A Beginner Guide to Owning A Euro Import
Michael Moeller • April 8, 2026
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At Ditmire Motorworks, we get to meet a lot of different people, ranging from people who have been driving Euro imports for decades to people who are new to them. And some of the "newbies" can be a little nervous about how best to take care of their new rides. I can sympathize: I got my first Mercedes when I was in my 50's, and, like many, had heard that the maintenance was a bit of an ordeal. Well, it turns out it really isn't....it's just sticking to schedules. Hello, I'm Michael, and I'm the VP of Ditmire's (and Beth Harvie's Husband), and I thought I'd pass along some tips for new owners. An overarching thing I'd suggest: look at your car as an INVESTMENT....not just basic transportation. Doing the "right things" will fall out of that mindset:
1. First off, follow the recommended service and maintenance schedules that are prescribed for your car. This was always a little more loose when I drove domestic. I'm now sticking closer to the schedules and not putting stuff off.
2. Secondly, only use high-quality synthetic motor oils. When I began to look into this, it was easy and quick to see that this alone is a HUGE part of maintainenance. I also became mindful of my fluid levels: oil, coolant, brake fluids, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. Just a little bit of attention to these can keep you problem-free!
3. Thirdly, be mindful of tire pressures and any driving issues which might be related to the tires/wheels.
4. Fourth, check belts, hoses, and batteries periodically, particularly in Winter.
5. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I was new to the Euro scene, and these cars are "computers with wheels", a long way from the '78 Buick Regal I started with back in the day! I was a customer of Ditmire's before I came to work here, and it didn't take me long to recognize the expertise that our technicians had. I felt like these guys were "partners" in taking care of Bruno, my Mercedes E350. I believed enough in them, I came here to help THEM!
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DWI: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH Last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 13,000 died in car accidents related to driving while intoxicated….and that marked the second consecutive year that this mark was achieved. In 2022, roughly 32% of all traffic-related fatalities were related to DWI, and that number was 31% in 20211. With the “100 most dangerous driving days” (Memorial Day to Labor Day) rapidly approaching, more people are about to be hitting the roads for Summer activities including vacations, and the risk of even one person driving impaired becomes even higher. Recent statistics indicated that the 21-24 (roughly 27% of all traffic-related deaths), 25-34 (roughly 27% of all traffic-related deaths), and 35-44 (roughly 23% of all traffic-related deaths) were responsible for most of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the US, but underaged drivers in the 15-20 (17%) were also strongly affected2. In these cases, we’re defining “drunk” as having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of ≥0.08 grams of alcohol/deciliter of blood, but lower concentrations even down to 0.01 are also dangerous3. How much is too much? Well, impairment begins even at very low concentrations. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed across the lining of the stomach and small intestines, and it is accumulated in the bloodstream until it’s metabolized in the liver. Relaxation, loss of visual acuity, and loss of judgement begin to become noticeable at around 0.02. To give you an idea of how 0.02 “feels”, if you’re starting to feel “warm and “happy”, you’re likely around 0.02. By 0.05, you’re feeling relaxed, and “loose” with lower inhibitions. Remember: there have been drinking-related deaths even at 0.01….so get a ride home….call a friend, call a taxi, call an Uber. Don’t take any chances. By 0.08, you’re legally drunk, and you shouldn’t be even thinking about driving. To provide some additional context, 0.15 is around where you are when you’re vomiting or having trouble with your balance3. Folks, we at Ditmire Motorworks genuinely care about your wellbeing! PLEASE think before you drink, and we look forward to many happy years helping you to take care of yourself, your families, and your vehicles! 1. https://madd.org/press-release/more-than-13000-people-died-in-alcohol-related-crashes-for-second-straight-year/#:~:text=More%20than%2013%2C000%20People%20Died,Crashes%20for%20Second%20Straight%20Year&text=WASHINGTON%20(April%205%2C%202024),Traffic%20Safety%20Administration%20(NHTSA). 2. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/drunk-driving-statistics/#:~:text=Drunk%20Driving%20Statistics%20by%20Age,08%20or%20higher. 3. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving wn from a different source.
Mercedes-Benz has a long history and well-deserved reputation for excellence in safety feature. One of the reasons for this is the tireless work of one man: Bela Barenyi (1907-1997), a Hungarian Engineer who worked for Austria-Fiat, Steyr, and Adler Automobiles before joining the Daimler-Benz team in 1939. By that time, he had already developed an impressive resume, having designed the Volkswagen “Beetle” in 1925. Once at Daimler-Benz, he conceptualized a revolutionary new way of thinking of automobile frames, envisioning a “passenger safety cell” flanked by “crumple zones” designed to compress and absorb the energies involved in collisions through controlled deformations, with the safety cell remaining undeformed. He began work in the late 1940’s on his design, and, by 1951 and with the issuing of Patent 845 157, the passenger safety cell was ready to be realized in commercial automobiles. In 1959, the World got to experience this design in the Mercedes-Benz W 111 Model, called the “Fintail” for its distinctive tail fin look1. Add to this the collapsible steering column, a later invention also credited to Barenyi, and one can see how he earned the title “The Father of Passive Safety”. He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 19942. Although we may take these technologies for granted now, it is significant to realize that, at that time, automobile manufacturers were “steering clear” (pun intended) of safety issues as talking points. Up until the 1970’s, many feared that discussions around car accidents were “deal killers” for auto sales. We can give a lot of credit to men like Bela Barenyi for thinking “ahead of the curve”. 1. https://www.piston.my/2021/09/18/bela-barenyi-the-man-who-made-cars-crumple-to-save-lives/ 2. https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/bela-barenyi/
Before you hit the road this summer, check tires, brakes, fluids, and more. Use this essential car maintenance checklist to travel safely and confidently.
