jared@threepointedstar

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG 2011

2011-07-17T03:39:00.006+08:00

First introduced in 2004, by tradition, if I have to interpret what CLS stands for it could be Coupe, Long Wheelbase, SuperLeicht or Super Lightweight. In other words, a CLS is an executive coupe or a four-door coupe as referred by local marketers to make it easy for their prospective customers. Not to be confused with a CL-Class, the full sized coupe that is based on S-Class.

Technically known as the C218 which is a backward count of the older C219 makes learning this particular breed a little more confusing but given with a 6.2L AMG M156 V8 engine, I don't think anyone would really care. I shall say this one is a civilized monster in complete tuxedo. Interior and other amenities will truly spoil a passenger with top-of-the-line creature comfort. As usual Mercedes-Benz didn't cut corners in all its safety features that can potentially save the next Queen Of England. It includes a "Pre-Safe" system that which predicts an impending collision. The air suspension has three settings; "Comfort", "Sport 1", "Sport 2", self-cleaning bi-xenon headlight. There's no need to slam the trunk shut as it comes with a push-to-close button that closes gently and firmly.

Formally launched in the Philippines last 14th of July 2011. Fortunately, I was one of the invited guests to witness the unveiling of such a lovely car which again raises the bar of the definition of the word "lovely".

It's truly a simple ceremony for a not-so-simple car graced by the who's who of...alright I don't want to be in a chair of a lifestyle magazine writer, I'll leave this stuff to them.

But with all the pickings and trimmings of the cost-cutting Western World falling in this direction, a CLS 63 AMG for the Philippine market...hell, WHY NOT????

Thanks to Andros Villaraza of CATS for the inviting us to this great event.

Booze Is For Humans

2010-04-25T23:27:00.003+08:00

I really don't get it why E10 gasoline or gasohol was shoehorned into our major pumps without really spending some brain horsepower before really putting in to the market. There are conflicting information between automotive manufacturers and E10 vendors on what is actually good or bad for the consumer. First, E10 is a mixture of 10% alcohol and 90% gasoline produced for to increase profit and lower costs of oil companies, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ENVIRONMENT. It was part of a damage control measure to avert the 1973 Oil Crisis in which the OPEC or the Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries imposed an oil embargo to stop the U.S. from supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War. E10 was not made to make your car run better, in fact it was made to make car's life shorter so that customers can replace their cars every three or five years ensuring consistent sales for the car manufacturers who despises classic car enthusiast groups.

Alcohol-laced gasoline is not allowed to be used in any type of aircraft, which means E10 is not allowed too. In short, if it's bad for the airplane, it's bad for your car. E10 will degrade car's performance and it will not improve fuel consumption. Oil companies like Caltex, Shell, Petron and Total just simply ignore these facts until there's a formal complaint! Even if some car manufacturers has recommended against E10 use for their older models. For a keen eye, one will notice that most fuel pumps around Metro Manila today has the label saying "E10 Bio-ethanol, recommended for fuel injection engines", in other words, E10 is not good for carburetor-based engines and this includes some W123 with M102 carb engines.

Though there were workarounds with this E10 issue such as employing the use fuel additives that cleans the fuel lines, remove moisture, retains performance and so forth, but a religious car keeper has to really stock up tons of this addictive additives before leaving home.

Of course we love our classics and modern classics, they're built like tanks. Given that booze is for humans, now, we have to remind our rides to never drink and drive too.

The Way Around

2010-04-23T05:59:00.004+08:00

I'm always skeptic about other people's technology regardless whether it's big or small. Whether it's from Steve Jobs or Eric Schmidt, I'm not easily mesmerized or bedazzled by those fancy touchscreens and gizmos that talk for the reason that I hack and tinker with one of those on a daily basis. Plus the fact that these things rapidly goes out of style in a matter of months if not years. Just take for example the first generation iPod integration that was introduced in W203 and its other Mercedes-Benz contemporaries, by today's standards they are already out of style. But iPod integration is no big deal. I'm more concerned about on-board SatNav (Satellite Navigation) systems that occupies almost 50% of the center console.

SatNav or by its more popular term, GPS, during its early adaptation by Mercedes-Benz and other European marques were cumbersome (you need DVD for the navigation computer), bulky, two-dimensional and far from being useful and the fact that it's not ready for the world, if there's a Philippine map available I don't think it's usable and price-wise practical. So bringing a grey market W211 in the Philippines with a SatNav is like having a flower pot in your dashboard.

My first experience with GPS was when a colleague lent me a Garmin nuvi 205 that I can use to navigate around the Greater Washington Area (Maryland, DC, North Virginia). Of course, that's East Coast, you can always expect a good amount of detail and accuracy when cruising around interstates, streets, suburbs and so forth. What I want to see if it is going to be as usable if I bring one back to the Philippines.

So here comes Garmin Nuvi, mine is 205W. Unlike the Jurassic-era and period-uncorrectable Comand SatNav, Garmin nuvi GPS modules does not put my W201 out of style. Because it's detachable, it can be mounted in the windshield or dashboard, it doesn't ruin the classiness of the interior specially the W124 or W210. And my next big question is will it work in the Philippines, specially in the chaotic streets of Metro Manila? Lo and behold, it does.

And there are two Philippine maps to choose from, the one from Roadguide and the other from Openstreetmap.org. I prefer the latter because it is updated almost daily, the streets and points-of-interests are more detailed.

It provides audible turn-by-turn instructions and recalculates when you miss a turn, just like how it works in the United States. It shows how fast you're going and your estimated time of arrival to destination.

It's First World navigation to Third World streets.

With the confusing maze of the streets in Metro Manila, when asking directions from inside your Benz cockpit is risky, it pays to have a GPS attached without ruining your style.

From Blizzard and Back

2010-01-02T20:23:00.003+08:00

Happy New Year. Fortunately, we made it out of Washington-Dulles International Airport as scheduled and just in time for Christmas in the Philippines. A quick shot of what I have observed in the areas of Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and New York; there are so many W211s, SL55 AMGs, W204, W221, a few classics such as W201, W123, W124 and W126 all running steadfast in the highways of I-270, I-495 and I-95. What's really interesting are the W123s which all runs too well in this bitter cold weather. In fact, the W123s are so reliable, you won't find them in the junkyard.

One of the junkyard I spotted was Crazy Ray's located at Mt. Airys. Unsurprisingly, there are more BMWs than Mercedes-Benzes in the lot.

There are couple of W201s I stumbled upon and their condition is still roadworthy by Philippine standards, so it was really a suitable donor car for Klaudia.

I think the trip down to the junkyard is my "disneyland" while I was in the U.S., even the parts from these cars are still "brand new" by Philippine standards, it's sad that I don't have enough time to really take and pull off a lot of parts as I can plus the burden of Blizzard 2009 really put a lot to stand still.

I Hate Makati

2009-09-24T16:59:00.003+08:00

Rest assured the rest of the country will never be like that. Bumpy roads, traffic jams, stressful environment. Greenfield City is the best environment for locators and techno startups. Situated really farther south from Makati, the roadworks here is totally awesome for speed freaks like Bill, Steve and me.

From Susana Heights, Greenfield City is less than 10 mins. at varying speeds of 120~140kph depending on the road traffic, toll booth is right after Sta. Rosa Exit. From the toll booth is a spirited but not Sunday driving.

Preparing for my stress-relieving sprint.

Really now, "Ganito ba sa Makati ngayon?". While the rest of the country's roads are improving by global standards, Paseo De Roxas can't be even at par.

This place reminds me of Jurong Science Park, gloomy. But seeing other left-hand Euros eliminates the discomfort brought by that memory.

The difference between Greenfield City and Jurong Science Park is that here you don't need to worry about speed cops, you'll die here if you're not in control. That's quick justice.

Sa ibang bahagi ng bansa ganito, sana sa Makati ganito rin!

Do you believe it's a weekday?

Don't be carried away, we're still in the Philippines. It's just we're not in Makati.

It's not even a ghost town, just check the full parking space which tells me that the crowd here is of a different subculture who just hit a jackpot somewhere nearby and enjoying it while they kill me with envy.

I don't want to leave this place. But I promise I'll be back for more, for good.

At the horizon is the Philippines' second largest beer brewery, Asia Brewery

Klaudia, one of the most well-balanced car ever built in the world, is waiting for her two victims, both a Vios.

Klaudia's Northern Journey

2009-05-19T20:17:00.002+08:00

So our Hong Kong trip was postponed with that H1N1 threat, and instead of putting the scheduled vacation (very well-deserved) aside, we decided to do last minute hunt for a nice vacation spot. Without any advanced bookings, we decided to hit north with very little preparation except for Klaudia's rear suspension job. Other than that everything remained status quo, no oil checks, no tire checks, no water checks, no electrical checks.

It was Sunday morning when we started to drive north from Susana Hts. in SLEX to Manila, of course, the shortest way to start Northern journey is at any nearest point from Kilometer Zero (Rizal Park, Manila), not the dog-legged C-5-EDSA-Balintawak which is a journey by itself. I'm surprised a lot of shuttle service and utility drivers today doesn't know this logic, that the shortest point between northern tip of South Luzon Expressway and southern tip of North Luzon Express (NLEX) is within the Manila area of Paco, Pandacan, Gov. Forbes, Dimasalang, La Loma, A. Bonifacio and finally the Balintawak entry of NLEX. If you can recite the commonly-known route points from South which is via EDSA it is longer than what I've listed. And that's twenty years of driving in and out of Manila.

Long journeys will always have its share of almost axle-busting experience and the only two places Klaudia had it were in Makati and Manila area. These two cities are both moving backwards in terms of road improvements compared to the place we've been and to the place we're going. Rough roads in the city doesn't worth shutter counts in this journey. This should be fixed with taxpayers' money as soon as possible.

But since modestly-living Filipinos (those who drives and declare themselves poor in the surveys) has a very short and forgiving memory once they're through with this rough ordeal. To me, rough road in a city is a sign of deliberate insult for the powerless, voiceless and selfish middle-class.

Enter the North Luzon Expressway, the last time I drove this stretch was seven years ago and in fairness, a lot has improved. There's really no excuse to ignore the signs, and I don't think bashing drivers who can't understand English is discrimination, they should have passed the English-written driving tests in the first place, else, they will end up driving on the passing lane below speed limits which a lot of brand-new compact Japanese sedan owners do and when you flashed them to get out of the way, they will even hit the brakes, good enough to return the favor with a dirty finger for a very "educated" driving. Too bad, the infrastructure has improved, but most drivers hasn't.

After a smooth NLEX drive, Klaudia finally got a taste of SCTEX concrete. I hate being a cynic in the wrong place, but SCTEX is a proof of receipt that my tax was well-spent at the national level, not the mythical "...ganito kami sa Makati ngayon..." propaganda, fortunately, some part of the country is not like that.

At this point, we already know where we're going; The Camayan Beach Resort in Subic Bay. It has been more than 10 years since the U.S. Military left, and much of what remained is still intact and well-maintained from roads to lush vegetations. The route via SCTEX has made this journey even more interesting.

And I will agree that this is indeed a world-class expressway, and hopefully with the tightly-enforced world-class driving.

A glance at the control tower of Subic International Airport which is mainly an air cargo terminal is a sign that we're close to destination in half-hour or less.

But we still have to negotiate some twisties along the way, which Klaudia handled gracefully the way she does for the past 25 years.

And finally, at the former, largest U.S. Naval facility in Southeast Asia, The German has arrived.

From South to North, Klaudia clocked 3 hours with one gas stop.

Shock And Awe

2009-05-16T21:45:00.003+08:00

Recently, restoration, I mean rehabilitation activities for Klaudia has been around the powerplant and the latest involved upgrading the engine with a belt tensioner vibration damper or in other places it's called tensioner shock absorber. What the belt tensioner shock absorber actually do is to prolong the life of the belt tensioner by taking in excessive vibrations. Excessive vibrations can cause belt slapping that can result in a split-second of a slack, this is triggered sometimes when A/C compressor kicks in. This moment of slack can possibly make the compressor and its sensors go crazy that may behave with a prolonged shut-off interval which can make the engine operate in higher temperature levels or at worse, overheats. In other words, this is a chicken-and-egg problem. In addition to this, premature belt fatigue and squeaking is more frequent and damaging to the early M102 installations. Early W201 models with M102 engine from 1984 to early 1985 does not have this feature. Obviously, for Klaudia this is a major but simple feature "upgrade", something AMG has never thought of because the patent is owned by an American. And this is the one rudimentary component that never gets the credit of putting 190E in the "tank" status in its glory days.

