W111 W112 Forum wanted

[perry113]

Looking for a W111 club, club chapter or forum.

Haven't found anything.

Any ideas?

[knockmacool]

Talk to the Board. Start a poll. The infrastructure is here, why not add them to our group? To the "purists" amongst us, apologies in advance!

Drew

[stickandrudderman]

Close?
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/mercedesw108/
or this:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=289066

[Cees Klumper]

Good advice I think Drew. As a purist, I'd be inclided to say 'no' but, depending on the amount of technical overlap, and assuming we'd not be duplicating (i.e. potentiallly weakening) an already existing initiative, "why not" add a sub-forum for things unique to this line.
ALternative would be we make a copy / template of the whole internet, charter etc structure available so someone can establish their own separate group without having to re-invent the wheel (which usually ends up being less round).

[perry113]

Good advice I think Drew. As a purist, I'd be inclided to say 'no' but, depending on the amount of technical overlap, and assuming we'd not be duplicating (i.e. potentiallly weakening) an already existing initiative, "why not" add a sub-forum for things unique to this line.
ALternative would be we make a copy / template of the whole internet, charter etc structure available so someone can establish their own separate group without having to re-invent the wheel (which usually ends up being less round).

Drew and Cees,

You both make great points. It could be nice to add an additional chat line on "other cars" for W111/W112 within the W113 forum. Just a thought without creating a lot of work to put something together.

[tel76]

Who would be expected do this work? Peter i suppose,i for one thinks he has enough on his plate and does more than his fair share.

[Leester]

I completely agree with tel76 on throwing additional work on someone elses plate. But it seems like just posting to the "other cars" forum would work. If each post included in the subject line W111/112 plus the major component identifier such as brakes (so you now have "W111/112 Brakes") it might work. I may have used the wrong component id since brakes are probably almost the same as 113.  Having one each of 111 and 113, there are certainly differences in some parts, obviously sheet metal, but the running gear, where most of us have our issues, is pretty much the same, at least in my experience. The 113 posts about running gear, electrical and non-sheet metal are almost universally applicable to my 111.

[badali]

The subframe and rear axle are interchangeable on most of the cars from 1959-1972.  Some of the mechanicals, brakes and engines used the same components.  I think allot of the questions from the other cars can be answered through here also.

[perry113]

Everyone has made great points. And I am not pawning off a major project to someone. I am reaching out to network about the cars interest level and to see who's out there.

Regarding this forum, I wouldn't think it would take much time to add a 3rd header under "Off Topic", whereby we can chat specifically about historical and technical etc etc, specific to W111 / W112. Maybe I am wrong on such an idea.

Many of us all own both W113's and W111's. These cars are worthy of such and share such a common ground. Why not integrate a subset here? How many hours and dollars does it take?

I think SL113 could strengthen from this in membership.

Just a few friendly thoughts and ideas on my behalf to throw out on the table.

PDP

[Peter van Es]

Adding forum sections for W111-112 specific topics is 5 minutes work...Cost... $=0. Agreeing to put [W113] or [W111/2] in the subject line whenever a topic is specific to that type takes longer...

The key issue is, do we want to mix the two types? Do we want to become a multiple W11x group? That's a membership voting issue.

Copying the entire infrastructure (forum, technical manual, front pages etc) to a duplicate hoster and creating a separate W111 type website would take a couple of days of my time and cost around $400 annually to host and run. You'd get an empty system (i.e. no messages) so you'd have to build up the wealth of knowledge over time... you could take the W113 technical manual and modify it for starters, lots could remain intact.

Peter

[perry113]

Adding forum sections for W111-112 specific topics is 5 minutes work...Cost... $=0. Agreeing to put [W113] or [W111/2] in the subject line whenever a topic is specific to that type takes longer...

The key issue is, do we want to mix the two types? Do we want to become a multiple W11x group? That's a membership voting issue.

Copying the entire infrastructure (forum, technical manual, front pages etc) to a duplicate hoster and creating a separate W111 type website would take a couple of days of my time and cost around $400 annually to host and run. You'd get an empty system (i.e. no messages) so you'd have to build up the wealth of knowledge over time... you could take the W113 technical manual and modify it for starters, lots could remain intact.

