Tires and Technology, Your Car’s Connection to the Road.

How much tire keeps your Car or Truck on the Road!  Think about it, in reality it is not that much between your car and the road, about the size of four palm prints, one for each tire.  Look at the palm of your hand, and that is your cars footprint in four places. In essence those four patches of rubber is all that keeps your car on the road. That small amount of space is what keeps a couple of tons of moving machine with you and your family inside, safe and on the road.

How those tires are engineered and made is the difference of how those four patches of rubber keep you on the road. What is the first thing you think of when you drive over that pothole on the highway? “Ouch!” Is my first response, as the car jumps and bounds out of the pothole and on its way, then again as the back tire hits the same spot, yep I am sure that I will have two flats within a few miles. How does that black doughnut withstand that and still come out round and full of air?

We found out that there is more to tires than just looking good on your car when – BFGoodrich® Tires, invited us to one of their dealer training events designed to educate tire dealers on their main products. BFG has been making tires since the end of the 19^th Century, while its hardworking history may not be as fancy as some of the designer brands of tires, the BFG brand is a part of the Michelin family, keeping its American tough guy heritage.

Known to the Off-Road 4X4 Community for their All-Terrain T/A® KO2 tire,    – BFGoodrich® Tires, http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/ they also offer street as well as competition tires.

Aggressive traction be it in snow, mud, on road or off road, is key to moving as well as stopping, better grip in mud and snow, Side-Biter lugs in the sidewall improve traction in mud, snow and rocks. Raised bars in the shoulder help release compacted mud for better traction in soft soil. 3-D sipes create biting edges for better snow traction. With 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, indicating the Rubber Manufacturer Association’s severe snow traction requirements. The BFG KO2 tire has 10 percent greater traction in the mud and 19 percent greater traction in the snow4 compared to the previous-generation tire.

Durability is equally important with the KO2 lasting twice as long on gravel roads and 15 percent longer on asphalt, (think of a gravel road is very rough sandpaper, and asphalt is finishing sandpaper, both scrub off the tread.) The KO2 has a new tread design and rubber formulation that gives it better tread life, helping it to last twice as long on gravel and 15 percent longer on asphalt than the previous tire. The tread rubber has been optimally blended to reduce chips and tears on gravel. The footprint shape and interlocking tread design provide more uniform wear over the long haul. Special stone ejectors push objects out of the tread to reduce drilling into the tire.

The BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KO2 tire incorporates race-proven and race-winning CoreGard™ technology for split and bruise-resistant sidewall rubber, and a thicker, extended shoulder to prevent sidewall failures, giving it unmatched toughness. Twenty percent stronger sidewalls are critical in off-road performance. The BFG KO2 sidewalls are designed to deflect protruding objects, reducing the chances of splits and snags.

Off Road Tires are not the only products BFGoodrich has to offer. The same is engineered into their high performance tire, the gForce™ COMP-2™ A/S. Incorporating a Performance Racing Core (PRC) that delivers crisp responsive control while cornering hard, on wet, dry or light snow covered roads. Delivering wet and dry traction, stopping up to 15 feet shorter on wet roads and up to 5 feet shorter on dry roads, with better snow traction. Technology directly derived from track tires and optimizes the contact patch (that spot the size of your palm,) for enhanced traction at speed for increased acceleration, while adding sidewall stiffness to resist deflection for immediate turning response, while still maintaining ride comfort.

UltiGrip™ Technology: The g-Force™ COMP- 2™ A/S is made with a high-silica, cold-weather flexing compound designed for the best wet and dry grip, with all-season traction. This combined with Directional Tread Design and V-shaped angled lateral and longitudinal grooves optimize rubber-to-road contact for ultimate dry grip while efficiently evacuating water for better wet traction.

G-Force™ Tread: With advanced mold design and a performance tread profile evenly distributes stresses across the tire footprint improving long-term wear, as well as resisting irregular wear typically associated with directional tread designs.

Performance Racing Core (PRC): ETEC System™ (Equal Tension Containment System), Dynamic Suspension System (DSS), and g-Control™ Sidewall Inserts provide a reinforced internal structure that increases control while maintaining ride comfort and added sidewall stiffness to resist deflection for immediate turning response.