Now that Klaudia is settled with the engine shock. It's now time to focus on the other vibration handling components which is known as the suspension system. 190E was among the early adapters for multi-link suspension even before it became a buzzword in the Japanese area of rice responsibility. In this project, Klaudia was treated with a pair of brand new Bilstein B36-1389 Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers.

The major parts were acquired from ENKAT (Evangelista, Makati City)

Then drove a few kilometers further South to reach JP Wheels at Paranaque City. JP Wheels was the shop who did Lavramon for Klaudia and very happy about it. JP Wheels veteran technicians quickly went through the job.

While getting ready for the camber alignment as well, The old and dysfunctional Sachs has to go.

In layman's term, camber alignment/correction is the process of making sure the tires are standing straight up the vertical axis, I hope the last two words aren't too technical.

Dismantling an old shock and removing the old busted spindle bushings are not really simple tasks, but definitely doable and these guys have been around the business long enough to know how the previous owner totally sucked up.

The cheap Sachs is gone and now here comes the Bilstein.

Putting all these together is really fun to watch.

After swiping the plastic and went home. The ride is no longer "sporty", if you know what I mean.

The Bilstein Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers suits my daily driving needs, it doesn't have to be a sleeper, all I need is just a steady ride and a smart stance. And Bilstein delivered the punch. As I have read from some people these type of shock absorbers are rough, but I guess it's relatively subjective.

Job well done for JP Wheels.

Manila International Auto Show 2009

2009-04-05T22:04:00.003+08:00

This year's Manila International Auto Show has successfully delivered its usual punch to the Filipino motoring fans whether they are in the market for a new car or just want to see what's hot in the automotive industry. This year's theme is actually "Passion for Performance"; despite the economic cowdang we're in to. At any rate, the passion for performance was celebrated by Mercedes-Benz with just a few of the ordinary, overexposed stuff. The absence of any AMG-tuned W211 or W204 has seriously put some doubt to the sincerity of that passion as far as the show is concerned. Nevertheless, we're just happy with the red rooster, er, roadster.

The show usually features car club display where different car clubs are invited to park their members prized rides in the driveway for public viewing. European Car Club Philippines was blessed to have a bright sunny Sunday to put up a show.

amg560's W124

So if you're an owner of a Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines and wondering why there aren't much classic Mercedes-Benz in this country's car shows? Chances are you're probably isolated in the wrong club for the wrong reasons.

While the others who doesn't really give much care about being involved in an activity that is not sanctioned by the Mercedes-Benz "international club committee" such as this show (where the actual dealer is literally putting up some expensive wares, come on!), are truly the much appreciated ones.

All in all it was really a great show, inside and outside. Since this is also a period of financial slowdown in different levels, some of the regular vendors were not around to exhibit their products. At least, we still enjoyed our beloved classics and those, from time to time, cross the borders of the Thankfully-Unaffiliated clubs to enjoy this sin of omission (They should be free to enjoy it).

Happy European Car Motoring!

"Chedeng" The Coffee Table Book

2009-03-28T07:21:00.002+08:00

Sometimes things gets done faster when starting off with fewer heads. There's just too much ideas but lack the appropriate actions. Too much talk but that's just about it. More than a year ago, the idea of a coffee table for book Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines just popped up off my head out while I was observing the beauty of the marque cruising one of the street of Metro Manila. This idea was never kept a secret in order to get important inputs from different Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts specially those who owns and drives them in the Philippines. For quite some time, it stayed as it is, an idea.

Enter 2009, my first resolution was to get a draft printed. Second, not to post/share anything about whatever's in my mind anymore. I failed on the second. Perhaps because my expectations was too high since it's about Mercedes-Benz. In short, it's simple as talking to the wrong people.

Finally, three days after I placed my order on SharedBook to have this blog printed as a draft, I'm convinced this is what coffee drinkers will pick in the magazine stand of their favorite coffee shops, free of charge.

Browsing through the glossy pages, the draft basically contains the writings and pictures of this blog. Which will provide the fundamentals on what goes in to the real public version of the coffee table book in which other writers will be given space to write about the marque and magazine-quality photographs where budding photographers will be given an opportunity to share their works on Mercedes-Benz.

The book will only contain stuff that a coffee table reader can understand and learn right at the very moment of his/her relaxation, so none of those mystified "AMG-spec", "mil-spec" or even assuming what's on the mind of the designer and car lingos that can't be referenced from an official manufacturer's documentations and service manuals. In the larger picture, the content is just about the marque and its relationship to the country it's running on; the culture, the ownership, the legacy, the lives and the challenges that the owners has gone through together with their reliable Mercedes-Benz whether it's a classic (there's no old Mercedes-Benz) or new, in which club they belong (so what? Even Germany has more than one official club).

This is "Chedeng", Philippines' Mercedes-Benz Coffee Table Book/Magazine. What's next? We seriously want to distribute it free of charge. For now, please do enjoy the online version. ;)

Hot Rod Festival And Restoration Expo

2009-03-16T21:40:00.003+08:00

Hot Rod is loosely defined as any typical American car with modified engine for straightline speed. If this definition is strictly followed, then Mercedes-Benz has no room for it. But thanks to the organizers of 2009 Hot Rod Festival and Restoration Expo in the Philippines where everyone has been given fair and equal treatment...including those who invited themselves which gives a whole new meaning of the word "Hot Rod".

So what can be considered a Mercedes-Benz "Hot Rod"? First that "Rod" has to be a roadster, with the "SL" that stands for "Super Light" and not "Stretch Limo", forced induction not required but can be an advantage.

That looks good on everyone.

It can be a convertible.

Sometimes it doesn't have to be a classic roadster. It also has to be squeaky clean.

But most important of all, it doesn't need to have "flame". Because a Mercedes-Benz "Hot Rod" can hold its own. Just like the individuals who keep them.

The Head Job

2009-03-11T22:07:00.004+08:00

It's not what environmentally-friendly-minded(read: green) people think it is. Klaudia, after providing great runs for me for more than a year has run into an uneventful state of serious corrosion in the cylinder head that turned into a cauldron creating coffee-like mixture of oil and water, inconsistent idling, higher idling temperature and many more symptoms of a major illness. Surprisingly, Klaudia's M102 powerplant just run too well to warrant a neglect and fortunately, her new owner will not sleep over a minor hiccup.

The problem was confirmed upon opening the cylinder cover and dismantling of the cylinder head. Lo and behold, what stumbled upon us is an ugly but a hopeful situation.

Upon seeing this, my blood seems to rush all over my head. I was quoted with a very ridiculous price for a replacement and I believe there's a cheaper alternative. In a mild state of panic, I started making phone calls and posting questions online on where to get a cheaper replacement. I was in a very impeccable timing as it looks like a cylinder head season and almost everybody's buying one to replace theirs. Among my calls made its way to Terence Cosiep of Enkat who told me that the cylinder can be repaired and asked me to just bring it to him and he'll take care of it, another call went to Mike Lugtu of the famous Mike and The Mechanics who suggested to bring the cylinder head to Bavarian Machine Works in Pasay. On the following weekend I brought the head to Terence and got one of his helper to bring us to...Bavarian Machine Works, B.M.W.

Bavarian Motor Works is located in Cabrera St., Pasay City. This is a machine shop whose very specialty is rebuilding Mercedes-Benz cylinder heads, engine blocks to name a few. It's a typical machine shop with middle-aged people hanging around, never mind the ragged looks, these guys are competent craftsmen that can passed up as AMG engine builders in Affalterbach, sometimes even better. For safety reasons, I was not allowed to go to the work area and see what they are doing but those lathes, shapers and grinders surely helps a lot in building the nation's economy. They have every right tools to build a Mercedes-Benz engine.

One machinist approached and took a look at a badly injured cylinder head, he spinned out a micrometer caliper and started measuring the damages. With a sigh of relief, my cylinder head passed off as "repairable". So the cost estimation went on with the friendly owner who has been kind enough for my impatience.

On my part, I went around buying the new parts I need. Of course, I got several stuff mostly from Enkat which included a new camshaft, water pump, gaskets etc. Also went to Delodur for the sliding rail, timing chain, chain tensioner, oil seals etc. Also been to Charon for the coolant reservoir and for the hydraulic valve lifters which I cancelled because we didn't able to rummage a complete set.

Days gone by and the cylinder head is finally ready. I went to B.M.W. to pick it up and paid the cost, run to Mang Danny to have everything assembled. Although got some minor problems on small parts that was left out or missing such as the camshaft woodruff. But eventually, the cylinder head is again on top of the cylinder.

B.M.W. did an excellent job in regrinding, re-surfacing and cavity-filling of the cylinder head, as if it was new and nothing has happened.

Again, don't be fooled by the ragged looks, these guys(Mang Danny's) are competent. While I was shooting this assembly process, behind me is a dismantled 2006 Volkswagen Touareg in which the owner is having a hard time looking for a shop to fix it.

After which, Klaudia started normally as if only a tune-up was done. Mang Danny didn't recommend the mythical "break-in" so out of the garage I pushed the pedal to the metal and thankfully, it is catching up again.

Next phase is body works, but honestly, it's difficult for me to put her in the garage again for a long time, she just runs like a dream.

Meetups

2009-01-12T21:23:00.002+08:00

"Ang Batuta ng Mercedes-Benz Sa Pilipinas" or Mercedes-Benz Club Of The Philippines for the lack of a less boring translation. Before the advent of online communities, internet relay chats, bulletin board systems, meetups are the heart and soul of a club. People gather around with a single common interest whether it's a fondness towards the horses on the bonnet of a jeepney or a forum of daring Makati Window Cleaners Association, the convocation is physical rather than virtual. And to better understand a person, spoken words are better than written words, Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts are no exception to that fact.

Sunday was the day designated that a certain meetup will be brewing in the South side of Metro Manila as I read my SMS five days ago from a fellow enthusiast. As I checked the digital landscape it all seems quiet so this sounds to be interesting, it signals a 99% pure Mercedes-Benz rap session. Location is a nice, fresh, premiere European used car depot called AutoVille, forted between to rooks Shakey's and Sinangag (Fried Rice) House. Aware that it's a bloody traffic Sunday so I took a drive around the nearby province (Cavite) to circumvent the Filipino's love affair for free airconditioning and I ended up taking the nice [let me borrow the line from a lifestyle auto magazine] "world-class" thoroughfare called Daang-Hari. Estimating the driving time, I rather take this long and winding road and enjoy the view of the old communities at the end of it rather than languish in one of Henry Sy's greedy undoings.

So I took it, ended up in a little community somewhere in Bacoor, Cavite. If I'm an Su-27 Fighter pilot I can call that route The Long Cobra Maneuver and pop out from the rear of the target. With less hassle and more acceleration, I finally ended up to my destination right smack on target, just a bit late.

I'm not really so sure if what I came for is just part of the club or the whole of it. Or did I arrived in the last day of The Great South European Car Sale?

As of now, this is one of the finest Mercedes-Benz convergence I have ever been to on any given Sunday.

It's great to see people of different age brackets share the same enthusiasm for the marque.

One of the most interesting part of this gathering is, all exhaustion from driving were diminished by the untiring view of these classics and modern classics cramped together in a space-deprived area that upgraded its real property value for a few hours.

At night time, it's great to see people who stayed and still talked about the three-pointed star over the bottle of chilled fermented malt and yeast.

Another Interesting Year

2009-01-05T21:57:00.002+08:00

I started this blog with an opening poetry from one of the Philippine's premiere rock bands; The Breed with their famous "Black Mercedes Benz", a hit wonder of the early '90s. I believe this year is going to be an interesting year for Klaudia as she has been whipping SLEX south, north and back with all the might and strength of 25 year-old beater that has been beautifully broken in. And now delivered live from YouTube; Klaudia's own music video. Enjoy!

Enjoyed A Drive Lately?

