• Hi Guest !

    Welcome to the 500Eboard forum.

    Since its founding in late 2008, 500Eboard has become the leading resource on the Internet for all things related to the Mercedes-Benz 500E and E500. In recent years, we have also expanded to include the 400E and E420 models, which are directly related to the 500E/E500.

    We invite you to browse and take advantage of the information and resources here on the site. If you find helpful information, please register for full membership, and you'll find even more resources available. Feel free to ask questions, and make liberal use of the "Search" function to find answers.

    We hope you will become an active contributor to the community!

    Sincerely,
    500Eboard Management

Time for 500Eboard to take a Sabbatical?

gerryvz

gerryvz

Site Honcho
Staff member
Folks,

There has been an accelerating amount of drama and poor behavior on this forum in recent weeks and months, by a number of individuals. The behavior is getting more serious and ominous, and personally I do not think things are heading in a positive direction.

There is a strong difference between having innocent and honest fun, poking humor at others whether with words or smilies, as has historically been the culture here, and folks coming on here and fighting with others, butting heads, issuing threats and generally crapping all over and making a mess of things.

I have been more and more seriously thinking of taking different steps over the past couple of months, because put simply ... it is becoming less and less fun to own and operate this forum. Recent events on this forum involving folks like Ascension, 400Eric, Clark Vader and now SZvook have accelerated my thinking.

And some of the feedback I have been getting, as evidenced most lately this morning by 500AMM, is also not encouraging nor heartening in terms of my maintaining a positive spirit and attitude toward what really should be a hobby.

Frankly, my philosophy in life has always been that when something stops being fun, you need to stop doing it and move on to something else. I am very much at the crossroads of where running this forum is no longer "fun" and no longer worth the time, expense, and heartburn of hassling with various individuals -- whether they mean well or not.

Some of the steps I have been considering have included taking the forum off-line for a period of time (perhaps 3-6 months) up to and including taking the forum off-line permanently.

I'm going to think about this very seriously over the weekend, and I will certainly let you all know what my final decision is.

Thanks and regards,
Gerry
 
Gerry

Whilst I am not up to date with the issues on this forum (nor do they interest me as every forum has it's fair share of people that spoil the broth), this forum is an invaluable source of information for E500E's of which mechanics and "specialists" are becoming less and less familiar with and the information on here has helped me over the years.

I'd encourage you to keep it online and not let the very few ruin a fabulous resource!

Bill
 
no no please no!
i'm too excited to see what's going on here everyday to not have it in my life.
and summers just around the corner here on the east coast...:rofl:

:forumrocks:
 
e500.org said:
Gerry

Whilst I am not up to date with the issues on this forum (nor do they interest me as every forum has it's fair share of people that spoil the broth), this forum is an invaluable source of information for E500E's of which mechanics and "specialists" are becoming less and less familiar with and the information on here has helped me over the years.

I'd encourage you to keep it online and not let the very few ruin a fabulous resource!

Bill
Click to expand...

I concur
 
That thread is now deleted reopened by admin, and I am really sorry it was interpreted totally different from what I honestly meant. I tried to call you Gerry from my office phone, my mobile is broken at the moment. I'll try again later on tonight.

This is really serious, I have absolutely NO intention to provoke a shut down of this site, after all these years with posting and reading. If someone here mean my behaviour is indicating something else, you are more than welcome to inform me about that please.


-a-
 
Last edited:
Gerry,

First of it is very sad that it has come to this, my hope is that the things can stay on line.

Over the years I have been involved in several forums, some Mercedes, some other marques, some not even auto related. - I don't post just to add to my count, I post when I have something to contribute. I may not agree with everything said here, but I do defer and respect those who have greater experience and knowledge than I.

This is the first forum I found that I could have intelligent conversations, where it wasn't just a clique of a dozen or so people treating the place as their online personal cigar room, where they would post on a thread just for the sake of posting.

The big thing about this board is everyone is made to feel welcome, whether its their first post or their 10,000th. Whether the extent of their knowledge is they have to read the manual to figure out how to change a tire, or they were trained by Dr Dieter himself.

