KennyDFW

OK, 1st off - I'll ask everyone who replies to clear your minds of any past violations involving terrible after market eBay crap that does nothing but ***** out our beautiful-at-birth vehicles.

The facts of the case are as follows:

1) I bought a cherry pre owned 2005 E500. Low optioned car (no NAV, HID's, Keyless Go, Pano, HK, Sirius, etc), but paid only $44k in May of '06 with only 9k on the clock.
2) It was the exact color combo I was looking for - Pewter Silver Metallic over Ash.
3) It did not have the Sport or AMG package, but I was jonesing and had to have the car.
4) I have since begun a slow voyage into making the car my own. Powerchips ECU, K&N drop ins, AMG body kit, quad tips, AMG sway bars and tie rods - front and rear, AMG pedals, killer 19" (Axis 'Matrix') wheels - staggered setup that I get compliments on almost every day, earth shaking sound system (JL Clean Sweep, amps, and sub, Infinity Kappa series speakers), and DVD headrest system by Visual Logics.

Now..... my question is...with the pure AMG pieces I've added, is it politically OK to put the AMG badge on the car (work with me all you "debadged is better guys) ???

I'm not presenting the car as an E55 clone by any means, but it is essentially an AMG equipped car, so why not the badge if I'm so inclined?

In the end, I'll do what I want, but I enjoy and value hearing the POV's from this group - so sound off !!

Thanks.

Kenny in The DFDub

DWP

Ask yourself this: since the strangers you pass on the road can already see and (presumably) admire the AMG body kit bits, what would you be trying to accomplish by putting an AMG badge on the car? They don't need to be told that you have AMG body parts, since they can see that for themselves (if they care). Would you be, maybe perhaps, suggesting to them that you had an AMG engine too? That's the conclusion that I would draw, whether you substituted an "E55" for "E500" or not. To me, a car with the "AMG" label comes from Mercedes; drivers can't roll their own one piece at a time.

Incidentally, for what you've probably spent on modding your E500, you could have gotten a 2005 E55 ... but then it would merely be authentic, not "your own."

lig

I wouldn't do it. Your car - your choice.

Today I saw a guy with an A4 w/ a few S4 exterior trim pieces (but not all of them) and an S4 badge. I don't think he liked it when I pointed and laughed.

Dema

You did so nice things for the car so it deserves AMG badge.

Alan Smithee

An ///AMG badge on the back of a standard MB (just like an ///M badge on the back of a standard BMW) is 100% poseur status. Don't be that guy.

no_clue

you can do whatever you want.

I know a colleague who actually took the badge off his car. (he got a real E55) Because he is tired of answering "Is it real?"

mbuskuhl

Skip the AMG. Leave the E500 or debadge all together. If you must add a badge to the car, get the Kleemann Kompressor and then stick the Kleemann badge on.

I do not think a car qualifies for AMG badging unless it has the complete package (all AMG - get the brakes, kompressor, etc). Display "AMG" with some wheels or brakes, both of these are already logo'd up.

Don't add the AMG license plate either, that's in the same boat as badging.


OT: How did those sway bars work out? Did they do much for handling? I'm going to guess you are the same guy who I sold mine too. Sounds like you've done a lot to the car since I saw it. Post some pics of the car.

traumatic

Do as the Germans and remove all the badges. That cleans up the look, is stealthier, avoids confusion, and allows you to make the car what you want. Personally, I have no problem adding features that personalize or enhance the look of the car, but I am always upset when I see misbadged cars. Think of all the Tempest to GTOs and 4 cylinder Mustang pseudo-GTs floating around in the 80s and 90s. I have an old M6 and 911RSA and hate seeing home-made versions of the car. However, old exact replicas of Alpina BMWs and Carerra RSs are gaining respect and value (because the originals are in the stratosphere)

Barry45RPM

If you think about it, all of the mods/improvements you made were for the car or you. Misbadging it is for the public at large to drool over. Its a hell of a car but its NOT an AMG. Mis-Badging is a false brag.

