- #156 of 411
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Re: . [Mr_Shiftright]
by fintail
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Jan 13, 2009 (6:08 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 13, 2009 3:14 pm)
The C-pillar is the weak spot of the design, indeed. It aged well however, and when new that thing set someone back around 100K.
With the early COMAND system and airmatic, it could try to double that amount in lifetime repairs 
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- #157 of 411
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Re: . [fintail]
by andre1969
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Jan 14, 2009 (5:29 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Jan 13, 2009 6:08 pm)
I always liked that roofline. It makes me think of a modern, sleeker version of the roofline that the more expensive 1957-59 Chrysler and DeSoto hardtops used.
Sorta like this...
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- #158 of 411
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The last episode of Top Gear ...
by vcheng
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Jan 14, 2009 (5:34 am)
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... had two classics, a Rolls Royce and a Mercedes 600, go against each other. It was a hilarious segment, with the Rolls failing to break 100 mph, and the last service cost of the Mercedes being 15000 GBP (yes, thats fifteen thousand British Pounds).
Great cars, but the ownership experience would not be very enjoyable unless one had really deep pockets.
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- #159 of 411
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Re: The last episode of Top Gear ... [vcheng]
by jrosasmc
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Jan 14, 2009 (7:31 am)
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And, as of today, 15,000 GBP equals $21,860 in U.S. dollars. I couldn't imagine one year's worth of running costs for a big 600.
If I wanted an early '70s Mercedes, I would've bought a 240D with a 4-speed and be done with it. I'm sure that would be up Fintail's alley too. 
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- #160 of 411
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Re: The last episode of Top Gear ... [jrosasmc]
by corvette
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Jan 14, 2009 (7:32 am)
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Replying to: jrosasmc (Jan 14, 2009 7:31 am)
Like they said on Top Gear, "does that include a new Golf?"
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- #161 of 411
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Re: The last episode of Top Gear ... [vcheng]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jan 14, 2009 (7:59 am)
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Replying to: vcheng (Jan 14, 2009 5:34 am)
The Rolls of that era is a stagecoach compared to a Mercedes 600. If I remember correctly, when the 600 came out, Sterling Moss drove one off the showroom floor to some famous race track and actually broke lap records for sedan class--LOL!
If ever the term "resting on its laurels" applied to a car company, it applied to Rolls Royce, which rested for a good 50 years merely on previous reputation.
That's what gorgeous leather and wood can do for you! 
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- #162 of 411
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Re: The last episode of Top Gear ... [vcheng]
by fintail
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Jan 14, 2009 (8:07 am)
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Replying to: vcheng (Jan 14, 2009 5:34 am)
I have a co-worker who gets those on ipod and shares them with me (as I am too cheap to pay for the high cable package)....I will have to catch that one. I assume this is an old RR SC or early Shadow vs a M100 600.
Either of those cars can cause havoc for even a relatively well to do person.
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- #163 of 411
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Re: The last episode of Top Gear ... [jrosasmc]
by fintail
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Jan 14, 2009 (8:10 am)
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Replying to: jrosasmc (Jan 14, 2009 7:31 am)
The fun thing on those 600s is that you know the suspension is going to fail...you don't know when or how badly, but it is a guarantee, and it will be painful no matter what. Engine work is also astronomical. Lots of those cars are rough today because of the massive costs, which you don't get back when you re-sell. The conventional cars cost nothing in comparison, and you could buy that pristine old diesel for the cost of minor work on a high end car.
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- #164 of 411
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Re: . [andre1969]
by fintail
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Jan 14, 2009 (8:13 am)
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Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 14, 2009 5:29 am)
Maybe it was intentional, it is a design from deep in the days of the DCX merger. That nice 300 would be a better longterm bet, no doubt. The old car carries it off a little better, being more upright. The non parallelity (?) of the rear pillars is somehow distracting on the newer car.
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- #165 of 411
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Re: The last episode of Top Gear ... [fintail]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jan 14, 2009 (8:13 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Jan 14, 2009 8:10 am)
An old Rolls will beat you up just as badly, if not worse, so you might as well choose the car that can at least run, stop and handle on modern roads.
If you can't pay $1200 for a distributor cap or $8000 for a brake job, then don't go there.
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