To help protect our site visitors, here are a few resources to check if you are purchasing or selling a Mercedes-Benz in the near future:

• U.S. Department of Justice: Contact the Internet Fraud Division if you've been victimized.
• Automotive Scam Alert - Buzz Trader
• Top Ten Car Scams - Car Buying Tips 
• Car Buying Advice – Cars.com
• European Anti-Fraud Office: Help if you're a victim of fraud in Europe.
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.: Advice on how to avoid being the victim of a scam or counterfeit check issue.
• Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection: Contact this agency if you've been victimized by fraud.
• SL Market News: Get current values for Mercedes-Benz SL cars from the newsletter (subscription required).
• Hemmings Motor News: Values for special-interest or collectible cars.
• National Association of Attorneys General: List of all 50 state attorney general offices; contact the consumer protection division to report fraud.
• National Automobile Dealers Association: Retail used-car values.
• National Consumers League: Tips for using escrow services online.
• National Fraud Information Center: Info about Internet and telemarketing fraud.
• U.S. Postal Service: Mail Fraud Complaint Form, report frauds committed via U.S. mail.
• U.S. Secret Service: Get information on check and currency scams from the Counterfeit Division.

Nov. 14, 2007 – MBUSA Press Release

2008 C63 AMG, Visually and Technologically Distinctive
Making its U.S showroom debut in April 2008, the 2008MY C63 AMG is distinguished by unique AMG body styling, 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension and high-performance brake system – all designed by AMG specifically for this new model.  The C63 AMG can be easily identified by a special front hood with two power domes and a muscular front apron with large air intakes and side air outlets as well as fog lights ringed in chrome.  A “6.3 AMG” badge marks each front fender, and contoured side sill skirts carry the aggressive lines of the front end to the rear, while an AMG rear apron with a black air diffuser insert and three pronounced diffuser fins help enhance aerodynamic performance at high speeds.  An AMG lip spoiler on the trunk lid and a pair of twin tailpipes completes the exclusive look and sound of this special model.

Inside the C63 AMG, drivers are greeted by newly developed AMG leather sport seats with integral head restraints finished in a special cross piping and an AMG three-spoke sport steering wheel with distinctive aluminum shift paddles.  The unique “tubular” AMG instrument cluster was developed specifically for the C63 AMG with redesigned analog gauges and red needles.

An AMG menu in the central display includes special “Warmup,” “Setup,” and “Race” modes that can be viewed via the multi-function buttons on the steering wheel.  “Warmup” displays engine oil and coolant temperatures, while “Setup” shows the current ESP and transmission shift modes, and for owners who enjoy adjusting their vehicles to even higher limits, “Race” activates a timer that allows the driver to measure lap times.

The First Engine Developed from the Ground Up by AMG

The C63 AMG is powered by the first engine developed entirely by AMG – a 6.3-liter V8 that produces 451 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque for breathtaking acceleration times of 4.3 seconds from zero to 60 mph. Built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy, the AMG 6.3-liter features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, bucket tappets (rather than rocker arms) and a variable intake manifold.  The cylinder bores feature a twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating, a new process that results in impressively low friction and running surfaces that are twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders.
AMG engineers designed the 6.3-liter engine block with an especially rigid bedplate acting as the overall support of the main bearings, cast-in steel reinforcements and a sturdy closed-deck layout in the cylinder head area.  The high-flow intake and exhaust ports form a vertical straight line, helping the 6.3 AMG engine rev freely to over 7,000 rpm, yet the highly flexible AMG engine still produces nearly 90 percent of its peak torque at only 2,000 rpm.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels of the new C63 AMG via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission that can be shifted manually by either a conventional lever or Formula-1 style shift paddles on the AMG sport steering wheel.  To give performance-minded drivers total control of shifting, the manual mode of AMG Speedshift doesn’t intervene to cause any automatic upshifts – even at max engine speed – or automatic downshifts, even under full load.  AMG Speedshift electronic control provides 35% faster gear shifts and torque converter lockup from 1st gear.