No post is ever responded with the Snark "use the search tool" -

The number of of places on the internet you can say that about anything, you could count on your hands and have change.

As others will say this has become in invaluable resource, only this week its saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and hours in trying to figure something out.

This is not hyperbole, I would be truly saddened to see it go - even on Sabbatical - thanks to a handful of thin skinned armchair warriors.

Again, I hope that its a case if taking a short "breather" so to speak and we carry on, but if you do decide to take a Sabbatical then just "Freeze" the board, don't allow any new posts, and leave everything up for the vast majority to see and use as was intended.

David.
 
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Gerry,

I was not aware of all the drama that has developed recently. I look at the names you mentioned (400Eric, Clark Vader, SZvook) and I'm not surprised. They represent such a small percentage of the members of this board, that for you to shut everything down seems like a drastic move.

I, like spaceman_west, and I'm sure MANY other board members rely on this board daily for info/entertainment/and a connection to other gearheads about these great cars.

Please dont let a few Drama Queens ruin it for the rest of us. This is the best forum on the internet as far as I'm concerned. You have done a fantastic job moderating it.

If you need a break, maybe someone else could take over the reigns for awhile?

Andy
 
This forum, and its many great members who have been so forth coming in sharing advice/wisdom, have been an invaluable resource. Would hate to see it go, even temporarily.
 
spaceman_west said:
no no please no!
i'm too excited to see what's going on here everyday to not have it in my life.
and summers just around the corner here on the east coast...:rofl:

:forumrocks:
Click to expand...


:plusone: I have really come to enjoy this board. As others have stated besides all the technical knowledge I get some serious laughs. I can totally see your dilemma Gerry but it would be a real shame to see this come to a halt due to a handful of individuals.

:klink:
 
Nnooooooo. Without this site, I would have a very difficult time maintaining my car. Not to mention the friends I have made.
 
I concur with everyone, Gerry. This is the most pleasant car community bar none! Hell, i don't even own an 036 anymore ! But the great members on this board, with their intellect, great banter/chain yanking and technical knowledge, ensures that I'm logged on pretty much all day.
 
With growth comes pain and uncertainty. Gerry, I respect your decision to do whatever you feel is right.
 
Yeah, I think I see the backstory on this. And I see where your frustration is coming from, GVZ.

I thinks what's gotta happen here, which most of us do very well, is we have to leave the administration of the site to the Administrators. This is not a democracy -- they make it available for our use at THEIR discretion. So that's point #1.

But in addition to leaving site administration to the Administrators, the rest of us ignore as much drama as we can, and keep it focused on the hobby we love -- understanding the care and market for these wonderful cars.

If we can do those two things, we should be all good here.

But if not, I would surely miss the community, not to mention the knowledge base.

Cheers, Gents.

maw
 
I agree with all that's been said so far and my pulse skipped a beat earlier when after a busy day at work in meetings and away from the web I try to log on to the forum and it was offline temporarily.

One of of the primary reasons I purchased my 500E was because of this community. I can honestly say that participating in this group is a significant part of the enjoyment I have in owning my car. This is not even taking into account the vast resources that have been built, from the "How To's" and professional level feedback, direction and experience.

I hope a few people's poor choice of words doesn't ruin something so valuable and enjoyed by many!
 
Gerry, I'm sure that many here will agree that this site is not only by far the best W124 site, the most amazing 500E / E500 site there has ever been or will ever be, but it is also one of the best forums that any of us has ever been on. Really how many sites can you say that about ?

Don't feed the trolls and let them take this site down for even 1 day, they will just hunger for more. Brush it off just like other challenges in your life, keep marching on with a spring in your step.

I am honored to know you, to have meet you and to be a member of this site and all that it has accomplished.

Let it live.
 
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I primarily do 113s and 124s as they are my favorite Benz models.
The 113 forum that I belong to is the only other one that I frequent that has the decorum and general respect amongst members that this one does.
If either of these forums go down, it puts a real hardship on all the owner/participants to maintain their cars and solve . Many owners here are owners because of this forum.
Bottom line, deleting this excellent source would not only hurt the camaraderie among all of us, it would ultimately hurt the cars in the long run.
 
