany or paying 105,000
also contributed to the decision. The comarably equiped Lexus is about
$28,000 cheaper and while that is a big thing to my wife, I would pay
it if I thought the service level was there. But I know the service
level is much higher from the Lexus. And that is a real sad thing for
me to see, because I like the seat and room in the MB much better. And
when you floor the Merc, it sounds like a car with a big engine instead
of like a fairy phart hissing away! And then too, I will miss this
newsgroup! The Lexus newsgroup is much more boring!  And of course the
oldest cars in it are only back to 92. Over all, sort of a sad thing -
to have to leave the Mercedes brand. But I think the Chrysler ads from
Dr Z are good! Sort of miss the old Jerkin Shrimp guy throwing women
over his shoulder and dragging them off during the drunken orgies at
headquarters! Ah well - times change and perhaps my next kar kan be a
MB again.

mcbrue sadly in the trailer under the bridge down by the river

96 S420 - 06 LS430 coming