Peter

Peter

Thank you for your thoughts.

I agree, let the members decide.

W111's are worthy of its own forum. These cars are significant and beautiful. However, I believe the SL113 forum is the true online epicenter for 1960's and 70's Barogue inspired hand built Mercedes.

We are already the forum for these cars (W111, W112), yet maybe we don't realize it. SL113 is it.

We are not diluting W113 230 250 280 SL by adding a subchapter W111 /W112 specific topics on the existing forum nor would we change this to be a W111 site. This is the Pagoda forum, but with all due respect our W113 cars were born from the W111's. Why would we create another shell, an empty shell that would have to be built up when its strength knowledge and following already resides here. I would not say anything other than add another forum section under "other cars". I believe it strengthens SL113.
Send it to the forum and our members to decide.
All due respect.
PDP

[Garry]

I would like to wade into this discussion as I think we need to step back a bit and look at our home page where we state that

"This site and this Group were established as a source of information relating to the Mercedes W113 cars and to help maintain, restore, exhibit, and promote the ownership and admiration of these cars among the international community of W113 enthusiasts"

Having said that,  How many members are also W111 owners, how many is "many"

I like looking at the 190SL site and also the MercWorld site occasionally together with some other car sites but primarily my interest lies with the W113

I am all for it remaining in the 'Other Cars" area but Perry113 very correctly states that the W111 deserves its own site and I commend him for volunteering to set one up, it can be cross referred to this forum if they want or the members of that forum can just join this forum however to state that Pagoda SL Group is Quote" already the forum for these cars (W111, W112) yet we don't recognise it" Unquote,  is a pretty big call with all due respect.

And "the W113 was born from the W111" I always thought it was born out of the need for a replacement model for the 190SL, I have not heard of it being referred to as the child of the W111 but if I squint really hard I can see the 111, someone actually mistook the rear end of one in a painting recently for a W113 on this forum so there goes.

Let the members decide?  I think we firstly have to decide if we want to even go to a vote but if so what % of the members will be needed to change the forum to a  multi vehicle forum and will it be full members or all members that have a vote etc etc. I actually thought the Other Cars" section was working fine and the earlier comment of just heading any W111 or W112 comments with the heading W111/112 would enable differentiation

Just my two bobs worth
Garry

[JPMOSE]

Being an owner of both configuations, I would love to see a W111/112 site.  However, I think they should be under separate headings/tabs.  W111 also includes fintails...so where does it end?  W110s may also want to be included if W111 fintails are part of it....and maybe W108/W109....

[wwheeler]

Being a owner of a 111, I found this site and am a frequent contributor. I have benefitted enormously (and that is an understatement) from this site mainly because the cars are so much alike. While I would love to have a 111/112 subgroup, I think it gets too messy to intergrate the two. As JPMOSE says, where do you stop.

The problem for 111/112 owners is that there is no equal to this site for our cars. This site is THE BEST site for technical info regarding 113s and other '60s vintage MBs. That is why I frequent this site.

My suggestion would be to make the 111/112/108 owners feel more welcome and not like we are doing something wrong by benefitting from this site. Maybe a section specific to our cars other than "other cars" would make it feel like we are a part of the group.

I think that 113 owners will benefit by having more 111/112/108 owners in the group, but it needs to stay clean. I have always been very careful to post only what is applicable to 113s in the main topics. If it only relates to my 111, then I post in the "other cars". Just some thoughts from a 111 owner.

[Peter van Es]

Ok, I've created a special section for you all: W11x chassis cars.

Please feel welcome!

[wwheeler]

Very cool Peter! Thank you.

[Cees Klumper]

... I have always felt a bit like an outsider. Just some thoughts from a 111 owner.

And here I was, thinking you were one of the steady regulars!

[Leester]

Wow - Peter - many thanks!  I suspect there may be some who disagree, but I for one am very appreciative. I have learned so many things on this site and hope to contribute in the future.

Lee

[perry113]

Thank you Peter for all of your efforts.