FOURTH QtR
2011
MBCA | Carolinas Section The official newsletter of the mercedes benz club of america, carolinas section
ilton Head Concours is This WEEKEND: Nov. 5th - 6th
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If you know the way from previous
years, please be in the White Lane 1 at 7:45am at Honey Horn. If you have any questions, please contact Soren at soren@overgaardweb.com.
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And on Sunday, the official Concours d’Elegance showcases the finest in
Soren Pedersen is in charge of our club’s entrants this year, and advises anyone exhibiting to meet at the Welcome Center, just as you come onto Hilton Head Island. The exhibiting cars will depart from the welcome center at 7:30am yC sharp. a
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We anticipate having a great turnout in both spectators and exhibitors, so if you’ve never been, please consider making the trip over to Hilton Head this year. You will get to see an amazing assortment of cars, and have plenty of chances to enjoy the fashion show and Motoring Midway exhibits.
automobiles. This year’s honored marquee is BMW, another German product of which we can be proud.
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It’s time once again for the wonderful fall event in Hilton Head, SC - the tenth annual Hilton Head Motoring Festival. The MBCA Carolinas Section has been invited back as a club to participate in the Car Club Jamboree on Saturday, November 5th at Discovery Place at Honey Horn.
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Cool New Benefits & Discounts Inside!
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E v e r y C ar H as A by roy davis
MBCA | Carolinas Section
This 1987 560 SEL was discovered on the back row of a used car lot in Raleigh, North Carolina by my son, Brad (who, by the way, is not a Benz owner). However, trusting his opinion and knowledge of cars, I bought this 560 SEL sight unseen, over the phone. The first owner was Sugar Mountain Resort and there were three other owners since it was first purchased, including myself. The car was in need of brakes and I replaced the tires with a set of Michelins. Other than that, I have made no other changes. I drive this car every day for my work and average approximately one thousand miles a week. At 230,000 original miles, she is still
going strong. I have all of the original paperwork and previous owners’ names and addresses. The car is black with a gray interior, sunroof, cruise control, heated seats in both the front and rear, and reclining back seats. The VIN shows it to be a Canada Limited Edition.
O c tober Cl u b O uting by vickie deiber
Special Event
The Carolinas Chapter of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America gathered on a beautiful Saturday morning in mid-October for a special club outing. The Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Mercedes-Benz dealership on East Independence Boulevard hosted our group for a grand tour of their facility and so much more. The “more” was exciting news for the club members and a win-win for both our members as well new and existing Mercedes Benz clientele.
A more comfortable waiting area features free coffee and refreshments, a business center with WiFi access and a television to view the bay where your vehicle is being serviced. The service bays sport new flooring and tool boxes. And soon, a high line body shop will be available to repair Mercedes Benz, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche and other high end car lines.
Hendrick, a name synonymous with high-end automobiles for nearly 40 years, numerous charitable organizations and, of course, NASCAR Racing, opened their dealership’s showroom and shops to our Club for an exclusive behind the scenes tour. Though Rick Hendrick has been a Mercedes Benz dealer since 1982, this location is their first in Charlotte. The dealership was purchased in 2009 by Hendrick Automotive Group.
The blending of new and old Mercedes Benz automobile technologies is at the heart of this dealership and best displayed in the Service Center repair area. This mix of technological know-how is fostered and shared between the new, often younger computer savvy “young guys” and the knowledge and expertise in repairing older models by the “old guys.” There is nearly 450 years of combined automotive expertise at Hendrick Motors of Charlotte. Education and training is a constant, with an impressive number of Master Mechanics.
Leading our band of enthusiasts was General Manager Ed Keady. Ed is a man who enjoys his career with Hendrick Motors, is enthusiastic about his product, proud of his team members, appreciates his customers and strives to create an environment of excellence to best serve all their clientele.
As proof they are doing something right, Hendrick Motors of Charlotte has been awarded “The Best of the Best Award” for 2010. This award recognizes the excellent performance of the top 15% of Mercedes Benz dealers in the areas of sales, parts and customer service. They are currently in the running to receive this distinction again this year.