2008-12-30T18:30:00.002+08:00

It's been a year again since I have been driving in the streets of Metro Manila almost on a daily basis lately and if I'm not doing that I'm dozing off in one of the most modern buses plying EDSA and the South Side of the Metropolis. I would admit I'm not really keen in driving a "lesser" car anytime. Now I can relate how foreigners think of us as motorists in general. Anyway, here are few of my observations from the past twelve months of driving.

Smart Cars Are Mostly Driven By Dumb Drivers

New cars today contains a lot of acronyms that even someone with PhD can't catch up with. CVT, VVT, EFI, TDi, CDi etc. good enough to fill an alphabet soup. In the parking lot I can still see cars that are obviously equipped with backing sensors...and dented bumpers.

Cheap Motorcycles, Cheap Fuel

Obviously what's creating havoc in the streets of Metro today. Every morning, my breakfast will not be complete without an early morning news of an accident involving illegally tuned cheap motorcycle. Add it with fuel price spiraling downwards and you got a dangerous combination of a nincumpoop who can afford to buy fuel and ride like hell.

Can Drive But Can't Read

I really wonder how LTO is examining drivers these days. There's a nonsense on-the-spot drug test that barely deliver its purpose. To my little surprise, I still caught drivers who can't even tell a road sign written in alphabet means. Freight trucks that are not allowed to cross particular bridges still do the opposite with total disregard to the lives of others.

But so much for that. Driving in Metro Manila can become a stress reliever rather than stress giver, oftentimes the relief is coming from being even. And despite this Filipino immaturity to road safety there are times and I will tell when driving is truly a breeze, specially with a classic Mercedes-Benz.

It's Holiday

And you think bringing your Benz out is a good idea? Unless you want to unnecessarily stress an aging ride then go ahead. Rat racers think the same and holidays are like giant Pied Piper.

Going to Work

Filipinos love to cram. That's not rant, it's a fact. Work starts at 0830H most of them will leave home at 0700H to enjoy traffic jams. And the worst part, they will compare how bad traffic here than in any place in the world. Early birds catches the fastest worm. Early morning drives are the best time to drive listening to the engine's gentle hum at 80km/h and climbing.

Driving Home

The part I hate most is to mix with jerks on the road. And that is the time to go home and other drivers doesn't seem to have the intention of doing so. There are a couple of ways to deal with it; stay late in the office or leave on time not a minute late. In this way you'll enjoy the best drives the Metropolis can offer that any traffic-jam-brainwashed flip will keep on driving at snail pace despite a smooth and spacious road ahead, I'd say wake up that chap with a loud air horn. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Merry Mercedes Christmas To All

2008-12-24T21:15:00.002+08:00

2008 has been a very interesting and rewarding. Patiently, Klaudia is being brought back in shape and has been stubbornly reliable. On my first anniversary of Mercedes-Benz ownership, it's PHP139,000 worth of spending upon checking her service records. Crazy as others may think on why someone would spend like that on something that can't be resold at a prime value. That is called the happiness money can't buy.

Bringing back to life dead and dying components in her are just some of the simple joys of having her around to take care of. Idling like a fairly new car, can still whip a nasty surprise to the people who thinks she's already old.

I took Klaudia because I believe in Mercedes-Benz's value proposition; Only a Mercedes can be at par with another Mercedes. It doesn't matter if others has higher horsepower, better tuned and well calibrated. The bottomline is Mercedes-Benz is what others want to be associated with.

My Mercedes-Benz ownership was never about prestige or caprice. Contrary to what "practical" people have known, it's cheaper to maintain than a younger Honda Accord. With oil prices dropping, fuel cost is not a valid argument as of this writing. Just like any other car, a well-maintained Mercedes is a reliable Mercedes.

Owning a Mercedes comes with great responsibility. If someone just want to get one for the looks and the pomp of it please just buy another car. A Mercedes deserves a much more responsible owner whether it's old or new.

And this Christmas, I'm glad that I got to save Klaudia and put her back on the road in the state that she truly deserves and more. And hopefully, she'll spend more years providing great driving experience for me and to the future generation of Mercedes-Benz lovers. Happy Benz Motoring this Christmas!

So, Buying A Classic Mercedes?

2008-11-22T07:56:00.005+08:00

It's been a while since my last post and as we all know we're not yet in the middle of a global financial crisis, we're only at the tip of it, the middle is yet to come. In light of all these, I have to work double time as well. Now, I got a bit of luxury to relax and note my observations on my favorite automotive marque.

Given this situation, one would ask "Why buy a Classic Mercedes today?". One good reply can be "Why not?". It's not about trying to satisfy one's caprice or going against the advises of the "practical" people or even enhance one's status symbol. In some cases, buying a classic Mercedes is even more rewarding than buying just another brand new vehicle which any moneyed bigot can do.

This write-up will not try to pull off a point-by-point buyer's guide, there's just so much of it in the Web. So going back to the real topic; Why buy a classic Mercedes? Classic Mercedes-Benz cars ranges from modern classics with road-going age of ten to twenty-five years, true classics that goes on for thirty years over and vintage which are mostly museum artifacts. We'll basically cover modern and true classics.

These Cars Were Designed With The Car In Mind

The purpose of the car is to move people and goods from one place to another. Recite it four times. So what is Mercedes-Benz value proposition here? A classic Mercedes-Benz has served this purpose gazillion of times and will do more in to the future. With fuel prices plunging as of this writing, a false sense of environmentalism will be sent to the backburner and it's the best time to own a classic Mercedes.

These Classics Are Easy To Fix

And relatively cheaper too. Mercedes-Benz classics, when handled by the right people, will go a long way, they're so tough they almost live forever. Before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Manila is already enjoying the sight of this great German import, it has stood the test of time and crisis here longer than any Japanese, Korean or even other German brands in this part of the planet. Therefore motor shops that are specializing in servicing these classics are not really hard to find.

Nobody's Perfect

It's a fact. Whether we like it or not there will be lemons in our lives. Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to this as well specially when they started incorporating computer technology into these cars and depended heavily on it. I'm a software developer, not the best in the world, and the one dumber than me might have programmed for one of the chip that goes in one of these soon-to-be modern classics. I don't need to imagine how is it going to look like, I always see cars like this whenever I visit my mechanic and it never seems to leave the place.

All in all, these are just the fun and excitement of owning a classic Mercedes-Benz whether it's a W123, W201, W116 etc. these are the classics you can return to when you got sick and tired of high-technology nonsense.

Too Busy These Days

2008-10-04T22:18:00.002+08:00

A lot of stuff is keeping me from posting some thoughts about the Three-Pointed Star these days. And right now, I'll just post a real quick one. We are all aware of US-driven Global Financial Crisis that will going to ping like dominoes in all the shores of the world, but despite these crappy scare tactics and learning the hard lessons of just how much the world consumers are willing to pay for a barrel of oil (and these glorified jerks knew that people are smart enough to put a stop on buying when the smell of greed is all around), it is always safe to say that "all is well" in our part of the shore specially whenever a stately Mercedes-Benz breeze through our streets.

There's just a noticeable number of W124s plying around the Metropolis, not much W201s as compared against the BMW E30 (let's keep it that way), W123s of varying states some are eye candies and some are simply eyesores. Surprisingly, there are new S-Classes barreling down the roads as well which gives an investor a hint that our place has a very interesting market today. Another good sign to tell are pocket of enthusiasts mushrooming from different communities sharing their passion for the marque all purely for the fun and love of it sans strings.

Interview with Bruno Sacco

2008-09-19T21:03:00.002+08:00

The World Wide Web is so dynamic that sometimes valuable information that we stumble upon today may no longer be available tomorrow for some reason such as the site administrator may no longer keep up with the tedious demands of maintaining and archiving static data.

So while I'm on it and googling "W201 Retro Design Concept". I'm going to make a small breakdown of what I have stumbled upon, Automobile Magazine's Marc Nordeloos Q & A session with the legendary Mercedes-Benz designer; Bruno Sacco. So without any futher adieu. Enjoy!

Automobile Mag: What Mercedes-Benz models do you consider to be your best designs?

Mr. Sacco: The 1980s W126 S-class, the 1990s R129 SL, the CLK, the SLK, and the W220 S-class that debuted in the late 1990s. But my favorite is the Mercedes-Benz 190 [W201] because of its importance to Mercedes.

I must agree that the W201 may not be the best Mercedes-Benz model but it's sure was very important to Mercedes-Benz especially when it was under intense pressure from competitors.

Automobile Mag: Is there a model you designed that you're unhappy with?

Mr. Sacco: The W140 S-class from the early 1990s, because it is four inches too tall.

I'm not sure about it since I'm no big fan of Big Benzes. Some may like it a lot but this particular model wasn't made based on the designer's ultimate wishes.

Automobile Ma: What current designs do you like?

Mr. Sacco: I like what Cadillac is doing with some of its models. I did not like the Allant, but the Evoq show car and the XLR are good designs. It's nice to see manufacturers come up with a new design language and develop it. But it is important to be careful which models a company chooses to feature an edgy design.

Yes, edgy is the new sexy.

Automobile Mag: What current designs make you shake your head?

Some of the SUVs from Korea. Also, BMW seems to lack a clear focus on its design theme. It is important to balance classic design themes when developing out-there designs.

And ACTYON is what I have in mind!

Automobile Mag: What non-Mercedes designs are your favorites?

Mr. Sacco: The Lamborghini Miura, the Ferrari 275GTB, and--although I know it's a Mercedes--the Gullwing.

Who would go wrong for a Gullwing?

Automobile Mag: What are your thoughts on retro design?

Mr. Sacco: It's popular and it helps sell cars, but it offers little perspective on design. I do like the Mini, though.

The Mini, The FJ Cruiser, The Shelby. The W201 retro? Somebody should run a design contest for this!

Automobile Mag: What cars do you own?

Mr. Sacco: A Mercedes 560SEC. I love the car except for the large, plastic door-handle surrounds. I am considering having my car modified to fix this design flaw.

I can't wait to see this Super Mercedes flaw fixed.

Automobile Mag: Say you have a long weekend ahead of you. What do you drive and where do you go?

Mr. Sacco: I would take a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren to Paris.

Now I gotta grab my camera and spot an SLR McLaren. See you around!

The Battle of Spa Francorchamps

2008-09-08T09:11:00.004+08:00

It may sound like a scene in World war I with exchange of mustard gas and deadly shells from the howitzers. But honestly, it's nothing close to that. Circuit de Spa Francorchamps is one of the most challenging race venue to any racing events that it has hosted since its inception. Designed by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem, and was removed from the F1 calendar in 2006 due to financial, sponsorship and legislative problems, the circuit has been a favorite of many racers for its hilly, fast and twisty nature. From the head of starting line it spans to 14km of pure adrenaline pumping well-rolled asphalt up to the tail of the finishing line. Over the years, from Playstation to the real thing, Spa Francorchamps has never ceased to amaze the drivers and equally the fans. Although the chicanes, the twists and turns hasn't change much, but the surprises and the racing drama are always new.

Mercedes-Benz is never a stranger in this battlefield of speed, wits and endurance without compromising safety of both machines and the men who drives them. Noting the mean machines that negotiated the Masta Kink, Eau Rouge, Raidillion, The Bus Stop Chicane to name a few which is easier to mention than to receive doses of G's from it at the scruciating speeds of 200kph or even 300kph plus. Starting with the 300 SEL 6.8 V8 in which Aufrecht and Melcher has first proven their mettle as the official racing gearheads for Mercedes-Benz.

Following the legacy was the W201 190E 2.3-16 of the Deutsch Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) that showed serious surprises for BMW and Auto Union (Audi).

Up to one of the most dramatic chases completed recently by a Mclaren MP4-23 in the Belgian Grand Prix 2008 that sends one of Ferrari's wonder wheels crashing to the barrier.

Racing for the conquest of Spa Francorchamps forces a team to think hard out-of-the-box without resorting to misadventurism. Going through what the rule book doesn't cover from the art of calibrating the necessary controls, additional aerodynamic enhancers, the precise call to choose the right tyres for the unpredictable weather, a sane mind at an insane moment, a demanding pressure from an equally experienced opponent, highly-trained technical team of pit stop crews are just some of the few things to consider in conquering this crazy battlefield which is a bitter tangible testament that Filipinos can't race yet because after all, this is not just a competion of cars, Spa Francorchamps is a test of team dynamics to its fullest.

