I never share my Mercedes because people are careless

What car do you drive?
I drive a Mercedes Benz ML 350 4matic. It is a 2006 model.

How did you acquire it?
I have a friend called Julius, who runs a garage. He told me of a rich man with a fleet who had imported the car brand new but because we have fake mechanics, the owner got frustrated since they were not fixing the problem it had. He decided to park it and after two years, he decided to sell it. The problem it had was failure to start/ignite. Julius is a friend who I met when I bought my previous car and we go to the same gym. He told me about the sale and interested me to buy it. I went and saw the car and I liked it. We agreed on the money which I will not tell you for fear of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). All I can tell you is it was a good deal.

What was the real complication?
The car has a computer in the engine and another in the gear box so the problem was the previous mechanics were not replacing the computer in the engine and it would only move for a short distance because it would not send a signal to the gear box. So, the mechanic told me we had to import computers for the gear box and engine.

How much did they cost you?
They cost me US$1,000 (about Shs3.5m). We ordered for them from Dubai and we received them in a week. When they sent the computers, the one for the gear box was damaged so it didn’t work. We made another order and installed it; from then on, the car has been in a good working condition.

How many kilometres had it covered by the time you bought it?
I was lucky, it had only covered about 60,000 kilometres. I was also happy because this has always been my dream car.

How much did you sell your former car, the Mercedes Benz C240 Kompressor?
I sold it at Shs20m.

How long had you driven it?
I had driven it for four years.

How much had you bought it?
I had bought it at Shs30m. I managed to sell it at Shs20m because I had maintained it so well given the bad road to my home. It had a low ground clearance and I feared giving it to my wife because she is not the best driver.

Is there a special attachment to the Mercedes?
Naturally, I like good things right from the time I was young. And when I got introduced to Benzes, I realised they are comfortable, safe and they do not easily break down. For the four years I drove my previous car, all I did was occasionally change the oil, plugs and suspension because of the bumpy rides given the potholes on some of the roads on which I drive. Plus, they are cost-effective.

What is the most expensive thing on your car?
Everything is expensive on the car. The front lights alone are Shs1.5m each and Shs1m for each of the back lights. I was recently knocked and my back light was damaged. We had to order for it from Dubai. It cost me US$260 (about Shs935,480).

Do you ever share your car?
No. I don’t share my cars because many people don’t love cars. They simply own cars. I quarrel with my wife when she is driving me in her car. She hits potholes and she will always argue that she is always trying to drive slowly. When I am driving, I know how to navigate potholes. The car is not a luxury. It is a necessity because without it you can suffer. Business does not move as planned, so I respect a car because without it, I would be inconvenienced. That is why I don’t share my car. Someone will borrow the car and drive it recklessly and bring it back with noisy shock absorbers and I would have to cough money to fix them.

Apart from taking you from one point to another, does the car add value to your personality?
Oh yes, it raises my profile. I am a comedian and people do not take me seriously but when they see me drive a Benz, they respect me.

What is the longest distance you have driven it?
It was to a place past Mbarara to bury my cousin.

How much did you spend on fuel?
Shs250,000.

How much does it cost to fill its tank?
About Shs300,000.

Do you have preferences when it comes to fuel stations?
I prefer convetional fuel stations because they are strict with their dealers. You don’t mess up with their brand.

Where do you service your car from?
Julius services my car. He has a garage in Lungujja. He is professional.

Do you have any dream car?
Not really. I love the newer version of my car.

What do you think of fellow drivers on the road?
We are all mad. We are children of the same mother. Many times we blame boda boda riders but we are all bad drivers. Someone will hoot the second you delay. They don’t know if someone is crossing. We are impatient and bad drivers.

REPAIRS
Truth is these cars need to be maintained as per factory recommendations and never abused. Sometimes we are simply blinded by these cars working well. When they work well, they really work well and are pretty satisfying to drive.

Mercedes Benz ML

First generation
1997–2005

Mercedes-Benz launched the first generation W163 series M-Class on 19 February 1997, in the United States for the 1998 model year, with sales beginning that September. It is a mid-sized body-on-frame SUV with seating for five, or seven with an optional third-row seat.

Second generation
2005–2011
In 1999, development on a successor to the W163 began under the codename “W164” and spanned a period of 6 years. By late 2001, the production design styled by Steve Mattin under Peter Pfeiffer was chosen and approved by the executive board in 2002.

Third generation
2011–present
The newly redesigned M-class (chassis name W166) was introduced in pre-production form 10 June 2011 as a 2012 model. The first customer-designated W166 rolled off the Tuscaloosa production line on 20 July. It is moderately refined, taking styling cues from the new generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class.