Several have suggested that it is time for another GTG, and I agree! The season is marching on, and Thanksgiving will be upon us in a couple of weeks, along with holiday shopping, etc. So, suggestions are in order: Sundays have usually worked well, so if this is going to happen, we are going to have to keep it pretty laid back. Weather and time constraints make a BBQ less likely to happen, so this one could be a large parking lot with nearby dining. A shopping mall, or favorite eatery somewhere.

Jump in with suggestions for dates, times, and locations. If we can get a quick consensus, we can set this up and make it happen!

JCE,

I don't mind if you guys have one now as long as you promise to have another that I can attend in Jan. when I move out there. :D :D ....Looking forward to it..:)

Count me in.

How about Sunday the 24th. It is short notice but considering Thanksgiving is the following weekend I assume most everyone will be around.

I know a few of us will be coming from the greater San Diego area so it would be nice if we can meet somewhere in the middle. I'm thinking Ortega Highway right now. It would be a awesome drive and there are a few parks we can meet at(weather permitting).

What does everyone think.

well, I'm from san diego too, and I'd love to come! as far as I see, everyone's in san diego [or they just say "california" or "so cal"] so why not have it in san diego? I'm down for whatever, and if I still have the 450sl, you guys can see it before I sell it.

The 24th works for me. A little over a year ago, we met at the top of a mall parking structure. I forget the name but here's a picture of some of the cars that showed up:
http://www.tokuhara.net/cars/mshop/10.21.2001/lined_up2.jpg

We ate at Ruby's in the mall last time, but maybe there's something else there???

This Is Short Notice...But a Bunch of People will be meeting at Fashion Island This Sat Nov 16th Then drive to Brabus for a tour..
Then drive to The Wheel Supply for a BBQ...ALL Are Welcome!
Check out benzsport (Events) for details...


Please Firm up the Ortega Hwy GTG!

How about the Garden Grove Moose Lodge
cheap drinks, BBQ pit available
lots of parking


partsman
1.888.4642

as mark said, there is a benzsport gtg on the 16th it will start at either fashion island or brabus hq.

It should be in the events and gatherings section on benzsport.

I wont be attending the 16th GTG, but for those of you that want to, you may want to check into the thread on benzsport.

as for the 24th, I'll see what I can do to make it, but the next month or two does not look very promising for me for much of anything. plus add on to that the fact that every bit of free time I have is spent with my new girlfriend, it'll be hard to get away for the day. But she might be the one, so its all good.

I hope that my car is ready soon. I'll be checking up on it again on friday.

Alon

I'm o.k. for the 24th.

We've had two GTG's at the upper level of the parking structure at the Mission Viejo Mall. That works fine for me, or anywhere else.

Alon,

Will your car be done by that time? That would be great to see the new body kit your installing.

I think you should bring your girlfriend, I plan on bringing my wife hopefully so she'll have company while we talk shop;)

I think we should firm up the 24th, now we have to figure out where and what time.

Paul,

Where exactly is the Mission Viejo Mall in relationship to the major highways, just want to get a general idea.

The Mission Viejo Mall is just off of the 5 frwy, just north of San Juan Capistrano, you can exit either Crown Valley Parkway or Oso Parkway.

That sounds like a great place to meet. I can still drive over the Ortega Hwy.....hopefully my wife won't get too sick:D

Does this sound acceptable for everyone else?

Sunday the 24th at Mission Viejo Mall sounds great! Meet around 10:00a or 11:00a??? :)

the problem is my girlfriend works saturdays from 2-6 and sundays form 10-2...

Alon

Originally posted by Ashman
the problem is my girlfriend works saturdays from 2-6 and sundays form 10-2...

Alon

So? Just borrow your Dad's new SL and come by yourself! :D

Originally posted by Glen
Sunday the 24th at Mission Viejo Mall sounds great! Meet around 10:00a or 11:00a??? :)

Sounds fine. The later the better for me. You know, church and all.

11:00 would be the earliest for me.

I've never been there, but you can count on me bein there

It sounds like the 24th, at the Mission Viejo Mall? If everyone is agreed, I will post some maps. I will give it another day to make sure. Probably too short notice to do the BBQ thing at Phil/Partsman/Fastlanes lodge - maybe for the Spring meet!