Their Multivitamins

2008-09-06T21:48:00.003+08:00

Human beings can't live by bread alone. Because we need a balanced nutrition and as we grow older we need more and more of them and we obtain them through different sources such as supplements in the form of multivitamins that we won't normally get through our regular food(fuel) consumption.

Same goes to the modern classics that we own including my aging but still nimble W201. Depending on the owner's preference, Mercedes-Benz classics may or may not need a supplement in the form of oil conditioners (not for your hair), fuel treatments, fuel injection cleaners, fuel system cleaners. So I asked my trusted Benz Meister if these substances are cool to use for my classic, he highly recommended the use of those things since he's aware on how keen I am in spelling off the previous owner's stigma from the car. From my first day of ownership, the fuel system has been patiently worked on; taking down the tank to have it cleaned, replacing the fuel filter and fuel accumulator, no need to replace the fuel pump since it's still new.

At that time, the only thing that hasn't been done was to completely clean the fuel system; from the lines to the injectors and without knowing how much gum, varnish and moisture are stuck in one of the most fundamental system of an automobile, the best approach is always to consult a "qualified" expert to decide on what is the best way to address this issue. And infusing an agent is the most practical approach.

Good thing there was a company who demonstrated a product in an auto show that was actually what I'm looking for, so I purchased but still hesitant to put it on until it's time to do the regular tune-up and oil change, I asked my trusted Benz Meister again if this is the right thing to do and I got a nod, vertically. So the first choice was from the company called Chemisch Technische Produktion GmBH. And the product is a self-explanatory Fuel System Cleaner.

All that is needed is to pour this product to a half-tank or 3/4 full tank of petrol during oil change. As from any other promises, I didn't expect the effect to be immediate, it's like a bitter pill or like cooking first-batch pancakes on a pre-heated stove, it's never perfect because, of course, the initial chunks of undesirables are pushed out to the intake manifold and burned together with the fuel including water, imagine how any type of petrol-injected engine will react to that process. The effect became more obvious on the following days; reduced (sometimes none) white smoke on a cold morning start, more stable idling, smoother throttle feel, cooler and more responsive engine. It has somehow lubricated the fuel pump to perform better.

One caveat, though it should rather be a rule than an exception, before using such substance in your favorite classic it is always advised to make sure that the powerplant and its subsystems are maintained religiously and is working in a roadworthy condition. It has always been a false misconception that the use of these car care products are perceived as silver bullet to eliminate common engine problems permanently which leads to frustration and further waste of money due to gross negligence on the belief that these products, again, will cure every engine problem permanently. Just like our multivitamins, it's a defense against sickness, not a cure.

Shooting With The Star

2008-08-31T19:18:00.004+08:00

In the Philippines, it's quite a challenge to conceptualize a car photograph that can exude elegance of the classic and the contemporary and sometimes it is achieved by not just exposing too much heavy metal in the "frame", it is also a combination of a living being and the machine that goes with it.

A human element with the subject truly adds more value in the overall image.

Even if it's too late to make a sales brochure for this Pagoda, it looks contemporary with the younger generation.

And sometimes one might think it wasn't even shot yesterday!

These precious metals sometimes tend to manifest their joy on such moment, that one might think they had a persnolity of their own.

Such occasion is a rare opportunity in this part of the world and some enthusiasts of the marque and the people who took part on this endeavor will find that this is a fulfilling experience.

Thanks to:

Route 66 For the R107 and W113
ModelzWorld for the moral support
To the model, you know who you are :)

The Hunt Continues...

2008-08-17T06:11:00.003+08:00

A couple of nights ago, I received an SMS ending in these words; "...buyers are not a problem Jared, our concern is the supply..." and it fell on me that I'll be rolling in this nice-to-have-problem after having the hint of knowing that one was sold in just less than twenty-four hours for a relatively cheap sum of one-point-six million pesos. This hot gray-market merchandise that I'm referring to is no other than the Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda SL.

I have never driven a Pagoda but I understand its enthusiast's ecstatic feeling whenever they are behind the wheel. Like from my previous post regarding this model, it de-stresses one from the high-tech pomp and pageantry and just mind the simple pleasure of driving, giving its driver "full control" of everything.

Driving the Pagoda is about taking guts and taking control. The driver takes control of the car, not the other way around. It's all about freedom from worries of a mundane life. And this rare opportunity is only offered by a Pagoda. This rarity is what put Pagoda's value in its ridiculous levels. Every phone calls I make, every SMS I send, people I know are also queried with the same question "Do you know anyone who's ditching a Pagoda?". Strangely enough even with the unstable oil price, there's a respectable number of buyers who's eager to get their hands on one before they die.

Owning a Pagoda is not about "status symbol", it's about the love of driving whether it's automatic or manual. Its technological genius was never manifested in the cabin, but in the powerplant, drivetrain and steering that directly contributes to the fun of driving it. And I guess I will go as far as stopping a driver and make an irresistible offer.

Thank you Readers!!

2008-08-15T19:15:00.004+08:00

After just 27 posts, we hit paydirt in Google search results with keywords ranging from "benz", "pagoda", "AMG", "chedeng", "W201", "W113", "W108", "190E", "Baby Benz" and many, many more in relation with the Philippine internet landscape. This site manage to be in one of the leading results. To those who have done their searches and managed to drop by and enjoyed what they found. Thank you very much!

Proximity-wise, I would like to thank the surfers of Batangas, they seem to really like Mercedes-Benz as they are in the top of the site's statistics, profuse thanks as well to the readers from Pasig for staying at an average of 14 minutes to each article and as second top visitor to the site. Internationally, I would like to thank the readers from Hong Kong as the top international visitors to the site, I would also like to thank Mercedes-Benz Club of Singapore as the top international referring site, please do visit us in Manila and we'll tour you to some of the classics here, you guys are fun!

Our future posts will always be loaded by the usual well-taken shots of our favorite Mercedes-Benzes around the country and around the suburbs and some fun-filled fairy-tales about it :)) All these we'll promise to deliver but don't expect us to:

1.) Beg to borrow a ride from anyone just to say "Heck, I drove it blah, blah" for a nonsense review.

2.) To be self-righteous just to serve the few.

3.) Widen our papers to fill every role in the attainment of Utopia.

4.) To imbalance our ecosystem and the Yin and Yang. As usual we'll be having our fair load of mooncakes, tofus, beancurd, kimchis and ricecakes.

5.) Photoshop our pictures, that makes me cringe. Natural is Job #1

Thanks for putting us where we are now, there's no stopping this site from delivering one of your doses of Mercedes-Benz reading assignments. Rest assured this is going to be just one of the kind. Keep the search engines busy and enjoy your reading! Have a nice weekend!

The Dreaming Stops When The Buying Starts

2008-08-10T06:59:00.004+08:00

That's the case if you're in the market for a ricer. But for the loyal Mercedes-Benz fans, the dreaming never stops. To the thirty-somethings, that one great European Dream Car has once passed their brainwaves in several of their nocturnal journeys, whether it's a Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo or even Volkswagen. But somehow during the turn of their careers they have to settle for something less because that's the choice offered to them either by force or by circumstance. Well, that's how the ricers make business; by force or by circumstance not by following ones ultimate crazy decision.

Now that you finally made it and you finally arrived and no longer under the whims of "Dad-can-I-have-a-Mercedes-instead-of-a-Corolla-next-year?" or "Dear-we-don't-need-a-Mercedes-a-Space-Wagon-is-just-fine". There's no stopping you from making that crazy dream of yours to reality. You earned it.

So there you go, jumped in to the classifieds online frantically looking for that Mercedes you really wanted and...Surprise! You're in for some real top and tough choices.

The Brand New

Of course, nobody's stopping you right? So it's got to be simple. Have a catalog ready, call a dealer, tell them to cut the bullsh*t because you already know the color and the model you wanted, ask for a test drive, cut a cheque, have the paperworks done and deliver the car to your garage the next day. Fun Factor: Zero.

But of course, there's the obligatory slamming of all the doors repeatedly to let the neighbor's know you "arrived". You're driving smoothly and out of the blue, you run over a nine-inch nail. And as usual, you have to replace the tyres by yourself. Unfortunately, you can't crank the engine because the system is telling you that tires are incorrectly placed and you have to call a roadside assistance. Perfect!

The Pre-Owned Empire

Certified or not certified these clunkers are definitely pre-owned which means someone has deflowered them before you do. You are in this market because now you learned the hard way that they don't "build cars like they used to" anymore and you don't want to spend money just to look stupid by the roadside waiting helplessly for that roadside assistance and that's very "unpowerful".

But of course, you also want to make your choice in this market to be "right the first time". But there's no such thing as "right the first time", the previous owner's wrongdoings in the car is your gallant mission to correct. Even if you have done your homework, followed the so-called expert's advice on what to look at, you still don't know what to look at because excitement will always be in the air.

You finally saw what you wanted and did an initial ocular inspection of the car, knocked the fender twice, popped the bonnet and peek through the engine block as if you really know what you're trying to look at; so far, so good for a small purse. You did a test drive and definitely the car will run according to the current owner's stupid preferences with "this-must-be-set-first-and-that-must-be-switched-first-and-that-and-that". So you haggle for further discount because you knew there's always something to fix contrary to the "nothing-to-fix" campaign in the ad and the owner gave in. And you demanded the documents, seeing that it's not registered in the owner's name and it's not clean, you didn't walk away as per the "by-the-book" advice of the so-called experts because you know that this is going to be a great car and the pride of walking through corridors of power just to get those papers laundered will be a pubic-hair-to-your-hat thing, a thing to brag in a drinking binge. So again, you haggled further for the bargain that you have never done before and it's so ridiculous that you seal the deal with a handshake and an earnest money.

Finally you're driving the car back home by yourself knowing what you're getting yourself into hoping that someday, under your helm, the Mercedes you just rescued will get back to its original glory.

It's true that the dreaming never stops when it's about our beloved marque. But the funny thing is, the dreaming seems to be more of the backward wish rather than embracing the breakthrough innovations, flashy dashboard stuff, ecological efficiencies, it's always about those great things, about those "great cars that they used to build". Because the past is all about commitment to reliability and integrity in the more personal rather than the unproven and unconfirmed environmental way.

Credits:

Route 66 - For Chester
CATS - For the ML and C-Class

The F1ghting Star

2008-08-04T20:04:00.002+08:00

What comes to your mind when these words get in to your ears; Hamilton, Kovalainen, The Safety Car, MP4-23? They all officially carry the three-pointed star in the Grand Prix of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the highest class of automobile racing, better known to the couch potatoes, bums and dumbasses as "F1" and when asked what it means they will just say "Eff-One". I don't watch it fervently and religiously but I'm aware that the W125 is not the W124 successor.

It irks me when hearing conversations about these F1 superstars as if these asshats talking knows what's on the mind of these "G" junkies. There's just too much assumptions which shuns me away from this mouthfarting.

But the latest Hungarian gig, at least, made this traditional balls-in-the-neck ceremony a little more dramatic. With pizza-boy Felipe Massa on an "almost-there-but-not-there" attempt to snatch the great champagne leading three laps to go and a blown skillet is really a tough luck. Rice boys Barrichelo and Nakajima were treated to a carbon dioxide foam shower party when their ricers caught fire while refueling at the pit so tougher luck for them. And of course, Kovalainen won the bio fuel cooking contest by passing off the chequered flag ahead of the pack. MP4-23 is indeed a "dumbo that can fly".

The MP4-23 is driven by a Mercedes-Benz FO 108V 2.4 liter 32 valve V8 engine with 90° bank angle, enthusiasts can consider this another RekordWagen. To the dumbwits "FO" does not mean "F*ck Off", that's the designation for "Formula One". So what's the fuss with these "MP4"? First, I don't think the guys at McLaren love guns, otherwise they will be in a different sport. It's not also the next-generation audio format that Apple will going to sell to your grandchildren. MP4 stands for "McLaren Project 4" and definitely, it's not based somewhere in Quezon City! And the last two digits, by Mercedes-Benz tradition, is always the serial of the current RekordWagen.

McLaren Group, founded by Bruce McLaren, the beauty of sole proprietorship, you can always name your outfit with your full family name, unlike AMG or CosWorth. McLaren, just like Cosworth is also a profound British Influence in the development of some of Mercedes-Benz's "Reihe" cars, commonly known as the SLRs.