BFGoodrich® Tires now boasts two of the highest performing all-seasons tires in their respective tire categories. Engineered from BFGoodrich’s rich heritage of pavement racing and motorsports technology, BFG knows that performance seeking drivers demand the same attributes in a tire on the street in all seasons. BFGoodrich Tires’ UltiGrip™ Technology and g-Force™ Tread provide enhanced wet and dry traction, optimized rubber-to-road contact and the ultimate grip in hard cornering for control all year long.

For more information about the BFGoodrich® Tires g-Force™ COMP-2™ A/S tire, please visit http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

Wilderness does not mean living without luxury

Going into the wilderness does not mean being without luxury.  We recently went “Glamping” in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado at Dunton Hot Springs just outside of Dolores Colorado, and found out that you can be at one with nature and also be in the lap of luxury, all at the same time.  While remote we found it relazing and amazing to be in the middle of nowhere.

Owned by a European family who use it for an American get-a-way. When they have not booked the 12-plus cabin property complete with a Teepee and hot spring bath house for their personal use, it is available for private or corporate uses. Though you may just want to bring yourself, friends and your immediate family and spend a few days off the grid.

 In addition to the town of Dunton, there is an equally elegant “Camp” a few miles down the dirt road where posh tents on platforms provide additional suites for guests to stay the night. These tents are fully equipted with all modern amenties, yes, that includes indoor plumbing, which is more elegant than most five-star hotels.

While we were there a high-line automobile manufacturer was pressenting their line of up-scale recreational vehicles and other trucks to the automotive press. In addition to tents and cabins we were able to stay aboard some pretty amazing and well equipped RVs.

While you may not be so inclined to spend much time in your rustic abode while at Dunton, they do offer you elegant comfort with many refined touches including world-class food and libations. while your cabin has high end showers, western furnishings, and monogramed robe and slippers. All in what was once a booming 19^th century gold mining town deep in the Rocky Mountains.

Complete the experience with dip in a hot natural mineral spring, and of course sip some wine in the town saloon, with a world class Chef behind the stove, and some of the most amazing food and drink, you can indulge in the cowboy life without really missing the necessities of big city living.

About two and a-half hours by car from Durango airport, an hour or so from Telluride, and not far from Aspen, the location is well removed from the hectic pace of civilization, with no cellular phone or data service, though thankfully the village does have Wi-Fi. So make sure your Skype Account is funded, or your friends have FaceTime if you want to make a phone call, or bring a satellite phone to keep in touch with the outside world.  And do not expect to be able to find a television except in a couple of cabins.

While you may want to go just to get away from it all, there is plenty to see and do right on the property without having to leave. From a short walk to a wonderfully relaxing waterfall, to hiking, horseback riding or some fishing.  Even just a walk around the property is an experience in nature. Thinking about what it was like living and working here during its hey-day in the late 1800's, makes you appreciate the life we have with today's conveniences.

Seeing another human being is rarer than seeing the local heard of cattle moving to a new grazing pasture! The village  of Dunton is set in a field between two mountain peaks, and you will find plenty of creatures ever present, including snakes, (not the biting kind) rabbits, humming birds, bears and who knows what else might 

appear.  

The surrounding area is mountainous with ranches and farmland surrounded by National Forrest.  Dirt lanes and roads are the norm, though paved roads are the way to get between the nearby major population centers. 

Just standing on the porch of your cabin and taking in the views is enough to lower your blood pressure and breathing the clean mountain air, and bathing in the hot mineral waters of the indoor or outdoor hot springs will no doubt improve your health, if only your perception of it.

While this may not be the resort for everyone, it welcomes children and pets, making it a perfect family get-a-way to reflect and connect with nature.  Nightly rates for the cabins run from $600 to $2,000.  Though you might want to rent out the entire town and camp which runs from $21,000 to $36,000 per night. 

Make sure you add on for the excellent food they offer, with an experienced Chef on staff, you will not get cowboy grub, more like sophisticated big city meals made from local farm fresh ingredients.  Served in the saloon, or go ahead and have a cookout, they indeed cater to any need you may have.  And do it in very fine style.

For more information http://duntonhotsprings.com/  Including rates, location, and lots of great photographs.

To check out their webcam: http://duntonhotsprings.com/webcam/  Though it may be redirected or turned off depending on who is camping at any specific time.

                                     - William West Hopper  

The GLK, first with a face-lift in 2013, and now a new diesel engine this model year, has become a staple in the Mercedes-Benz model line up. We had the opportunity to try this new diesel in an afternoon test drive, thanks to fellow MBCA member and Euro Motorcars Bethesda Sales Professional, Eric Scott.

