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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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Comments
borrow a mirror from your wife (they usually have one they use for makeup) so you can see how the connections work; you're going to do it mostly by feel. There are two clips that swing from the passenger side to the drivers side. You squeeze them together (top to bottom) to free them from the latch. You then pull the bulb out carefully (it's connected to a plug) and pull the bulb out of the plug (you can do this w/o touching the bulb).
Then reverse the procedure. When you put it back in, concentrate on lining the bulb up, then
put the top clip on w/ your thumb to hold the bulb in place, then the bottom clip. I'm assuming you're right handed.
The notch for the bulb is straight up when you put it in. You'll see the notch when you get the bulbs.
That's in the manual. It's probably easier on the C since you have separate openings for each one.
Sport=225/50R16 92V
Traction A: How well the tire stops on wet roads in govt tests. Best: A Worst: C
Temperature: How well the tire resists heat. Best: A Worst: C
Herr Dennett - I do have 205/55/R16 91H CH95, and I am fairly sure they are stock wheels. Both CD changer and four wheels listed at $1295 each item. With discount, cost of CD changer and wheels was $1390. CD changer came to $795 and wheels $595. I had to kick and scream in my quiet way for the wheels discount. The $500 CD changer discount was their standard discount.
Miki
>Sport=225/50R16 92V
Thank you so much for the photos -- they are and will be of great help to me.
I had always put Pirelli on my BMW with the highest speed-tested rating. I felt a little let down when I saw the Continental tires, which I thought were made in New Jersey, with the lower speed. However as I read the tires for my reply to Herr Dennett, I noticed they were made in Germany. As if it matters anyhow
Again, thanks and the pics are truly appreciated.
Miki
If Dennett is with you, they will pull over his Magma Red before your Obsidian Black and you will be fine. (Heard another rolling blackout day in CA today...that's not good).
Good point. It would have been easier if I did that (just yank the plug straight out for those of you who haven't done it yet). The plug got tangled up in the clips when I was trying to get it out so I could get at the bulb.
BTW, was it obviously brighter to you when looking from the outside and inside? I took digipics and the old bulbs looked brighter from the inside, but the new bulbs looked brighter from the outside (of course, I screwed up and didn't use a fixed position for the camera)-: I also only swapped the passenger side so I could see if there is a difference. It doesn't look 50% brighter to me...
http://www.motorhead.net/cgi-bin/viewproduct.exe?1013950&pdetail.htm
The key is to never clean the wheels when they are hot.
Also included in this round of IIHS crash tests will be the Hyundai Elantra, the Honda Civic, the Dodge Grand Caravan, the Ford Focus, and the Dodge Stratus. Note that all of the models that are being crash tested have been substantially or completely redesigned, and are model year 2001 vehicles. Dateline is only covering the IIHS test and has no say in the results.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
>If Dennett is with you, they will pull over his >Magma Red before your Obsidian Black and you >will be fine.
I have not driven above 115.....yet
So, it's true what I've heard about red cars! I hope Dennett will be careful and not offend the Highway Patrol. I must tell Dennett my secret -- when stopped by an officer, if he lets some tears run down his cheek, he will not get a ticket.
(Heard another rolling blackout >day in CA today... that's not good).
I am served by the Dept of Water and Power, thank goodness, so we have not experienced any rolling blackouts so far. Affected were customers of
Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric. I was surprised to hear that Beverly Hills and other communities that surround me had a rolling blackout today. It is completely unbelievable that people have to worry about an electricity shortage and all its ramifications IMHO!!! Imagine how the people caught in an elevator felt.
Miki
greg@thedailydonut.com
If you just point the key at the car and press the lock and walk away, assuming the car is locked, you may find it's not. You may think it's the battery in the key, but it's not.
I've been experiencing this problem for about a week and went to the dealer yesterday to have the key checked. The outcome... there is a software problem that MB is working on to resolve this problem. The key looses it's memory !!
I was told to resolve this problem for the short term, until a fix is available(in April) is to insert your key in and out of the ignition 10 consecutive times, this will reset the memory.
I tried it and key will start working again(locking and unlocking the doors), but when they said short term, they meant it, it only worked 2 more times after that.
