C-200 junkie

Hey guys, can I ask a little advice here.

I'm new to the forum and I have been seeing people that has placed AMG badges been bashed quite offensively here.

I am planning to change my body kit to AMG including the quad exhaust system.
Can I ask for opinion from you guys? The kit comes with AMG badges, and now I'm quite hesitant to put them because of the bashing from people here in this forum. haha

Thanks!

kwikblkmax

What is the amg body kit? Are you referring to the sport version kit? or a c63 kit? Either way unless it's a c63 I wouldn't put on the badges IMO. Looks a lot cleaner with the badges removed, again IMO.

C-200 junkie

I mean the C63 kit. Thanks for your input kwikblkmax! so if I have installed the C63 kit, it's just right to remove the C200 badge and the kompressor right? just not put the AMG and C63 badges.

kwikblkmax

Everyone has their own tastes, I personally like the clean look (no badges)

C-200 junkie

I agree with you, I even removed the door chrome strips so it would give a sleeker look.. I just hope nobody will bash me for trying to make a C200 look like a C63. ha

kwikblkmax

Im sure they won't, this forum is full of good members with a lot of knowledge.

C-200 junkie

thanks again kwikblkmax! I really like this forum because it's very informative and I could learn a lot about my MB here.

I know there are a lot of good members here who can guide me (I'm only 23) with my W204. And i know you're one of them .

wnunez89

lol I've always been one to stick up for other forum members when they get bashed on by other people for doing thing to their cars that some people might not deem "right" example badging, spoilers, different body kits, ect. and ill give you my advice, Its your car, you enjoy it the way you want to, if you like the badge put it on, who cares if other members dont like it, its not there car. mods should be done to your liking not other peoples.

AZN Optics

Forum members here are some of the more well informed among the Mercedes owners. For the 99.9% of the rest of the world, no one will bash you for badging it with an AMG and 95% of those will think you really do have an AMG. An additional 70% won't know what AMG means.

Although we'll bash you for what we (and MB Corporate) thinks is correct, we really do represent a very small percentage, so just do what makes you happy, however rule of thumb is no engine, no badge as that's the AMG motto "One Man, One Engine".

clkwork

I'll bash anything, so your best bet is to just do what you want.

albert101

I suggest just getting the regular AMG sport kit and putting a nice set of rims on it. Not the C63 kit but the same kit that comes on the C300 AMG sports package that Cats Motors sells. It's sporty enough without trying to be anything it's not, like a C63. Not many C200Ks in the Philippines will have the same bumpers as you so you would already stand out. Just remember that the single exhaust will easily give away the fact that your car is a C200K. But even if you change your exhaust to quad exhausts and put the C63 bumper kit, if you really want to pass of your car as a C63, you'll also need to change your brakes, rims, steering, seats, grille, hood, engine, etc etc etc. In other words, no matter what you do, you'll never be able to pass it off as a C63. So you don't really need to remove the badge. You don't need to hide the fact that your car is a C200k. The mere fact that you're just 23 and driving a C class in the Philippines, you're already pimpin it!

So in the end, my suggestion would also be to put the standard AMG sports bumpers and put nice rims on the car. Try and avoid obvious replicas as they surely won't go with your premium car. TyreRack in Ortigas and Concept One have real good looking replicas while I would still go for an original AMG Benz rim, either the 17in or 18in variant on the AMG sports package. Then enjoy your car for what it is, save your money, work hard and buy a real deal C63 in the future. 23 years old and already driving a C200k? I'm sure before you hit 30, you'll be able to get a C63 already. Just be patient young one!