In its theater of operations, the FO 108V can only do so much as per FIA regulations. In fact, its design were constrained by several FIA restrictions which means slowing down is virtually not allowed. In the event of a regulated pace due to an untoward incident in the raceway when these "G" junkies got a little too excited, marshalled by a CLK 63 AMG Safety Car that can't even keep up to the slowest cruising speed of an F1 racing car, the FO 108V has a tendency to overheat. And this is where the driving skill plus the luck will come into play.

Just like any lessons learned through the necessity of struggle. Derivatives from the research and development acquired in the circuit, test chambers and drawing boards were also applied to the assembly plants building the next-generation street cars, needless to say, with F1 technology, at the expense of corporate sponsor's money; makes good business.

Credits:

Lothar Spurzem - W125
Mark McArdle - MP4-23
Netcarshow.com - CLK 63 AMG

The Mercedes Gyms

2008-08-01T20:27:00.006+08:00

If Sacco and Werner has Unterturkheim to do the final tests and tuning of their wonderful projects. Where do we bring ours to really take care of these great work of automobile art and keep them roadworthy?

For those who owned nice Benzes that are Euro-4 compliant, with 7G-tronic transmission, electronic coolant flow control (goodbye mechanical thermostats). A local Mercedes-Benz dealer with service bay in its backyard is the better option to go with. Be aware that when you bring your W123s and W124s in this service centers, the mechanics and technicians may not be "out-to-date" in their trainings so you might end up overcharged and underserviced.

So where do these old-school Benz owners like me bring their wagens for periodic pampering? Before I start, I'm not going to bash or endorse any of these old-school Benz shops around town as this has been said in the local forums already. But I will just drill down on several variations that a Benz owner will encounter in his/her lifetime of joy or punishment depending on where his/her beloved machine will end up.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Benz Meister

These neighborhood shops are like "Q" ships, they looked like an old junkshop from the outside but on the inside, it's a mini-museum of your favorite classics. It's like a car show/museum with a never-ending "under construction" look. The head guy in these "Q" ships are normally in their senior years, gained experience in servicing several hundred cars like your Benz from an oil-rich country or from Stuttgart itself, exudes strong personality and knows what he's talking about, never hesitates in sharing his tips and tricks. Their enclaves normally has a 2-post lifter, so they can seriously service the underlings of your priced old-school Mercedes. Most of the time, these shops only serves our beloved marque. They got their customers from word-of-mouth of other satisfied customers.

The Enthusiast/Hobbyist

Mostly, these are not trained professionals. They got their knowledge of the marque and how to tweak it through collection of books and Do-It-Yourself experiences. They also keep a good collection of their own Benzes. Sometimes if you're lucky, you'll just have to buy the parts and they will fix your car's problems free-of-charge. Their work area is normally their garage, complete with tools and sometimes equipped with a lifter. The conditions of these garages varies from obsessively-compulsive squeaky clean to a typical "Q" ship. Normally, these guys don't seek customers and if they will work on a project car, they will charge according to how your car should look like and behave in the end and not usually how you want it to be in the end. These are artisans, they normally "outsource" highly-technical jobs to other competent people they trust.

The Indie

These breed is the "Lone Warrior" type. Very well-known in his home-service style of fixing and tuning up your Benz. Sometimes these Indies have their own small shops or they are employed/outsourced by the "Q" ships or The Hobbyist and moonlighting as an independent contractor. These group of species are capable of light mechanical works such as tune-ups and small body works. These guys are ideal to work with if you want to grease your own garage or annoy the neighbors with the incessant revving of your engine.

In being fit, there's a saying "NO PAIN, NO GAIN". Then try this...

The Japanese Gigolo

Want to cook rice? These guys has a different assumption on how your European car should run and if your school of thought agrees with them then good luck on your pain. Start driving into their garages and you will see the beginning of the death of your three-pointed star. These bunch has their own share of hobbyists and indies but no "Q" ships because most of them reflects the image as what they are working on. In this domain, "conversion" is the name for repairs.

The Gypsy

Or the "Jeep-sy". What would you feel when you bring your Benz to a shop who claims can fix it and one day you'll see a jeepney or a very low-displacement japanese ricer inside being serviced and your car is parked by the roadside languishing under the heat of the sun and at the risk of being dinged by pedicabbies in which you can only get back with the unnecessary vulgar display of power? Well, you'll just feel the blood rushing up to your head and that is the gain out of this pain.

It's not really hard to keep a Mercedes-Benz fit for running up to the legal Skyway speed limit. It's just a matter of getting into the right place and the right person doing the job.

Credits:

Mercedes-Benz Classic Corporate Archives - Sacco and Werner Photo

The British Influence

2008-07-29T20:22:00.004+08:00

Even before Aufrecht and Melcher settled in Affalterbach, there was a British racing engine company founded by Mike COStin and Kevin DuckWORTH, taking hints from the prefix and suffix of their respective family names, obviously, the company I'm referring to is called Cosworth. Just like Aufrecht/Melcher (AMG), Steve Jobs/Wozniak(Apple), Bill Gates/Paul Allen(Microsoft) and of course Daimler/Benz, one has to be the technical wizard and one has to be the entrepreneur. No success is guaranteed if these pairs are both experts in one specialty.

Founded in 1958, Cosworth has seen success building high-performance engines and branded them Ford through the years until it became the company's technology and racing division.

September 1980, Mercedes-Benz has sent its M102 2.3L 8-valve engine to England and ordered to drill eight more holes to its cylinder head to achieve 320 horsepower to the much-anticipated racing version of the soon-to-be launched W201 190E. The engine has been fondly known to its enthusiasts as 2.3-16 Cosworth.

Consisting of light-alloy cylinder head, roller chain-drive dual overhead camshaft and sixteen valves. It is not called 2.3-16 for nothing. Putting it all together plus M102's already oversquared engine block is an excellent combination for an element of surprise. Even before the stickers "16 VALVE" started making its way to the rear windshields of the front-wheel drive Japanese ricers, this work of engineering marvel is the true pioneer.

Buzzwords will surely pop out when the 190E 2.3-16 becomes the subject of discussion among enthusiasts with names such as Nurburgring(apologies for my US-locale keyboard), Ayrton Senna, Nardo, Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) also known as German Touring Car Championships coming out of their throats. For whatever records the 2.3-16 has achieved, those are searchable in Google and I don't want to retype them all over again.

From the outside, 190E 2.3-16 can be distinguished by its different airdam, sideskirts and spoiler. In the Philippines, sometimes the outer looks will not always tell the whole truth.

The innovations put together in this particular model is unprecedented in Mercedes-Benz history. The technology that was infused in this development has never been so interesting than adding 8 more valves, personalized climate controls, adaptive steering headlights, GPS navigation systems etc. of the later years to come.

Designed for racing and ultimate driving experience. This machine just like the BMW M3 E30, only with luck, can survive Metro Manila's monstrous traffic jams if driven at a wrong time. Unfortunately, for the uninitiated eye, the 2.3-16's resale value is preposterously overrated because those who are in the market for their first Mercedes-Benz, the 190E is always the "starter" candidate and a buyer doesn't really care whether it's eight or sixteen valve as long as it looks the same it should be appraised similarly.

Not exactly a perfect car, but surely, the strings and catches attached are not a high price to pay for The British Influence.

Credits:

Route 66's anonymous customer - Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth

The Super Mercedes

2008-07-27T07:16:00.002+08:00

If it's not good enough yet. Bruno Sacco's super project turned over to Aufrecht and Melcher to become their super-super project, of course, we'll have a super WerkWagen. Without any further adieu, one of my much-venerated Mercedes ever.

The coupe to end all coupe. The Mercedes-Benz 560SEC AMG C126 is an unarguably a real Mercedes muscle, it's not just a Panzerwagen it's a Blitzwagen. Only 28,929 coupes where made from 1985-1991 or four thousand eight hundred twenty one and a lunch break were made per year. Only 2 known real WerkWagen arrived in the Philippines, one ended up in ashes and the other one is still kicking (but not the bucket).

An AMG Werkwagen, by the way, is not a Mercedes that is tuned and modded using all original AMG components inside a ghetto shop, it's a Mercedes that has been hand-stitched with AMG component at different AMG facilities that existed during C126 era.

This lovely beast is not called The Super Mercedes for nothing. With an AMG-tuned M117 V8 engine that yields 300+ horspower, I can put the label "Duck Rice with Soya Oil" to any Japanese Ricers of the same class today (if there is any).

The M117 engine has been around with Mercedes from 1969-1991, Mercedes-Benz engineering has been founded on solid platform that building its cars has been a modular affair. Observing keenly, Mercedes flagship cars that were sold from 1969-1991 only differed in looks, safety and aesthetics but the engine didn't change or the engine block, so to speak.

Inside, we'll be able to understand that Mercedes-Benz's business is all about building great cars and not electronics. The cathode-ray tube compact television may look so cool during the '80s but it's totally a joke by today's standards.

One of the most popular sci-fi TV show during the '80s was the Battlestar Galactica and surely, AMG will not fall behind. The standard controls, climate control buttons resembles much of those in the Viper(not the car, but the fighter).

One cannot appreciate the "Superness" of The Super Mercedes without taking it for a spin. Even with a not so perfect condition powertrain our very Super Mercedes immigrant still kicks up to 120kph in less than six seconds.

But due to the faulty transmission, power is quite difficult to tame and just like any other super creatures this one don't want to be taken with a good shot.

The Super Mercedes was one of the best works put together by Bruno Sacco and his team and with the ever-enthusiastic Aufrecht and Melcher. It's sad to know that they don't build Mercedes like they used to be because Mercedes-Benzes today are basically no longer designed by automobile designers and engineers but by scheming jokers, policymakers and Poison Ivies disguised as environmentalists.

Special Thanks To:

Route 66 - For The Super Mercedes and a great lunch at A La Diane

The Dark Knight and the Three Pointed Star

2008-07-22T20:24:00.002+08:00

Imagine this, you're driving in one of Manila's beat up streets also known as Tungaw Central or Smegma Kid's Alley with your stately Black Mercedes-Benz, no air-con, analog radio, with elbow extended outside the window and then suddenly you're screamed at; "Hoy, Batman!" and kids abruptly stop playing and begin to chant "Batman! Batman! Batman!" to the rhythm of your engine's chugging. You're expecting this because you're driving a Heckflosse and you whispered "Bullet day, I will giant you, all of you!" in Filipino "Balang araw, maghihiganti ako sa inyong lahat!". And it turns out you become The Joker.

Sometimes it's quite painful. Of course, who wants to see his/her favorite marque blown up in her/his favorite movie? Just like Gotham City's Judge Cirillo's W210.

Anyway our favorite marque has been in an on-and-off affair with the man-who's-also-a-flying-rodent. Take for example the tasteful preference of his sidekick The Boy Wonder who sneaked out one of his Batmobiles, I mean Batbenz, to stroll out with friends which is based on Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR.

In one of the Teen Titans episode this poor chap ended up on its roof during a fun run thus activating the beacon and alarming Batman to go retrieve his Mercedes-Benz Batmobile errr Batbenz.

Now that the "Tumbler" is out of commission, thanks to Joker's shooting skills with the RPG. Speculation is hovering that our caped crusader ooops I mean The Dark Knight is in the market for a new ride and Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has been spotted driving the next Batbenz I mean the next Batmobile.

The SLR 722. Well, very ideal for fighting crime specially the organized ones. Hopefully, it's also ideal for fighting corruption. I think somebody has to warn Batman what to expect with the 722. First, somehow it should be Euro-4 but in filthy Gotham City that doesn't seem to care what Euro-4 is all about, Joker might prefer a clunkier and older muscle car. And if the Batbenz's Euro-4 goes titsup during the chase, well, good luck and fight another day.

Credits:

Julian Herzog - CLK-GTR photo
AngMoKio - SLR 722
BatmobileHistory.com - CLK-GTR graphic

The Beast Of The Black Rain

2008-07-20T20:40:00.003+08:00

One of the scariest German ingenuity landed in the heart of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the closing of the Second World War. Unfortunate is not the word for those who saw the flash and ends there, but for the Hikabushas (blast survivors) that will receive further suffering with the downpour of the ash-like Black Rain, things will never be the same. Until then Hikabushas will be treated with difference, away from ordinary, away from normal. And this is The Curse of the Black Rain.