The new C63 AMG is the very first AMG car with an automatic “throttle-blipping” feature during downshifts. This virtually jolt-free downshifting process reduces load-change handling response, and for motorsports-minded drivers, improves braking in advance of turn-in.

Razor-Sharp Chassis

The C63 AMG is also the first AMG model with a three-stage ESP system.  In addition to its normal “ESP ON” operation, the ESP button on the center console has an “ESP SPORT” mode as well as “ESP OFF.”  The ESP Sport mode allows for more aggressive driving with higher drift angles, which can make sporty driving more fun, not to mention more helpful on the race track.

Mechanically, the C63 AMG chassis features a redesigned front suspension including stiffer shocks and springs all around, with special rebound buffer springs in the front shocks, as well as new bearings, a stiffer stabilizer bar and 1.4-inch wider track.  Its speed-sensitive rack-and pinion steering feels even faster than its 13.6:1 ratio, thanks to a modified steering axis and a stiffer insulating disc in the steering column. At the rear, the multi-link suspension has been re-engineered, plus track is a half inch wider with increased negative camber for improved cornering.  To handle the increased power of the AMG V8, beefier halfshafts and driveshaft joints are installed.

Staggered-width 18-inch wheels (8.5 inches in front, 9.0 at the rear) make room for large AMG vented and perforated four-wheel disc brakes.  Front discs measure 14.2 inches in diameter with six-piston fixed calipers, and ample 13-inch discs with four-piston fixed calipers are used at the rear. 

AMG Performance Package Designed for the Race Track

For even crisper handling, the AMG performance package includes a limited-slip differential, stiffer suspension, composite (two-piece) perforated and ventilated front disc brakes and an AMG performance steering wheel wrapped in nappa leather.  The AMG performance package was designed for owners who are serious about competing on the race track with their C63 AMG. The New C-Class – A Handsome FamilyThe C63 AMG joins the new-generation C-Class line that’s larger in almost every dimension than its highly successful predecessor, with a greater emphasis on agility, comfort and safety.  With a nod to the recently introduced S-Class sedan, the look of the mid-size C-Class reveals the latest Mercedes design idiom that’s characterized by an edgy interplay of taut lines and wide, rounded surfaces. Power With a Sport or Luxury PersonalityIn addition to the high-performance C63 AMG, the C-Class line includes three V6-powered models – the C350 Sport, the C300 Luxury and the C300 Sport.  In addition, the C300 Sport and Luxury models are available with an all-new 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system mated to the seven-speed automatic transmission. 

Distinctive Sport Models

The AMG-inspired C-Class Sport models can be identified by the iconic three-pointed star in the front grille, a design cue usually reserved for its coupes and convertibles.  The new C-Class Sport models features AMG body styling – deeper front and rear aprons as well as under-door rocker panels – and twin-spoke 17-inch wheels of staggered width.  The car also comes with sport shocks, springs and stabilizer bars that provide a crisper ride and more than a half-inch lower ride height.  Instead of the Luxury model’s traditional four-spoke wheel and burl walnut trim, Sport models come with three-spoke steering wheels and either aluminum (C300) or black Birdseye maple (C350) interior trim.

Optional 4MATIC Four-Wheel Drive

As modern all-wheel-drive systems become even more refined, they are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the luxury car market.  With negligible weight and fuel-efficiency tradeoffs, full-time four-wheel-drive systems provide year-round traction and stability benefits on both wet and dry roads.
The latest version of the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system is optionally available on the new-generation C300 Sport and the C300 Luxury model.  After making its debut on the new-generation

S-Class sedan, the new 4MATIC system features a totally redesigned full-time all-wheel-drive system that’s integrated into the seven-speed automatic transmission.  The new system fits right into the standard body and utilizes the existing front suspension – gone are the special suspension parts and wider transmission tunnel that were necessary on earlier 4MATIC systems.