Food services at Mission Viejo mall has upgraded considerably since the first meet. There is a large food court with a wide selection of dishes.

The parking garage has the advantage of being central, plus if the weather doesn't cooperate, we can move down a level and have a roof over our heads.

Anybody here on Benzsport and want to extend the info to that forum as well?

Hi John, I Will post on a couple of the other sites that I Surf on!

Sounds great John. Post the maps.

As far as time, does anybody mind 11:00 or 11:30 as a start time?

Following are directions to the Mission Viejo Mall (http://www.shops-at-mission-viejo.com/smt/servlet/SMTMall?mid=239&pn=ENTRY&rs=0)

http://www.warewolf.net/jelliott/mall 1.jpg

From Long Beach, CA - The Shops at Mission Viejo is located at the intersection of I-5 (San Diego Freeway) and Crown Valley Parkway. Go south on the I-405 freeway until it meets the I-5 and follow the 'from Los Angeles' directions below. Or, go south on 73 (Foothills Toll Road), and exit at Greenfield, turning right on Greenfield for 3 blocks to reach Crown Valley, and turn left (east) onto Crown Valley Parkway. Travel east to The Shops at Mission Viejo. There will be 3 traffic lights very close together. Turn right at the 3rd light onto a street called The Shops Mission Viejo. You will see a large sign at this entrance that states "The Shops at Mission Viejo." Once you turn onto this street, you will see the Center.

From Los Angeles, CA - Go south on Interstate 405 to the I-5 Freeway or go south on the I-5 Freeway until you get to the Crown Valley Parkway Exit. Turn left and go over the freeway and as you do so, get into the far right lane and proceed east. There will be 3 traffic lights. Turn right at the 3rd light onto a street called The Shops Mission Viejo. You will see a large sign at this entrance that states "The Shops at Mission Viejo." Once you turn onto this street, you will see the Center.

From San Diego, CA - Go north on the I-5 Freeway, until you get to the Crown Valley Parkway Exit. Turn right into the right lane and proceed east on Crown Valley Parkway. There will be 3 traffic signals, including the one at the Crown Valley Parkway Exit. Turn right at the second light onto a street called "The Shops at Mission Viejo." You will also see a large sign in a planter that states "The Shops at Mission Viejo." Once you turn, you will see the Center.

From Ortega Highway - Go west on Ortega Highway until just before reaching San Juan Capistrano. As you come out of the hills you will reach a stop signal at Antonio Parkway, a 4 lane road heading north into open hills. Turn right onto Antonio Parkway and travel through hills and under-construction new housing to the stop light at Crown Valley Parkway (about 4 miles?). Turn left on Crown Valley Parkway (another 4-6 lane road) and proceed about 3 miles (?), crossing through Marguerite Parkway, and continuing down hills and past medical buildings. Turn left before reaching the I-5 freeway onto a street called The Shops Mission Viejo. (First left turn after Medical Center Drive) You will see a large sign at this entrance that states "The Shops at Mission Viejo." Once you turn onto this street, you will see the Center.

-----------------------------------------

Once you are at the entrance to the mall, the road will almost immediately 'Y', with the right hand branch heading towards a parking structure. Take the right hand branch. This road will almost immediately 'Y' again, with the left hand branch going up a ramp to the top of the parking structure, where we will meet. (if it is raining, at the top there will be a ramp going down one level, where we will try and find a spot to meet.)

Sunday Nov 24th. I will be there about 10AM for the early birds.

http://www.warewolf.net/jelliott/mall 2.jpg

The timing looks good, at least as far as my trip to Boston. I should be back on the Friday prior. I would love to bring the 560, to show off my hand stitching ;), but not sure I'll have the rear suspension link done (seems I hit a snag). The 4.5 will be sleeping outside until I get the job done, but I'll have Saturday to clean her up. A jaunt across the Ortega will be good for her, she's done a little too much sitting this year (because I've been having too much fun driving the 560 that's supposed to be for the Mrs. :eek: ).

Originally posted by Glen
The 24th works for me. A little over a year ago, we met at the top of a mall parking structure. I forget the name but here's a picture of some of the cars that showed up:
http://www.tokuhara.net/cars/mshop/10.21.2001/lined_up2.jpg

We ate at Ruby's in the mall last time, but maybe there's something else there???