OK guys, thanks for the good thoughts. I'm going to talk with several folks over the weekend about things.

The one thing I will say is that people who cause problems don't go away, and until confronted will keep on doing what they want to do. Although I am the "owner" of this forum from a technical perspective, and perhaps some of its culture comes from the top, it is really everyone's playground forum and it is up to all of you as to what kind of forum you want to have. Sticking your head in the sand and hoping that problems go away is not the way to deal with them, and it's not the answer.

Also to note, there are 500E-specific web forums in existence at www.mbca.org and also now over at Benzworld.org ... so there are definitely other resources available online.

I have undeleted SZvook's OWNER thread seeing as that was the feedback received this morning. We'll just let the open wound fester rather than trying to cool things down for a while on that.
 
gerryvz said:
OK guys, thanks for the good thoughts. I'm going to talk with several folks over the weekend about things.

The one thing I will say is that people who cause problems don't go away, and until confronted will keep on doing what they want to do. Although I am the "owner" of this forum from a technical perspective, and perhaps some of its culture comes from the top, it is really everyone's playground forum and it is up to all of you as to what kind of forum you want to have. Sticking your head in the sand and hoping that problems go away is not the way to deal with them, and it's not the answer.

Also to note, there are 500E-specific web forums in existence at www.mbca.org and also now over at Benzworld.org ... so there are definitely other resources available online.
Click to expand...

But they DONT sniff the cork the way we do here! Thanks for generously providing this corkscrew...
:rogerific:
 
;)What KarlC said +++
Not to sound too much like a capitalist, but I would pay an annual membership fee gladly were this site to go private. The knowledge base let alone the wellspring of helpful members is unlike any others that I am involved in (Porsche, Ferrari, AMG, Superformance Cobra, Land Cruiser etc.). Your commitment is obvious (as are others) based on your number of posts and the quality of this website. I would probably even sell my 500E were it not for this fun and interesting group. I stumbled upon you guys accidentally a little over a year ago and that is why after almost 20 years I bought another 500E!
I can only imagine the time and passion that it takes to keep this thing alive, please count to 10,000 if necessary this weekend and embrace a plan to regain constructive continuity with The 500EBOARD!
 
just back from american sniper and the first thing I did is check this forum and she is UP!!!!
 
gerryvz said:
Also to note, there are 500E-specific web forums in existence at www.mbca.org and also now over at Benzworld.org ... so there are definitely other resources available online.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen the mbca forums, mainly because I haven't got around to joining yet, but based on my experiences with other owners clubs, well I refer to my earlier statement on "online cigar rooms" :)

Benzworld I have never really participated on - several times I have given it a try and I am not being clever, sarcastic, etc, but the place gives me a headache within 5 mins - for real.

I Hope for the best, I'll prepare for the worst.
 
txbrit said:
I haven't seen the mbca forums, mainly because I haven't got around to joining yet, but based on my experiences with other owners clubs, well I refer to my earlier statement on "online cigar rooms" :)

Benzworld I have never really participated on - several times I have given it a try and I am not being clever, sarcastic, etc, but the place gives me a headache within 5 mins - for real.
Click to expand...

TOTALLY agree
 
txbrit said:
Benzworld I have never really participated on - several times I have given it a try and I am not being clever, sarcastic, etc, but the place gives me a headache within 5 mins - for real.
Click to expand...

That's a really big forum and there as the saying goes, there's a seat for every ass and an ass for every seat. However some of the information there is really useful and has saved me enough money that I became a lifetime premium member. I spend most of my time on the 107 forum which has a good bunch of guys that are mostly knowledgeable and easy to get along with. The W210 has a wealth of info too.

In the last few years, I've barely been to the W126 forum.
 
Gerry,

If the forum continues, as of July 2015 I will have been a member for 6 great years.

Although I don't post a lot I read the forum twice a day when I can and enjoy the online banter 99.9% of the time. The technical info is priceless and would be sorely missed. I have attended most all of the local GTGs getting to meet other members of our community including you.

