Wagon Stoke

[BmillsSkier]

+1

[MontuckyFried]

When I got my Volvo C30 back in 08 I had the same result. It was the nicest I'd owned in so many ways, not necessarily in the luxury dept but overall.

As a kid cars opened up the world, they took me to places that may not have been exotic but I'd never have gotten to see them without a car. I could see different worlds and cultures right in front of me, I could see places that looked different and intriguing and it spurred a lifelong need to devour maps and try to "see" all of those places vicariously.

15 years later I still find myself looking back over my shoulder as I pass a C30 and think that I should have another one and then I think I should hone in on an 1800ES because I've appreciated them the same way but for 50 years rather than just 15. Either way, it's one of the few things where my function over form programming falls apart. It's even worse when a Serie III E Type FHC enters my purview.

Wow. Beautifully said.

[MontuckyFried]

Easily the nicest car I've ever owned. Growing up, I was that kid washing and waxing the family 240DL on Sat morning. LOVED cars. More about freedom than status. As we all do, kids come along, practical decisions are made and we own semi-boring Toyotas and VW's.

This one is a bit different. I find myself looking for excuses to go look at it in the garage. Spent a bunch of time just fiddling with the settings. Put a coat a wax on it yesterday. It's just so nice.

Dude. That's awesome. Glad you're loving the car so much! It's a sweet ride for sure.

It is amazing the feeling we can get from a nice car. Congrats

EXACTLY! For those of us who don't experience vehicles as mere appliances, there is a wonderfully intangible feeling that a vehicle that "speaks to us" can bring. Sometimes it doesn't even have to be the nicest vehicle per se, but rather a deep appreciation for when a car does its job well, WHATEVER its objective may be. It is the BEST feeling when you have something that isn't a "Well, it gets me from point A to point B" or "Well, it has 4 wheels and an engine" sort of vehicle, but rather something you look forward to getting behind the wheel of, looking for excuses to take it out.

I freaking love that I now have 2 vehicles I always look forward to to take out to complete my various suburban missions. I take the C30 when I want to have more fun, and the E wagon when I want to cruise in comfort or need the space. Right tool for the job and all that. However, that's where your V70R, the A6s everyone's getting here, or an E63 wagon really hit that jack of all trades sweet spot.

I think Marc Urbano of Car and Driver said it best in C&D's long term review of the '19 E450 wagon I posted a few pages back:

Around these parts—okay, in our heads—modern wagons park on the same pedestal as proper exotics. We hardly think twice when a Mercedes-Benz E-class sedan pulls up next to us at a stoplight. But an E-class wagon? That evokes pangs of envy and longing. In our mind's eye, this wagon's long-roof shape is the ultimate symbol of inconspicuous automotive consumption.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...n-reliability/

[MontuckyFried]

I was looking within 200 miles (which includes NYC and N. Joisey) but I've got 375,000 Southwest points so traveling to look at a car just about anywhere is feasible. There is another E400 with leather and acceptable miles only about 90 minutes from me but it's overpriced and white...

Sadly, going to add in some V90 searches but I really wanted that Merc...

Oh, the V90 is absolutely a viable option and a darn great (see twomartini's sweet whip for proof of that) so nothing sad about expanding your search to include them. HOWEVER, if you really have your heart set on the Mercedes, perhaps for the same reasons I went that route, then hate to say it but plan on cashing in those Southwest points like I did to acquire mine. I figured it was worth the gamble if it meant saving a fortune on the car and getting an acceptable color and option package I wanted. There was one within 100 miles of me, but it was over 10K more and had higher miles. (It's still for sale as it is clearly overpriced). I figured if I had to do a one-way return flight of shame, then that's part of the game. Had the Delta points to spare, so I went for it. Felt good about it after working with the seller over the phone, getting more photos, service history, etc. Worked out great.

Do daily nationwide searches on Autotrader, Autotempest, but what will REALLY help you whittle the list down is by selecting Private Party only. Then it's only a handful for sale in the nation at any given time. I found some outstanding 2017+ examples that way when I was considering going with one that new.

[Mustonen]

Easily the nicest car I've ever owned. Growing up, I was that kid washing and waxing the family 240DL on Sat morning. LOVED cars. More about freedom than status. As we all do, kids come along, practical decisions are made and we own semi-boring Toyotas and VW's.

This one is a bit different. I find myself looking for excuses to go look at it in the garage. Spent a bunch of time just fiddling with the settings. Put a coat a wax on it yesterday. It's just so nice.

Same. I’ve always loved cars and have never bought anything close to what I really wanted, until now. If I was lucky I’d get my (now ex) wife’s old car when she got a new one. My A4 allroad was the first time I was truly excited to drive my daily driver, and this is a whole other level. Now the daily commute is a highlight of my day. It’s leaps and bounds nicer than anything I’ve owned. I flushed out the wheels. Looking forward to putting some glossy black rims on for my snow tire setup. I think I’ll paint the calipers red. I’ve put a pause on buying anything for the car until I get back from vacation next month, though.

Somebody asked me if I was going to drive it in the winter and I didn’t quite understand the question. I feel the whole point of the car is to daily it. I’m not the type to baby my skis either… If it’s a powder day I’m gonna bring out my powder skis. If coverage is thin I’ll pick my line and/or go faster, but I don’t get enough powder days to risk one with a used up pair of old rock skis.

