Fallen Star!! or Bonnet badge torn off!!!

[three pointed star]

Some arsehole has just torn the bonnet badge of my C180 (1996). How easy, and whats involved, to remove what's left (base holder/stem), and replace, so that no doubt, some other jerk can have a go!!! Thanks for looking

 

[jberks]

It does seem to be the season. After nearly 20 years of running Mercs and keeping the badges, some bugger nicked the one off our '95 C recently.
We took it to the dealer - around £15 inc fitting so not really worth shopping around. Its a 30 sec job to fit though, just turn the catch (underneath) 90 degrees and the whole assembly comes out.

 

[philharve]

Hi All

Why do people steal car emblems? To replace those they've had stolen or just a curious fetish? Is there a black market in stolen emblems? Are they being sold back to the dealers or being offered on ebay?

I am old enough to remember a time long, long ago when VW badges were a target for thieves. I can recall seeing youths with necklesses of VW badges around their necks. Trophies? Thankfully the practice stopped ... or has it?

REGARDS Phil

 

[maddog]

there used to be flat badges on ebay to replace the star, simple job to change as already described

 

[pittallen]

...and I thought I got unlucky over xmas with my rear badge.....sounds like we might all have a school playground thing going on? Has anyone heard anything on the grapevine ?

 

[angus falconer]

Why do people steal car emblems?
REGARDS Phil

In the case of my local disfunctional family, it's purely to p**s everone else off. In their logic, anyone with a Merc is "rich" and therefore fair game.

On the plus side they have brains the size of peas and extermely short attention spans and they soon get bored. In my case it took a few months and three badges before they found some other destrictive pass time to amuse themselves with.

 

[philharve]

Replacing badges

Hi Angus

I'm fortunate because I've never had a replace a badge (yet) - sounds expensive - but I guess the bigger problem is the damage done to the paintwork in prising the badge off. This, surely, must be the greater annoyance?

How easy is it to obtain replacement badges and what do they cost? How, exactly, do they attach to the car? Is it a 'push on' job?

REGARDS Phil

 

[190e-nut]

i lost my star a few times due to vandals ..it's not an expensive or time consuming job ..but still it's annoying..Maybe they know that everytime i look over my steering wheel and glance down the bonnet at the badge sticking up there it makes me grin ...and they want to p**s me off ?

 

[jberks]

How easy is it to obtain replacement badges and what do they cost? How, exactly, do they attach to the car? Is it a 'push on' job?
REGARDS Phil

Phil,
This is one of the few things that the dealers / MB are quite sympathetic about and don't try to rip us off. A new bonnet star is around £10-15 and they fit them FOC. The boot star, at least on the W210 when I broke mine washing it a little too agressively was a stick on and cost £5. Again, they put it on for me. FOC.
So, all in all, not too bad.
JB

 

[TimN]

Staying at my brother's flat one night I parked in the car park. I returned to the car in the morning to find the star laying on the bonnet. I can only presume that a resident of the flats took exception to a visaitor's car being parked in the complex. So don't assume it's just limited to fans of the Beastie Boys.

 

[shayes]

A Bar Steward stole my Star last night. Was he caring in that he left the circular disc with the mechanism - couldn't fathom this? Did he actually remove the whole thing and then remove the star and post AND REPLACE the turning disc and mechanism?

Yes its a revival of the old VW craze I suspect. Not too expensive to replace but annoying and like dogs, these people will come and do it at the same spot!

Thinking of putting a Badge in its place rather than another Star. How easy is this, as there is a curve on the Rad badge. I suppose I must get an SEC Badge or will a Vito badge do the job? It's how it will affix to the Rad I am unsure.

Thoughts on a Postcard please

ps Been WARNED about getting a "Dollar" replacement - watch out if you do this online as the site is NOT SECURE. Another Member told me of his grief in having his C/C details used the same day and a significant amount of unauthorised debits. !!

 

[mercmonkey]

theivin toe rags

I plan to wire mine to the coil

 

[shayes]

I blame Janice Jopling!

 

[Blobcat]

I personally would put the star back rather than a badge, it makes it so easy to park when you can see the end of the bonnet. It is also so nice just to see it there

 

[television]

After loosing mine some years ago, the guy in front of me in Euro Car parts bought a box of 10, he said they would last about 6 weeks.

Malcolm

 

[tom7035]

theivin toe rags

I plan to wire mine to the coil

Better wiring it up to a street lamp cable!!

 

[mercmonkey]

its metal so you could just warm it up a little

 

[Retired]

When I collected my car from the supplying German dealer he asked what I thought was the best selling MB spare part. No prizes for the correct answer. So, not just this country.

 

[shayes]

I personally would put the star back rather than a badge, it makes it so easy to park when you can see the end of the bonnet. It is also so nice just to see it there

You may be right, although I did get used to the SEC without a Star and my 230TE had a rather corroded Star.
It was nice whilst it lasted (since I purchased the car in Oct 05) but I don't think i'll tempt providence - as I say a Dog tends to do its deeds at the same spot!
May look for the Silver Dollar alternative. (not too concerned with the front when parking and fitted Sensors on the back which is my archilles heel)

Loved your contribution to "Cruising down to the Med", by the way. Perhaps one day.

 

[shayes]

theivin toe rags

I plan to wire mine to the coil

That piece of advice about getting a night camera to rig to the video was wise stuff.

Had this idiot got it out of the box and rigged it up then no doubt the Clepto who stole the thing might have been caught on Camera.

Might rig it and then buy a replacement Star - lightening DOES strike in the same place. Mind you I've not got my head around how the Video is supposed to be set up and what sort of tape needed. Does the sytem run continously or until a four hour tape finishes - its all a mystery to me - though I do like the Camera - nice small piece of kit.
Give me the lowdown MM!!