After the Club’s car photo-op, our tour of the facility began. Ed referred to customers awaiting the complimentary wash. “Here at Hendrick, customers with a HMB window sticker can drive in for a free car wash, which is always nice; especially on a bright and clear Carolina Saturday,” said Keady. The Detail Facility is nearby where new, used and “just off the truck” cars are cleaned and detailed before being delivered or displayed on the lot. Trained technical staff is on hand to service and maintain the AMG brand. Hendrick is one of twenty seven AMG Performance Center Dealers in the United States. The dealership recently underwent an external face lift and internal renovations from the front to the back. Color and building facades have been brightened, the flooring updated, and a plan implemented for the transparency of service line advisor offices, which will encourage the flow of services and information between disciplines.
There’s even more to anticipate with Hendrick Motors of Charlotte. They currently use a mobile service van for minor automotive services to be completed in your driveway or in your parking lot while you’re at work. Plans are also on the horizon for educating customers on how to integrate technology (cellphone and internet) with the car (where capable). As a MBCA Club member (and with proof of membership in the Club) Hendrick Motors of Charlotte is offering a $30 per hour discount off the normal labor cost, and a 15% discount off parts and accessories. Here’s keeping our fingers crossed that Mr. Hendrick will allow our Club members to visit his extensive private car collection in the future (hint, hint).
Charlest on
H ol id ay Luncheo n i n H i s t o r i c
Located in historic downtown Charleston SC, 39 Rue de Jean is a refined French café and bar offering the best in classic Brasserie cuisine. The creations of the culinary team pay homage to the classic brasserie cuisine that inspired vehemently loyal Parisians. Guests of 39 Rue de Jean enjoy indoor/outdoor patio seating, cocktails and a predominantly French wine list blended with a selection of their steward’s favorites. Our holiday luncheon will be on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at noon in the Oyster Room at the restaurant. The address is 39 John Street, which is in downtown Charleston between Meeting and King Streets, near the Charleston Music Hall.
WELCOME new members! Douglas Bachtler Lamar Baehr Richard Bowden Skuli Egilsson Mark Pfeifer David Presott, Sr. Celine Rivers Howard Scholp William Willis
Cannon’s Specializing in Pre-Owned Mercedes 2640 Asheville Highway Hendersonville, NC
JERRY CANNON Owner
828-606-7255 Cell 828-692-6541 Office
Columbia
M em ber BBQ in
It was a sunny day in Columbia... almost. The annual member barbecue was held at the home of Chip and Melissa Sprouse Browne on Saturday, September 24th and was a tremendous amount of fun. Except for the part when it rained and half of the guests were trapped under the gazebo, some were trapped at the tiki hut and everyone else was on the wraparound porch. Luckily, there was plenty of food and drink at each area, so no casualties were reported! Thanks to Roy Davis for securing the barbecue and all of the fixings from Mathias Sandwich Shop.
other markets to negotiate discounts for our members.
President’s Message
Our Annual Membership Luncheon will be held in Charleston on Saturday, December 3. All members of Carolinas section are invited, you will receive details soon from our event coordinator.
The Carolinas Chapter of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America has been working to add value to your membership. Recently, Soren Pedersen, section Vice President, had meetings with the management of Hendrick Motors of Charlotte and Mercedes Benz of Myrtle Beach.
The Vice President and Secretary Officers of our section are up for election this fall. If you are interested either of these positions, please send a letter with your name and contact info to: info@mbca.org.
Both dealerships agreed to provide our members with significant discounts on service and accessories. With these discounts, the cost of service at these dealerships will now be competitive with independent garages. Specific details are included in this newsletter. Also, both dealerships are partnering with our section to increase our membership base. Hendrick Motors of Charlotte will be attaching our membership hangers to all cars being serviced. They will also be discussing membership in MBCA with the delivery of each car.
rick@deiber.biz MBCA Carolina’s section president, rick deiber
Capriccio Ristorante Make Your Reservation for a Romantic Rendezvous!
10% Discount for MBCA Members!
Over the next few months, Soren and I will be meeting with MB Dealers in Columbia, Greenville, Asheville and
1034 Chuck Dawley Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 881-5550
Mercedes-Benz Skyland Automotive, Inc.
255 Smoky Park Highway • PO Box 6359 Asheville, NC 28816-6359
(828) 667-5213 • (828) 667-8463
www.skylandautomotive.com
Va l u ab le
Discount s
Hendrick Motors of Charlotte
Mercedes Benz of Myrtle Beach
Present a valid MBCA membership card and receive:
Present a valid MBCA membership card and receive:
•15% off parts •Hourly labor rate of $99
•15% off parts •Hourly labor rate of $99
This is a 30% savings compared to regular rates!
