carnut1

It has been 7 years since I traded in my W221, and though I have had (2 AMG SUV's for my girlfriend) other MB cars since, this car is exactly what I was looking for. I am not as well know here as I am on other car forums, but I am the maniac that buys 8 to 11 cars a year (the S Class was car #460 in the last 35 years) . I was surprised to find out from MB that the full manual was not available in print nor was the command manual, so I had one of my assistants arrange have both printed in manual style from the down loads Us old guys still like real paper and print. I have a thing for steering wheels (It is a tactile thing) and do not like wood, or carbon fiber or anything but thick leather, so I had to go and source the flat bottom AMG steering wheel (and airbag) from Germany. It is being shipped on Monday. I picked up my first wrench to take a car apart over 45 years ago (so yes I am one of those old guys), and have been redesigning cars ever since. Right now sharing space with the S Class are an Alfa Romeo 4C, Lotus Evora 400 (gearshift), BMW i8, Porsche 997 (a one of a kind with 140K worth of modifications) a Range Rover Supercharged Autobiography, (My Dogs have there on transport a Jeep Grand Cherokee), Plus my girlfriend AMG GLE and 718 Cayman S. Yes I am a bit off the wall, but I have had an unusual life, never made it past the 8th grade, spent 4 years on the rode with the dead. I am a business owner, inventor, and author, and usually when it comes to cars I just cant leave them alone. I must say though that other that the change of the steering wheel, ordering new non runflat tires, and a throttle controller (I cant stand drive by wire delay either), I am going to leave this car alone. I already have a big heavy thing that (the RR) has more power than it needs, I don't the 550 needs anymore than what MB gave it. Besides I'm getting to the point that I have started buying cars I plan to keep, and this might be one of them. I look forward to joining in on you discussions. Thanks.

syswei

Congrats.

Wow, 460 cars! Ever had a Tesla?

What does 4 years on the road "with the dead" mean? Grateful Dead?

carnut1

Yes it does, and no never had a Tesla. A fine car for some I'm sure, I'm just not one of the some. I come from the time of black and white TV's and bomb drills in school (like hiding under a desk with your head down would help if they dropped a nuke), I find that big screen very annoying and don't want to be connected when I'm driving.

ffr2014

Congrats! Love to see some pics!

Streamliner

460 in 35 years, wow! And I thought I was nuts having 60 new cars in 42 years. Can we see a list?

BenzV12

Congrats, a please to meet an ultimate flipper
Happy Driving

carnut1

Okay it appears I am having trouble posting pictures. Yes I did men the Grateful Dead, and it would take a while to list every car, but here are a few 41 Porsche's 41 BMW 37 MB multiple Ferrari's (I am carnut on Ferrarichat been on there for 14 years) Maserati's and Lamborghini's, many corvettes, and a lot of Brits (triumphs MG's etc), which is why I learned how to work on cars (one spitfire went dead every time you turned on the headlights), since they always broke. Many Jeeps, Land Rovers and even 11 Lexus's, a few Miata's and pickup trucks No tesla, I come from the age of black and white TV bomb drills in school (like hiding under your desk with your head down would protect you from a Nuke), I am sure they are fine cars for some, I'm just not the some. That screen annoys me, but I did well with the stock.

carnut1

MBNUT1

Well you certainly meet the definition of a car nut.

wows500

Congratulations on your collection. Wow 460 is some record.
Since you mentioned you come from the time of black and white TV's and bomb drills in school, any interest or did you dabble in antique cars?
I have 1960 Chevy Impala convertible and love it. Only 28000 miles on it

Streamliner

So, were most of your purchases new or used?

MBS63AMG

Damn, I suspect you lost over $2M in depreciation losses.

C280 Sport

Very impressive write up. Out of curiosity when you say purchase do you mean I bought the car? Or I rented it(Leased it) I have had a decent amount of cars myself but nowhere near that number! All the MB's listed in my signature. A Ferrari, 2 Maserati's, 2 Porsches, 1 Viper RT/10, 10 Dodge Caravans(Work cars), a couple GMC trucks and a couple Fords. All purchased used of course.

carnut1

I do not lease cars only buy them, and about 85% of my cars were new. If you few to ask anyone who knows me they would tell you I am crazy. I have over 170 watches, 30 suits (I don't wear suits) over 250 pairs of shoes, and every year I fill the whole house up with clothes and then donate them to charity and start all over again. I have lost alot more than 2 million since most of my cars were modified (I built the first RWD Gallardo in 04 sent the spec to Lambo they laughed at me then a few years later built the same thing). I was homeless living on the streets many years ago and no what its like to have nothing, so I give to many charities (human and animal) and try to help others whenever I can. I can see the allure of older cars but it has never been something that interested me.

syswei

Carnut1,
Seriously, if you haven't already I suggest you give a Tesla Model S P100D at test drive at least, if only for the experience. If you are intrigued after that you can also ask for an overnight test, or longer...I have heard of 5-6 day test drives, and I imagine that if you tell the salespeople how many Ferraris, Porsches, etc you've owned, they'd be happy to loan you one for awhile. You may end up hating the car or the interface or whatever, but since you are so 'nuts' about cars I think you'll find it an interesting experience. Just my 2 cents.

Streamliner

Well, my friend, the only thing I can say is: more power to you! However, from what you describe, it would appear that you are operating on another plane, somewhere on the 49th vibration, unbeknownst to mere mortals such as myself. So, not wishing to rain on your parade, I am leaving this thread as I am due back on planet earth. Cheers!

RoseyPSU

Wow, quite a collection. Welcome to another PA member. Where (generally) are you in the Commonwealth?

carnut1

Lol, if you read my novels you certainly be convinced that I am not from around here. I live in the Philadelphia suburbs not fair from Algar Ferrari. As I am well aware that this is the internet and though I am well known on other forums, no one knows me here. I certainly do not blame anyone for thinking this guy must be crazy or BS, so it you want to know (I am a bit crazy but never lie), have a look at mrbreezethenovel.com

As far as Tesla goes, I have taken a look at them, great car for some (great stock buy for me), but not something I wanted to own. Part of the allure of cars for me is the ability to change them to what I want them to be.

RoseyPSU

I would have been more impressed if you said you live "not far from the Tired Hands brewery."

Steinhart

good read, thanks for posting, we need more activity here!

glad you like your S class, I certainly do as well, great car

carnut1

Well the AMG steering wheel is on its way from Germany, and the new air bag is also on its way as well. I changed the steering wheel on my 221 too, just could never get used to the thin wheel with wood. It took me a while to find someone that actually knew enough to get me everything I was going to need to install it.If anyone is interested I will post photos. Should be here with the next 10 days.

carnut1

It appears the smart key starter is not compatible with the W222, I wonder why.

carnut1

New steering wheel and airbag came in from Germany yesterday will do in next week.