Volume 46 - Vol 2 | April 2024 | |
View Through The Star
by Rubin Howard, President
MBCA Has a new National Website! Part of your membership experience is how you interact with your online community of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. MBCA National has worked tirelessly to bring to you a modern and refined user experience for MBCA.org that allows you to create your member profile, join online communities, and access an entire member directory at your fingertips. This is great for several reasons. This functionality allows members to communicate securely, verifies and authenticates users to avoid scams when listing vehicles / parts for sale, and allows you to explore all that the organization has to offer.
Great strides have been made for Star Summit, MBCA Peachtree's regional event October 3 - 7th. If you have not heard, MBCA Peachtree is hosting a weekend full of festivities including a Concours d'Elegance cocktail reception, Concours + Octoberfest, Awards Party at RBM Alpharetta, Cars & Coffee at MBUSA, and a track event at AMP, with many opportunities to mingle and some tech sessions throughout the weekend. Star Summit is brought to you by RBM of Alpharetta who has always ensured MBCA Peachtree can continue putting on excellent events in collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz Experience and Halcyon. Registration for these high quality events will be a-la-carte, and available for registration in the upcoming weeks.
I am fortunate to be a part of such an incredible community of Mercedes-Benz owners here in Atlanta. I always say, the cars are great; but the people are what make it worth while. Don't be a stranger!
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Will "Power" ColomaP
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Born in Cuba in 1977, Will jetted into Miami at an early age. As soon as his self-motivated entrepreneurial skills developed, he started washing neighbor’s cars for cash, selling Mangos door-to-door, while also working as a Publix Bag Boy. From what I understand, the tips were great for a kid.
His favorite show overall is Miami Vice. It was the only show that his Grandmother would let him stay up late to watch on the family television. Growing up in Miami, Will watched the filming of some episodes and loved the 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS4 Daytona Spider that the main character drove. He dreamed that someday, he too could own a Ferrari like that one. READ MORE
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by Diana Quinn, Eastern Regional Director | MBCA Technical Advisor
The new MBCA website is HERE! If you have not already visited and established your new MBCA member account, do it now. Every member should have received an email inviting you to establish your account and establish a new password on March 13, 2024.
What if you didn’t get that email or put the email in your trash? Simply go to mbca.org and click on Login, and then click on Forgot Password link. Need help in logging in? Send an email to info@mbca.org or contact the National Business Office at Tues-Thurs: 9 am - 3 pm MT, phone: 719-633-6427.
Once logged into the website:
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Click on your PROFILE, complete your profile, and tell us more about your interests and the cars in your garage.
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Click on GO to My Glue Home to explore Your Chapter Community, interact with your Chapter Community, stay informed with upcoming Events.
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EXPLORE more in the Mercedes-Benz Club of America of the website. Switch organizations by clicking on the blue circle with your initials, then Switch Organizations to the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.
- Join our Communities (Mercedes-Benz Club of America):
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Star Interest Groups (Groups by Car Models)
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Star Marketplace (Buy and sell cars, parts, and Mercedes-Benz related items)
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Star TECH (Join the conversation on maintenance, and technical aspects of your Mercedes-Benz)
JOIN THE CONVERSATION IN OUR STAR INTEREST GROUPS
COME and enjoy the Mercedes-Benz Experience with us!
WE SHARE YOUR PASSION
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June
6/1 | Cars and Coffee at Halcyon | register | map
6/8 - 6/9 | Rambling Road Track Days | watch for details
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Mercedes-Benz Club of America Membership Benefits | |
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The Star® Magazine – Your membership of the MBCA includes a subscription to the awarded bi-monthly magazine Star®.
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Section Newsletter – Section newsletter, “Stars in Georgia” for the Peachtree Section is published six times a year.
- Local, Regional and National Events
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Member Rebate Program – If you are planning to purchase or lease a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle, you should consider participating in the MBCA Member Rebate Incentive program.
