New love for the V12

[yellowline]

Tonight, I ended my summer "career" as a valet/busboy at a local function hall. What a way to end. I valeted a late model MB SL600 tonight. The door must weigh as much as me. Everything felt tank-solid. The engine was incredibly smooth, the car didn't feel like it was running. So much grunt, right off idle. I think I might be in love...I kind of want an old SL someday.

Then on the other hand, I also valeted a Saab which, IMO, had a trickier clutch than a 993 Turbo I valeted a few weeks ago.

Anybody else like old SLs?

[RANDY P]

There's nothing like an older Mercedes- they IMHO are the best built road cars you can buy. It used to be a car that if you maintained it, would last 20 + years and still run good. The durability, the weight, the no compromise approach to the build. I've had a few of 'em built in the 70's and compared to the new stuff (which I'm around frequently) it's light years ahead in build quality. It used to be a bastard taking one apart, but the newer ones (at least the interiors) are built similarly to Hondas.

It used to be that all things of quality were overbuilt in the interest of durability. Nowadays it's all about efficiency and profit. - As a result they all feel cheap, light and plasticky and it's proven that they don't last nearly as long as their predecessors. Performance has gone up, can't deny that but it's a shame that in 15 years it's doubtful the newer stuff will be worth anything.

Pretty much all German cars are like that now. Just build it good enough to do it's task - nothing more. I'm seeking out an older SL or an E class to drive presently. Good for my pocketbook.

rjp

[RANDY P]

PS - I could spend the rest of my life driving driving German cars before 1997- Benzes, Porsche, and BMW - notably anything made before the E36. If quality is #1 priority that's where it's at.

rjp