At first glance,the GLK 250 doesn’t look like an SUV because it has such a short overall length. I kept pulling up too far in parking places and at fuel pumps, especially because I am used to driving the longer ML. The GLK rides like a C Class Sports Sedan, a little rough on patched pavement but just as nimble with a great with a great turning radius. This, combined with the short length, makes the GLK a perfect urban vehicle.

This model is equipped with a turbo-charged, four-cylinder, direct injection BlueTEC diesel engine. I found this intriguing. This is not the "olde tyme" diesel engine! There’s no hint that this car is powered by an oil burner. In fact, you need to remember to get in line at the "diesel only" fuel line, and use the fuel with the green-handled nozzle! The prominently green filler cap labeled "Diesel Only" and the sign on the inside of the fuel door on the right side of the car are also helpful reminders!

Riding in the GLK does not give much indication of the diesel power either. There is no smoke, very little turbo lag and minimal engine chattering. The lag was easily compensated for by feathering the accelerator, and there were only occasional sounds of clattering, as if someone were clacking drumsticks together in the distance.

When the GLK came out in 2010, I found the exterior styling too boxy and not reminiscent of other M-B SUVs in the line up. Other M-B models look similar to their bigger cousins. However, the GLK looks nothing like the ML, GL or even the über square and boxy G-wagon, nor does it have the graceful, classic Mercedes-Benz lines of the C-Class wagons.

Driving the GLK on DC city streets and the local parkways showed that it can handle some tough driving conditions without issue. It has nice engine performance and great fuel mileage—an average of 23 mpg on the day we drove it. Driving the GLK on rough, unpaved park roads along the Potomac demonstrated that is was every bit a Mercedes-Benz with a solid ride and handling. This 4MATIC model was light and responsive to the touch, with just a tad bit of torque steer.

The turning radius is impressive, especially for a four-wheel drive vehicle. Acceleration was good, not AMG style that throws you into the back seat, but still plenty of giddy up and go to get around that slow poke puttering in the fast lane. Secure handling gives peace of ming that this little SUV is going where you’ve asked it to go. The onboard computer system will tell you if it thinks you are not qualified to go where you think you want to.

When I spent a little too much time looking at the scenery on the Clara Barton Parkway, the lane keep assist kicked in, and I got the steering wheel vibration nudge. The park assist and side assist let you know when you are too close to anything that might interfere with your forward or backward movement. The rear camera was a great help, even if it does stay on for 100 feet after the car is going forward, just to let you see if, indeed, you ran over something.

Interior instrumentation, radio/navi and seating is directly related to the current generation W204C Class. My only complaint is that the HVAC controls are a tad out of reach, so that the driver’s eyes leave the road to change the settings.

Seating and ergonomics are comfortable. The rear seats fold down, and the boxiness of the body allows for a large hatch opening. There is plenty of room inside to carry what you bring home from the big box store or the local farmer’s market.

If you are in the market for an urban hauler with good fuel economy and a comfortable ride with all the qualities of a Mercedes-Benz, the GLK 250 is certainly worth taking out for a test drive of your own!        -  William West Hopper

The Daily Driver’s Practical Car

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350

I have to admit, my first thoughts were that I was not going to like this car. The preconceived notions were that it was a SLS wannabe, small inside, basically a chick car. Those were quickly dissolved on the 1,000 mile, two-day drive to North Carolina for an MBCA event to tour the legendary Hendrick Mostorsports NASCAR facility.

My first thought was; "Is it practical? Well after driving it and getting very good fuel economy and engine performance, practical may need a better definition! The second, "Is it a chick car?"Although women are attracted to the SLK, and do drive them, men do not lose their masculinity by driving the SLK, as they may with the competitors, the Porsche Boxter and the Audi TT. Within a few miles, there was no question this is a driver’s car, the SLK is nimble, and powerful, it goes where you point it!

The look of the car is very iconic, even more so now, with the arrival of the new 2013 SL. This truly is a little brother in the line with the SLS and SL. Color and options play a big difference in the experience of any car, the deep black (no cost) exterior and black interior with aluminum trim (no cost option) made this car look quite stealth like. This SLK had the aluminum roll bar trim delete (takes $150 off the price) and is worth doing to keep the monochromatic look. Upgrading the wheels to one of the AMG options will make this car stand out even more.