This Sunday afternoon what has befallen me is something that dared to be different but it's not entirely of the "Reihe" kind, a one true Beast of the Black Rain; The Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG W208 UnConverted Japan version. Truly an adapted pride of The Rising Sun.

Powered by a handcrafted 342hp, 5.5 liter, V8, M117(TBC) powerplant. The CLK 55 has a racing car specifications that goes with stiff forged billet steel crankshaft, AMG-specific camshafts, of course, and all those yadda, yadda, blah, blah the-stuff-you-already-know-about (ooopss "lifestyle" alarm going off...).

This beast is just as immaculate as some of Sacco's works that transcends through time even if it has a very short production span of five years from 1997-2002 which is actually too short for a typical Mercedes-Benz factory planning.

Even the rear elements are distinctive from its European counterparts with shorter license plate placeholder.

It's truly an elegance that looks well in its past. Not directly from the W201 but from the C-class platform which is actually from the W201 platform, a genealogical tradition of excellence.

Inside, it's a Space Shuttle but don't worry, all labels are still in English, no conversion/translation were done, it's still the familiar Mercedes-Benz controls with some don't-press-what-you-don't-know add-ons because you may never know it's an eject button.

Driving back to civilization (that's Starbucks Madrigal), Paltik (the CLK55 owner) took the helm of Klaudia so I did took the helm of The Beast of the Black Rain. An initial rush of adrenalin pumps to my irritating migraine, per instinct I focused on the dashboard and looked at the semi-digital display, it then flashbacked on me; Uncle Ho and Uncle Rashid both Singporean cab drivers who used to shuttle me around the Lion City in their E-Klasse Taxis has the same display! Fortunately I'm in left-hand drive and this is Philippines so I'm no cab-driver. And Klaudia just left me behind so I kicked in to "D" and followed. I'm sinking but I'm still "slow". That's Mercedes-Benz V8, finesse and graceful but overly capable.

At the end of the day, The Beast is fun. The "switching" feeling is not there unlike driving a new Japanese ricer and going back to the older Japanese ricer where some things starts to feel softer and softer. To our beloved marque, old and new, the "Benz-y" feel is always there, it's still solid and still very much stable.

Credits:
Ronald Nunez, Mercedes-Benz Club Philippines

Mercedes-Benz in Philippine Movies Part 2

2008-07-17T22:28:00.003+08:00

I think the most popular Mercedes-Benz prop car in the Philippine cinema is the W123. It has been shot up, smashed, crashed or just sitting idly in one scene or used by main character in the movie. From our featured flick, this particular W123 is quite fortunate to have a megastar as its driver.

There was a time in the Philippine movie history where "canned" (not Cannes) film was the formula to go with. "Canned" films are normally all-in-one genre-confused roll of celluloid strip that could be a drama, comedy, action and even musical canned into one single title with no real sense of purpose as to why these kinds of film were produced to start with.

Presenting now is a historic flick entitled Jack En Jill. This your typical GLK (Gay, Lesbian Kingdom) movie which is an important element to force humor out of seemingly stupefying entry of corny heap gags. Definitely, I'm not going to pay for these kind of movies as it mocks the intelligence of its viewers but nonetheless there's a Mercedes-Benz in Jack En Jill to go with it. Now I beg your patience.

Our featured ride starts @ 3:26. Jack (Sharon Cuneta) became a substitute driver to his father (Panchito) which is Edu Manzano's personal driver. Sorry, but no FPJ-style car chase here. The megastar W123 here probably sports an AMG steering wheel, a black fiberglass front AMG-esque bumper, a rear black rubber spoiler, chrome trims against a Manila Beige finish. Most likely this W123 is still alive today and in the hands of an enthusiast with all those half-hearted, silly accessories gone (hopefully). From the looks of it this is probably a diesel automatic with captain seats for better nookies. By this film's standards, that W123 probably looks majestic in the eyes of the filmmaker but on-screen it sucks donkey balls.

All in all it's not surprising that this film was a box-office hit in its time, that W123 without doubt contributed to its stellar performance. Mabuhay ang Chedeng!

Mercedes-Benz of the Week

2008-07-16T19:30:00.005+08:00

Seattle's Best Valero - Just got off late from work and had to get a quick dinner before heading home. With a very limited choice of dishes (of course this is just a coffee shop that serves food), I opted for Amatriciana, I don't know what it is but it's just another pasta. Looking for something to feed my thoughts in a nearby magazine rack which always give me a choice between cooking and car magazine and most of the time cooking magazine wins. But this time the begging just seems to be persistent ("Please read me!"), so I picked up the car magazine and started from the end of it. There are several reasons car magazines in this rack loses the "reader's pick" (that's me, by the way) award, and I have to start in the end so that my brain won't have shitty afterthoughts. Ok, pinoy-based lifestyle car magazine, here we go..."there something in it when it hits the autobahn...blah, blah, blah", "...it's a familiar European look, but to those brought up to corolla it's totally a different world...blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda...", "I had a taste of the LeMans when I was 18...airy,fairy,airy,fairy..."

That's the reason why I have to start from the end, this lifestyle car magazine is way too "distant". The absence of "relationship" between writer and reader is so evident that they have to come up with the silliest Buyer's Guide section with tons of mundane, cloudy pictures to go with it. And how many Mercedes-Benz has been featured? ONE! One that doesn't even exist in this part of the shore, a glass top AMG W212 with a Cali license plate in it. If these guys are having a hard time finding exotic cars around town, how much more finding exotic girls? What a bunch of g*yf*ckers (censored to avoid unwanted Googlers).

So I whipped out my mobile phone, browse thru my picture album and...

I realized I just shot an ML320 at SLEX Northbound. Not that I want another Mercedes SUV as a pick of the week, I just want to relieve my brain from that insidious lifestyle car magazine c!rap. So lazy to learn more, I typed the URL "http://www.cats.com.ph", hit Enter and...wha! "Page not Found". What a f*cking freeloader, it has to be "http://www.mercedes-benz.com.ph", there! Do I need to tell further what ML320 is all about?

All I know is what I spotted was a 2007 not 2008 SUV, Bluetec or no Bluetec I don't really care much. One thing is for sure, this chap is enjoying the view of Klaudia's ass so I have to slow down to get a better shot. To the buzzword freaks, this is known as the midsize Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV). In other words, it's a Big Car. Designed based on the monocoque(sorry for the lack of a layman's term) structure of a car and its non-truck chassis that is common to the SUV. Rest assured Erap will never going to have a "=16" markings in this ride(you'll find out what I'm mean soon).

The W164 which is also equipped with 7G-tronic automatic transmission that is soooo damn useful in Manila's traffic and flooded streets, for sure the kids will going to enjoy an occassional splash at speed.

I didn't even paid much attention to this junk at MIAS so why put this as Merc of the Week? Well, this week is a rainy week, a brat who lives off from his dad's allowance has to be caught in the flashflood "in style" and an ML320 will just breeze him through that just as capable as the Musso and the Sorento. Well, this is just one of the not "Made in W. Germany" Benzes around so good luck.

Lessons learned: 1.) Not all Picks of the Week are cool 2.) Get a life, lifestyle car magazines still sucks.

I don't want to taint my blog with heavy "lifestyle-ish", technical nonsense. So believe me, "http://www.mercedes-benz.com.ph" really works. Try it, that's what you call "connection". :P

AMG going 41

2008-07-15T08:51:00.005+08:00

This month AMG concluded its 40th year in existence. But before I start with something "angas", let me drill down with the few "what ifs" scenarios 20 years before 1967.

1947, Germany and its allies turned out victorious in the Second World War. United States ceded Philippines to Japan whose dwindling resources at that time eventually turned over its protectorate role to Germany. Despite semitic fear, uncertainty and deceit that we usually see in movies, books and TV today. Germany is no indifferent to the Filipinos and in the Philippines in the ways they are to the Jews in general for the reason that Dr. Jose Rizal is one of its treasured storyteller and excellent educator to the Arian race during his fruitful stay there in the 19th century.

Hitler continued work on his dream city called Germania with a tall order of raw materials needed to complete it, Germany has to look somewhere to continue building its other postwar interests. Daimler-Benz, having contributed substantially to the creation of The New World Order by Germany's definitions has to find its own resources that will not hinder to the completion of Germania. Despite all this Germanization, English is still the globally spoken language. And Philippines is just right smack on this opportunity, with the only English-speaking citizens around the region. To cut it short, The Aktiengesellschaft has its headquarters in Stuttgart but has all its dozers, drillers and cutters slicing through mines, forests and rivers of the Philippines building the finest Mercedes-Benzes in factories and plants nearby.

Fast forward to 1967, We'll probably have Castro, Reyes, Asuncion Pasig (CRAP) GesselSchaft or Santos, Hipolito, Ignacio, Taguig(SHIT) GesselSchaft or Francisco, Urdaneta, Coronel, Kalookan (F*CK) Gesselschaft as performance tuning companies working with Mercedes-Benz. Imagine your great exotic Benz today sporting such emblems from engine bay to the boot.

Fortunately, the Allies won. And in 1965, Mercedes-Benz employees Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher supped up the engine of Manfred Schiek's 300 SE as a personal, non-work-related backroom project. The project was so successful that they created a cult following that lead them to decide to leave Mercedes and in 1967 Aufrecht, Melcher Grossaspach (AMG) Gesselschaft is operational.

One of AMG's legendary creation is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 V8 that conquered the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps 37 years ago by Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz. This fire-red beauty still put marvels in to the eyes of AMG fans because aside from engine mods, stabilizers and rollbars very little was done in the interior which means the innards still resembles a normal car.

Among my personal favorites from the early AMG-modded Mercedes-Benz is the C126 560SEC. Honestly, I don't want to spent time on keystrokes saying what the readers already know and what they can Google easily. But in the Philippines, there are only 2 known units of this C126 that is factory-original from bumper-to-bumper while others who claim originality still needs to prove their authenticity.

40 years passed, AMG engineers in its Performance Studio at Affalterbach still hand-made their engines and autograph them as a sign of fulfillment of their customers' dreams. As Aufrecht has said and quoted many times; "You must never say why something can't be done. You must ask yourself how it can be done."

Mercedes-Benz and Alternative Fuel Source

2008-07-13T17:35:00.004+08:00

For many years, Mercedes-Benz and Fuel Consumption has not been put together to come up with a positive write-up without putting its owners into a cynical mindset. This is also due to many hoax and false claims about "wonder fuels" that promised to drastically eliminate the need for conventional fuel to run their beloved marque, not to mention the lack of research before jumping in and adapting the use of the "wonder fuel" of choice.

Here comes the vegetable oil. There are Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) or Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) and Pure Plant Oil (PPO) but these shouldn't be mistaken for biodiesel. Biodiesel is diesel fuel from organic source that is fed straight in to the diesel engine without any extraordinary processing or any special conversion kit or separate tanks which is distinctive in vegetable oil.

Since fuel price increase has been the hottest topic these days around town. Focus on alternative source of fuel has been seriously reconsidered again, with emphasis to "again" because work on vegetable oil as fuel has been around since 1900, Rudolf Diesel's presentation to the British Institute of Mechanical Engineers citing the importance of such work will only be significant in the future which is today. But due to falling crude prices in his time there's isn't much interest to continue research on vegetable oil as fuel. But today when there seems nothing to force the oil price to drop. The interest for veggie oil again is starting to gain ground.

In the Philippines, there's a startup company called AlterEnergy Systems, Inc. which specializes in conversion of diesel engines to burn vegetable oil. Mercedes-Benz Club Philippines (MBCP) members were treated to an enlightening presentation and real world demonstration of vegetable oil as fuel to an indirect injection diesel engine which is a well-driven engine inside a Mercedes-Benz W123.

Chips Guevara, the main man of AlterEnergy Systems, Inc. provided a point-by-point presentation of the features, advantages and benefits of using vegetable oil as fuel.

It is not a coincidence that the most ideal if not perfect engine for demonstration of the vegetable oil conversion kit from AlterEnergy Systems, Inc. is a Mercedes-Benz Diesel indirect injection engine as Mercedes-Benz is not a novice player in the vegetable-oil-as-fuel game even before they built engines for the Tiger tanks.

