Mercedes-Benzs wanted for ITV shoot

[Tom Maguire]

Dear Mercedes-Benz Owners' Club,

I hope that you may be able to help me. My name is Tom Maguire and I am a researcher on an ITV4 programme called Used Car Roadshow. We are currently in production for the third series of the show and we are looking for contributors who would be interested in bringing their cars along to our studio to feature on one of the episodes.

In particular, right now, we are trying to source an SL55 AMG (R230) on a 2002 or 2003 reg, and a 190 2.5L 16V on a 1991 (J) reg, or thereabouts (we can go a year either way, really).

The item will be a positive review of these cars with emphasis on promoting the quality and value of the marque.

For the purposes of the show we will only need the cars at our Leeds studio for about half a day for each. There will be no test drives - the cars will be shot in a static studio set-up. We will be recording for the show (which starts airing on the 18th April) all summer but we are really looking to get these cars along to one of our upcoming studio shoots - we have two coming up soon: 15th and 22nd of April.

If this is something that sounds of interest to you then please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below. Obviously, all expenses incurred in travelling to Leeds will be covered by us, and we will also provide drinks and refreshments throughout the shoot.

I will also post this request in the SL forum and the 190 forum.

Kind regards,

Tom Maguire
Researcher - Used Car Roadshow III
Email: tom.maguire@daisybeck.tv
Tel: (0113) 262 3342

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

The item will be a positive review of these cars with emphasis on promoting the quality and value of the marque.

perhaps you should read some of the threads on this forum and re-think your angle.

 

[Hanz]

I was unwanted last time

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I was unwanted last time

I can't believe you'd ever be unwanted Hannah

 

[Hanz]

I can't believe you'd ever be unwanted Hannah

Oh believe me...! :-x

 

[Tom Maguire]

perhaps you should read some of the threads on this forum and re-think your angle.

Hi there,

I'm not sure what you mean. I was just trying to put across that we aren't looking to knock the reputation of Mercs. On some forums I have posted on in the past some people seemed to think we were going to take the michael, so to speak, out of their cars. That is not what we are about I can assure you.

Re: Hannah - I am sorry you were unwanted last time! Whan was that? I have been working on this show since last year (series 2) so I hope it wasn't then! Maybe it was from series 1?? Unfortunately, we, as researchers just work from briefs sent through to us from our presenters and have to find the exact car that they specify - maybe that's why you were "unwanted"; but I can only apologise if you felt slighted in any way.

I hope that clears things up slightly but do feel free to give me any pointers on this subject. As a researcher you have to become a jack-of-all-trades but master-of-none, so any info from people who really know their stuff is always greatly appreciated.

All the best,

Tom Maguire
Used Car Roadshow

 

[television]

Shame mine is not an AMG, its got a AMG body kit

 

[Hanz]

Re: Hannah - I am sorry you were unwanted last time! Whan was that? I have been working on this show since last year (series 2) so I hope it wasn't then! Maybe it was from series 1?? Unfortunately, we, as researchers just work from briefs sent through to us from our presenters and have to find the exact car that they specify - maybe that's why you were "unwanted"; but I can only apologise if you felt slighted in any way.

It was the high mileage cars I think that was filmed a few months ago

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Hi there,

I'm not sure what you mean. I was just trying to put across that we aren't looking to knock the reputation of Mercs. On some forums I have posted on in the past some people seemed to think we were going to take the michael, so to speak, out of their cars. That is not what we are about I can assure you.

sorry Tom, I didn't mean to question your intent. What I meant is that if you read a lot of the posts on here you will see that a lot of people that own newer Mercs have been disapointed with build quality, reliability, rediculous service costs and MB Dealer attitudes.

Obviously there are also a lot of people that have experienced just the opposite, and some like Malcolm who have just amazing cars. I think on the whole it's quite easy to tell the difference in attitude between those that own cars that were made when Mercedes knew what they were doing and those that were unlucky enough to own one when it was evident that the bean counters had taken over the company.

What I meant was that perhaps rather than doing a program about the "quality and value of the marque" you should do one about how that quality used to exist and has taken something of a batering over the last few years. As for value, when you buy a car that is less reliable than a Fiesta and costs you as much to service as you could buy an old fiesta for (e.g. best part of £1000 for a B servce) then this becomes a difficult point to justify too.