Yesterday, My daughter and I drove from Ann Arbor MI to South Bend to watch the U of M women play the Irish. The car handled absolutely beautifully. At one point we suddenly came upon stopped traffic. From 80 miles per hour to stopping,it was straight and quick. We were impressed. Given that I have been quite critical of this vehicle, I believe that it is only fair that I say something positive when things are OK.
I am ordering a radar detector after I finish this message. I had real difficulty keeping the speed under 80 MPH. I haven't driven so fast in a long time. For the record, I haven't had any type of ticket in over 25 years. This car may change that if I don't get a radar detector.
My daughter has agreed to take the car off my hands since I have been so unhappy with it, but her price is quite low. In addition, she wants the paint chips fixed. I am afraid to look at the hood after driving 380 miles yesterday. MB does need a better paint solution.
Don't miss the weekly MB Tuesdays chat at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10pm Eastern! All MB fans/enthusists/owners/potential owners are welcome to participate. That includes you, Tarik ;-) Hope to see you there!
Click on the link below to enter the chat at the times above. Note that the link to the chat is always near the top of this page, just under the discussion topic title:
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/mercedeschat.html
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
The C-class was the best in class, beating the former leader, the BMW 3-series, and even the all new Volvo S60. No doubt a very impressive performance. Note that the windshield did not even crack. All of the intrusion figures were an astounding 3 centimetres or less!! This is significantly less than just about anything the Volvo S60 or BMW 3-series managed. The details are here: http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/grey_midlux.htm
Please watch tonight's Dateline NBC for the crash test footage. What a perfect topic to discuss in tonight's MB chat! :-)
I spoke to the importer today, and he confirmed that the product is used instead of wax, not in addition to it. Klasse bonds to surface of paint, but does not creep into the paint as does polymer (I don't know which products contain polymer). Evidently, polymer penetrates the paint and causes it to oxidize. It also contains silicone over which you cannot paint.
I like a perfect looking car, but I feel the much acclaimed Zaino process will not work for me. How can I have someone come to my home to detail my car, give him all the different bottles, and have him wait for all the coats to dry?
I was so delighted with the Klasse -- I had the car washed at the "hand" car wash, then came home and put on the Klasse in 10-15 minutes, and there is no drying time. There is also a high-gloss sealant glaze, but if my car was any shinier it would blind oncoming drivers.
All this is probably old info to most of you, but 'tis new to me.
Miki
I'd have to agree with you. I am reluctant to using Zaino because I don't like putting polymers on my paint. I prefer a high quality easy to apply wax. Never heard of KLASSE. Where can I find their products?
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/mercedeschat.html
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
240c MSRP w/options - 37,305.00
Money factor - .00455 (seems rather high)
Term - 36months
Millage - 12k year
Residual - 70%
Money down - just fees and tag
Payment - $572.93 w/o tax
I noticed a previous post describing a money factor of .00375. Wow, that would lower my payment $50. With rates dropping, I challenged the finance manager on the rate quoted. I told him I knew someone who was quoted a lease rate of .00375.
He said, Oh? Then preceded to say he didn't know my "credit rating" yet. Once my application was submitted, then the "real" rate would be avialble.
Hmmmmm, I wonder what I might have paid if I didn't say anything.
But a couple of us got 9 % in early Feb. Give it another week after today's 0.50 rate cut and MBCC will adjust their MF lower, it takes MBCC about 5 business days to adjust their rate after the Fed. based on my dealings with my Salesman.
Klasse is not available in the usual places, but out here it is carried by some MB and BMW parts/accessories dept.
Below is a car detail website out of Tampa. They carry Klasse All-In-One, as well as other brands. (Klasse also makes wheel cleaner, but with the All-In-One methinks it is not needed).
Actually, I applied the Klasse one day after I had the car washed. I dusted it off lightly with the California Duster. With a cavalier attitude, I poured Klasse on a damp towel, a section at a time, did not bother to do large circles as advised, wiped it off with no particular skill -- and it looked beautiful.
http://www.properautocare.com/index.html
(click on the Wax link)
There is an 800 number given, but if you need the name and phone number of the importer in San Francisco, let me know.
Miki
WRONG!!
