De-Badging

[daveenty]

I know it's an old story (thread here http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=18511 ), but decided to have it done to my latest acquisition.

2003 E55 AMG.

Reasons? I use it for work, visiting customers (established and potential)

It's been pointed out elsewhere that unless people are afficionados of the brand, it's *just a Merc*. This is exactly the impression I need to give out. Merc because I like them, standard Merc says *Doing OK, could improve* (sounds like a school report!) Flash Merc says *charging too much.* (Not the case, took a lot of economising on other things)

I was even tempted to put a 270 or even 220 badge on it, but decided blank is better. Back it up to a wall and they don't even see the 4 tailpipes, just the lower mesh grill at the front which, to a non-Mercedes person, doesn't say a lot

Another good reason is to stop the multitude of 307 & Saxo owners wanting to get you at every set of lights.

Incidentally, a friend of mine used to always have Mercedes (123 240D Estates I think) and I always used to slag him off as I had Jaguar at the time.
How wrong can you be?

He came with me last weekend to look at the new one and laughed at me all the way home in my CLK

 

[mlc]

Another good reason is to stop the multitude of 307 & Saxo owners wanting to get you at every set of lights.

Surely this is the reason for having a fast Mercedes, nothing is more fun that upsetting the little darlings by burning them off at the lights

Mark

 

[jberks]

No argument - I've always liked the speak softly and carry a big stick angle.

I have a similar issue, admittedly on an E270 rather than a 55 but even then, when many of your competitors run focusses and Passats, People still only see the 'flash merc'. My experience is that most people only see the star at the end of the bonnet and that's enough for them. Few, outside these forums have a clue what an E55 is or whether that is better or worse than an E220! I've heard comments of 'flash' when someone has a 5 year old C class, normally coming from people who's Fords cost considerably more. Sad muppets - but that's the world we live in! As they often say, A flash car and success is celebrated in the States, but just resented over here.

 

[daveenty]

I have a similar issue, admittedly on an E270 rather than a 55

Hopefully, Mr Average won't spot the difference between them...apart from the fact mine will invariably be scruffier. never seem to have the time to clean them nowadays

A flash car and success is celebrated in the States, but just resented over here.

Isn't that the case. Also in other countries. It's just seen as a pose-mobile here which attracts jealousy, especially from the ones who don't even work for a living
I've worked for years for this, and going to have to work a few more to run it

Incidentally, a company called a-plan insurance came up with an unbelievable deal.....£645.00 including Class 1 business use. Impressed the hell out of me, previous quotes were all over a grand. They're in Thatcham somewhere, will dig out the details if anyone's interested. The guy mentioned they only really do specialist stuff, but quoted me anyway.

 

[sankey]

so what would you all do if you owned a bentley,would you need to remove the front grill,no point debadging one of them.

 

[daveenty]

so what would you all do if you owned a bentley,would you need to remove the front grill,no point debadging one of them.

If I owned a Bentley I wouldn't still be scratting about for work

 

[television]

.

, People still only see the 'flash merc'. My experience is that most people only see the star at the end of the bonnet and that's enough for them. Few, outside these forums have a clue what an E55 is or whether that is better or worse than an E220!

This is so true, almost anywhere in the world, I am on the point of removing my badges.


Malcolm

 

[turnipsock]

Fighting my way through the traffic this morning, I spotted two quite good looking cars (can't remember what they were, but they thought they were the bees knees). Just in front was one of these VW cars that is so understated. I looked across at the guy and he just gave me a knowing look. His car was probably worth more than the two sudo flash cars together and would leave them for dead. To the untrained person, this was just a middle aged guy in a VW.

 

[hawk20]

This is so true, almost anywhere in the world, I am on the point of removing my badges.


Malcolm

I'm losing the plot! If you are all saying Jo Public can't tell the difference between an E220 and an E55 or an E270cdi, then what is the point of removing the badges?