...But its your car...

ATS

I saw a guy with a SL600 and he put an AMG badge on his car.. What an idiot.

NA55

Don't put the emblem/badge on unless you want people to think it is an AMG... Besides, the only people you would fool would be people who don't even own a Mercedes or don't care...

raheelq

My car looks like the AMG model except for a few minor details, and I am proud to leave it as an "E500", I still get plenty of "wows", and I don't think an AMG badge will make it any better.
I say leave it as it is, an E500 is an E500 and no matter what you do to it, it will be just that, thats what i could afford at the time of purchase and it certainly looks alot different than any other E500 on the road, so that makes me proud of my whip and what it is at this point!

avb777

I bought my car brand new and was waiting for it for 3 months because I wanted an AMG package. I also paid $5K extra for it. I did put an AMG badge on mine. I think i deserve it.
It still says e-500 on the other side. So I do not think there is anythin wrong with it. I am not pretending to have E55 since it says e-500 but I did pay 5K extra for a rare AMG package that came from the factory.
So it is simply saying that I have an AMG package on the E-500 car.

ProV1

don't be a foolish poseur. don't put on that badge.

sure, uninformed highschool ricebois in honda civics might drool over your fake "AMG" car, but anyone who knows a hoot about AMGs will think of you as a loser who couldn't afford the real AMG. I saw so many non AMG benzes in LA with AMG badges.

as someone else suggested, putting on Kleeman, Brabus, Lorinser etc badges if you install those parts is perfect.

0.02c

foofighter

i saw a legit e55 this AM with the "E55" badge removed and jsut the AMG on and that was more believable...leave yours as is but it's your decision and your car.

Nickelmania-Dal

KennyDFW Do you live in Frisco? I was speaking with a gentlemen at 7/11 in Plano one day. His car sounds like yours. Got any pics?
Jim-Nickel

AsianML

At the end of the day, it's still no AMG. It doesn't deserve an AMG badge unless it came from Sindelfingen (Or Vance, AL) with an engine from Affalterbach.

transferred

Word.

Sport kit is always a good look but quad pipes on an E500...

FormerC32Owner

Who are you doing it for?

If for yourself - it's your choice, and if it makes you feel like you accomplished a lot with all your mods, then go ahead.

If you're looking to impress others - don't do it. You'll receive less-than-adequate responses, especially from true AMG enthusiasts.

KennyDFW

Hey Jim -

Yeah, that was me - enjoyed chatting with you that day - that was actually the day I was going to have the DVD headrest installed if I remember correctly. Will take some up to date pics as soon as we get some decent weather around here !

Kenny

KennyDFW

Wow - now THIS is why I love this forum - no shortage of opinions in just 24 hours, and with the exception of the "you could have had a real E55" misfire, all valid. I actually was misinformed that the AMG badge COULD come on the car originally if the appropriate AMG parts were ordered - not just on an E55, so I would have to agree that the badge will never make it's way onto my car.

Will post new pics as soon as the weather clears here in Dallas - hopefully Saturday

Thanks all -

Kenny

KennyDFW

Man, I wish I could have remembered your handle here - would have liked to have your "wrench" do the install - paid about $700 to have it all done. A little less body roll is noticeable and very welcomed. Hope the RX7 tracker is holding up well.

Thx.

Kenny

559EVO

Dont do it!

Nickelmania-Dal

Kenny,
I had the 07 E Saks Edition but did not have it with me that day in the 7/11 parking lot. I am the guy that ownes the nickel arcade. Your E looks fantastic the way it is! I would not ad another thing to it. That E of yours is the best looking E 500 that I have seen on the road! It looks awsome! Place some pics up soon.

Jim-Nickel

ruffrob

AMG should come with a 'certificate of authenticity' but I guess they'll sell those on Ebay ,too......