Dallas Mercedes Dealer

The Mercedes S 600 Guard is the perfect marriage between luxury, comfort and security that can only come from an armored vehicle.

Handmade on a dedicated production line, the S 600 Guard is the newest addition of special protection vehicles, something that Mercedes has been doing for the past 80 years.

Not surprisingly, the result is a vehicle that provides both superior comfort and the highest level of protection as well.

Here are some of the items that the S 600 has for protection and safety:

• A fire-extinguishing system that can be triggered either automatically or manually. 12 nozzles are strategically located and are fed by two cylinders containing extinguishing agents;
• A camera at the rear that provides passengers a view of any trailing vehicles;
• An optional emergency fresh-air system which is capable of counteracting dangerous gaseous substances;
• An independent pneumatic emergency control system for the power windows;
• Sensors that detect smoke and/or tear gas. If and when detected, the air conditioning system automatically blocks or cuts off fresh air coming from the outside;
• A special protected fuel tank that re-seals itself if perforated by bullets or shrapnel;
• Michelin PAX run flat-tire system;
• An optional Panic Alarm System which can be activated from anywhere inside the vehicle. It will automatically lock the doors, creating a protected “bubble” and at the same time, activates both visual and audible alarms;
• An emergency opening facility located in the trunk (or boot). It allows passengers to free themselves or exit the car via the trunk;
• Armor with a level IV or B7 protection rating capable of withstanding anything from 9mm,5.56mm to armor piercing 7.62 X 51 NATO rounds striking the car to grenade shrapnel and other explosive devices underneath the vehicle.

The wealthy, rich and famous and infamous and/or the just plain paranoid now have a new toy: the Mercedes E Guard. Just like its bigger brother, the Mercedes S 600 Guard, the E Guard is part of a line that continues Mercedes’ 80 years tradition of providing special protection vehicles while at the same time maintaining the level of excellence and comfort that its’ customers have learned to expect.
It appears that early on, Mercedes recognized the need for a special protection vehicle but not as heavily armored as the S 600. Understandably, diplomats and royalty who are subject to acts of terrorism need a vehicle that can withstand armor piercing, automatic weapons fire. Hence the S 600 Guard with B7 armor.
For the wealthy businessman, the S 600 even if he could afford it, would seem a bit of an overkill. The major threat to the rich would be pistol wielding muggers or carjackers. The Mercedes E-Guard has a VR4 (formerly B4) Protection Level rating appears to fit this need. This means that for example, the polycarbonate windows can withstand fire from 9mm, .357, and .44 Magnum and 12 Gauge Slug ammunition rounds and the metal plates that form a protective cage can put up with DM 51 hand grenades. Again like its bigger brother, the E Guard looks practically identical to its unprotected version. Like the S Guard model (Incidentally, a G-Class Guard is also available) the E Guard is also built on its own assembly line, which lets Mercedes armor up the car as part of the original production process.
There are currently 2 E Guard trims available: the E 320 CDI and the E 550. The E 320 CDI has a V6, 24 valve, 224 hp engine and has a top speed of 140 mph. Not bad considering that the E 320 Guard is 800lbs heavier than the standard E320 which has a curb weight of 3,858 and a top speed of 153mph.
More to follow…

In an earlier post we listed down the items that were not included in the MSRP. Those costs were transportation to the dealership, registration, miscellaneous fees and taxes. Haggling or trying to get a discount only affects the MSRP which if you are successful only lowers the cost of the vehicle to its actual market value. Nowadays, the dealer may give in but the above costs are fixed and will add those on to the agreed price/MSRP.
Total Cost to Own or TCO is the more realistic price. This takes in several factors such as cost of fuel, insurance, financing, maintenance and the like over a span of 5 years. It may be that you may be able to buy the car but you can’t afford to run it.
Also earlier we compared the 2009 Mercedes CLK550 Cabriolet and the Mercedes SLK55 AMG Roadster and checked their TCOs. The CLK550 has an MSRP of $64,800 while the SLK 55 is at $65,700. The Roadster is $900 higher yet the TCO for the AMG is $85,929 and the CLK 550 is $95,972 or $10,043 more than the “pricier” ($900) SLK 55. So what gives? Because it costs more to maintain and operate CLK than the Roadster. The CLK 550 has a bigger engine. Not by much –by .1liters actually but fact is cost per mile is 13 cents higher. Multiply over the years and the miles and you’ll get the picture. Depreciation is probably the biggest difference. Depreciation cost of the Roadster in five years will be at $42,482 while the CLK will be around $46,468.
So again make sure to ask what is the TCO of the car you’re interest

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine asked me for advice about getting a new vehicle. Actually his mind was sort of made up as to the brand. He was interested in a Mercedes. A couple of days later I sent him an email that listed a few tips that I think he should keep in mind. He liked what I wrote and suggested that I post it. So here goes:
Hey Bro,
Listed are some of the things you might want to look out for or consider before making your choice. You mentioned that you aren’t much of a techie so I won’t bother with stuff like torque or powertrain and stuff like that. Though they are important fact is I think you should pay attention to these. The rest will follow.
1. Where do you plan to use it? City? Off road? Cross country?
2. Do you plan to haul cargo or bulky stuff in it?
3. Will your decision be function over form or the other way around?
4. What’s your budget like?
5. Are you particular about mileage and the cost of maintenance?
6. How long do you intend to keep it?
7. Will this be for the family or just for you most of the time?
I know you’re practically decided on getting a Mercedes. So think about these stuff first then get back to me. By the way, whatever you choose Mercedes does have a good line of vehicles. So the decision won’t really be that tough.
Answer those questions and take them with you when you go to your Mercedes dealership.

On my third day in Hong Kong I decided to meet up with my lady friend. While waiting at a Starbucks and staring at the street, I just realized that my friend was not exaggerating when she said that Mercedes Benz was one of the more popular brands of cars here.

At least 6 out of 10 cars that passed by was a Mercedes Benz.

There were your usual Audis and Beamers but in a span of roughly 15 minutes I saw a silver CLK, 2 C-300s, an E-550 Sport and a C-350 Sport.

Then my friend shows up-and shows up in style- A fire opal SLK 55 AMG. I must say I was impressed.

The SLK 55 is equipped with a 5.5 V8 engine that pumps out 360 hp and AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic with steering wheel gearshift.

Sitting in the Flamenco red passenger seat with the Airscarf on (It’s still rather cold), I just took in the luxurious appointments of this beast.

Bose Cabin Surround System, Parktronic Parking Assistant and DVD navigation.

We drove to Stanley Market, a popular tourist place.

Did I mention that they drive on the other side of the road here?

Now 65mph doesn’t seem that fast but the trip to the market was on a 2 lane winding road that would put Nürburgring to shame.

All I can say is that I’m happy that Mercedes Benz never scrimped on safety.