Wow, there is my car in the pic! It's a year already? Man, time flies so fast. Had a really good time on last GTG. I'll see if I can drop by for a while on my way to work on Sunday. :)

cool... this is gonna happen a week before my birthday!!! in case you guys wanted to buy me anything, I really want one of those new SL500's, and ooh, how about one of the old 300SL gullwings??? a few of those, in different colors:D :D :D

thanks!

It seems that I am going to miss this GTG too... I'm currently in Mexico spending some days with the family and will not return to sunny California until Sunday the 24th.

Good luck guys ! Will be waiting for the pictures...

:(

4NDELIT,

I didn't know Matcbox makes those models.:D

Looks Like a Big Show Down from KLEEMANN and HPS on the Big Guns!W211 E50k,C23k,C24k,E32K,CLK43KMAJOR HORSEPOWER Also this sunday....In O.C..Irvine Spectrum ..Check out www.MBWORLD.org

So they're meeting at 11:00 a.m. at the Irvine Spectrum.

They're not very specific on the location. Irvine Spectrum is an awfully big place.

sounds like a fun day of burnout induced action in irvine. :) maybe the gtg should be moved there so everyone can check out the kleemans and hps.

Alon

Probably a good idea. I say we move it to the Irvine Spectrum. It's still close to Mission Viejo, and the folks coming from San Diego / Carlsbad will only have to drive north another 5-10 miles.

If we move it to the Irvine Spectrum, we need to find out where the Kleeman deal will be, or at least pick a parking area to meet at, i.e., in front of Dave and Busters...

Sounds like this will be a great GTG. Mary and I will not be able to make this one. We have to meet some friends from Louisiana in Palm Springs. Have a great time and maybe we will make the next one.

hrm... this is starting to get pretty far away... I might not take my benz [tryin to keep the miles low; I'm selling it] but I'll try to show up. My bro's gf is going in her 250 SE so I'll tag along with her.

Well.....it's Thursday and we now have two options for this GTG. Is everyone ok with changing this GTG to the Irvine Spectrum?

Doesn't really matter to me which one we go to but there are a few things to consider. I'm not sure if the Irvine Spectrum has a place to eat which means we may have to look for a place. Also if any of us are planning to bring our significant other and they get bored with our conversations;) is there anything nearby (Shopping?) they can get to easily?

Placo1, you obviously haven't been to Irvine Spectrum, but it is an enormously large shopping / dining / entertainment district.

It kind of reminds me of Fashion Island.

I can meet at either place no problem.

Worth considering:

The extra 10 miles to Spectrum is high traffic/congestion miles on the weekends for the people coming from the south or East.

Irvine Spectrum can get VERY crowded on weekends.

It is open air if the weather gets cold, windy, smoggy, or rainy.

It doesn't have the large magnet stores of the MV mall.

Last I was at the spectrum, there was no food court - just restaurants, making group meals a bit more difficult (Table for 15, please!)


However, it will have fast car demos and probably other MB club members!

We should probably decide tonight or tomorrow, so everyone can make plans.

Good points. I'm sure the Irvine Spectrum will be crowded this Sunday.

Maybe we should just meet at the Mission Viejo Mall, and those that want to take a jaunt over to the Irvine Spectrum can do so.

Originally posted by suginami
Good points. I'm sure the Irvine Spectrum will be crowded this Sunday.

Maybe we should just meet at the Mission Viejo Mall, and those that want to take a jaunt over to the Irvine Spectrum can do so.

I second this motion. :)

Not that I mind tire burning rediculously fast cars:D but I agree that meeting at the Mission Viejo Mall would be better.

I'm still up for mission viejo if you guys decide yes on it

Great, let's put this thing to bed.

It's on at Mission Viejo, and the official start time is 10:00 a.m.

Sounds like the turn out will be smaller than the last couple of times, but it will be great to see some old familiar faces (and some new ones), shoot the breeze about our cars, and have a nice lunch together.

See ya there.

Bummer - I was in town LAST weekend (but in the BMW) and will be passing through town the weekend AFTER Thanksgiving with the Benz (to hold the dog, the golf clubs, the bike...the...)

