Why did we lose the "Star"

[MBDevotee]

I used to LOVE the star at the end of the bonnet.

It just used to make me feel ultra special, I don't know why, it was like I was driving something "more" than other cars, like I had made a choice to buy something "better".

Then slowly more and more of the Merc's lost it - first it was the sports models, then the ML, then the rest. I don't know if any Merc has that star now....


I know you can fit them where the standard badge now sits - but then you have 2 on the front, which then looks like you are a bit of a prat......

Why did it go - can't believe it's cost, might be pedestrian crash safety but it's such a shame it's gone. The huge ugly new badge in the grille really isn't a replacement - others can see it - but it's not there smiling at you as you gaze down your bonnet......

 

[V6Matty]

I used to LOVE the star at the end of the bonnet.

It just used to make me feel ultra special, I don't know why, it was like I was driving something "more" than other cars, like I had made a choice to buy something "better".

Then slowly more and more of the Merc's lost it - first it was the sports models, then the ML, then the rest. I don't know if any Merc has that star now....


I know you can fit them where the standard badge now sits - but then you have 2 on the front, which then looks like you are a bit of a prat......

Why did it go - can't believe it's cost, might be pedestrian crash safety but it's such a shame it's gone. The huge ugly new badge in the grille really isn't a replacement - others can see it - but it's not there smiling at you as you gaze down your bonnet......

Still available in other countries so I suspect it’s just a market thing here in the UK where they’re going after the young sportier drivers

 

[ajlsl600]

Cars 5 usd cheaper to produce, plus, maybe, someone decide to run into yr bonnet. Which even if yr not off roadin is deemed yr fault.

 

[ajlsl600]

Van wandering about, nowt t do. Old bokki farmer pulls up. I takin Benz in traded for new one, want a ride? Van, I doin nuthin OK. Go into town, pick up new Benz. All happy old bokki says, let's go have a few beers, van says grand. 2 hr and skin full later they on way down road van sees some guy on a bike, says let's get him! Old bokki, forgetting its new car say OK and guns motor. At last moment he remembers and swerves. There is a load bang, van leans over, says f hell man, take this back and get the sight readjusted, I had to get that f with the door!
No sight fitted now....

 

[jp williams]

Still available in other countries so I suspect it’s just a market thing here in the UK where they’re going after the young sportier drivers

You are spot on Matty. They started to appeal to a younger audience so they dropped the staid and introduced the sporty look.
A retrograde step in my view. I will never buy another Mercedes. Lower quality, higher prices, less reliability, poor dealerships and poor customer service.

 

[ajlsl600]

Unfortunately I agree.

 

[negotiator]

Have heard from quite a few that the "old badge" became a collectors item for Uni students and the likes. I must say, on looking back, I do remember seeing them in houses i'd let to students over the years so probably true about certain people robbing them.

 

[MBDevotee]

Wire it to the coil.....


But yes you might be right - my ex-father in law had 3 jag mascots nicked off his bonnet before replacing with just a badge....

 

[davemercedes]

I've always preferred the "gunsight" on the bonnet and still do. I think the newer and overly large sign was probably invented by new blood in Marketing who then convinced their managers that Mercedes "needed" to be noticed and the star on the bonnet was old-fashioned. Quite stupid really, because it rather uniquely provided the link to its more classical past.

Just my personal opinion... I'm sure there are those who prefer the new look.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I suppose if you dig deep enough the true reason will be safety in the event of a pedestrian collision. So it’s obviously been an opportunity to place the star on the grill enhancing the sporty image and provide a place for radar etc, from a world demographic I suspect that some countries would object more than others.
Grills seem to have become much more of a place for an emblem for most makes nowadays and of course PR stunts like the new BMW 4 series the mantra obviously being that any publicity is good publicity

 

[A.J.]

I've always preferred the "gunsight" on the bonnet and still do. I think the newer and overly large sign was probably invented by new blood in Marketing who then convinced their managers that Mercedes "needed" to be noticed and the star on the bonnet was old-fashioned. Quite stupid really, because it rather uniquely provided the link to its more classical past.

Just my personal opinion... I'm sure there are those who prefer the new look.

I am one of them. Although the gun sight was good to see from the drives seat I do prefer the new look. I have had two with the gun sight, an early 90's 190E and a 2009 C220 both with the traditional grille. Outwardly I just think the new grille's with the integrated gun sight just look a lot neater

 

[Naraic]

I suppose if you dig deep enough the true reason will be safety in the event of a pedestrian collision. So it’s obviously been an opportunity to place the star on the grill enhancing the sporty image and provide a place for radar etc, from a world demographic I suspect that some countries would object more than others.
Grills seem to have become much more of a place for an emblem for most makes nowadays and of course PR stunts like the new BMW 4 series the mantra obviously being that any publicity is good publicity

Nope...it's purely an MBUK decision. Like the lack of choice in interior colours etc.

 

[MBDevotee]

I simply could not buy the new 4 series.

I don't care how good it is - I just couldn't buy a car THAT ugly.

Makes this look pretty

 

[Srdl]

Out of interest, I just checked the websites for MB USA, Australia, Indonesia, Russia and India - the only models they show with the gunsight are the S and GLS, all others have the large grill star.

 

[Blobcat]

Out of interest, I just checked the websites for MB USA, Australia, Indonesia, Russia and India - the only models they show with the gunsight are the S and GLS, all others have the large grill star.

W213 E-Class had the gun sight in Europe...
If I'd owned mine I would have bought the grill and bonnet badge

 

[00slk]

My first Mercedes had a gun sight which was sort of laid back a little towards the windscreen. My second one had the gun sight raise on top of the grille, the 3rd Mercedes had the gunsight proudly displayed also on top of the grille and both these were very visible from the driver's seat and the same went for my 4th one. Then the more recent ones the gunsight was not one them anymore which lead me to think that the merger with Chrysler had something to do with it?? Mercedes were maybe a little embarrassed that they had become part of a lesser car company and seeing that the other car company also had a very similar Star emblem on their cars. (if you look closely) Mercedes decided to drop the gun sight but added it as an customer option. But I do think that the design of some of the Mercedes range the gun sight wouldn't be appropriate and would spoil the lines?
Well that's my theory anyway

 

[ajlsl600]

Cheap plastic badge V proper silver star.
Pretty much sums up the recent benz business model.dont ye think?

 

[mioba]

A clever marketing soul, thought lose the star for smaller models with the star in the grill creating a more sportier look and making the cars more attactive to a bigger market.

In bonnets that are very inclined and short I see the logic - appearance wise it just doesnt fit. But on big bonneted cars the star is great.

 

[grayb]

Our CLK (2003) didn't have a gun sight. But I think that it's a shame that you don't get the choice with a newer E-Class.

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Think only looked "right" on the older more boxy models that had a relatively upright grill, as the grills got more slopey they didn't really work. imho