I am excited to say I am almost half way to my fundraising goal for the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk on October 24-26th here in Atlanta!

Team ACC Breast Friends is at almost 20% of our overall goal of $20,000!

Thank you to my clients, family and friends who have been generous in supporting this cause. I will be carrying all the names of the women who have inspired my donors to give. It has been an honor to hear their stories.

If you want to learn more about donating to or participating in the walk please let me know. I am eager to spread the word!

Next up…ACC Bake Sale!

More Photos
The commercial for the new C63 AMG is out and it’s time to get your order in for this amazing car. The release date for the C63 is expected to be April of this year. Base MSRP will be $53,800. The options and prices below will give you a better idea what your dream C63 will cost. Contact me now to get your C63 on the way to your garage!

AMG Standard Feature:
AMG Speed-Sensitive Sport Steering
3-Stage ESP
AMG sports suspension with 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels
AMG high-performance brake system
AMG sports seats with integrated head restraints
AMG performance steering wheel – flattened lower section – shift paddles
AMG bodystyling

2008 C63 AMG Option Packages:
(P01) Premium 1 – Standard on C63 AMG
Rain-sensing Wipers
SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Auto-Dimming Mirrors
Power-Folding Mirrors
Heated Front Seats
Garage Door Opener

(P02) Premium 2 – $1,080
All Items in Premium 1 Package
Power Rear-Window Sunshade
Headlamp Washing System
Bi-Xenon Headlamps
Cornering Fog Lamps

(318)Leather Package – $2,950
Power Passenger Seat w/Memory
Power Dr.Seat & Steering Col. w/ Memory
(Seems to be mandatory on C63)

(320) Multimedia Package – $2,950
Voice Control
Music register with 4 gig hardrive
COMAND Navigation System
DVD video playback
6-Disc CD/DVD-Changer
Harman/Kardon 450-watt Sound System

Stand Alone Options:
iPod Integration Kit – $375
TeleAid – $650
6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer – $450
—030 AMG Performance Package will be avaliable this summer

Interior Color Options:
Black Leather (201)
Black/Sahara Beige (205)
Grey/Black Leather (208)
–all three interiors are avaliable with any exterior color

Exterior Color Options:
Black(040) – No Charge
Obsidian Black (197) – $710
Capri Blue(359) – $710
Barolo Red(544) – $710
Mars Red(590) – No Charge
Arctic White(650) – $710
Pewter (723) – $710
Steel Grey(755) – $710
Iridium Silver(775) – $710
Palladium Silver(792) – $710

The Packages and Options for the 2009 MLs are now available! You can order the gas powered MLs for delivery in July/August and the BlueTECs can be ordered for October delivery.

Notable changes:

• The ML350 is now listed as the ML350W4, meaning that there is a 2WD version on the way. We expect it early in 2009.
• HD Radio
• iPod/MP3 Interface Cable replaced the iPod kit
• 115v Power Outlet
• Rear Entertainment System improvement

2009 ML Option Packages:
(P01) Premium 1:
iPod/MP3 Media Interface Cable
Rearview Camera
COMAND w/ Navigation
HD Radio with Sirius Satellite Radio
iPod/MP3 Media Interface
Harman/Kardon Sound System
Power Liftgate
115v Power Outlet

(P02) Premium 2:
All of P01
Parktronic
Driver & Passenger Memory Seats
Autodimming Mirror
Power Steering Column
Power Folding Mirrors
Keyless Go

(318) Full Leather Seating Package:
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
Burl Walnut Wood Trim
Ambient Lighting
Leather Front Seats

(323) Heating Package:
Heated Front & Rear Seats
Heated Steering Wheel

(321) AMG Sport Package: (ML550 Only)
AMG Sportline
AMG 19″ 5-Spoke Wheels
Running Boards
(this is probably standard)

Stand Alone Options:
Roof Rack Basic Carrier (Un-Installed) & Storage Bag
Cargo Area Tray & Cargo Box (Un-Installed)
Side Step Bars*
Illuminated Door Sills
Wheel Locking bolts 18″ (Un-Installed)
Chrome Door Handle Inserts (Set of 4)
ADS Adaptive Damping System
Air Suspension w/Adaptive Damping System
Trailer Hitch
3-Zone Climate Control*
Running Boards*
Rear Seat Entertainment System
Pre-Wiring for Rear Seat Entertainment
Heated Front Seats
*not listed for ML550 – Running Boards and 3-Zone are probably standard.

Options for the 2009 ML63 have not been listed yet and no pricing has been made available for the 2009′s, but we are not expecting any changes from the 2008 models.

We’ll be here when you need new tires.