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Discount on Parts, Service & Accessories at Participating Mercedes-Benz dealers
- 15% Discount on Parts from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center
- Club Trips to Germany
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Mecum Auctions Discount – Mercedes-Benz Club of America members enjoy a special discount on the Standard Bidder registration at Mecom Auction
Please visit online https://www.mbca.org/member-benefits to see the complete description of the updated benefits.
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The 500E Scramble for Amelia
by Gary Edwards, Technical Advisor
Looking back over my Gary’s Garage articles, I see I have probably written more about my 1992 500E than any other car. I guess it’s to be expected for a 228,000 mile car, it’s a great car but high mileage and it’s a little more complex than most of the W124s. My first Mercedes was a W124 (a 93 400E) and they are probably my favorite chassis (R129s are right up there too), but I think you need to be able to work on them yourself to make them affordable. I was planning to take this one to Amelia and had some deferred maintenance to take care of.
I sat the car aside a while back due to a bad right rear wheel bearing. I didn’t want to jump into this job as it’s a bit of a pain but there’s a special tool to help remove and insert the bearing and with the tool it wasn’t too awful. I did have a hard time getting the rear brake rotors off. A big puller, penetrating oil, and a big cheater eventually pulled them off, though I whacked my head pretty good when the left one broke loose. I noticed that the brake hoses had some cracking. These were probably the original hoses; I sat the car aside until I could get around to changing them.
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Low Country Spring Fling
Open to all Mercedes-Benz Club Members and Enthusiasts
April 25-28, 2024
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by Doug Geganto and Michelle Stine, Event Organizers
There’s so much to do in the Charleston South Carolina and early spring is a great time to experience the Low Country! Don’t miss enjoying the South Carolina Low Country around the beautiful and historic Charleston area? Here’s a video preview about visiting Charleston: Highlights When Visiting Charleston.
Registration for this will be limited to the first 15 couples (30) who register for the weekend. Don’t delay in signing up. This is due to the maximum seating on the tour two buses (15 each) We will have a waitlist in case of cancellations, But there is no guarantee that there may be any cancellations don’t wait until the last minute to sign up. Registration for the weekend closes April 18th.
Register Now
Important Hotel Information:
Hotel cut off has been extended until April 8th. after that date I cannot guarantee the group rates. Reserve your room now.
Hampton Inn Patriots Point Reservations
HOTEL INFORMATION:
Our group Hotel is the Hampton Inn at Patriots Point. We have 15 rooms reserved for the Mercedes-Benz group. Reserve your rooms early Click on Link Below:
Room Rates:
Thursday $149
Friday and Saturday $189
Sunday $149
For more information and details about the weekend, click the REGISTER button below.
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YThis year’s Spring Event at Halcyon , Alpharetta GA, is dedicated to all Mercedes SL and Cabriolet Vehicles. The show is being organized to be a top tier event as the pre-cursor to our October “Star Summit” Regional Event. You will see many new innovations, for example, our judging system has been completely updated to ensure that all vehicles are scored equally and fairly, standing banners positioned at each class will have some wording explaining the judging parameters of the vehicles in that class, and custom trophies created for MBCA Peachtree will be showcased and presented at this event.
So, considering what a fabulous event this will be - start preparing your vehicles and register on the link below. Space is limited, so please register early.
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The Road Less Traveled before Mother's Day
May 11, 2024
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Ernest Smallman III and Brett Butler, Event Planners
Start your morning off at D.C. Motor Werks for coffee, donuts, and bagels. Pack your lunch for this outing.
The first leg of the trek is to Yonah Mountain Vineyards. Journey next to Cottage Vineyard and Winery and then to Serenity Cellars for chocolate squares.
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Kings Bay
Sub Tour
May 14, 2024
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Gary Edwards, Event Planner
Tour a Trident submarine, the Trident Training Facility, and the Saint Mary’s Submarine Museum, with lunch at the Subase dining hall Tuesday, May 14th.
Must be a US Citizen. Limited number of seats, this will fill up quickly.