For what it's worth here is my .02 cents.

Of the 4,000+ members probably less than a 200 appear to be actively participating in the forum. Of that number say 4,5,6 or even 10 members seem to cause continual problems. If my math is right that's less than 1/2%. As the site owner and operating it on your dime you should not be getting ulcers over a miniscule few that can't seem to get along.

IMOP, you should eliminate your problems for the greater good of the site and your own piece of mind and your health. You have been more than fair with everybody and have tried to be a nice guy but some people given an inch will take a mile if given the opportunity.

There is a point where enough is enough. If some members don't have the good sense to keep there thoughts in check and continually cause problems then cut them off. I for one and I think most other serious members would appreciate it.

I for one and most of the other members fully appreciate your time, dedication, knowledge to create a wonderful site where we can enjoy our hobby/affliction with others. I think that for the most part you have enjoyed your role in developing this site into one of the best auto enthusiast sites on the web.

If you had a cancer threatening your life you would have it cut out so your life would hopefully continue. The same could be said for your website, if some members can't get along then cut them out of the herd for the greater good.

Whatever you decide to do I back you 100%
 
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Every forum suffers from this and it would be very sad to see this wonderful resource come to an end, or worse removed altogether. It would be a tragedy.

Just ban the trouble makers, block their IP's etc and let the rest enjoy and share.
 
I go out of town for one day to buy another car and this is what happens !!!!

I know Joanna didn't want me to get it but this is beyond......

Ron
 
I can totally understand the reasoning behind this even if I don't agree with it. I think this forum is an excellent resource for all W124 owners (even if the focus is the 036) and some of the archived threads have helped me tremendously. It would be a shame to lose all of this info.
 
Let me just add myself to the many who, while not posting too much, visit the site every day and who find this place to be an irreplaceable resource for our 036's. You know how it is with a stubborn task while working on the car. You take a breather and come back to it later with renewed effort and enthusiasm. We'd understand if you have to do that in this case, but nuking this board would be a real tragedy. As others have said, it's the very few who make it tough for the many. Let's not let them determine the fate of this board.
 
This guy wanted to be a master here but it didnt get it how he wanted it.He has got it now elsewhere so that that
 
By far, this is one of best forum I have ever seen. It would be a tragedy to see this forum coming to an end. I can't see myself living without it. Do not let those a few individuals ruin what we have built here for years. I love you guys. This forum rocks!
 
Is the question whether it "is Mushroom or Parchment" finally settled so that someone, anyone, would even consider taking a Sabbatical????
Once that question is definitively answered then, and only then, should anyone consider a Sabbatical.

Ron
 
Here is what I think,

1) We have to admit this forum is very useful, informative and educative. Moreover, some folks here are ready to help anytime you have a problem which is very rare now on forums. Usually it will be something like "use a search".

2) I like the way this forum organized, simple rules and user friendly interface. It is real freedom here , you can post whatever you want and discuss it with the others. However, everything is in order and there is no mess at all. Also 90% of board discussion are stick to e500e which is awesome too.

3) Everyday I check this board and find new posts or threads which is great. People are always hanging here which is not a case with other forums that are dead.

So, I do not get why should this board be closed because of few misunderstanding between adult people ?

Uncle Gerry is a type of person who may say some hot words and be sarcastic, so ? come on guys you should be able to handle it. If not, just do not post/fight/threat and enjoy information/updates on our lovely E500E.

I really hope this board will not be closed !

Just my 2 cents
 
I had been following this forum for some time, approximately 2 years, before I finally bought my 036. Reason being is that I live in Taiwan where there is a scarcity of information and parts on our car, so I had to do a lot of prep work and make sure I had a means to troubleshoot and get parts before acquiring my car. I must say that this forum was a big part in my finally pulling the trigger. As a relative newbie to the 036, I have not made a lot of posts yet, though I have gotten a wealth of information from my daily visits. I always look forward to getting on the forum and reading the newest posts so it would be a very sad thing if the forum were to be interrupted in any way, short-term or long-term. I am very appreciative of the help I have gotten in answering questions I have had, diagnosing issues with my car or even just getting part numbers so I sincerely hope that the forum continues in perpetuity so that myself and others can continue to get educate ourselves on the 036 but most of all continue to be able to enjoy some of the small pleasures in our daily lives.
 