Somehow it got a ding on the passenger side rear door. It pangs me every time I look at it. Scheduled an estimate for tomorrow to get that sorted.

[jm2e]

Rolled up behind this yesterday. Driver looked about 100 years old.


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[BmillsSkier]

Rolled up behind this yesterday. Driver looked about 100 years old.


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I think by law you aren't allowed to have a "AAA" sticker applied to the bumper unless you were at least 75.



If you've got an extra $20 grand laying around not doing anything, maybe you should consider acquiring these 40 feet of Detroit steel and wood paneling.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ibextid=6ojiHh

[Timberridge]

I think I’ll paint the calipers red.

Perhaps we can talk you into these nice acid green Brembos?

[Timberridge]

This set has sort of an Andy Warhol feel to it...

[BmillsSkier]

Surely Riser can get behind those, no?

[skaredshtles]

Those are my spirit calipers.

[Timberridge]

Surely Riser can get behind those, no?

Does he have any peanut allergies?

[BmillsSkier]

Does he have any peanut allergies?

If he does, I'm afraid Skittles calipers will be a colorful bridge too far.

[gravitylover]

Thanx guys. It felt good writing that out

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Oh, the V90 is absolutely a viable option and a darn great (see twomartini's sweet whip for proof of that) so nothing sad about expanding your search to include them. HOWEVER, if you really have your heart set on the Mercedes, perhaps for the same reasons I went that route, then hate to say it but plan on cashing in those Southwest points like I did to acquire mine. I figured it was worth the gamble if it meant saving a fortune on the car and getting an acceptable color and option package I wanted. There was one within 100 miles of me, but it was over 10K more and had higher miles. (It's still for sale as it is clearly overpriced). I figured if I had to do a one-way return flight of shame, then that's part of the game. Had the Delta points to spare, so I went for it. Felt good about it after working with the seller over the phone, getting more photos, service history, etc. Worked out great.

Do daily nationwide searches on Autotrader, Autotempest, but what will REALLY help you whittle the list down is by selecting Private Party only. Then it's only a handful for sale in the nation at any given time. I found some outstanding 2017+ examples that way when I was considering going with one that new.

What I love about the Mercedes over the Volvo (I've had 4 Volvos spanning 1989 - 2012 model years; my first was a 1989 740 GL Wagon with a 5MT that I picked up in Gothenburg. I sold the 2012 S60 in 2019) is the differential between MSRP and used car sale price. The Volvos just don't depreciate as fast as the M-Bs do. But I think the V90XC is rolling sex in the right color combo like 2martinis'.

That white E400 that was 90 minutes from me and clearly overpriced just sold today....

[Mustonen]

She posed for some pictures….





Looks so good…

[BmillsSkier]

Looking good man!

[lowsparkco]

Same. I’ve always loved cars and have never bought anything close to what I really wanted, until now. If I was lucky I’d get my (now ex) wife’s old car when she got a new one. My A4 allroad was the first time I was truly excited to drive my daily driver, and this is a whole other level. Now the daily commute is a highlight of my day. It’s leaps and bounds nicer than anything I’ve owned. I flushed out the wheels. Looking forward to putting some glossy black rims on for my snow tire setup. I think I’ll paint the calipers red. I’ve put a pause on buying anything for the car until I get back from vacation next month, though.

Somebody asked me if I was going to drive it in the winter and I didn’t quite understand the question. I feel the whole point of the car is to daily it. I’m not the type to baby my skis either… If it’s a powder day I’m gonna bring out my powder skis. If coverage is thin I’ll pick my line and/or go faster, but I don’t get enough powder days to risk one with a used up pair of old rock skis.

Somehow it got a ding on the passenger side rear door. It pangs me every time I look at it. Scheduled an estimate for tomorrow to get that sorted.

Drive it like you stole it, Mustonen.

About a month or two after buying the A4 last summer I knocked an old townie bike off it’s kickstand and the handlebar slammed into the passenger door. I was angry at myself for about a half hour, then I started thinking about this paintless repair guy I had met. Ran it by his shop a week later and in 2 hours it looked like new. I think it cost me $300 or so. Felt a little foolish for being so mad when it happened.

[twomartinis]

This set has sort of an Andy Warhol feel to it...

timberr always separating the wheat from the chaff

now I don’t always drift; but when I do I drift dos equis



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[liv2ski]

Fun in snow and a empty lot

[BmillsSkier]

timberr always separating the wheat from the chaff

now I don’t always drift; but when I do I drift dos equis



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Now that looks fuckin fun!

[huckbucket]

She posed for some pictures….





Looks so good…

SO awesome!

Here's something I don't understand. Your side sills, grill and front spoiler are painted to match. But that's not the black out package because your badges are chrome? In contrast, my car has the "full body paint" option at $1K and my side sills, grill and front spoiler are silver (but my side mirrors are painted to match).

[BmillsSkier]

You can still do brightwork badges with the black optics package IIRC.

[Mustonen]

It is the black optics package. Not sure if they change that year to year? I have half a mind to black out the badges. It’s all silly vanity, but fun even so.

[twomartinis]

Wait until you get an OBD 11. The quantity of customizable shit is amazing.


https://obdeleven.com/supported-vehi...gen/Atlas/2020

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so I looked up this OBDeleven,
makes me wish I was still living in vag-com land!
g- meter, power meter, brake wiping, gear display, selective locks, really useful stuff there

in contrast, volvos vida-dice is locked up tighter than my fist on a piece of bacon


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