Glyn's New Toy - plus some dealership pics
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Joined: Jan 2008
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C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
mac - Benz nearly did the long life stuff standard but were put off by the on-cost in an industry where saving a few cents = profit.
I can only talk for Auto Armor. My C240 was done new. It has never been polished in 8 years. The clearcoat is absolutely perfect - not a swirl in sight. No bird poo or anything has ever damaged it. Water still pebbles on the car. Had I kept her I would have had a reapplication done.
The paint companies like Spies Hecker, Glasurit, PPG etc. & the detailing industry never agree for obvious reasons. The paint companies have an attitude that you should not do anything that microscratches the skin of the clearcoat. Most polishes have a cutting agent in them that microscratces the surface & then fills them in with wax, polymers, silicone etc. If you strip those off with a solvent you have a microscratched surface left behind.
All I can report is what works for me at the coast & with many birds around. It's worked for me on many cars & costs a whole US$ 100 to have it done here. Everytime I take my car for service & demand a body inspection - want same out as it went in - the dealer is amazed at how perfect my paint is.
Clay Bar is a US thing. In ROW nobody knows what it is. I do, but lived in the US for many years.
I can only talk for Auto Armor. My C240 was done new. It has never been polished in 8 years. The clearcoat is absolutely perfect - not a swirl in sight. No bird poo or anything has ever damaged it. Water still pebbles on the car. Had I kept her I would have had a reapplication done.
The paint companies like Spies Hecker, Glasurit, PPG etc. & the detailing industry never agree for obvious reasons. The paint companies have an attitude that you should not do anything that microscratches the skin of the clearcoat. Most polishes have a cutting agent in them that microscratces the surface & then fills them in with wax, polymers, silicone etc. If you strip those off with a solvent you have a microscratched surface left behind.
All I can report is what works for me at the coast & with many birds around. It's worked for me on many cars & costs a whole US$ 100 to have it done here. Everytime I take my car for service & demand a body inspection - want same out as it went in - the dealer is amazed at how perfect my paint is.
Clay Bar is a US thing. In ROW nobody knows what it is. I do, but lived in the US for many years.
Here, they want $500+ or something silly and require it be reapplied every year.
Thanks for sharing these details. Your knowledge is not limited!
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 645
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From: Perth, Australia
Audi A4 Quattro 2013
My wife likes it in exactly that style (convertible) and colour. I like the more modest colours like Mercedes silver, white, black or dark grey. I also prefer the coupe because I can't see myself using a convertible much. I'd be concerned about skin cancer here in Western Australia which leaves evenings for use. But as I never owned a convertible and have only been in a few, I could change my mind :-)
I prefer the E coupe over the C, but budget will be a factor when the time comes. For the time being, I adore my w203... I still find myself smiling when I got for a drive.
I prefer the E coupe over the C, but budget will be a factor when the time comes. For the time being, I adore my w203... I still find myself smiling when I got for a drive.
Last edited by anonymousmoose; Dec 1, 2011 at 09:42 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Thanks Javvy
Will do mac. Delivery will be next week. Mud flaps had to be flown in from Germany. Ones shown in stock could not be found in Benz fancy computer picking warehouse in SA. Either a computer glitch or misplaced or worse. Anyway - they have arrived I'm told via Frankfurt. Require to be fitted. Can't stand stone chipped paintwork behind the wheels.
Will do mac. Delivery will be next week. Mud flaps had to be flown in from Germany. Ones shown in stock could not be found in Benz fancy computer picking warehouse in SA. Either a computer glitch or misplaced or worse. Anyway - they have arrived I'm told via Frankfurt. Require to be fitted. Can't stand stone chipped paintwork behind the wheels.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 645
Likes: 2
From: Perth, Australia
Audi A4 Quattro 2013
I second that. Noticed it yesterday. Supper pic. Sad to see the w203 avatar go, yet the CLK is a very worthy upgrade.
I'm starting to see good examples of the 2006-2007 CLKs for around $45k-$50k Australian. Less if they have the C200 engine.
Also Glyn, your still driving the latest model of the series as they don't make any CLKs anymore ;-)
I'm starting to see good examples of the 2006-2007 CLKs for around $45k-$50k Australian. Less if they have the C200 engine.