The extra gears and shafts that drive the front wheels now weigh only 145 pounds more than the rear-wheel-drive model.  Fuel efficiency has been improved, due to a number of innovative measures that minimize the energy needed to turn the extra hardware.

Electronic Controller Replaces Scores of Buttons

Similar to the popular system launched on the S-Class sedan, an electronic controller on the console works like a computer mouse to provide easy, quick operation of many functions that used to require scores of separate buttons and switches. By turning and pressing the aluminum controller, menus and sub-menus on the center-console screen are displayed and selected for the audio system as well as the optional navigation system and integrated phone.  The controller is also linked to the rocker switches on the multifunction steering wheel. 

A Choice of Audio Systems

Standard equipment in the new C-Class is an eight-speaker, 100-watt Audio 20 system that includes a single-slot dash CD/MP3 player, telephone keypad, an MP3 plug in the glove box and a Bluetooth interface.  Optionally available is a Multimedia Package which includes, a 450-watt harman/kardon LOGIC7 audio system featuring Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 surround sound a 6-disc CD/DVD changer, voice control and COMAND navigation.  The LOGIC7 system comes with 12 speakers, including two surround-sound speakers and a sub-woofer.The C-Class includes a MusicRegister feature as part of the Multimedia package, which enables CD "ripping" (saving) to a four-gigabyte hard drive that can store up to 1,000 tracks from an audio CD.  A Gracenote database automatically identifies each track with its title, artist, album name and other information.  The audio system can also play tracks stored on a data CD, DVD or memory card.

No Need to Ask for Directions with COMAND Navigation

A five-inch color display nestled under a flip-up cover at the top of the center console is standard equipment on the new C-Class.  When the car is equipped with the Multimedia package, a power-operated seven-inch display screen slides out and up when the flip-up cover is raised.The navigation system uses a hard drive with map data covering all of North America.  In addition to the high-resolution map display at the top of the center console, next-turn navigation instructions can also be shown in the instrument cluster central display. 

Renowned Mercedes-Benz Safety

The 2008 C-Class comes with all the safety features that people have come to expect from Mercedes-Benz – from four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes to six air bags, ABS anti-lock, traction control and ESP stability control.  In addition, active front head restraints move forward nearly two inches and upward by about an inch in the event of a severe rear collision, helping to support the head and reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries.

An AMG Hammer was being auctioned by AMG Market in a "telephone bid sale" conducted by John Olson and Greg Magnus. If you are interested in selling an AMG Mercedes-Benz through our auction process, please complete the form below. Photos of the AMG Hammer previously offered for sale are here. A description of the AMG Hammer and the history of the vehicle provided by the owner is here.

[THIS SALE OF THIS CAR HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.] 

There are many opinions we've all heard for avoiding loss of value in collectible cars. Is it better to rebuild an original engine's block than replace it? At what point do you take original paint off a collectible car? Many people spend extra thousands of dollars returning a car to it's original color after learning how it left the factory when new.

The SLML has praised the charm and often superior durability of original paint. Giving up a 90% well preserved original finish, even if faded, to eliminate a few scratches or dents doesn't make sense. Obvious losses come from hasty repair work that shows — from overspray on rubber that should have been removed to misaligned body work that belies an accident free past. Finally, there are obstructive insurance practices that can prevent proper repairs << MORE >>

If you're an avid Mixed Tape fan, you likely have all of the MP3 songs on this final release. Here's the promo newsletter I rec'd yesterday:

The cream of the crop: Mixed Tape 18 with 10 all-time favourites from the popular compilation series
 
All good things come to an end – Mixed Tape 18 will be the last compilation in its current guise. To sweeten the blow, we have compiled a very special best-of edition featuring 10 highlights from our well-stocked archives – available free of charge at www.mercedes-benz.com/mixedtape.

A delectable distillate of our most promising talents, Mixed Tape 18 throws a spotlight on Norway (R&B singer Kristin Hild), New Zealand (dub producer Tubbs remixed by legendary compatriots Fat Freddy’s Drop), Germany (pop wonders Wagner Love) and the UK (singer/songwriter Bev Lee Harling) to celebrate the wealth of young artists around the world who pursue their own visions.

