The sense of pampering started with that smartly-besuited delivery driver. Europcar offer a delivery and collection service, so I merely had to sit at home until he arrived with all the paperwork in hand. A few signatures and he was away – talk about painless car luxury hire.

Sadly, my partner for the weekend wasn’t there to see me being treated like a celebrity but she had her first taste of it when I picked her up at the station after work. As I swept up in the gleaming Merc, top still up at this point, a smile appeared that stayed on her face for the next two days. I do believe the deal was sealed when she sat down in her seat and the seat belt holder whirred quietly forward to present her with the belt.

We headed off for our weekend in Kent via the M25 where the Merc held its place in the traffic at “motorway speeds” with a stately air. I am not sure what aura it gives off but it certainly seemed one that attracted much more respect than my usual ride. No one tailgated me, no one flashed me; it seemed that everyone knew it had lots more power in reserve. (The manual lists the top speed as 144mph) I have to say, I could feel the sense of privilege going to my head. None of them were to know that the engine was actually an economical two-litre diesel, not that the performance would give it away.

In the passenger seat, madame was enjoying playing with the stereo and electric seat. She discovered the adjustments to inflate and deflate the back and side rests and was soon lying back, wriggling her toes as if in a holiday deck chair, albeit a very comfortable, calfskin leather one. Imagine her shriek of delight when she then discovered the seat was heated. The room in the back for two is more than generous but this is really a car where two’s company – selfish enjoyment left no place for idle chit-chat with any backseat passengers.

The cars gearbox has E-economy and S-Sport settings but, off the motorway, I switched to its third option – M-manual – and used the paddle controls to flick up and down through the gears as we made our way to our hotel through some quiet back roads. The Mercedes’ headlights turned night into day, following the bends ahead as the steering wheel turned, and the car effortlessly soaked up the bumps, a completely first-class experience that had us both smiling when we arrived at our destination. I don’t know if it was our cheerful faces or the smart car we arrived in but the hotel reception continued our premier experience. Even the tight hotel car park was made hassle free by the car’s inbuilt parking guidance, beeping merrily as I reversed into a tight space.

A late start the next morning gave enough time for the first sunshine of this summer to come out. A press of a button and the top whirred down to disappear into a neat recess. It was to remain down long into the day, as the clever warm air cushion kept necks warm and the cool evening air at bay. The aerodynamic wing above the windscreen also deflects incoming air high overhead, along with a lot of the noise that normally makes driving a open top car tiresome at high sped

At Leeds Castle, we were waved warmly into a parking space but it seemed a wrench to leave the comfort of our leather seats to tour the stately home. The luxury on show from an earlier age left me appreciating how much progress we have made – even the vast wealth invested in the comforts of royalty paled in comparison to our present day electronic and technical achievements.

The pampering was certainly having an effect and the weekend was starting to feel like a week away. Sunday was another glorious day spent exploring the Kent countryside, with a beautiful sunny afternoon at Kent Life farm. Madame managed to fall in love with the goats, so I do hope the seats in the Merc are not kidskin.

Well, all good things must end, as they say, and it was time to turn the wheel for London and home. Back on the M25, mercifully free of delays, I put on the cruise control, and settled back to enjoy the last few hours in our portable palace. Top down, stereo on, lit by the last rays of the setting sun, it was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Having worked for various newspapers in London for 15 years, and before that in Africa for close to a decade, Kieran Meeke has travelled to more than 80 countries. Realising he knew several other cities better than he knew London, this project was born.

https://twitter.com/SecretLDN

http://www.secret-london.co.uk

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Dina Parise Racing’s Patriotic Race Car Paint Scheme

The Dina Parise Racing team created the patriotic custom paint design as a way of showing their appreciation for the service and sacrifice of American military veterans: “When it came to creating a scheme… we really wanted to make a statement. We want the fans to look at the car and make them think. Our hope is that next time they meet a veteran, or someone currently in any branch of the military they will shake their hand and say ‘thank you’.” Dina Parise Racing is a staunch supporter of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (click here for more information).