Also remember that in Asia, Mercedes Benz Asia puts AMG badges on cars with the AMG sports package. It's acceptable to do that over there since it's Mercedes Benz themselves that puts the badge on the car as they market and package their cars differently over there. The amount of money you paid for your C200k can already almost buy a C63 in the states due to taxes. But also remember, Mercedes is not trying to pass off the car as something else since they also badge the true model on the left, either C280, C350, C200k, etc. Different countries, different rules. As long as you don't change your C200k to a C63 badge, you'll be fine in Manila. Remember, there are still guys in the Philippines who run around in real deal C63s, C280s, C350s that can tell a C200k from a C63 wannabe in an instant. If you already get bashed by people you don't even see in person on a forum, imagine getting bashed by people who you see face to face!

albert101

If it helps, I have an Audi A4 1.8T in standard trim. But I eventually put S4 rims, S4 suspensions components, S4 bumper kit and modified the engine to pull as fast as a S4, but I still left the 1.8T badge on the back of my car. Just because I make my car look like something else doesn't mean I need to badge it differently. Plus it's fun when people think my 1.8T can be bullied when I'm pulling the same horsepower rating as an S4. hehehe

JCOnizuka

+1

Scat01

How does one get 330+ HP out of a 1.8T that I believe comes stock around +/- 170 HP ???

albert101

My Audi is a 1999 B5 model. I was only comparing to the 1999 B5 S4 where power output was in the 250hp range (US version), not the more modern S4s that are pushing above 300+hp. There's no way I can get 330+hp from a 1.8T engine without going overboard.

C-200 junkie

you're right man. But when i went to the AMG forum, they have a whole thread that's for bashing posers. haha

Anyway, I just want if ever I'm going to spend for my car that people will not say something negative about it since modifying your car even aesthetically meant you've spent not only money but also time and effort.

Who would ever do something if he only knows that other people will not like it.

Anyway, thanks for your advice, i'll keep that in mind.

C-200 junkie

yes, AMG is in fact a badge earned .

Maybe someday I get a real AMG.. A goal for me to even work harder..

C-200 junkie

hehehe.. You have an awesome car man... Yes, you're right. Sometimes people just need to do what they really want and never mind other people's opinion.

But......... what's the point of dressing-up one's car only not be appreciated by other people?

C-200 junkie

You're totally right albert. Thanks for the input.
Actually, I already have rims on.. It's an 18" ST182. I got it for a good deal (2nd hand) and already planning to change the tires since they are only 235/40/18.
I was planning to get the 245/40/18 model. What brand of tire do you recommend? Will it be ok to put it on the C200k? I know that the original is only 225s..

anyway, yes, you are right that the price of an MB here is quite high compared to the US. I envy people there sometimes how "affordable" (compared to ours here in the Philippines) good cars are.

And I really appreciate your inputs about what to do on my C200k. It's quite not that fast since it's only supercharged.

and btw, do you have a residence here in the Philippines?

C-200 junkie

Nice!! A wolf in a sheep's clothing.. Now that would make people with S4 scratch their heads.

ZorroAMG

Albert's advice is silly. Put whatever kit you want on it, regular sport kit or C63 kit. The C63 kit looks WAY better and it's YOUR car, do as you wish and #$%! what some random strangers on a forum think.

Best of luck, post pics when done!!

jimmythegreek

and BTW they have tunes and pulley kits for the kompressor models, you can get some real performance out of the kompressor MBs, 4 cylinder or not they are fast. There is a guy by me that has a C280 kompressor and had his supercharger and ECU/pulley redone and the car is a rocket, you would never think looking at it, its stock outside except the exhaust that sounds like a jet airplane w the boost he's running

albert101

I recommend Michelins or Bridgestones if you're willing to spend. Michelin Pilot Sport 2 or Bridgestone Potenza Re050a. Especially since snow is not an issue, you can go all out with full summer tires. I'm not really sure if 245s will fit without any problems. I've never gone that wide before on the W204 so I can't really give any input there. But if you're willing to go for the tires, I recommend the Michelins and you can get them at Roadstar at the Fort. They give good discounts there.

Btw, you have a PM.

albert101

Btw, the nice thing about the C200k is you can easily chip the car and get pretty good power out of it. Since it's supercharged, some tweaks with the supercharger and get you more power as well. I actually think the C200k will be easier to tune than the C300s and C350s. You may need to look at Europe for tuning parts though as the C200k is essentially non existent in the USA.

albert101

Yes, exactly! I've actually gave an old Subaru STI a run for his money back in the day. The owner of the Subaru was pretty surprised and his expression was priceless.