This is a 30% savings compared to regular rates!
H & H Auto Service
Look for an exciting event at this dealership in March 2012 for our members!
35 Hunter Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Proud Members of the MercedesBenz Club of America Since 1983
•Sales and Service of Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benzs •Service by Experts Trained on Mercedes •Great Advice and Helpful Information H&H Auto Body - Check out our website at www.hhautobodyhhi.com
(843) 681-8384 • www.handhautos.com
Why Should I Become a Member? Join the Club! Dozens of reasons to join. About 30,000 reasons to stay
Why Should I Become a Member? There are so many reasons to become a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. For a nominal membership fee of $45 a year (U.S.) or $55 a year (Canada and International countries), Club members receive an impressive return on their annual investment. Here some of the ways members have fun, learn more about their Mercedes-Benz vehicles and save money, all at the same time: After a year of membership and renewal without lapse, you'll be eligible for a $1,000 credit towards purchase or lease of your next new Mercedes-Benz (from an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer) Present your Club membership card at participating Mercedes-Benz dealers and receive an additional discount of up to 20% off parts and service 15% off some of the finest clothes in the world at Brooks Brothers Clothing Preferred pricing with the world's foremost Medical Evacuation and Transportation company, MedJet Assist 20% off room rates at eight exclusive resorts across the United States (See "All Benefits" link under the "Membership" tab). Also includes complimentary daily breakfast for two at the restaurant of each resort, discounts on tennis / spa amenities and much more! Enjoy preferred rental rates from Avis and Hertz Receive discounts on nearly every item that Sears offers only when your a member of MBCA Get 15% off parts at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, CA Save loads of money when you insure your Mercedes with preferred pricing from Chubb Collector Car Insurance, only through MBCA Enjoy a one-year subscription—six issues mailed every two months—to our award-winning magazine, The Star Get preferred interest rates on purchases when you apply for and shop with our Visa Platinum Rewards Card Get thousands of dollars off moving, home-buying, home-selling and mortgage financing products and services through our Allied Van Lines Moving Benefits Program And for fun, try any one of our car events, technical clinics or socials—from rallyes and racetrack driving to under-the-hood tutorials, Concours d’Elegance, off-road drives, Germany vacations, wine tours and more. There’s always something for everyone. Want to invest around 15 cents a day for a year’s worth of fun, learning and excitement?
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TREASURER PRESIDENT © MBCA, Inc., 2011, All Rights ReservedRoy | Privacy Policy L. Davis Richard Deiber Columbia, SC Huntersville, NC (704) 948-1433 (803) 331-1852 president@mbcacarolinas.org treasurer@mbcacarolinas.org IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Anthony Santagati Beaufort, SC (843) 522-9444 sandspub@aol.com
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Fred Harris Statesville, NC (704) 902-6253 harrisfred@hotmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT Soren Pedersen Waxhaw, NC (980) 722-5651 vicepresident@mbcacarolinas.org
EVENTS CHAIR Odette Sigler-Pedersen Waxhaw, NC (704) 290-2257 odette@overgaardweb.com
SECRETARY Position Vacant
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Melissa Sprouse Browne Columbia, SC (803) 791-3800 info@mbcacarolinas.org
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About MBCA YouTube RSS Feed Established in 1956, MBCA has approximately 20,240 active members and 9251 additional household members in 12 regions which are comprised of 80+ local sections throughout the United States and Canada. Each region is adminstered by a regional director who is responsible for assisting and inspiring the sections in the region. The regional director also fosters the formation of new sections, coordinates regional activities and represents the constituents as a member of the national board of directors. Hundreds of events are organized by sections, from social gatherings to tech sessions, from car shows to driving events. Most sections publish a newsletter of information and events and each section has its own officers and bylaws. National Board: Rodger Van Ness, President: rvann40398@aol.com; Steve Dierks, Vice President: sdierks007@cs.com; Mary Alice Cozza, Secretary: marcozza7@neo.rr.com; Laura Simonds, Treasurer: simondsl@pacbell.net. Eastern Regional Director, William Hopper, wwhrestoration@att.net. Additional officers and contact information may be found in the latest issue of The Star magazine. From the National Business Office: With every email and address update that we receive at the NBO, we will send a 10% off coupon for one item in the Club Store. One coupon per member will be sent electronically (so it must include a valid email address). Please send these updates to Geni at geni@mbca.org.