Upon getting into the driver’s seat I was impressed at how roomy it was; the dash and controls are well laid out,the seats allow you to stretch out with infinitely adjustable backs. The air scarf in the top of the seat blew heated or cooled air on our necks and shoulders, and, as odd as that sounds, it was very comfortable.

Interior volume was more than I expected. Any sports car, coupe or cabriolet is not going to be as roomy as the ML that I drive on a daily basis. The seating and leg and head room were perfectly comfortable, though the seat bottom can become tiring on a six-hour ride. Driving a sports car this size, you do not need to bring along anything but your driver’s license and bail money!

As far as engine performance, driving both the Interstate as well as back roads, I found the 350 engine had power to spare, which demonstrated itself during a long hill climb on I77 in Northwestern North Carolina, passing a 7 series BMW. There was as much power as needed, and more when asked for! I did not expect much fuel economy with my lead foot, but the SLK averaged a respectable 27.5 average mpg for the trip.

The ride was sporty OK, I will even say rough- definitely more athletic than I am used to in my M or C Class! Not that I expected the soft ride of an S Class! It is, after all a small sports car!

Luggage space is surprisingly roomy, even with the top down; just don’t expect to be able to access much in a fully packed trunk with the top down. Once the top is in place in the trunk, you can only access a few items. Speaking of the top down, who owns a cabriolet without driving it topless? Like any convertible, your hair will be windswept and the noise level increases, but not so much that you cannot have a conversation or listen to the sound system without maxing out the volume.

Considering that this a convertible, the sound performance on the audio system was just fine of course upgrading to the multimedia package would improve it. No question the audio system is designed to support the Apple product line, through the pig tail connector, and an on-screen display of songs. The pig tail was easy to access in the center console, but if you wanted to connect an iPad, the issue would be where to stow it? Droid smart phones are an afterthought, the Bluetooth® connector worked just fine for the phone and playing standard music files.

It took some intense computer programming of both the phone and the system to program to continuously stream Pandora.

Pricing for this black-on-black SLK 350 with the Premium 1 package and basic options, sticker was just over $58K. Adding some nice-to-have add-ons will bring it just a little more than $63K. If you are in the market, speak with your favorite Mercedes-Benz dealer and see what incentives and promotions are available at the time of purchase.

Always remember your Mercedes-Benz Club Member Loyalty bonus of $1,000 off any new M-B for club members who have been members at least one full year! That bonus is on top of the best deal your dealer has for you, so do not forget it! It is available on any new M-B sold in the USA. Log onto the mbca.org website for full details and to print your member savings certificate.

This is a fun car to drive! I was sad to hand the keys back to the dealership at the end of the trip. I was surprised at how my impression on the car changed in just two days. Practical really depends on your definition. A sporty fuel-efficient car for running around does not have to be a boring mini-car! Nor do you have to drive around every day in a car capable of carrying a month’s worth of groceries. The SLK can be practical, efficient, as well as, attractive and fun to drive!

 

William Hopper, MBCA Eastern Regional Director thanks Euro Motorcars of Bethesda Maryland for a chance to review the SLK 350.

http://www.eurobethesdamercedes.com/

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2012

You do not have to be a college student to experience Spring Break! Amelia Island Concours is the first of the triple crown of USA Concours events, held in early March, this is the first sense that winter is over, and how the season begins for many MBCA members.

The week before the “Amelia Island Show” is filled with events that satisfy any automotive enthusiast. Car auctions, seminars, marque drives of new models and celebrity-studded social events make up the glamour and excitement of the Amelia Island experience, and has for the last 17 years.

Mercedes-Benz is right there in the center of everything - as a founding sponsor of the show, showing off classic, as well as brand new models, highlighting the brand in a number of ways. From displays and drives, to dinners and press introductions of new models!

This year AMG played a big role having the AMG Driving Academy staff on hand to demonstrate the AMG product line. From the C63 AMG Coupe to the E63 Wagon, and of course the full line of C, E, and S sedans, CLS, and SLS. Not just a display of Mercedes-Benzs alone, attendees are able to test drive many different high-line brands around this island paradise.

 

For those who like to shop, you can buy everything from auto themed art work and jewelry to the cars themselves. Two prestigious auction houses, RM Auctions and Gooding & Company hold high-line vehicle auctions in the days prior to the show, with vehicles going into the six and seven digits!

Arriving on Friday we attended the Gooding & Company Auction at the Omni Plantation. Although not directly affiliated with the Amelia Island Concours, RM benefits from the excitement and the crowds that come for the Amelia Island Concours weekend of events.