After viewing this forum for a couple of years...three weeks ago I joined. This was at the suggestion of ClarkZ71 who said that, even though I am an 034 owner, I should because the people here are great and because of the similarities in 400E/500E cars. I have to defend him on the basis of his technical knowledge which is the reason I am here too. Those of you who are experts on these cars also get my thanks for sharing your knowledge. Many, or most, of us are here because we have a common interest in something that the Mercedes engineers designed a long time ago. Hindsight has proven that they made a special breed of cars and this forum is a testament of that.

This Forum has been a great resource for me. An incredible amount of time has gone into the vast knowledge base here, connecting us across the globe. As a true car lover, I have come to find out how special the 500E is, and appreciate that, and it's rarity. No matter what happens here I do want to thank those of you who have helped me to maintain and improve my 400E. My appreciation for fast, accurate and objective information is why I am here. The fact that there is a dedicated group of enthusiasts that know and appreciate these cars really saves time and fuels my continued enthusiasm for keeping this car in fantastic condition.

Thanks to the following for your technical expertise...THAT is why I am here!
Gerryvz
ClarkZ71
GSXR
Glen
and several others I have not mentioned but viewed their posts.

Finally, thanks to Gerryvz for all of your time and resources creating and maintaining this forum! I sincerely hope it stays intact.

Cheers...
 
I am reminded of this quote just a few moments ago, I think it applies here to this situation:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them
better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face
is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who
comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and
shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great
enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at
the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst,
if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never
be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. -- Teddy Roosevelt
 
KarlC said:
Gerry, I'm sure that many here will agree that this site is not only by far the best W124 site, the most amazing 500E / E500 site there has ever been or will ever be, but it is also one of the best forums that any of us has ever been on. Really how many sites can you say that about ?

Don't feed the trolls and let them take this site down for even 1 day, they will just hunger for more. Brush it off just like other challenges in your life, keep marching on with a spring in your step.

I am honored to know you, to have meet you and to be a member of this site and all that it has accomplished.

Let it live.
Click to expand...

:plusone: Excellent, succinct summary, Karl. Couldn't have said it better myself.

If some modified forum rules/guidelines are required going forward, I think the vast majority of members would abide by them. But please don't go and let it die!

:runexe:
 
Last edited:
gsxr said:
:plusone: Excellent, succinct summary, Karl. Couldn't have said it better myself.

If some modified forum rules/guidelines are required going forward, I think the vast majority of members would abide by them. But please don't go and let it die!

:runexe:
Click to expand...


I'm all for that solution. I sure would hate to see this forum go away.
 
"If some modified forum rules/guidelines are required going forward, I think the vast majority of members would abide by them. But please don't go and let it die!"

My sentiments exactly and I am also here at the suggestion of ClarkZ71 as being a pleasant place without all the drama and backbiting found on the "B" site.
I'm just another E420 owner, but I greatly appreciate the information and collegiality found on this forum. Don
 
I think ya'll should just ride the light and get through this little kerfuffle. This place serves a much needed purpose, and those "also ran" sites will be there to fill the void for the rest of us less discerning types.

Endeavor to persevere...
[video=youtube;hRX6hSGeZs4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRX6hSGeZs4[/video]
 
Gerry,

Here are my thoughts from grown up Navy town...

As Captain of this ship, it must be difficult to see unwanted social misfits board your ship. So,... appoint an XO (executive officer, second in command, handles disciplinary actions) and have him deal with it ! As Captain you have too many other more important tasks to complete: documenting new projects, maintaining this site etc, the list goes on... So find a "Decorum Tzar" and sweep the crud off your deck !

Please do not scuttle the ship with all hands on deck just because a few rats got on board...

Prost !

Mario
San Diego
 
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