One of these days, I'll make it to a GTG.

for all of you who didn't go... you missed out on some cool cars! My friend with his C32 AMG showed up, and we had a great time. I hope everyone will post up the pics they took, because I didn't have a camera. Maybe we can do this again!

Need some pictures.... PLEASE !

The weather was perfect and we had a nice turnout. I really enjoyed seeing familiar and new faces...didn't get many pictures this time, but here's one of all the cars lined up:

Here's another:

and one more:

What a great time. I never fail to enjoy these GTG and the day always seems to fly by.

Glen,

Thanks for posting the pics! By the way if anyone is wondering pictures don't do justice for Glen's new wheels, they look abolutely awesome. I think Glen will be spending the rest of the week trying to wipe the drool off his car.;)

By the way, if anyone needs sowing lessons Mike Tangas is your go to guy, stitching on his heated seats looks factory.....hmm Mike maybe your in the wrong field.:D

I'll be down that way at my sisters in Santa Margerita-ville for Thanksgiving.

I could have showed off my three pedaled Mercedes:D

Nice pic of the stars but where are those that play the support role!

Really like the pic makes one smile to see all those gleaming machines.

JCE's '87 300E and Afshin's '92 500E

Nice butts ... :p

(Hey, were's the picture?)

...

SoCal GTG Gang ....

Btw...John was kind enough to let me drive his '87 300E with Sportline suspension. What a great car! :D The ride and handling are awesome, very little dive, squat, or roll and the ride is taut but not harsh at all. I highly recommend the Sportline setup...the MB engineers got it right! :cool:

and ...

Hey guys, this is Tim (the only guy there without a Benzo! ;)) Wanted to thank you guys for a great time, good talk, and a bunch of nice cars! Kim and I had a great time. Got a few of Norman's pix and cut em down in photoshop, adjusted brightness, contrast, etc... enjoy!

http://www.thedotcommune.com/tim/gtg1.jpg

http://www.thedotcommune.com/tim/gtg2.jpg

http://www.thedotcommune.com/tim/gtg3.jpg

hey... I think you guys were right about the gas mileage being the fault of the right pedal... I cruised up to mission viejo at an average 75-80 and when I filled up, I got 15.5 miles to the gallon! Go figure.:rolleyes:

Hello All

Mike here, the 300 SDL , had a great time hope to you all again soon.

Mike
MikeSDL

P.S. Paul what's the web site for the drink holders?

Ditto to all the above comments - these meets just keep getting more fun each time. So far it has always been great people, nice cars, and good weather. Can't wait for the Spring for another BBQ meeting.

Originally posted by mikesdl
Hello All

Mike here, the 300 SDL , had a great time hope to you all again soon.

Mike
MikeSDL

P.S. Paul what's the web site for the drink holders?

Here is the link:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_2500&L2=L2_2530

Originally posted by JCE
Can't wait for the Spring for another BBQ meeting.

We have to wait until spring for another one ? I hope is not because of the weather, because climate is not really relevant here in CA. But if it's the case, how about a GTG with hot cocoa, coffee and cookies ?:p

OK! Or, usually there are a couple of weeks in January when we get a week of 80+ temps, we can work around that as well - lots of options for a meet in Jan, regardless of weather (I was just thinking of an excuse to get more of Ernestos cooking!)

First off 250SE (Tim) thanks for posting the pics and welcome to the forum!

Everyone,
If you guys are serious about another SoCal GTG in January maybe we can arrange a Wine Tasting Day here in Temecula.

I'm thinking we get to the wineries before lunch, do a little tasting;) and stumble back to my place for a BBQ. We'll have to find some designated drivers of course but I don't think that will be a problem.

Any takers?

Great idea ! I want my name to be the first on the list... :D

And of course I will provide the cigars...

Afshin, did you receive my e-mail ?

Hi Ernesto,

No email yet.:confused: Did you send it to placo1@msn.com?


If there is serious interest for setting up a wine tasting day maybe we can all arrange to pay for a limo and split the cost. Or we can stay at one of the Wineries and just have a couple card drive out. Mikesel I know you mentioned you have some "Inns" at one of the wineries, maybe we can have a MBShop GTG and have a section cleared out for us?

Anyways if the interest is there I'll persue it.

