





W203/CL203 Aftermarket Exhaust Thread - All you want to know
It's not about pride, nor about embarrrassment. It's not about trying to be something you're not-- that is evidently your issue. You can pay the shrink.
It's about cleaning up the clutter and front and back end for the aesthetics!
If it's got a star on the front and back, people know it's an MB, and they know it's a C Class if they know anything about MB. For the people who don't know, who cares?
I'm not one for adding additional badging to a car, but I think that the badge should stand for something other than just a small mod. I'm sure the AMG owners don't like to see C240s with AMG rims put on the AMG badge. But to each his/her own.....
Here in OC, a lot of people remove their badges. Do they do it because they like the "clean asthetics"?
Maybe.
But if that's true, its also a big coincidence that 99% of people who favor the "clean look" also tend to favor the 318, 323, 525, etc.
Those that have the 330, 540, M cars, etc. for some reason almost always don't favor the "clean look."
Whenever I see a debadged car, I have fun trying to figure out what model it is, and the vast, vast majority of the time, its the lowest model in the line. Not every single time, but pretty close.
(Its easier to spot with BMWs, because there is always something external to give the model away - the exhaust, chrome trim, etc. Its tougher with the C sedans because from the outside, the C240 and C320 look exactly alike - so based on experience I just presume that a debadged C sedan is a C240. I'd bet I'm right 9 out of 10 times).
Finally, for those that like the clean look, why don't you take the MB star off, too???? Obviously, people know that its an MB, right, so why keep it there? What's the distinction between the model number and the star?? Don't they both "clutter" things up?
i guess i'm in the minority in that when i see another c sedan, i don't go look at the number in the back to see if it is a c240 or a c320.
this is true for any car i've had. i don't even like shirts w/ the polo logo on it...
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having said that, i don't go around thinking about this that much...
just my 5 cents.---
ps i wouldn't remove something if it left some sort of impression or mark on the surface.
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pps here's a link that has brabus' reply on what justifies a brabus badge - see second post: http://www.benzsport.com/forums/show...&threadid=3419 - quick summary: the car must have visual cues (like a body kit and/or wheels, etc.) to justify a brabus badge... guess my mats don't count
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Last edited by young; Sep 12, 2002 at 03:53 PM.
To a MB enthusiast, the dual exhausts are self-evident, not only because they are embossed with the name as your pictures show, but also because of the look of the pipes which is obviously not stock. You need say little else... I get it.
Without any badging on the car, however, I'm left to conclude someone put a nice exhaust setup on his otherwise stock C240 (for all the reasons cited above). The fact that you have a C320 is completely lost on me, unless it is badged C320.
As far as Brabus, Carlsson, etc. badging, etc., For just an exhaust add-on, I consider the Carlsson badging just advertising for Carlsson... like advertising that you bought your car at Billy-Bob Motors, Flagstaff AZ. If you've incorporated tons of Carlsson stuff, it might then be more appropriate, (I guess).
For the trully uninitiated, I wonder how often you will have someone pull up next to you at the light, roll down the glass and say, "Hey, Mr. Carlsson, that's a real nice C320 you have there!"
I feel sorry for the few who debadge their M3s or C32s... All that money invested in a car that looks no different than a garden variety 3-er or C-Class... Maybe that's why people with cars at the top of the model foodchain rarely debadge (MB or not), while more at the bottom of the foodchain are tempted to immitate with look-alike kits, badges, etc.
To badge or not is entirely up to the individual. But I'm not going to stop you to ask what you're driving... I'm just going to draw my own conclusions, which is entirely up to me, too.
Last edited by MB-BOB; Sep 12, 2002 at 04:29 PM.
i guess i'm in the minority in that when i see another c sedan, i don't go look at the number in the back to see if it is a c240 or a c320.
The link you provided was interesting.... I wonder if the AMG folks think that it's ok to wear the badge if you have tires/exhaust/body kit. I doubt anyone that purchased an AMG would agree.
i guess i'm in the minority in that when i see another c sedan, i don't go look at the number in the back to see if it is a c240 or a c320.
) [/B][/QUOTE] i agree with that post. notice on my ride, there were not any Carlsson badges at all even when i had 19" Carlsson rims. i did not choose to add the Carlsson back badge until the rear exhaust and skirt wear installed. then is justifies a back badge because the rest of the rear is Carlsson. likewise i have not yet put on my side emblems because the side skirts are on back order. when they are installed, ill probally add the side eblems. also, i havent changed my original hood badge because i havev't done anything to the engine...yet. i wish Carlsson would import the C32 upgrade engine they have, but as of yet, i cant find it available. i dont know how long i can hold out, i might have to get the kleeman kompressor if i get tired of the stock. i think badging cars for s**ts and grins is foolish, however it does look good if it truely matches the other mods on your vehicle.
please read my post closer!!!! i DID NOT debadge my car!!! it was hit by a semi and had to be repainted.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
To badge or not is entirely up to the individual. But I'm not going to stop you to ask what you're driving... I'm just going to draw my own conclusions, which is entirely up to me, too.
ultimately, i think people are attempting to communicate w/ the badges and i lack that motivation.
please read my post closer!!!! i DID NOT debadge my car!!! it was hit by a semi and had to be repainted.
Maybe you need to re-read your original poll!
Last edited by revstriker; Sep 12, 2002 at 04:48 PM.
QUOTE = "Without any badging on the car, however, I'm left to conclude someone put a nice exhaust setup on his otherwise stock C240 (for all the reasons cited above). The fact that you have a C320 is completely lost on me, unless it is badged C320."
please read my post closer!!!! i DID NOT debadge my car!!! it was hit by a semi and had to be repainted.
But, as Revstriker says, you are considering options.
My neighbor just bought a 02' S55 AMG about a week ago and 2 days ago i noticed he took off S55 and AMG i was talking to him yesturday and asked him why and he said he though it looked to busy on the back.
thats his opinion. so i guess its all up to the individual. IMO the car looks just as good with or without them.
I had not really noticed that owners with lower models take off the badges and those with higher end models leave them on. It could be that one finds younger owners in the lower end cars who are enthusiasts that mod. In the higher end, you have many people who simply don't care or that do enjoy the badges.
That's what makes the world interesting - everyone has different likes and dislikes - and that is great.
Here's an old collage i had, sorry its not clear. I cant find the original pix on my comp.
www.supersprint.com
Evosport (forum sponsor) carries Supersprint products, they sell the center exhaust for $355 and the rear exhaust for $625.
Cheers, BT
PS: I'm wondering when one of the Coupe-sters on here is going to get a set of the Supersprint headers?
PS: I'm wondering when one of the Coupe-sters on here is going to get a set of the Supersprint headers?