And while this trip to the past marks the end of a popular format, it paves the way for future innovations.
Join us in the forum to discuss the next generation of Mixed Tape, scheduled for an autumn relaunch.

Enjoy the mix!

Your Mercedes-Benz Team
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/mixedtape

During the course of this Mercedes-Benz marketing promo hundreds of free MP3 songs were released. Unfortunately, you can't download previous releases but search on the web and you might find someone providing access to all of the MP3 files. Enjoy.

It didn't take long for the news to hit the mass media: Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management is purchasing a controlling stake in the Chrysler division of DaimlerChrysler, which is selling 80 percent of the Chrysler Group for $7.4 billion. The financial genius' at Daimler purchased Chrysler for $36 billion in 1998.

The following is a summary of the deal from DaimlerChrysler's website:

• Affiliate of Cerberus to acquire 80.1% equity interest in new company Chrysler Holding LLC; DaimlerChrysler AG to retain 19.9%
• Obligations for pensions and healthcare costs to be retained by Chrysler companies
• Transaction expected to result in net cash outflow of EUR 0.5 billion for DaimlerChrysler
• DaimlerChrysler’s net profit according to IFRS in 2007 to be reduced in a range of EUR 3-4 billion
• Equity ratio of DaimlerChrysler’s industrial business is expected to be over 40% by the beginning of 2008
• Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting to decide on change of name to Daimler AG
• DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche on the realignment of DaimlerChrysler AG: "We will be the leading manufacturer of premium vehicles and a provider of premium services in every market segment we serve worldwide."
• UAW President Ron Gettelfinger: "The transaction with Cerberus is in the best interests of our UAW members, the Chrysler Group and Daimler."
• Cerberus Capital Management Chairman John Snow: "Cerberus believes in the inherent strength of U.S. manufacturing and of the U.S. auto industry. Most importantly, we believe in Chrysler."

More info is available at DaimlerChrysler.com here.

Subscribe to either or both and save your time for reading quality content instead of spending countless hours searching for Mercedes-Benz AMG news, articles, AMG videos, and related resources. You can subscribe to the AMG Market "Blog Feed" here.

We also publish TACH – an exclusive publication for members of an "unofficial" group of AMG enthusiasts – The AMG Club. TACH provides in-depth premium content, AMG market trends, member feedback, collector information, member classified listings (first view), member social events and editorials.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BY COMPLETING THIS FORM

1. Please add "Free Monthly Newsletter" to the message box for the free newsletter
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NOTE: You are encouraged to contribute to the AMG Market. Please leave a comment and participate in the AMG Market Blog. In addition, we accept articles, pictures, and relevant content provided by our readers – complete the form above and we'll contact you with details.

This car enthusiast's dream home was built by Jack Dunn. Tragically, Jack died in an automobile accident and his estate is being sold. Jack was a member of the Virginia Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club and other automobile clubs. VeloceToday has a detailed story of the mansion here for those interested.

For example, a car with an HLDI theft loss score of 100 is considered to be average – numbers above 100 are higher than average. The Cadillac Escalade EXT has an astronomical loss ranking of 1,728. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and SL-Class rank 6th and 7th on the list; rankings of 227 and 209, respectively.

Additional Resources

Forbes has a more detailed story on the HDLI's report. The article is published here on MSNBC  for those interested.

Here's an excerpt of the press release. You can read the full press release over at CARSCOOP.

DaimlerChrysler: An incident, in which nobody got injured, occurred during the DTM presentation programme at Düsseldorf’s Königsallee. The rear of a former DTM race car (Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM from the year 2002), driven by Bruno Spengler, caught fire due to an overheated brake. The car was a five-year-old race car that had been fitted with the bodywork of the new C-Class for demonstration runs.

Here's the video from YouTube (Warning: the video includes an MP3/music overlay that's not rated G; turn your sound off if you prefer):

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