Bonnet Star Blues!

[nuts17]

Well, I've joined the undoubtedly long list of owners who have had their bonnet emblems stolen! It really p____d me off to find mine missing - such mindless stupidity and crass selfishness! Mine isn't a new Merc. It's 11 years old, but it still looks great, which must have got to some pathetic ne'erdowell!

I bought a replacement emblem in an auction on Ebay straightaway for £8.81. It's flawless, but I don't know if it is the right one for my 1995, N reg. E220. It's a SPRING BACK BONNET EMBLEM, and when I took it out to the car to see how it should attach, the well looked much wider than the base of the emblem, which made me wonder if it is the wrong one. Do they come in different types? The b_____d broke the securing attachment at the base of the well, and there is only a tiny twisted metal rod remaining at the bottom. Shouldn't the emblem sit tight in the well? I wish now that I had taken notice when I had the original.

I hope someone out there can help. If not I will take it to the local dealer.

Cheers!

Nuts

 

[Templar Al]

Hi,
You need to remove the base aswell - open the bonnet, and underneath the emblem, you should see two lugs (sometimes coated with white plastic) pointing upwards. You have to twist this part 90 degrees anti-clockwise to align the lugs with cut-outs in the bonnet in order to remove it from above.
Not sure exactly what you got from eBay, but there are different emblems for different classes and years. You might get away with the new one being slightly larger, but it the b____ds strike again, you might want to consider one of the flat emblems (without the star) like on the CLK's and ML's, and keep the star one for Sunday Best!

Regards,
Alan.

 

[nuts17]

Thanks, a mint, Alan!

The one that I bought has a base rather like a squat skating blade with a hole in it. but the base and the thicker part just above must be about 1/2" long below the circle containing the star, and they are much narrower than the well that the previous star sat in. Also, something has been broken of the metal rod that it poking through the base of the well, as it looks shorn off and twisted.

I suspect that it's the wrong emblem, but it would be great if I could adapt it. I might have to take up your idea of replacing the star with a flat decoration, as a last resort, if it happens again. It is disheartening to read on another posting that this has happened repeatedly to some owners.

Cheers!

Nuts

 

[jberks]

A few folk have been unlucky but it is still a rare occurrence for most. My Dad has lost 3 over the 26 or so years of MB ownership. So far I've been lucky. I couldn't have a flat badge - it would be like driving an Audi!
For the price and the hassle, the dealer is still the best place to get the badges from.

 

[nuts17]

I know that I wil have to pay the dealers a visit. What do these blasted thieves do with the emblems? Surely they are too big to put on a key ring? Thanks for the info!

 

[124coupe]

They hang them round their necks - some kind of Blairsbritain version of sabre-toothed tiger teeth necklace?

 

[Templar Al]

Volkswagen owners must be breathing a sigh of relief - the VW badge used to be the prime target and I remember a time when you hardly ever saw a VW with a badge!

It is possible to strip the bonnet stars down, so you might be able to use your old base with the new bits, but GSF sell genuine bonnet stars for about £12. www.gsfcarparts.com Part No. M86303

Alan.

 

[martthefart]

Bonnet Stars

You can pick them up quite cheap at the main dealer. If you ask nicely they may even fit it for you! I kept having mine stolen by some pr*ck on the street where I live. I ended up getting a new one, dismantling it and detatching the spring mechanism. I then stuck a magnet in the base of the ball mecahnism attched to the upright on which the star is perched. The base is still fixed inside the bonnet as usual. Now if I park up anywhere iffy I just whip the star off. I could give proper instructions on how to make one if anyone is interested. There are some selling on ebay for about £55.00. Mine cost me £1.0 for the magnet, £16.00 for the star from MB and about an hour to make.

Mart

 

[frank133]

hi Mart good idea with the magnet will it stay on okay at motorway speeds i have only lost one in 9 years so cant complain i always tend to push it flat when i park up a false sense of security i think regards frank

 

[shayes]

I purchased a replacement star but it did not look quite the right one and so did not fit it.

Also, thieves always strike twice at the same spot (proven) and so I decided to go for the stick on one as per the SEC though this time I note that it is made of plastic.
Don't miss the Star as much as i thought I would.
Frankly just cant be bothered to look out of the window every time I hear a noise at night - car being on the drive.

 

[nuts17]

Bonnet star blues1

Hi, All!

The ebay didn't come with the correct base, so I had to go to an approved dealer. They quoted £13.50 for fitting a brand new one. It's back on and the car feels whole again. Thanks for all your replies!

Cheers!

Nuts