A converted engine run as normal as the ordinary engine except that exhaust smells like "turon" (a Philippine delicacy of sugar-coated, deep-fried banana wrapped like a dumpling). So inhaling the fumes doesn't tell one whether he/she is dead or dying.

Somehow, somebody has to watch what is cookin'

Saying farewell to cheap oil. Looks like this veggie thing is the next hot stuff to South Beach Diet.

Credits:

Chips Geuvara - AlterEnergy Systems, Inc.
Tippee Yaptinchay - Mercedes-Benz Club Philippines

The Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda SL

2008-07-12T12:01:00.005+08:00

Born in 1963 during the time when Philippines was still enjoying its glory days; with the most powerful armed force in Southeast Asia, has enjoyed so much economic blessings, no insurgency. If my memory is correct it was also the dawn of The Great American Muscle, V8s, V12 powered with Boron petrol (which is actually an iron and not leaded gasoline, it was so advanced in its time that it was discarded on automobiles not because of environmental implications but cost) randomly rambles in the streets of Manila and the other municipalities of Rizal (no Metro Manila yet).

Production of Pagoda SL ended in 1971 and was succeeded by a more meaner R107. I am not certain what year the first Pagoda in the Philippines arrived but if it was here in the early 60's then it sure just blends right in to the community. And it's not known as of this writing how many remains roadworthy. So far, I have spotted four of this collectibles wandering around here and there.

W113 also popularly known as Pagoda or Mr. Slim. Pagoda, because the roof resembles an oriental-based structure but I'll let readers explain why it was called Mr. Slim as this beauty is actually older than me. As on the roof, there was also a "California Roof" or "California Edition" which is notable with the absence of the soft top option.

There are several variants that came out during its production lifecycle namely the 230SL, 250SL, 280SL and of course I don't want to explain what everyone already knows that different numbers means different engine displacement. All in all there were 48,912 W113 built so if it's known how many of these arrived in the Philippines and in roadworthy condition then we possess national treasures.

Looking inside the Pagoda reminds me of Vietnam War movies. Ivory steering wheel, simple but elegant gauges, the absence of high-tech gizmos and whatnots truly eliminates stress upon sinking into the driver seat.

Looking around the car, the Pagoda is a truly desirable collectible classic though not all of the series can command a premium resale value such as the 230SL due to the high availability of parts and the small engine/small value perception.

The 250SL which was the rarest of the three variants also came out with a ZF (ZF Friedrichshafen AG) 5-speed manual transmission, among the noteworthy "firsts" in the line of Mercedes-Benz focus on innovation.

However, the Pagoda is notoriously weak against rust. A prospecting collector should watch out where rust can quickly build up such as floor, door underlines, wheel wells and trunk.

The Pagoda Today

It is understood that the W113 aka Pagoda aka Mr. Slim is not a daily driver and collectors are expected to have another car for other abusive purposes.

Credits:
White Pagoda - Route 66
Green Pagoda - Mercedes-Benz Club Philippines

Mercedes-Benz in Philippine Movies Part 1

2008-07-10T20:38:00.003+08:00

Mercedes-Benz in a Philippine motion picture? Are there any? A cognoscenti who's been on a hunting trip for so long will definitely ask. Most Filipinos today would probably agree that the quality of motion pictures produced in the Philippines has gone from good to mediocre and vice versa and in a see-saw trend.

But doing a write-up about Mercedes-Benz in the Philippine movies, made me realize that it will going to be a laborious task in terms of research. Not that I can not find any but it will be impossible to cover everything in one writing.

And for this first installment, our featured film is entitled Partida which means handicap if the context will refer to a one-man army against a gazillion of adversaries and this feat was done by no other than the late Fernando Poe Jr.

This movie was released in the year 1985 while I'm still in high school. Although I never saw this movie in widescreen, a Betamax or a VHS was good source of playback during that time.

I will not be discussing about the movie itself in this article as it is not in the best interest of this blog. But rather, the inclusion of the marque within the playtime of Partida. Having said that, I have embedded a video from YouTube which will take us to one of the most "spectacular" car chases in the Philippine movie history. Watch this.

Benzspotting

The car chase went around the streets of Makati from Reposo, Jupiter, Ayala Ave., Paseo de Roxas, EDSA, went around Magallanes and eventually back again. So much feast on the old Jap ricers, VWs etc. etc. it's old-school galore! One can actually see how much progress we've made today.

1:49

A W114 coming up from the EDSA duct of the Magallanes cloverleaf. During this period, the cloverleaf is a fully functional cloverleaf.

3:16

An R107 filling up at Shell Pasong Tamo(?) just taking cue from the old Aboitiz Bldg.

3:32

A stately W126 cruising along Paseo de Roxas, on board is Armida Siguion-Reyna.

3:54

Another W126 was uncovered after Armida's chauffeur guns the throttle. And eventually an "elegant" smash!

4:33

Then a funeral "march" in a location which I'm not certain whether it's Loyola or Manila Memorial Park. After the hearse, there's a W124 followed by a C123, a bimmer, then a T123 and of course, the recycled R107 from another scene.

After watching this clip, my jaw dropped and speak in my mind "They did that 23 years ago? Gosh!". I know there's more to come.

Reihe

2008-07-08T23:40:00.005+08:00

Loosely means "to be different", that's what "R" stands for the Mercedes-Benz R-series models and specially the R107.

The R107 series was built by Mercedes-Benz from 1971-1989, eighteen years in the production line and heavily targeted the North American market. So why rant if there's so much talk about old Mercedes? It's because they are proven to last.

In the Philippines, there are several variants of the R107 as well, some has been pampered and well-kept by their owners and some needs an amount of "hospitalization" not rehabilitation in order to be properly driven again. In this installment our featured R107 is the 450SL happily sitting at Route 66 stable.

This particular 1973 450SL was an award-winning "Reihe", arrived in the Philippines in 1978 and was passed from one good hand to another, such a very fortunate baby. It won the Best Classic Sports Car at the 2007 Transport Show. Powered-by a M117 V8 Bosch D-jetronic, a 3-speed automatic drivetrain, in today's fuel price crisis, this baby is a total "Reihe"!

Inside, this 450SL keep the original Bamboo MBTex interior. except for the Self-Destruct button, all controls are correct. It now sports a Burgundy soft top, although not the correct color for its body paint but, nevertheless, it looks great. As of this writing the 450SL has clocked in 66,000 miles.

Driving a very well-kept R107 is a totally different experience from anything else. It's not called "Reihe" for nothing. Even with 3-speed automatic transmission it can climb up to 140 miles per hour without much effort.

At any angle, being 35 years old, this beast is still a looker! An ideal retirement car. Complimenting it nice is totally an understatement. "Reihe" is for those who dares to be different. Once again, thanks to ROUTE 66!

SEE MORE PICS HERE

Ang Chedeng! Bow...

2008-07-07T20:19:00.002+08:00

As a kid growing up in San Andres, Manila (also known as San Andres Bukid), I would occassionally hear the word "Chedeng" whenever a stately automobile will cruise in a then-asphalted Diamante St. or A. Francisco and Nakar Streets, people will look in awe and will say "Wow, naka-chedeng!". In establishments nearby such as SM Auto and Car Accessories Center (SM ACA) in Vito Cruz or Bee Benz at the end of South Super Highway and Pedro Gil, the word "Chedeng" reverberates ones eardrums like buzzing flies.

But why Mercedes-Benz is referred as to "Chedeng" in the Philippines? I'm not sure if it's an old gay lingo but the term truly stuck.

Usually, any person who has been named "Mercedes" in the Philippines is fondly called "Ding", "Dong" or "Deng" or even "Mercy". But in fairness to the daughter of the great Emil Jellinek, "Chedeng" is exclusively referred only to Mercedes-Benz. But that still doesn't satisfy my quest to the why question. Albeit, in the Philippines, "Chedeng" will always be used as a term of endearment and grudge with reference to the marque anytime, anywhere.

And in the next generations to come, "Chedeng" will always be "Chedeng".

The Rehabilitation of Chester

2008-07-06T08:19:00.004+08:00

First of all, I would like to thank the people of Route 66 who has been very accommodating in allowing me to feature one of their "rehabilitation" projects. Just to give a short quick burst of cerebral bits, Route 66 is an award-winning restoration outfit and is one of the few in the country. If you're interested in putting the life back in to your old Mercedes-Benz, just comment on this post with your Gmail account and I will gladly forward it to Route 66.

But anyway, who is Chester? Chester, for all I know, is a Mercedes-Benz W123 Diesel-powered Transport and Touring vehicle registered at Land Transportation Office with license plate number "CHE-505" hence the moniker "Chester".

Perhaps it is safe to say that 99% of private motorist population in the world has seen a W123 one way or another, some of them may not know it by the code but definitely have seen one. In movies, television, war zones, suburbs. W123 in the Philippines today is normally a family heirloom, specially the TD and TE models which is handed from one generation to another.

Meet Chester. Chester was once a regular family Mercedes-Benz, daily driven, used and abused, kidney-transplanted with different sorts of thing. Now a diamond blue that was once green.

Chester was rehabilitated from ground up, suspension has been replaced, fuel injectors now speaks German again.

It wasn't overnight that Chester underwent a complete makeover. Route 66, for the love of Mercedes-Benz, has painstakingly went through the ordeal in putting Chester in its glory today.

Inside and out, Chester is once again, pristine. From blue leather seats, fresh ceiling, a working dog net; all are lovely.

There's no doubt that Chester is now in its happiest state ever under the tender-loving-care hands of the people at Route 66. At the end of the day, this is restoration and rehabilitation (and a rescue mission) well done and worth all its effort. Thank you again Route 66. Just another day, just another Mercedes-Benz saved.

VIEW MORE PICS HERE

Who is Bruno Sacco?

2008-07-03T08:17:00.004+08:00

Former director of design of the world's oldest automaker; Mercedes-Benz. For 39 years, this styling czar has overseen the design evolution that has solidified Mercedes-Benz's status quo as the best automaker in the world during his time. His design roots traces back to Tarvisio in Italy where he once spotted a 1950 Studebaker Commander Regal and shouted "I will be the great designer of automobiles!". And history did happened.

Sacco studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Turin and has attempted to get a job at two Italian design outfits Ghia and Pinin Farina with no luck. Fortunately, this failure took him to Germany to find work and was eventually hired at Mercedes-Benz in 1958. After learning the Mercedes-Benz Way Of Doing Things (I love this phrase) which took Sacco several years to get accustomed with and by and large, The Mercedes-Benz Way is even difficult for the German themselves due to lack or absence of any design guidelines, it was a corporate culture once forged by its founder Gottlieb Daimler and was described as "Nothing But The Best". And the best was delivered.

And yes it happened, from the drawing board to the assembly line, under Sacco's helm, Mercedes-Benz has rolled out several classics and soon-to-be modern classics that we used to love and drive around the streets of Metro Manila, classics that we love to use and abuse over and over again, come hell or high water. These classics consists of the legendaries such as the W123, W124, W126 and best of all, the revolutionary W201 which is now in its 25th year and officially a modern classic declared not by Mercedes Enthusiast magazine but by the Official Mercedes-Benz Classic Magazine. Imagine a world today if Sacco has been hired to do design at Ghia or PininFarina?!?. Things will never be the same.

Oil, The Liquid Gold

2008-07-01T09:51:00.002+08:00

Over the weekend, we have been treated to another oil price adjustment, an upward adjustment that is. Petrol is now around PHP60/liter from your favorite pumping station. For sure, consumers' pockets will hurt furthermore and it seems the trend is not going anywhere but up. Some will invest in fuel-saving tricks which their poor automobiles are not designed to work with and in the process will really help shorten the lives of their vehicles and further hurt their budgets by having to "hospatalized" their workhorses more often than usual. Worse those who did some out-of-this-world fuel-saving techniques without doing any kind of upkeep in their rides, will surely find their way in scapyards sooner than the oldest, fittest Mercedes-Benz on the road.

On the other hand, rising fuel costs means lesser cars on the road. Fewer cars on the road means safer travel. Fewer cars on the road means less traffic. Less traffic on the road means BETTER FUEL CONSUMPTION, BETTER FUEL CONSUMPTION MEANS BETTER FUEL ECONOMY! And Mercedes-Benz, once again, will be more visible on the roads like the old days. And more Mercedes-Benzes on the road means better looking roads.