Also Glyn, your still driving the latest model of the series as they don't make any CLKs anymore ;-)
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Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Jag is not ready for reveal just yet - see sneak peek of rear wheel. The new Connolly hide upholstery kit is being fitted at present with lambswool headlining & Wilton carpets. Colour = Biscuit with BRG bodywork.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Dec 17, 2011 at 12:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Thanks - makes me feel better 
Thanks phi!
Yeah! I'm sad to see my 240 go. It has been a wonderful car. Anyway it's going to a good home & I will drive it from time to time.
No. See my first post. I'm not leaving the 203 forum & I have to moderate here & W204. You guys have been good to me & I'm staying.
Thanks
Thanks phi!
I second that. Noticed it yesterday. Supper pic. Sad to see the w203 avatar go, yet the CLK is a very worthy upgrade.
I'm starting to see good examples of the 2006-2007 CLKs for around $45k-$50k Australian. Less if they have the C200 engine.
Also Glyn, your still driving the latest model of the series as they don't make any CLKs anymore ;-)
I'm starting to see good examples of the 2006-2007 CLKs for around $45k-$50k Australian. Less if they have the C200 engine.
Also Glyn, your still driving the latest model of the series as they don't make any CLKs anymore ;-)
No. See my first post. I'm not leaving the 203 forum & I have to moderate here & W204. You guys have been good to me & I'm staying.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Took her for a long run today. Wow what a refined chassis - loving it.
Engine faultless - 7G has latest flash & no gremlins or jerks.
Can't find anything wrong with her yet
I guess that should be
Fit & finish is great!
Still on Conti SC3's - awful! Michelin PS2's out of stock in the rear size due to Xmas holiday rush - I must wait.
Still waiting for front mud flaps. Rears have arrived.
Getting used to driving all the fancy goodies. Crap there is a lot to go wrong on this car. Things like the motorised pillarless door to rear window sealing arrangement.
I'm surprised - on known routes she easily matches my C240's fuel consumption. I guess that's progress.
Wish it had an SA made Benz steering wheel. We make the rim a little thicker here with padding under thicker leather. The leatherwork/stitching on the German wheel is exquisite. It's just quite hard in feel. I'll get used to it.
Oh! The face of the dash mounted push-to-pop-out cup holder fell off. I reinstalled it properly & it is fine. It has 6 key hole/escutcheon slots that it clips into. How the hell it came loose I don't know? Maybe one of the detail crew caught a cloth in it or similar.
Well event free so far. I will keep you all informed.
Miss my hood star
Engine faultless - 7G has latest flash & no gremlins or jerks.
Can't find anything wrong with her yet
I guess that should be Fit & finish is great!
Still on Conti SC3's - awful! Michelin PS2's out of stock in the rear size due to Xmas holiday rush - I must wait.
Still waiting for front mud flaps. Rears have arrived.
Getting used to driving all the fancy goodies. Crap there is a lot to go wrong on this car. Things like the motorised pillarless door to rear window sealing arrangement.
I'm surprised - on known routes she easily matches my C240's fuel consumption. I guess that's progress.
Wish it had an SA made Benz steering wheel. We make the rim a little thicker here with padding under thicker leather. The leatherwork/stitching on the German wheel is exquisite. It's just quite hard in feel. I'll get used to it.
Oh! The face of the dash mounted push-to-pop-out cup holder fell off. I reinstalled it properly & it is fine. It has 6 key hole/escutcheon slots that it clips into. How the hell it came loose I don't know? Maybe one of the detail crew caught a cloth in it or similar.
Well event free so far. I will keep you all informed.
Miss my hood star
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The reason I will stay with PS2 is it & the Exalto PE2 remain dead quiet for their entire life on these chassis. The SS is an unknown in that regard. I can't stand noisy tyres & Conti SC series all suck!
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Hi Chris - Yeah - I'll get around to it. She's now dirty again. Rained 2 days in a row!! But at least I'm enjoying it!
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Mud flaps fitted by dealer today - 
. While they were messing with the car I took some pics of my Cape Town dealership. Thought you might be interested how we do things at the tip of Africa.
Pics heavily compressed & some through glass. Please excuse.
. While they were messing with the car I took some pics of my Cape Town dealership. Thought you might be interested how we do things at the tip of Africa.Pics heavily compressed & some through glass. Please excuse.