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Cars and Coffee at Halcyon Continues in 2024
Join us for our monthly Cars & Coffee sponsored by RBM’s Mercedes-Benz Experience at Halcyon. Please arrive by 9:30 am, we’ll begin at approximately 10 a.m. when everyone has finished prepping their cars. The Fuel coffee shop is ready to serve up a hot cup of coffee to enjoy while chatting with fellow members.
Here is our upcoming dates:
6/1 | Cars and Coffee at Halcyon - register
7/6 | Cars and Coffee at Halcyon - register
8/3 | Cars and Coffee at Halcyon - register
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2024 Members Appreciation
Lunch
July 13, 2024
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Jane Brown and Tom Lammert, Event Planners
Mark your calendars NOW! Join us for our annual Members Appreciation event at Red Top Mountain, Shelter #1.
The group shelter is fully enclosed, air-conditioned building. The back deck overlooks Lake Allatoona.
We’ll enjoy a full menu of home-made, traditional barbecue fare: BBQ pulled pork, Brunswick stew, molasses baked beans, several salads, walnut brownies, and beverages.
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Safe Driver Safe Family Driving Skills Training
July 20, 2024
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Gary Edwards, Event Planner
New Drivers and Experienced Drivers all are welcome and all will benefit from our Driving Skills Training called Safe Driver Safe Family, scheduled for July 20th at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department Training Facility in Appling, GA
Since this is our first running of this event, we’re limiting participation to 20 people and at $50 per driver it should fill up quickly. We’ll issue certificates that may help save you money on your auto insurance – sign up now!
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TRANSMISSION W123 models
200,000 miles. MB 300TD Transmission used and all gears fully functional until end of October 2023. In addition to the transmission, an oil cooler return pipe and a deep stick pipe are included.
$700
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NISSEN RADIATOR OM for W123 Models
Bought at MBS Motors on March 9, 2022. $100
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BRAKE CALIPERS
Original ATE brake calipers front and rear with brake hoses between three and three-and-a-half years old. MB brake pads front and rear only a couple of miles old.
Brake calipers sold in pairs ONLY.
$250 a pair.
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If you are interested, please contact Geri Whaley-Ewers by email geraldina.whaley@yahoo.com or by phone (770) 558-1219. Please, no text messaging. | |
UPDATE ON HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING | |
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Gary Edwards, MBCA National Performance Driving Chair
Performance Driving Update – still need your help!
Track driving is about the most fun thing I’ve ever done. I enjoy introducing people to the joy of driving on the track, and I also enjoy instructing folks on how to do it better. I am thus very motivated to put on these performance driving events, and I encourage each of you to take advantage of these opportunities. You might get hooked, like I was 35 years ago.
Unfortunately, we’ve had to postpone the April 20th HPDE at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway due to lack of signups. Honestly, I’m not sure whether it’s too early in the year, or folks don’t like the track, or we’re marketing to the wrong groups, or what. Though the NASCAR Talladega race is that weekend, I don’t think that significantly impacts our potential drivers. We’ve rescheduled this event for August 24th, and we’ve been assured that the buildings at the track are AIR CONDITIONED! This should give us time to gather up more drivers, and if you are planning to attend please sign up now: http://msreg.com/aughpdetgpr
Signups for the Watkins Glen May 29th HPDE event are going well, and I encourage you to consider going to this event. It’s a Wednesday and it’s a long way, but it’s also an iconic track and you don’t get this opportunity very often. Information/registration link: https://clubregistration.net/driver/eventInfo.cfm?event_id=14397 . Cheryl and I will certainly be attending!
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Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-in Hybrid SUV to join U.S. product range in 2024 | |
March 20, 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA is pleased to announce a new plug-in hybrid variant of its popular GLC SUV model series, the 2025 GLC 350e 4MATIC SUV. The extensive standard offerings of the GLC 300 4MATIC SUV will carry over to the plug-in hybrid, while adding more new standard features to further enhance the electric experience. The new plug-in hybrid model will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the second half of 2024.
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Peachtree Section Officers | | | | |