This is who #DPR trusts our cars to! @dpariseracing 63 #Chevy #Corvette Custom Paint&Body Work @autocollisionmdacs-md.com/dina-parise-19…

— Dina Parise Racing (@DPariseRacing) May 7, 2013

A Collision Repair Facility Perfectly Suited to Custom Race Car Paint Repairs

Auto Collision Specialists capabilities are especially well-suited to the requirements of a team like Dina Parise Racing, who often need the services of both a high end body shop and a custom painter. ACS is a rare example of a facility who can perform all of the necessary repairs at the same location. This makes the turnaround time much quicker, which can be a huge benefit for a racing team that needs their vehicle repaired and back on the track in a very short time frame.

World Class Collision Repair Facility and Custom Paint Shop in One Location

Our custom painter, Chuck Buckler, partners with our Mercedes-Benz certified Master Painter, Charles Scilipote, to utilize the capabilities of our Glasurit paint system. “Charles does all the clear work, which is what makes these jobs look as good as they do. It makes my work pop,” explains Chuck Buckler, “The clear work doesn’t have any imperfections and is just superior to other body shops, which compliments the art. It sets my work apart. He can lay down paint better than most people I’ve ever worked with.”

Chuck Buckler specializes in custom paint for car shows, motorcycles, racing teams, and anyone else who wants world class artwork on their vehicle. Click here to contact us for more info!

Click the image below to expand the FULL GALLERY!

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More than half of our customers are repeat customers, and we want to thank you for continuing to come back to Auto Collision Specialists for the highest quality collision repairs in Maryland.

We know you keep coming back because you know we’ll fix your car right. You’ve seen how hard we work to get your vehicle back to pre-accident condition – restoring its value, and ensuring your safety. You’ve also seen that our philosophy towards our customers has created a lot of great friendships over the last 23 years.

Consider this gift basket to be a sincere thank you, from our family to yours!

Items in the gift basket:

• $50 Orioles gift card for tickets
• $50 ACS Gift card
• Baseball Hat
• Mini hat/ice cream bowl
• Bottle jersey
• O’s bird decal
• O’s socks
• O’s towel
• Mini Baseball bat
• Camden Yards Photograph

To be eligible, customers must sign an Authorization for Repair between May 1, 2013 and June 30, 2013. You can complete your raffle ticke at our shop. The winner will be drawn on Monday, July 1, 2013.

We can deliver the basket to you, or you can come by the shop to accept the prize! Click here to contact us for more details…

Thank You From ACS!!!

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Liability Insurance

There are some states that require their automobile owners to carry auto insurance, most especially liability insurance. This type of insurance can cover the cost of having any damaged property repaired including medical bills if the accident is your fault. If there is a minimum requirement for a liability insurance coverage, it is best that you go beyond it because if you are involved in an accident, you have to cover the claims that can exceed your upper limit and this is a risk you do not want to take. The bottom line is the liability insurance you take out will depend on the number of assets you have to protect because you have to have higher levels of coverage in case of emergencies.

Collision Insurance

When you only have a liability insurance, you take the risk of having to use your own money to repair your car. A collision insurance policy and a liability insurance policy make a good pair because the collision policy ensures that your insurer will settle the repairs for your car or pay out the value of your car that has been wrecked in an accident. If you have an older car, then this policy may not be necessary, but if your car is brand new or an expensive model, then a collision insurance policy is essential.

Medical Protection

The medical expenses associated with treating injuries incurred during an accident can be very expensive. This is not a problem with your insurance policy if it includes a medical protection plan because regardless of whom may have caused the accident, the policy can cover all the medical expenses including those of your passengers. However, if you already have a health insurance policy then a medical protection policy is unnecessary, because a health policy offers more coverage.