The previous iPod kit available for 2008 and older vehicles replaced the AUX jack in the glovebox. It could only connect to iPods or iPhones and the folders and songs were only displayed in the multifunction display in the insturment cluster.
The new iPod/MP3 Media Interface Cable will replace the old system. This cable has plug-ins, for the iPod and for any MP3 Player! The display will now be on the Command (Navigation) screen and should be much easier to use. I saw it work on the 2009 SL. This will be part of the Premium 1 Package for all of the 2009 SUV’s, the SL’s and the CLS’s.

While it wasn’t as exciting as the race last week in Melbourne, both of our drivers placed well after being moved back 5 positions at the start for violations during the last session of qualifying. Lewis Hamilton fought back from his 9 place starting position passing 4 cars on the first lap. He suffered another setback when the team had problems with one of his aerodynamic wheel covers during his first stop. In the end, Heikki Kovalainen finished 3rd for his first podium of the year and Lewis stuck with it and brought home 5th. Kimi Raikkonen’s (Ferrari) win today wasn’t enough to pass up Lewis for the Driver’s Championship. Also McLaren Mercedes remains in first place in the Constructor’s Championship.

The 2009 SL550 visited the dealership yesterday for our training class. It was great to be able to see it in person! While it is not a complete redesign, it is more substantial than just the usual refresh. I’ve pointed out the main aesthetic differences in the slideshow above. Of course, the pictures don’t do it justice. It looks aggressive, fresh and exciting.

The new technology is perfect…exactly what the SL needed. The new Navigation system has the same graphics and the C-Class/S-Class system but does not use the central command controller. The 40 gb hard drive allows the data to be used much faster and updated more often. Also, this is the first vehicle that will use the SD card reader rather than the PCMCIA slot for loading your digital music files. You’ll even be able to store music from the card slot or the 6 CD changer onto the 4 gb Music Register!

I highly recommend you get the 321 Wheel Package. For under $2000 it’s a lot of look – 19″ AMG wheels, sculpted leather steering wheel with shift paddles, and special headlights and tail lights. It looks very custom!

Also, Airscarf, the best feature for any convertible, will debut on the 2009 SL. These vents in headrests blow heated air over your shoulders at low, medium or high speed. Airscarf can extend your top down season here in Atlanta to almost all year!

The 2009 SL is in production now and the release is scheduled for April. Right now they are sitting at the port in Germany awaiting the order to ship out! Let me know if you would like to be notified when these beauties arrive.

Besides seeing the 2009 SL for the first time today, our training included a lot of information about the 2009 ML320, GL320 and R320. For 2009 the CDI diesels that currently power these SUVs will be upgraded with BlueTEC emission systems similar to those in the current E320 BlueTEC. These vehicles will also be the first to use AdBlue to decrease emissions to levels that will allow them to be sold in all 50 states. (AdBlue isn’t expected on the E-class until its redesign is released around August of 2009.)

AdBlue is a fluid that when combined with the exhaust gases results in a dramatic decrease in emissions. While diesel engines are already more efficient than gas engines, getting about 30% better fuel economy, their sales have been limited by emission standards in many states. Georgia is not one of these states but as the number of states that restrict diesels has grown it was important to find a solution. Check out the video below to learn more about how the injection of AdBlue into the exhaust reduces emissions.

The addition of the AdBlue system will result in a few changes to these vehicles. The biggest change will be the tank to store the AdBlue fluid. To elminate interior modifications this tank will occupy the space currently used for the spare tire. As a result, all 2009 BlueTEC SUVs will be equipped with run-flat tires. The non-diesel SUVs will continue to have spare tires.

The tank for the AdBlue will be between 7 and 9 gallons. The tank will be topped off at the regular 10,000 mile service intervals and completely flushed and refilled about every third time. You will get a service indicator alert if your AdBlue tank reaches 25% capacity. Then, if your tank runs empty, you will have 20 starts to either visit the dealership or top off the AdBlue tank yourself. The AdBlue fluid is supposed to be available in 1 liter bottles at many retailers by the time that you’re ready to refill.

I would be happy to talk diesels if you have any questions or would like to pre-order. We expect these vehicles to be released for sale on October 1st, 2008. As with all pre-release information this is subject to change, and change without notice.

Rear Seat Entertainment systems are one of the most popular accessories available for our SUVs. The big complaints about the system available from Mercedes-Benz for the last few years have been the wired headphones and the single DVD slot located under the seats.

Well, they fixed it! The new systems, available in the ’09 models this summer, have a larger screen, a smaller housing, wireless headphones and 2 DVD slots! It will also have user control from the front seat and better gaming hookups.

Mercedes really does listen to the customer comments and I think they have made this new system exactly what we were hoping for!