Count me in for a wine tasting / winery tour and BBQ!

I wouldn't stay the night at an Inn because I travel a lot for my job and stay in hotels too often.

I really don't drink much and would gladly be one of the drivers.

Please don't let this sway any prospective plans, it will be winter and if there are a few super nice days go for it. I am slated to go to Arizona to work for approximately one month. Tenatively scheduled to depart shortly after Christmas and be gone till the end of January. Just be sure to post plenty of pictures.

hey guys... since I'm only 19 [or at least will be in 2 days], I'd be happy to drive, but I can only take one person!!! :D I'm totally up for the idea of a gtg in january tho.

4NDELIT,

Sorry you won't be able to partake in the tasting:p , but that doesn't mean you can't go. If plans proceed there will definitely be a BBQ afterwards so either way the GTG will accomodate all age groups.

Sounds like a great plan! I am on a dozen different Rx's all of which say 'don't take with alcohol' so I can carry 2 or 3 people between wineries as well (Disclaimer: I have been known to take a sip or 2 of a wine Leise tells me is exceptional!). Jan, Feb, some place in there would be great.

Hey Placo1

Sounds like a great plan, Keep me posted and I might have some leftover meats in the freezer. Did I mention I'm the owner of Personal Touch Catering. So let me known how I can help.


My in is Marshall Stuart owner of Stuart Cellars Winery and I think he's a benz owner also I will check

Mikesdl,

Wow, this is starting to sound like the beginning of a great GTG. Left over meat would definitely be a good thing. Why don't you email me offline at placo1@msn.com and let me know if your contact is interested in hosting us. No pressure though, we can always just go from winery to winery if they can't do it.

Mike Tangas,

I don't see why we can't wait until early February to have this GTG, the only downside is that it's the rainy season.......then again maybe Temecula doesn't have a rainy season.:)

Everyone,

I think that if we plan this correctly everyone can bring their favorite dish similar to the last BBQ at Newport Beach and we can store and heat the dishes at my house. The only problem I see so far is that we don't have a whole lot of seating at the house, indoors or out so we'll need to improvise on this.

I'll begin another thread some time in December to start planning for next February. Any input is welcome.

Originally posted by placo1
First off 250SE (Tim) thanks for posting the pics and welcome to the forum!

Sorry to correct you but 250SE is me and I'm Kim. Tim's my boyfriend and he's 4NDelit's brother. He doesn't own a benz but he does his bmw thing. Those pics did turn out nice though huh? It's so funny to see a pic of my car on the web. I don't think that I have more than 3 or 4 pics of that car since I've owned it (4 1/2 years)! Hope to see you guys at another GTG soon.
-Kim

Hey Kim,

Well actually I realized the car was yours but figured your boyfriend was posting under your username. Sorry about that.

Anyway look for another GTG in early February, if all goes as planned it will be in Temecula.

Keep us posted with an projects on your baby, and don't be shy about asking questions. If you haven't already you should definitely take advantage of the resources this forum offers for our cars, it makes ownership of our cars even better.

Read it all.. Got lost as to when and were... But my wife and I would love to try to get to the southern part of the state (Any place South of Redding) for this when and where???? For us however weather can be a problem.. We run studded snow tires on the TD but they do not last long on the dry roads. So would need weather good enough to get the Coupe on the road..

Ken
kdowning@snowcrest.net
Yreka, Ca.
On I-5 just south of Oregon..

1985 TD
1992 300CE

Ken, it looks like we'll be having it in early February at Placo1's house in Temecula, which is off of Interstate 15, in between San Diego and Ontario.

We're thinking of doing a tour of the wineries in Temecula and doing the wine tasting thing.

Afterwards, Placo1 has offered to hold a BBQ at his new house.

It'll be a helluva drive down from Redding, but you're more than welcome to come.

Well truth is I live 100 miles north of Redding.. So any thing south of Redding is Southern Cal in our books..... But by Feb I am usaly ready for a trip.. and heck its only about 15 or 16 hundred miles round trip.. And if we can get out of there with the coupe.. No snow or ice ect.. other wise it would have to be the TD..


Keep me informed..

But then heck.. Perhaps we need a northern Cal.. Oregon... northern Nevada meet.. Hummmmmmm..

Ken