Uninsured Motorist Protection

Although many state laws require all vehicle owners to have an auto insurance, there are still those who fail to get insured. Others may have a liability insurance but with very low minimums that the policy is unable to cover all the expenses. This can be a major problem as you will be stuck with all the expenses when an accident is not your fault. As such, an uninsured motorist protection can cover you in these instances. The driver at fault will then have to pay the expenses with his own money when he does not have insurance or if his insurance is not enough.

Comprehensive Insurance

When your car is damaged by theft or change of weather, a liability and collision insurance policy will not cover the costs of repair or replacement. A comprehensive insurance policy is the solution to this, but it can be pretty expensive unless you have certain gadgets such as a tracking device or an anti-theft device installed as they can bring the price down.

Gap Insurance

If you are still paying your car off, purchasing a gap insurance policy is a good choice. This is helpful when you meet with an accident and still need to pay off the car. This is helpful if you owe a lot on the car than have the funds to pay off the remaining cost on such short notice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Valerie Renier is a freelance writer specializing in high risk insurance policies. She provides information about the necessity of insurance, the different types of auto insurance policies and other insurance assistance from an Omaha high risk insurance company

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The E400 depicted in this article was provided by R & H Motor Cars in Owings Mills for the Mercedes-Benz Club of America – Greater Washington Section Open House.

Mercedes-Benz 2013 Hybrid E400

So why is the 2013 E400 Hybrid so unbelievably cool? Here are five reasons:

1

It has a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Forget about maxing out in fifth or sixth gear. You’ll want to take this baby on the open road just to experience what seventh gear feels like! But if you ever need to manually switch gears to get a sudden increase (or decrease) in speed, you don’t have to reach for the stick shift on the floorboards. Nope — all you have to do is let your fingers do the shifting with the convenient paddle shifters located on the side of the steering column.

2

It has significantly more power than its S-Class sibling.

With all of the accolades about the Mercedes-Benz S400, it might surprise you to learn that the E400 Hybrid has a more powerful engine. Both cars come with 3.5-liter V6 engines, but the E400′s boasts 302 (direct-injected) horsepower compared to the S400′s 275 hp. In addition, the electric motor in the E400 produces 27 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which blows away the 20 hp and 118 pound-feet created by the S400.

3

It has numerous luxury features which are standard in every vehicle.

The most notable one is the inclusion of heated seats in every Mercedes-Benz E400. After all, luxury means never having to shiver in your seat while driving, right? The interior is also appointed with either polished Black Ash or Burl Walnut wood trim and a premium leather multifunctional steering wheel. Plus, the 17-inch, five-spoke alloy are outfitted with runflat tires.

4

The engine significantly increases fuel economy by strategically using its electric motor.

With the S400, the car cannot operate without the gas engine firing. But with the E400 Hybrid, the vehicle can travel up to a half mile at a speed as high as 22 miles per hour without using a single drop of gasoline. As a result, the electric motor in the E400 Hybrid can yield significant fuel economy improvements and fuel savings for its owner.

5

Its battery is more conveniently placed.

Remember the old hybrid or electric cars whose trunk spaces were reduced because of the presence of bulky batteries? The E400 doesn’t have that problem, because its advanced lithium-ion battery pack is nestled into the engine bay instead of being stored in the trunk. In other words, you don’t have to sacrifice ample trunk storage for the eco-friendliness of a hybrid engine.

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The Mercedes-Benz 280SL W113 “Pagoda” got its nickname from the unique, patented, slightly concave top.

At ACS, we have a real appreciation for restoring classic vehicles, as many of us do it as a personal hobby. From finding the proper parts to staying within a specific budget, restoring a vintage car is a big decision. Yet, it’s also a decision that brings hefty rewards.

