Big 560 Benz on the Autobahn. Does it get any better?

G63 AMG: Super Sports Utility

It may be preposterous.. but who in their right mind wouldn't want one??? What a Panzer!

The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR

Despite some controversy when first introduced, there is no denying the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an amazing piece of engineering. This car seemed so over the top when I first saw it, but the more I learned about how much of the flash and flair was actually function built, this car started to make sense. It's yet another example of Mercedes-Benz flexing their engineering muscle.

Below is a fantastic clip from Jay Leno's Garage on his SLR. Thanks for sharing the video's Jay! I'm going to try and feature Jay's new video each week... enjoy!

1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE

From previous post I've done, most of you may know how big a fan I am of the Mercedes-Benz 126 chassis cars. It was a time when Mercedes build quality was the finest in the world. Here is a challenge to my readers, take notice next time your on your daily commute. See how many 126 Mercedes you see on average over the week. I can guarantee there are more of them on the road than any other car from that era!

Towards the end of the long run of the 126 Chassis, Mercedes brought to the U.S. some non V8 powered 126 cars. From 1989-1991 Mercedes offered the 300SE & 300SEL for sale in the U.S. With a bullet proof, 3.0 Liter strait 6 engine, the 300 series cars offered all the prestige and quality of it's top of the line 500 series brothers, without the high gas bills. The 3.0 wasn't a slouch on power either, pumping out around 180hp and 190lbs ft. torque. Good by even modern standards.

These are just fantastic cars, and you really don't see a lot of the 300 series around due to their short production run for the U.S. A very special thanks to Chelsea for sharing her beautiful 1991 300SE featured in the pics below! This car is her baby, and has seen much TLC over the years. A labor of love and that is what these cars are all about!!! (oh ya, and check out those Euro lights!!)

As always, if anyone has a car they'd like to share.. drop me an email at cartestride@yahoo.com

"Project Cars" 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320

Here is a beautiful 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 a friend just picked up. It needs some minor TLC but overall it's in really good shape. I'll be sure and post details on all the repair work that is done and of course "after" pics when this Benz is all cleaned up and road ready.

If you have a project car you are currently fixing up or restoring.. drop me an email at cartestride@yahoo.com .. send some pics and info and I'll be glad to post it in the next "Project Cars" segment....

The Search for my next car... 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 test ride review

Let me start this post by saying, Mercedes-Benz has always been one of my favorite auto makers. Mercedes has been a leader in innovation during its entire long history. The 126 chassis 500 series cars are one of my favorites of all time. Mercedes-Benz should be at the top of my list for my next car right? Well.. no. Years ago the 190E Mercedes always had a solid place in the Mercedes line up. It never seemed like an entry level car to me. Seeing a 190E on the road always made me think "oh cool.. check out that 190" not .. that's the cheapest Mercedes you can buy. The old C class became such a lease special car.. I can't seem to drive all but 30 seconds without seeing one. The last generation C class really turned into "the cheapest Mercedes." And if you really optioned one out.. the price was touching the E class range.. so who in their right mind would not just get the benchmark E class? That said, I know 2 people who have the last generation C class. I have driven both cars.. (both are sport models, one has the Kompressor 4 cylinder). They have had no problems with these cars... And no complaints whatsoever. But, that's really not the point I'm trying to make here.

When I heard the totally redesigned Mercedes-Benz C Class was now in showrooms, I had never even really considered looking at this car for the reasons mentioned above. While out car shopping a few weekends ago, I just happened to drive by my local Mercedes-Benz dealership and out of the corner of my eye saw the new C-Class sitting in the showroom. I just couldn't help myself.. I had to see this car up close.

Pulling into the dealership.. you really feel like you are at some Corporate office headquarters in Germany more so than a car dealership. Everything is perfect. The cars are somehow spotless, even though they are sitting outside during the rainy Florida summer. The salesmen aren't hanging outside smoking waiting for their next prey. I swear there wasn't even a fingerprint on the huge contemporary glass doors leading into the showroom. My only thought was "wow.. I'm at a Mercedes dealership."

After speaking with the very professional receptionist, I was introduced to a "Mercedes Sales Specialist." I informed the gentleman I just wanted to take a look at the new C Class and maybe get a booklet. We immediately walked over to a new C300 Sport (Mercedes has two models for the new C class.. the "Sport" and the "Luxury" at the time no Luxury models were in stock) sitting to the right of us and he gracefully opened the driver door and insisted that I have a seat. Right off the bat I noticed how much bigger this car not only looks on the outside.. but feels on the inside. I had plenty of space with room to spare for a rear passenger. It almost felt like I was in a E class. The interior redesign didn't totally strike me as leaps and bounds.. but it is definitely an improvement over the last model. This may sound silly, but the thing I was most excited about was the weight of the doors. The door felt like the commanders hatch on a tank, like a big chunk of solid steel. It felt like what a Mercedes should feel like!

After a quick once over of the cars interior, the salesman insisted I take one for a test ride. Who am I to argue..! Outside the showroom was a beautiful C300 sport in what Mercedes calls "Barolo Red" over black interior. It had an amazing (and very expensive) set of 18 inch AMG staggered wheels. The AMG package really makes this car stand out. I couldn't see myself driving this car without it.

When we pulled out of the dealership, I immediately noticed how much this car feels like a Mercedes. What do I mean? Well, its very stiff (but not uncomfortable).. very point and shoot driving. You always feel like the car is actually being controlled by some engineer on a computer, locked away in a secret room in Stuttgart. This car really is smarter than you. It's like you are simply being allowed to have some control over driving, but it will take care of the really important stuff. The breaks are amazing.. this car can stop so hard you may just end up in a different dimension. Handling is typical Mercedes, its a nice driving experience without being to much on the edge (and of course if you wanted to go to the edge, my operator in Stuttgart would probably push a button that would slap my hands and tell me "Nein!!!"). The 3.0 liter V6 is quite responsive, and its 228 hp and 221 lbs ft torque move this car out quite nicely. I can imagine this car with the 3.5 liter engine would be a screamer.

In summary its hard to even compare this car to the last generation C class. According to Mercedes this car has been 7 years in the making. This is a completely different car. It is, dare I say it, over engineering at its finest. That is what I love about Mercedes! I want my Mercedes to be engineered like one of the seven wonders! The only similarity this new C class has with the old one is once you start to option this car out it can become quite expensive. The C300 sport I drove with the AMG package and a couple more goodies was over 40k!!!!

When its all said and done, if I'm going to spend over $40,000 for a car in this class... I think I'd still pick the BMW 335.. Maybe a drive in the C350 could change my mind... another car for another day!

For more info on the new Mercedes-Benz C Class visit http://www.mbusa.com/