TXTiger

I want your opinion on the following. I have a C240 sedan, and my understanding is Mercedes didn't badge it as a C260 so as not confuse us Americans. What's your collective feelings on rebadging it as a C260 (using a 6 off of another model)? Thanks.

Clownburner

What would be the point?

If you're trying to tell people who don't know about the models in Mercedes lineup what engine is in it, your solution probably wouldn't work - they don't know a C320 from a C240, so why would a 'C260' be more informative?

If you're trying to differentiate your car from other C240's to make it look more 'exclusive' I think it's pretentious and ostentatious - and most owners who _do_ know the model differences will just look at it and go 'Huh?'

I actually debadged my C230K specifically because I don't really care if the people behind me know what I'm driving, and it's a much cleaner look without the badges.

Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!

KWiK

The only reason those badges are back there is so that other folks that see your car will know what to ask for when they go to the dealer. It just an advertisement, take it off.

bagwell

I just don't get de-badging...I'm proud to drive the brand & model of car I drive and don't want to deface it.


as far as changing a C240 to a C260...I feel MB is weird for not badging it that way from the start....that's why I bought the C320

trench

Apparantly, they did this for two reasons:
1. to make more of a differentiation between the C240 and C320 (I guess being "80" different instead of "60" meant something to the marketing types ).
2. Mercedes for years sold a "240" model (before the days of Cs and Es), the C240 is supposed to remind folks of that beloved, older model.

Cheers, BT

TXTiger

I'm not interested in debadging the car. I think debadged cars look like they're missing something.

I was just interested in bringing the numbering convention in-line with how almost all other Mercedes models are done (save the 1.8L C230K).

trench

Don't worry, as long as their have been Mercedes cars they have had badge numbers that are supposed to (more or less) represent their displacement - but never did for half the models.

- BT

CRB

Badges are there to establish a pecking order among models with the same body style. I had a non-car-guy friend who made the (egregious ) mistake of telling a guy with a debadged 600SEL that someone with a 320SEL had "exactly the same car he did". The 600SEL owner quickly disabused him of that notion.

If you detail your own car, then you already know a big advantage to debadging. Specifically, not having to remove and restick or work around those pesky plastic letters and numbers.

Esthetically, I personally prefer the clean looks of a debadged car. Conversely, I can understand why a guy with a 55CLK AMG wouldn't want the masses confusing his ride with those dime-a-dozen 320CLKs.

In conclusion, I must say that correcting the factory badging is a new one to me.

Lynn

How interesting that MB badges the car as "C240" everywhere in the world, just to keep from confusing us stupid Americans. I'm so glad everyone else is so much smarter than we are. And here I thought MB did it to maintain brand continuity, but I'm just a stupid American.

TXTiger

I just remember reading that somewhere in this forum. It centered around differences in engines and other engine options to come, etc. It's been a while since I read it. I didn't say Americans are stupid (after all I am one) - that's your own commentary and opinion of which I do not share. However, it doesn't make sense that most other Mercedes the number corresponds to the displacement of the engine - the two notable exceptions being the C240 (2.6 liter engine) and C230K (1.8 liter engine).

revstriker

I say go for it!

Of course, just about anyone that owns a MB will see you and know that you are trying to pretend that you are something that you're not (possier) and get a good laugh out of it! We all need a good chuckle every now and then!

Jim Banville

Is that French for "poser"?

I don't think he is going to remove the "star", which is what people associate with MB. Those numbers/letters mean nothing to 99% of the people out there. I de-badged my car because I am a symetry nut (trunk back seemed lop-sided with words on one side) and it looks cleaner.

FrankW

it's just a number. remove the badge if you like the look without the badge. afterall almost all the people in Europe debage their cars. (a trend maybe)

another example of badging not according to displacement is the NEW 55's which only displace about 5.4 liters. and the S600 has a 5.5 liter V12. It's just some number that is easier to remember and to pronounce, that's all. Would you want ur S55 be called a S54 or ur S600 to be called S550? I don't think so.

BrabusCClass

Im debadged. Hehe. Someday I will badge my car, after a few more kills.

Rick

Imagine, if you will, the service technician's dismay when he goes to the parts counter to get a filter element and charcoal filter...and tells the parts guy it's for a C260...and the ensuing laughter from the parts guys.
Then, imagine the gaffaws and chuckles you'll get when you pick the car up and the service managers tell you they can't cover your warranty because the C260 is not a known US model. You'll then be back billed for all other service, as your car is now considered 'grey market' and MBUSA is not responsible for any warranty...expressed or otherwise.

It's your car...do what you want, but consider ALL the possibilities...

Jim Banville

Put C32 on it, then tell 'em your car came with the wrong engine, but you wont say anything if they put the right one in

Matt230K

If I had a car with a full AMG body kit and everything, that would be fun to try to convince them that it had the wrong engine. Just to see the look on their faces. They wouldn't know what to do.

JeT

I don't know about the US but all MBs and their respective owners in Australia are all registered in a centralized database. You could rebadge your car a BMW and they will still know all your details from the date of order...all they need is the plate number and / or your name.

Re: debadging/rebadging? IMHO, there is no point...but each to his/her own.

CarlssonPower

Great point~~

CarlssonPower

I don't think putting "C260" on your car is a good idea... it's just ... uhh, weird.. People who knows about MB knows your car has a 2.6 engine. For people who doesn't know about MB, you won't even care what they think, right?

I saw a C seden on the road with "C500" and "Kompressor" badges. I don't know what's the point of doing it since most people who knows about MB knows that a regular C seden (beside C32, which can be easily identified 'coz of it's AMG parts) doesn't come with C500 nor kompressor.

I debadged my car 'coz it looks much cleaner without the badge. And I don't care if other people think/say/laugh that I debadge my car 'coz it's a lower model of the C class.

It's your car, just do whatever that makes you happy.. =)