4 Surprising Challenges and Rewards of Restoring a Mercedes-Benz 280SL W113 Pagoda

1

You Can Enjoy Appreciation, Not Depreciation

It’s a well-known fact that most cars depreciate the minute you take them off of the lot. However, one of the great things about a properly restored Mercedes-Benz is that it can appreciate in value over the years, making it a wise (and fun) investment. Of course, the exact level of appreciation your restored vintage car will achieve depends on the model you’ve chosen, the quality of the restoration, and how well you care for the car after it has been restored. Rather than cycling through low value used cars over the years, spend a little more now to restore your vintage Mercedes-Benz and enjoy the many future perks.

2

It Will Help You Make New Friends

Most classic car owners focus mainly on the financial aspects of a classic car restoration. How much will the restoration cost? How much will the vehicle’s value appreciate over the years? Of course, these are important questions to ask, but you should also focus on the surprising social benefits of restoring your Mercedes-Benz 280SL W113 Pagoda.

Owning a properly restored and maintained vintage car sets you into a prestigious class of auto owners and brings the potential for an entirely new set of friends. After restoring your car, consider joining a local or national classic car club like the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. These groups allow you to showcase your restoration handiwork while meeting new people that may become lifelong friends.

3

It’s Important That You Verify the Authenticity of Parts

While you may be eager to save more on your car’s restoration by finding deals on car parts, don’t overlook the importance of verifying the authenticity of those parts. Scammers run rampant in every industry, including among sellers of car parts.

To ensure authenticity of the parts that you purchase during the restoration process, assess such factors as the seller’s reputation, the cost of the parts, and more. If a deal seems too good to be true, it’s more likely to be a scam. To save yourself time and money, have the restoration completed by certified professionals. Contact a Mercedes-Benz Certified Collision Center like ACS, and we will ensure that only genuine Mercedes-Benz replacement parts are used to restore your vehicle.

4

You Might Be Creating a Family Heirloom

The Mercedes-Benz W113 280SL is a classic car that spurs nostalgia among many vintage auto enthusiasts. However, even if your children don’t share your level of excitement for classic cars, they’ll still likely appreciate the work you put into restoring your vintage Mercedes-Benz. In fact, the car will probably become a treasured family heirloom for generations and will linger as a symbol of your handiwork long after you’re gone.

Have all the necessary car restoration parts? If not, avoid scams and substandard parts by consulting a Mercedes-Benz Certified Collision Center like Auto Collision Specialists. 

Still in the planning stage of your vintage Mercedes-Benz restoration? Click here to contact us. As the trusted place to take your vintage Mercedes-Benz, ACS employs a range of car care professionals that share your love of classic cars.

The post 4 Things That Might Surprise You About a Mercedes-Benz 280SL W113 Pagoda Restoration appeared first on .

Click the image below to expand the photo gallery:

Click here to see this gallery in a full page with thumbnails.

The turnout was even better than expected, with approximately 40 to 50 members attending. As you can see in the photo gallery above, we had some amazing vehicles on the premises, brought by MBCA members. Our technicians had a great time talking cars and answering questions. It’s always a pleasure to meet new people who are this passionate and knowledgeable about their vehicles.

Glasurit 90 Line Paint Demonstration | Mercedes-Benz Repair Open House

One of the most popular events of the day was the Glasurit 90 Line paint demonstration. Our Master Painter, Charles Scilipote, performed car paint repairs for the group, many of whom had direct experience in paint booths, and knew a lot about the craft. As you can see from the photo gallery below, MBCA members asked a lot of great, informed questions, and our technicians enjoyed the discussion.

Glasurit is a state-of-the-art paint system developed by BASF. It’s the top “waterborne” paint system, releasing significantly fewer emissions, and using less harmful chemicals. This makes it safer for the environment and for our technicians. Glasurit is also, arguably, the best paint system available, and has been granted OEM status from Mercedes-Benz and hundreds of major auto manufacturers.

Click the image to expand the photo gallery:

Click here to see this gallery in a full page with thumbnails.