See, with fuel price rising there are less ignoramuses (or ignoramusi?) on the road which endangers the lives of other tax-paying motorists. These jerks just don't know how to use the roads properly.

With rising fuel prices, driving in the city is such a breeze. Exhilirating like it's never before in the outskirts of Metro Manila. How much more in the highways? Definitely, oil is the liquid gold.

Auto Summit 2008

2008-06-29T09:17:00.004+08:00

By accident, I stumble in a not-so-high-profile auto show in our favorite shopping place in the South. The Auto Summit 2008 in Festival Mall, Alabang is a typical car show in which half of the exhibitors are brand-new car dealers with really no interesting stuff to show.

There were several Japanese ricers modded for different types of competition. But what made this show interesting are the European entries. One that stands out obviously is the Ferrari, well I'm not an Italian engineering nut so I may not have an idea on what's the difference between a Ferrari F-this and a Ferrari F-that if I don't have a catalogue with me, but anyway, F*-that.

There was a lone muscle car as well, Chevy at that, but I guess this one is being used for drag racing.

Going around the show, I kept on wondering why there isn't a single Mercedes-Benz, what happened to the marque? I thought most people will stand down, hands up, step back or shiver upon hearing the word "Chedeng". But I couldn't find one single piece of the Three Pointed Star. I keep on reading about a lot of raves and rants about it here in the Philippines but WHERE IS IT?

Finally, my wife called up asking where the hell am I and demanded that I had to see her in a boutique somewhere, so I hurriedly left and along the way in a not so prominent corner of the mall. Finally, I sent an SMS that I'll be on hold for a while, I spotted not just another Mercedes-Benz but it's a rare silver E320, C124, blue-top convertible.

This beauty is not actually one of my favorite Mercedes-Benz. But it is a shame that it was placed in a spot where not much people are going to see it or even appreciate it. Since the Mercedes-Benz was unattended when I found it, I wasn't able to get in touch with the owner or person in charge with it so that I can exclusively feature it this blog later on.

Mercedes-Benz is very active in lots of high-profile events such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Open, Mercedes-Benz Cup etc etc. Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts should be more excited in putting in not one but more of these beauties and dominate the floor! But for now, we'll leave that honor to BMW and Honda. The MB nuts are not doing it and not making it happen so somebody else will and I salute this guy who put his C124 where at least people can see.

Mercedes-Benz of the Week

2008-06-24T21:35:00.002+08:00

Mercedes-Benz of the Week, is of course, a weekly write up of certain Mercedes-Benz model of interest that has been spotted and captured in the streets of Metro Manila. As a pilot article, the feature lucky model is the Mercedes-Benz AMG G-Wagen Kompressor or W463.

G-Wagen short for Geländewagen is a four-wheel drive or SUV conceptualized through the proposal for a military vehicle by the Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, a major Mercedes-Benz shareholder. The U.S. Marines has employed G-Wagens as Interim Fast Attack Vehicles (IFAV) in Iraq and Afghanistan which is more agile and nimble but lightly armored compared to a more burly, heavy-heeled and slower Humvees. G-Wagen has also served as a Popemobile

In the Philippines, a nice and smooth running G-Wagen is a rare site. It mostly dwells in the urban jungles most of the time and rarely hits paydirt.

G-Wagen is a basically a wolf in sheep's clothing. The body styling can easily feign weakness to clueless individual as compared to other SUVs in its class, it really looks cheap.

But just like the Humvee, it was intended initially for military purpose that has also earned a reputation as a FUNVee.

Mercedes-Benz 190E vs. Honda City

2008-06-16T21:00:00.004+08:00

Alright, alright you all know it's a mismatch. I just came from a stressful drive. In Manila, whenever there's a heavy downpour of rain all (I mean ALL) motorists are in panic mode scrambling to go home. And this afternoon I was caught in the middle of it. A little sprint from Amorsolo to Skyway-Nichols Tollbooth where traffic is slowly building up then a little sprint again to Bicutan off-ramp and then slows down approaching Sucat Exit. This is where the heat started when I tried to make my way to the leftmost lane since I have to go straight all the way to Susana Heights which is around 5 kilometers away. While signaling and inching my way leftward with every slightest opportunity. 18 years of driving in the streets of Metro Manila has already taught me hard lessons; Pure defensive driving is unsafe. You hesitate, you die.

So this is the story of one bigot Honda City owner, who thinks that all Benz owners shouldn't be yielded a right of way. But first, what is a Honda City?

This is a compact sedan a typical Japanese Ricer. Everything in this car is so stupid and backward, the design is totally the opposite of German engineering superiority. Believe me, I rather take a bus than to own this one.

So going back to this bigot gayf'cker, I'm really convinced that this gayf'cker hates anyone that drives a Mercedes-Benz, that the moment I took away the lane ahead of him he won't accept it and keeps blowing his Honda-tuned horn on me. "F'ckhead", I uttered and I pushed quickly at 80km/h away from the Sucat traffic jam and I knew he'll follow and he actually did, I can even hear his stupid car squealing in pain as if its power has already exceeded the limits. I pushed to 90km/h and the pulled a sudden drop to 80km/h and let him go ahead. I want to hear that tin can scream. Then he slams his brake, so I believe this fuckface is no sport. He wants a rear damage. Brought the drivetrain on third and slingshot from his ass. From rearview mirror I can see the desperate chase. I gave the cool smirk of "The Most Wanted" and ladies, he's now my wingman. At that point I can hear the 3000rpm+ sound of this rice-cooker, so I pulled in 4th, sink the pedal, he's 12 feet. I can sense he's in 5th coz the rice-cooker is about to get toasted! Going on 100km/h and I pushed on Klaudia's Holy Fifth Gear. Wham! the f'ckface is smokin'!

For one, that asshole-extraordinaire never did his math. 2.3L German engine against a 1.3L twisting aluminum China-assembled Japanese-designed engine, 124bhp versus what 3o? 40? The only thing I lost is my gas but so what everyone loses it anyway.

I'm not a Benz elitist and I don't want to be. But please, I just already made my point across, don't kiss my butt just for that.

Where Klaudia Keeps Fit

2008-06-15T21:19:00.003+08:00

It's been seven months of my ownership with Klaudia, and so far driving is great as long as traffic is tolerable. Seriously, sometimes it hurts driving with a manual transmission in a traffic jam. But I still love manual transmission because it's more agile and nimble for a twenty-five-year-old car.

Rolling restoration is a tough game than I ever anticipated and right now I'm just keeping Klaudia running smoothly by taking care of mostly routine maintenance tasks without much upgrades being done so far. Fortunately, there are still competent ghetto Mercedes-Benz shops around the community that can handle Klaudia confidently. And they are even more competent than those wearing the coveralls.

Face off with the only worthy foe

A.T.E which is located in Daang-Hari and beside Ayala-Alabang Village is a regular shop to Klaudia's fixes. It has been a good shop for her from removing her non-functioning turbo, full-engine restoration, tune-ups, oil-changes, brake repairs and replacement. Soon she will undergo drivetrain and underchassis works. Recently, her eyes has just been replaced with a regular 100-watt Hella lamps from a disgusting yellow beam. She has been a workhorse for the family since she only one available (for now) to perform that task. Soon I'll have to find a partner/reliever. I don't want her to get "tired" soon.

Pragmatic Driving

2008-06-14T08:22:00.003+08:00

Drive defensively. That's what they say but in Manila, it's a different story. The more you drive defensively, the more you're going to cause accident; in broad daylight. Here's why, most private motorists around Metropolis has already accustomed to heavy traffic jam every single day. They drive slow most of the time and as a result their mindset on the road is slow and even in expressways they all drive dangerously slow! The minimum speed in our expressways is 60km/hour in the rightmost lane. Fast cars should be at 80km/hour in the middle and leftmost lane. But because of the slow mindset in head, slow drivers still takes up the leftmost and middle lanes! But doing this, it endangers motorists driving at the "right" speed at the correct lane as they will put themselves off-track and will need to change lanes and put another fast car in jeopardy.

But unfortunately, a lot of Filipino drivers don't get it. That they drive as dangerous as the overspeeding driver when they underspeed.

The Fuel Price And My Mercedes-Benz

2008-06-10T22:13:00.003+08:00

Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to global fuel crisis. From Second World War, The Seventies Oil Crisis and to the Eighties Crunch. Mercedes-Benz automobiles may not be the most fuel-efficient automobiles around but they sure gets the job done whenever it's needed.

My W201 is no exception. It may be considered a gas-guzzler but it do accelerate on-demand. Currently it consumes around 7-8 km/liter on mixed city and highway driving. But just like any fuel-saving measures applicable to other cars. It is well-kept and itineraries are well-planned.

Driving the 190E, 25 Years Later...

2008-06-10T07:35:00.003+08:00

I know it's a bit late to write a review for a car that has been around for twenty-five years. But what makes this particular model unique(or better yet, stand out) from the rest of the street cars that Mercedes-Benz has built? For this particular write-up, I'll be discussing about my own W201 and an honest assessment of what it has become.

I got my Baby Benz from a real estate agent who now settled for a "lesser" car. During my ownership there are a lot things that has been repaired, replaced and improved and named this beauty Klaudia, after a famous German supermodel. As of now, an IHI turbo has been removed, original Behr radiator has been replaced, second round of tune-up and oil change has been done, brakes has been overhauled, new sets of tires (Goodyear Eagle F1) has been installed. Actually, this baby is undergoing a rolling restoration.

Just like any other Mercedes-Benz, the 190E is a tank as long as the owner keeps it faithfully. Klaudia has seen hard driving in the city and in the country side, top speed that she can endure for now is around 110km/h to 120km/h But I guess it will improve drastically once I start working on the driveline (clutch, transmission etc.) and on the suspension too.

Klaudia is a 1984 2.3-liter 8-valve US Version w201 with all options; ABS, Fuel Injection, all-disc brakes, 5-speed manual transmission, power seats, illuminated sun visors, power windows, central locks, power sunroof and other advance features that is being enjoy by Japanese ricers just recently. Driving Klaudia in a traffic jam is exhausting, just like any other car with manual transmission but on the highway it's a different story, it actually feeds dust to the Japanese ricers such as the Civic and the Altis. Klaudia combines looks and adequate power when needed.
In the Philippines, there seems to be really something when you're hauling the three-pointed-star (as long as you're not driving the MB-emulating jeepneys), it easily commands respect sans those commemorative plates, village stickers and other flaunting paraphernalia that most sissies will try to show off stuck in their ricers. It's just one of the beauty of driving the 190E.

The Mercedes-Benz 190E

2008-06-09T20:16:00.002+08:00

For the enthusiast, it is also known as the W201 or the "Baby Benz" which was first produced in 1984. The W201 is also my first Mercedes-Benz and one of my dream Benzes. Probably one of the best designed automobile in the world. After 25 years, the physical attributes and the looks are still fresh and never goes out of style. The superior build quality is what make this particular a class act of its own.

Although there's a lot of praises and rants still needs to be written about this all-time favorite marque. I'll put it in several topics that will be more relevant and timely.

My Black Mercedes-Benz

2008-06-09T19:58:00.003+08:00

A Lyrics borrowed from the song made popular by The Breed

in the cities in the highways
in the highrise or in the backrooms
in the hotels in your motels
do you know what's goin' on

in the mornin or in the evenin'
when the sun shines or when the sun sets
when the clock ticks or when the clock stops
when time just runs out on you

people fightin' and people cryin'
people tryin to get their hands on you
people dyin' of starvation
what are you gonna do?

while you're riding in a black mereedes benz
riding high in a black mercedes benz
you can't help go on in a black mercedes benz
inside a black mercedes benz

crooked rich man when you see a poor man
do the tears roll or do your eyes close
do the breaks lock or do you run him down
in your higher

be a big shot and let the shortstop
get to the top anyway you can
exploitaion no condemnation
in a nation justice you can buy

make a big deal and make some money
run down anyone who gets in the way
make your heart cold and make the cash flow
it's gonna make your day

don't you know we want some black mercedes benz
wants to buy himself a black mercedes benz
he's gonna die in a black mercedes benz
inside a black mercedes benz

death rides in a black mercedes
inside a black mercedes benz