Actually, I am having a blonde moment (or two) here. I did NOT wash the car at that time. We had a lot of rain; I had not had a chance to wash the car, and there were rainspots. The car was going to a basketball game and I wanted her to look good. I did dust first with the California Duster, but applied Klasse to remove the water spots and just kept on going and going and going..... and that's my story on how the entire car got Klasse'd
Miki
This is how MB responded to the test:
"We are very pleased with the results of the new C-Class and E-Class in the recent high-speed crash test by the IIHS. It’s very important to our customers and to us. However, we need to emphasize that safety is defined by more than good results in one or two important crash tests at a certain speed. Our goal during the development of the new C-Class was to achieve maximum overall safety in a wide range of collision scenarios.
Our key to further increasing vehicle safety is a comprehensive approach called “The Mercedes-Benz Real; Life Safety Concept.” This involves developing cars for good overall performance in crash safety over a wide range of configurations, based on experience from real-world accident scenes. It also includes the integration of highly sophisticated warning and assistance systems for drivers, which can minimize the risk and severity of accidents as much as possible.
As a followup to our discussion, please be aware that occupant safety is our first priority in designing all Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles. For that reason, the C-Class performed outstandingly well in a recent IIHS offset crash test at 40 miles per hour and, as a result, they are likely to designate the car a “Best Pick.” However, occupant safety would be compromised by reducing the repair cost of the C-Class bumper."
The last line is a bunch of baloney though, and I don't buy it because the Canadian C-class gets 5 mph (8 km/hr) bumpers as per Transport Canada regulations. Does this mean that the Canadian C's are less safe? C'mon!
As an aside, here's something about the IIHS's 40mph offset test. Since it's at a higher speed and at a smaller impact area (40% of the car's front end) than the US NCAP 30 mph full frontal fixed non-deformable barrier test, there is a 78% increase in impact energy.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
At least now you know that you're in an extremely safe car and that you will be well protected in the event that some wacko plows into you. I applaud you for trying to find out more information about the head restraints. Most people wouldn't know/wouldn't really care.
Good luck and drive carefully!
P.S Open the door and have a look at the C-class's door latch (not on the door itself, but the part that is attached to the body of the car. Next, compare it to another vehicle's (non-MB). The differences will be readily apparent. The reason for the MB's patented wedge shaped door latch design is to prevent a door from opening in a crash. Oh yeah...it was invented decades ago ;-)
This past year, I witnessed a very bad crash -- I stopped to let a car make a left turn on a six-lane street. She had been trying to make the turn and no one stopped to let her do so. As she made her turn, a car zoomed up the inside lane of opposite direction and they smashed. It was very bad. I remember how long it took for her body to stop bouncing back and forth between the seatback and the steering wheel. There were no airbags. If I had not stopped to let her make her turn it would not have happened. As you said, it is life. A chance second can make a difference.
It is indeed good to know I am in a safe car. I am thinking how unimportant a few paint chips are in comparison.
Thank you for your kind words.
Miki
That's what I thought.
The finance manager also said MBCC charges higher rates in different regions(Midwest). Is that true? Or, is the dealer charging the highest rate and pocketing the difference?
If I can't get 9% with an excellent credit rating, what should I do?
In European driving school, the first thing you do after getting into the car is seat adjustment (including head rests) and mirror settings. Where I live (South Carolina), there is almost no such thing as driver's ed, and the license costs you $14.50 without any proof of driver's ed hours or such. Obviously, people here (and worse, the legislation, too) sacrifice driver safety to the all important comfort and life style.
Head rests shouldn't be called that any more, because less bright people (do those exist???) could read that as "place to rest their head comfortably while dozing away". Most drivers in my area have them set to a height which will make them snap their necks upon rear impact. Sometimes I wonder whether you can even get them adjusted high enough on cars like Fords, Buicks () and so on... ...an acquaintance, who rode with me once, insisted on REMOVING the whole thing because it felt "uncomfortable touching his scalp"! No driving with me any more for him...
Thanks for letting me rant, but do never get discouraged in your quest to make driving safer, even if it sometimes feels you're all alone out there.
Tarik
Feel very dumb about this. Do you like the c320.