Friday is a great day to take in the seminars, vendor displays and new marque drives held at the Ritz Carlton where the Amelia Concours is hosted. Friday is a more intimate experience than Saturday, you are not overwhelmed by the crowds and you get to see the cars and talk with manufacturers representatives, visit with friends, that may not be as easy to do on Saturday or Sunday.

Saturday repeats what happens on Friday, just with more enthusiasm! Saturday night is when a number of dinner and social events happen, including the annual MBCA | Peachtree and Mercedes-Benz Dinners.

                           

This year the MBCA | Peachtree Section dinner was host to members from 17 different sections around the country. A select number of MBCA members are invited to attend the black-tie dinner held at the Ritz Carlton hosted by Mercedes-Benz.


The culmination of events is the show on Sunday. This year it has expanded to include more cars and more people than ever before. Mercedes-Benz Club of America this year provided “The Mercedes-Benz Club of America Award” for the Most Historically Significant Mercedes-Benz. Presented by MBCA Past National President, Roger Van Ness. I was awarded to a 1952 Mercedes-Benz W194, owned by Bruce and Jolene McCaw of Bellevue, WA.


Each year this event becomes more popular and grows in strength, from the activities and the vendors, to the show itself! If you have not attended, you are missing a great opportunity to see and experience an amazing Concours event.  Next year’s event will be held March 8-10 2013, plan on attending, and participating as an MBCA member.

Book Review: Pagoda Style: Our Stories, Our Pictures, Our Cars.

Pagoda Style: Our Stories, Our Pictures, Our Cars.

by Michael Salemi

If you’ve ever wanted a W113 SL (230, 250,280) or if you own one already, you will want to pick up this hardcover book. It is a collection of stories from owners  all over the world!  How they came about the car, what drove them to own the car, and how they have cared for the car(s) they have owned.

The 144 page book also contains beautiful pictures that accompany each article. Photos of the cars, and the owners including orginal works of Paul Bracq, such as his Pagoda painting. Pagoda Style recently won the Silver Award from the Indpendant Publishers Book Awards!

It will be an excellent addition to your MB library, one you will want to display or give as a gift to a friend.  A limited edition print run with less than 100 copies remaining, order soon before they are all gone! 

Find out more about the book on the www.sl113.org website, as well as Facebook. If you aspire to own one of these classics or if you own one, this book is a “must have”.

Michael Salemi, past president of MBCA’s International Stars Section and a contributing editor to MBCA’s Star magazine, conceived, designed and edited the book and is now offering it for sale to the public.

The cost is $75 (US) available on Amazon, as well as directly from the author Michael Salemi          mdsalemi@sbcglobal.net.

Mercedes-Benz Concours d'Elegance Juding School - April 14 2012

The Tarheel Section of MBCA will be holding the 2012 MBCA Concours Judging Class for the Eastern Region At Mercedes-Benz of Greensboro, in Greensboro NC on Saturday, April 14. This one-day class will have you ready for the coming year of MBCA Concours events!

How can you become an MBCA Concours Judge, or just improve your skills? What does a judge look for when judging a Mercedes-Benz? This is your opportunity to find the answers!

This class is open to all MBCA members, and will teach you how to prepare and judge Mercedes-Benz cars for MBCA Concours d’Elegance events. You will learn what judges look for when Mercedes-Benz’s are being judged. Taught by Pete Lesler, MBCA Concours Chair and past MBCA President, the class will teach you what to look for when judging, as well as what to prepare on your M-B when it is to be judged.

The class will be taught at Mercedes-Benz of Greensboro in the conference room starting at 9:30 am. We will break for lunch and get a private tour of the dealership. After lunch the group breaks into judging teams reviewing participants cars based on what was learned in the class. Everyone will then return to the conference room where Pete will go over the judging and discuss the scores.

A light breakfast will be offered and lunch is included in the cost of the class. The cost of the class will be $10 you will need to reserve your spot early, as Pete’s classes fill up quickly! Please RSVP by April 7 for this great opportunity.

For More Information or to RSVP, contact:

Scott Coley 828.433.8486 scottmci@directus.net

The Concours Judging Class will be held:
Saturday April 14, 9:30 AM

Mercedes-Benz of Greensboro

819 Norwalk st, Greensboro, NC, 27407 http://www.greensboro.mercedesdealer.com/about_us/opening_hours_location