The North Star - May 2012

THE WAY WE WERE: THE 300SE

While the 600 series was the epitome of luxury in the 1960s, the rarer, lesser known 300SE convertible offered a different level of elegance to driving enthusiasts who were not financial royalty. Partially hand-built, only 780 of these beauties  were produced over all model years.

All the bells and whistles of that era were standard, including automatic transmission, air conditioning, electric windows and stereo radio. Power was not an issue and the 300SE could hit 120 mph without breaking a sweat. Sedans featured the “love it or hate it” fin-back styling while convertibles and coupes had rounded rear fenders that have stood the test of time for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. Arguably its coolest feature was the top itself—made of high-quality padded canvas and nearly as quiet as a coupe—when properly fitted of course!

As a tribute of sorts to the big, bad 1950s, the 300SEs had old-fashioned grilles, a forgotten prequel to the more popular low-grille, V-8 equipped 280 SE 3.5 convertible that came next. But like so many cars of the 1960s and Mercedes-Benz in particular, the 300 SE of the ‘60s had a style and level of character rarely found today.

 

WHEN THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD

Next to brakes, your tires are the most important safety devices on your car. Think about it. They are your only contact between your vehicle and the road. Incorrect tire pressure impacts cornering, braking and stability. With fuel prices approaching record highs, it also compromises your fuel economy.

Let’s Talk Physics

If your pressure is too high, less of your tire touches ground potentially causing your car to bounce on the road versus being firmly planted on the ground. Traction and stopping distances ultimately suffer. Here’s a tip. If you are constantly cleaning coffee stains from your clothing, your tire pressure may be more than a bit too high!

Conversely, if your tire pressure is too low, too much of your tire touches the ground. This creates friction which will cause your tires to wear prematurely. More alarming is that this can cause tread separation which could lead to an accident.  If your tires squeal when you turn a corner, guess what—your tire pressure is too low.

How To Keep Your Tires Healthy

Bring your car to our service department as our guidelines recommend.  We’ll make sure your tires are properly inflated and in ideal running condition.  Please rely on us to keep you running safely and smoothly so you get the best performance and greatest enjoyment out of owning a Mercedes-Benz.

MERCEDES-BENZ AND THE PGA

As a proud supporter of the PGA, Mercedes-Benz is pleased to host the Mercedes-Benz Performance Center, powered by The PGA of America.

Making its debut at The Masters in 2011, The Center features PGA professionals and high-tech golf teaching technologies that range from putting to swing mechanics. Employing the P3ProSwing™ CLARET Golf Simulator, the Center offers GolfTEC’s g-SWING full swing analysis and g-PUTT putting analysis.

The Center’s first stop in 2012 is the Master’s in Augusta, April 2-7 continuing with visits to local dealerships and golf venues including Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club, Coral Gables, Florida on April 14th, Green Island Hills Country Club, Columbus Georgia, April 24th, The 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, Charlotte, NC, April 30-May 6 and more.

The Mercedes-Benz Performance Center is an excellent opportunity to work with PGA Professionals, analyze your skills, improve your game, and experience the innovation of Mercedes-Benz with advanced technology and a personal touch.  Ask us for details or stop by RBM North any time and let us introduce you personally to all of the 2012 models!

DESTINATION STUTTGART, GERMANY

Nestled in the rising slopes of the River Neckar valley, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany is known for its varied landscape of vineyards, mountains and forests. Car enthusiasts view it a bit differently because to them it is the birthplace of the automobile and motorcycle, invented in 1887 by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. Today it is home to the Mercedes-Benz Museum which traces the history of the automobile all the way to today’s technological innovations. Among the 100 lovingly preserved cars in the museum is the first car ever built. Talk about seeing how it all started!

If that isn’t enough to inspire you to book a trip to this beautiful area 100 miles from the Black Forest, perhaps these other venues will seal the deal.  The hidden secret about Stuttgart is that while it is known as the cradle of the automobile, implying a very industrial landscape, the gorgeous landscape and cultural attractions help ensure a very rich and rewarding travel experience.

It goes without saying that first on your list will be the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Of course you won’t want to miss The Mercedes European Delivery Center which offers a 90 minute guided tour every weekday. Ask us about the European Delivery Program which offers the opportunity to pick up your new Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and enjoy a truly epic European adventure.

Here are a few examples of additional local attractions:

• World-Famous Stuttgart Ballet
• State Opera & Philharmonic
• Western Europe’s Largest Mineral Spas
• Wilhelma Gardens, Germany’s only zoological-botanical garden
• Schlossplatz, surrounded by Renaissance and neo-classical palaces, fountains, statues and sculpture
• State Gallery featuring exhibits from the Middle Ages to the post-modern

Thirsting for more local culture? Stuttgart is also one of Germany’s largest wine-growing cities. But this brief article on one of Germany’s iconic areas would not be complete without mentioning that it is also home to several famous breweries such as Stuttgarter Hofbräu, Dinkelacker, and Schwaben Bräu. After all, it is Germany.

THE LATEST DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

The mission of our service department is fairly simple. Whether you’ve driven 10,000 miles or 100,000 miles we ensure that your Mercedes-Benz is properly maintained for maximum safety and performance. We accomplish this by providing you with access to the latest technology and analysis from our specialized technicians who undergo regular, frequent training to stay current on every component of your vehicle.

There are many reasons to service your Mercedes-Benz at RBM-North. Here are just a few.

Star Diagnosis compact4

At the heart of every service visit is a comprehensive analysis and diagnosis. Star Diagnosis compact4 employs powerful applications to systematically check possible sources of faults quickly and accurately. The touchscreen laptop interfaces with the vehicle’s computer system and the dealership’s Wi-Fi networks provides easy access to the Mercedes-Benz database. Before Wi-Fi, technicians would need to leave the vehicle to access their desktop computers, but Star Diagnosis compact4 decreases the time the technician requires to complete the service. Ultimately, this saves you time and money.

ProAlign® Alignment Systems

This state-of-the-art system doesn’t clamp onto the rim when performing an alignment—protecting it from possible damage. Equally important, it makes alignments more precise by taking into consideration factors such as ride heights. Digital cameras measure the position and orientation of the wheels with pinpoint accuracy using reflective targets.

At RBM-North our greatest asset is our highly trained team of service professionals. Their depth of knowledge and experience gives them the tools to service your vehicle holistically—ultimately ensuring your Mercedes-Benz will maintain its value over time. Couple that with our guaranteed lowest price policy and you have the peace of mind knowing that you are receiving the best service available at a great value.