Round here most debadged cars are the smallest engined models. Interesting to hear of some of you wanting to debadge one of the big beasties. We'll have to call that keeping down with the Jones's. :-D

 

[FELLOW]

Re badging CLK 320 Kompressor

I was "driving with the flow of traffic" in a "progressive manner" down an "open road" on a "clear evening" the car I was "keeping a reasonable braking distance" from was a CLK. Unfortunately, the chap slowed off (obviously didn't know the road and where to look for hidden dangers or blinding yellow boxes) and as I passed noted he had a CLK 320 Kompressor - at first I thought it was someone trying to out do the Jones' (AMG supercharge the 320 but not in the CLK as far as I know) but as I came along side noted the Kleeman badge, lowering, body kit... I realised that it truely was a kompressor. There was a nod as I pointed to my electronic drivers aids on the dash which alert me to dangerous road areas and we made good time until we parted company!

I think I'll rebadge rather than debadge in the future as long as it is subtle and the nice policemen don't realise what lies beneath.

 

[FOZZY]

Are we buying to impress other people or do you think its a good car worth having be proud you own a mercedes no matter if its 190 or 600 its still a mercedes if you peronally want to de dadge your car fine lets face it the only badge that matters is the 3 pointed one we all love & will love for every day sorry i have to stop as my eyes are foging up:-D

 

[mercdriver]

I've heard comments of 'flash' when someone has a 5 year old C class, normally coming from people who's Fords cost considerably more.

I'd like to think that my 5 yr old C Class is better than most Fords. Originally cost £28000. Not sure if Ford sell cars of that value. After all, it's why we buy Mercs, because they are not Fords. Like Stella Artois: "reassuringly expensive" LOL

Mark

 

[Doyle]

I have a C200 sport automatic with a full amg kit on it including the badge at the back.

Bought it like this and i like it like this.

You want to de badge then do it its your choice mate if u think it will stop Mr Saxo from racing away at the lights then the truth is it probably won't, i know that when i had my clio i didn't know a thing about mercs and therefore everyone was a toff to me and they were all fast. Mr Saxo would think the same.

Doyle.

 

[andrewheaney]

I have a E320 cdi, and I love passing 220 and 270's for them to see the badge! However, I have debadged my RX7, but only to keep people guessing. You see alot of beemers debadged, but they are always sales reps in 318's!! LOL! If I had an E55, i would prob debadge cos you have nothing to prove - arguments for both sides I suppose.

Each to their own, whatever floats your boat and all that!!

 

[television]

Maybe if I think about it, I should leave the badges on and let the racers go by, it is what it says on the tin.

Malcolm

 

[daveenty]

if u think it will stop Mr Saxo from racing away at the lights then the truth is it probably won't

Sad but true. Still this will probably happen in whatever you drive, just don't want to give them the satisfaction of bragging to their mates that they *blew the doors off an E55 AMG* All they'll know now is *a Merc*

I don't do the *boy racer* bit nowadays

If I had an E55, i would prob debadge cos you have nothing to prove

There's that to it, the primary reason is so it don't look *too* flash to the casual observer.
A Mercedes person would spot it relatively easily (especially form the front or rear)

Having said that, those big AMG brake callipers tend to be rather noticeable

 

[daveenty]

Maybe if I think about it, I should leave the badges on and let the racers go by, it is what it says on the tin.

Malcolm

Not necessarily Malcolm, have a look at this one on fleabay

Click Here


A diesel no less

 

[television]

Not necessarily Malcolm, have a look at this one on fleabay

Click Here


A diesel no less

I wonder if he has a tin of soot that he paints the inside of the dummy exhaust pipes.

Ilike the way he says that the wheels cost £25 to re furbish, its nearer £65 each for those.

Malcolm

 

[bitonw]

The first thing I did when I bought my car was to remove those stupid badges. MB Direct didn't want to do it so 30 min later they were off and in the skip. I hate all those fancy badges, even the side Elegance are being removed. No body has to know in what model car I drive. As long as I'm happy with it.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

I must admit I have no badges......at times you find someone reading the tax disc to see what's under the bonnet [in Ireland the engine size is written on the tax disc]. I must admit I prefer not show what is under the bonnet.