 

[Tom Maguire]

OmniCognateNeutronRangler,

I see what you mean and I agree. We have a V-Class crew van that has caused nothing but trouble from day one, and our MD has shelled out a hell-of-a-lot of dough on bits and bobs on his Merc too.

I am sure you can appreciate where I was coming from; although, having re-read what I posted earlier ("quality and value of the marque" ) it did strike me as a little cheesy, to say the least...lol. Trying a little bit too hard to get on the right side of the forum members, perhaps?

Anyway, that is a great suggestion of yours - to do a slightly more critical (and realistic) item within the show. I will be sure to mention this to my producers/director and Jason to see what they think.

Well, have a nice weekend and I am sure we will be in correspondence next week.

Thanks everyone,

Tom Maguire
Researcher - Used Car Roadshow
Email: tom.maguire@daisybeck.tv
Tel: (0113) 262 3342

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

If you can't find a suitable SL55 I have a E55AMG W211 (03 year)to offer. The E55 is a better car by far anyway.

 

[Blobcat]

If you can't find a suitable SL55 I have a E55AMG W211 (03 year)to offer. The E55 is a better car by far anyway.

Just remove the rear seats, weld up the rear doors then take an angle grinder to the roof and you will be there

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Just remove the rear seats, weld up the rear doors then take an angle grinder to the roof and you will be there

lol............

btw Tom, you should include a few minutes about this forum. There are some great people here. Most are mad as a box of frogs of course.

 

[television]

Just remove the rear seats, weld up the rear doors then take an angle grinder to the roof and you will be there

The rubber seals cost over £1500 makes it expensive

 

[shadowninja]

Copydex is your friend.

 

[Blobcat]

I would just reuse the rear door seals as they would no longer be required once the doors have been welded shut

 

[nialler]

Omni?

Expensive running costs, unreliable reliability, high servicing costs.

Isn't that we buy the badge?

It's like sex when you find a good un you stick with it, all I can say it's been the most frustrating, pleasureable experience of my life, and to even say I'm a convert is a truism I jumped after swearing never to drive one after a e200 that I drove.

Like a good woman we've all got our addictions, I have to say SLR yes, but way outta my league I'm aiming CL55/65 dream car for me, S320 absolutely a joy to drive but I want more, as for malcolm, enjoy the SL I'm currently looking at pre 00 CL's they're quite nice and trying to convince my single 30+ nearly 40 mate (girl) to buy an SLK beast.

 

[BarryG]

Copydex is your friend.

I have a friend

 

[shadowninja]

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Omni?

Expensive running costs, unreliable reliability, high servicing costs.

Isn't that we buy the badge?

It's like sex when you find a good un you stick with it, all I can say it's been the most frustrating, pleasureable experience of my life, and to even say I'm a convert is a truism I jumped after swearing never to drive one after a e200 that I drove.

Like a good woman we've all got our addictions, I have to say SLR yes, but way outta my league I'm aiming CL55/65 dream car for me, S320 absolutely a joy to drive but I want more, as for malcolm, enjoy the SL I'm currently looking at pre 00 CL's they're quite nice and trying to convince my single 30+ nearly 40 mate (girl) to buy an SLK beast.

like I say, most of the people on the forum are as mad as a box of frogs I think it's a sign of a true petrol head that the car causes nothing but grief and yet we still stick with them. You watch Top gear and they've said many times that your not a real petrol head until you've owned an Alfa. Of course it will not make it off the end of your drive for 3 years and then it will turn into a pile of metal oxides BUT they are still wonderful cars.

You must have seen the trouble I have had with my car and yet I still own it, and I still look at it's reflection in shop windows and still look back at it when I walk away from it in a car park (mainly to see what's dropped off today ).

Every time I drive it I think "what's going to break today" but I still drive it.

However, there are some people on this forum who like to give the impression these cars are built like tanks, never go wrong and the dealers are wonderful. it doesn't matter how much you love your Merc you know that's not true.

If someone has made their mind up they want one, they'll buy one whatever I say, I just think they should know what they are letting themselves in for.

Would I buy another one.....erm.....depends. If I could get it for a good price and correctly specced AND with service plus at a decent price....probably. Alternatively if I could get Malcolm's SL but it meant selling the wife.....I'd probably give it serious consideration.