Celette Frame Repair Demonstration | Mercedes-Benz Repair Open House

Mercedes-Benz Club of America members also showed a lot of interest in our Celette frame repair system, which we use to make precise structural repairs. Celette duplicates conditions from the assembly line, offering zero tolerance, ensuring that your vehicle will be returned to the way it was engineered by the manufacturer. Celette is one of the few collision repair systems certified by Mercedes-Benz.

Click the image to expand the photo gallery:

Click here to see this gallery in a full page with thumbnails.

Auto Detailing Demonstration | Mercedes-Benz Repair Open House

Our detailers demonstrated the use of McGuire’s automotive products, discussing the best methods to clean and wax Mercedes-Benz vehicles. They also demonstrated the 3M Perfect It system for automotive refinishing.

Click the image to expand the photo gallery:

Click here to see this gallery in a full page with thumbnails.

We had a great time engaging with MBCA members, who are so passionate about their cars, and we hope to keep this conversation going on social media. Keep checking back to our blog, as we’ll be sharing more from the event. You can expect an in-depth article about the 2013 BMW Hybrid we had on loan from R & H Motors, and some of the vehicles MBCA members brought by the shop (like the beautiful 1970 280SL!)

If any MBCA members would like to contribute an article about the vehicle they brought to the event, please click here to contact us! We’ll create a photo gallery with the images we have of your car, and any images you’d like to add.

Please feel free to use any of these images for your own purposes, all we ask is that you create a hyperlink to http://www.acs-md.com somewhere on the page.

Mercedes-Benz Repair Open House by Auto Collision Specialists is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

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Car Lights

It is your responsibility to turn on your headlights whenever it is dark outside. This allows you to see the road better, and it helps people see you. If you are in an accident with a car that had no lights on, the other party would be held responsible. It is their fault that they either didn’t see you or you didn’t see them because they didn’t have their lights on. Even read end accidents (which are always the fault of the driver in the back) will be the cause of the lightless driver because of how things change at night. Keep your lights on, and you won’t have to worry about that.

Pedestrians

You should always keep an eye out for pedestrians on the road, but you cannot necessarily be held liable for an accident involving one at night. Joggers, bikers, and walkers are supposed to wear protective clothing when they are out at night. Cyclists are also supposed to have reflectors on their bikes to ensure that cars can see them. If you unintentionally hit a person in the street without a reflector on, you won’t be held responsible. That would never happen in the day time.

Signs

Road signs are supposed to be made with reflective paint so they will show up at night. If you go by an area without that kind of signage, then you won’t be responsible for anything to come. For instance, you could actually sue the city for personal injury if you are involved in an accident in an unmarked construction site. Hopefully that would never happen, but it is a possibility.

Adjust your driving to fit the dark, and avoid accidents as much as possible. If you are involved in one that results from someone else’s negligence, talk to a personal injury lawyer about getting financial compensation. You may not be able to avoid a wreck entirely, but you can seek reparation afterward. All you need is an experienced attorney with you to get the job done.

About the Author: Laura Whineburg speaks to a lot of police officers for her work on MyCriminalJusticeCareers.com. She has learned about traffic patterns, crime, and more, and now she is passing the information onto you.

The post How Car Accidents Change After Dark appeared first on .

Click one of the thumbnails below to view the Mercedes-Benz at SEMA 2012 photo gallery

Vorsteiner had a custom V-C63 AMG Coupe on display at the Mackin Booth, featuring:

• carbon fiber front spoiler
• full-length carbon fiber side skirts
• rear carbon fiber diffuser replacement with integrated aero fins
• lightweight boot lid with an integrated spoiler.

Were you at SEMA? What was your favorite Mercedes-Benz at the show? Let us know in the comments below…

Mercedes-Benz at SEMA 2012 by http://www.AbsolutePerfectionMedia.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://www.acs-md.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.acs-md.com.

Mercedes-Benz at SEMA 2012 by http://www.AbsolutePerfectionMedia.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://www.acs-md.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.acs-md.com.

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