Putting a MB logo on non MB wheels

Dec 1, 2004 | 01:31 AM

SAguirre

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From: Longmont, CO

04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R

Putting a MB logo on non MB wheels

This subject came up on winter tire threads. I purchased Mille Miglia Spider II wheels from the tirerack and I mentioned that I stuck a MB logo on them. This is what I did and how it looks.

I searched for 2 inch diameter stickers that had the MB logo on them. As I stated before I am an E-Bay junky and that is exactly where I found them. I bought 2 sets of metallic MB crest logo stickers and one set of the plastic resin stickers that have the MB star in silver and the rest is simply black.

The tirerack had sent me different color center caps on the rims, so they sent me another set of 4 center caps. I decided to make a set of each and then see which ones I like better.

Once I got the caps I used epoxy glue to secure them really well. I also made sure that there are no gaps between the stickers and the original center cap around the outside rim. I fear that someone will either pry the sticker off with a flat-head screwdriver or they will get popped off by something else. I also clear-coated the metallic stickers to make sure that the paint will not fade or chip off too soon.

Here is the little problem: the seller of these stickers is a vendor ion E-bay that goes by the name of "brazilshopping." He had a great rating and he communicated very well with me. Everything was flawless. However, he has been kicked off of e-bay since someone said that he had some copyright/trademark issue. That has since been solved, but I don't see any new listings from him. I e-mailed him and he said that he still has them to sell. I used to find them easily by just typing "Mercedes stickers" in the search filed, but I have not seen anything as of right now. He also takes Pay Pal as payment. The shipping took about 3 weeks since he is sending them from Brazil. As soon as I find the listing, I will post it on this thread as a reply. I have asked him to list them and to put a fair "Buy-it-Now" price so that all of you who are interested will not be bidding against one another. Until then, here is his e-mail: brazilshoppi@brazilshopping.com

Below are the pictures. I only have the silver/blue mounted on the wheels. Maybe I will try the black ones next winter. What are your thoughts??

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Dec 1, 2004 | 11:48 AM

DWP

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From: Sacramento

'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAguirre

Here is the little problem: the seller of these stickers is a vendor ion E-bay that goes by the name of "brazilshopping." He had a great rating and he communicated very well with me. Everything was flawless. However, he has been kicked off of e-bay since someone said that he had some copyright/trademark issue. That has since been solved, but I don't see any new listings from him.

Looks like he has "solved" his trademark infringement problem by trying to hide from the DCX trademark police. If he does have trademark "issues" with DCX, infringing merchandise he ships into the US is theoretically subject to seizure by Customs, with no compensation to the buyer. The real-world odds on that happening are low, but be warned.

Dec 1, 2004 | 11:58 AM

SAguirre

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From: Longmont, CO

04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWP

Good point!

I was aware of this issue, and I e-mailed the seller asking him about it. He said that he has all the correct paperwork in Brazil to sell the stuff. Take that with a grain of salt. But he is back on e-bay, just not with these items yet.

I got the stickers in a small envelope and it had the customs stamp on it. I think that they might X-ray them (at the most). So like you said, the likelihood of the merchandise being confiscated in customs is very low. But if you order you should be aware of the risk.

Steve

Dec 1, 2004 | 12:10 PM

Barry45RPM

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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA

2015 ML 350

He may have the rights to sell the trademarked stuff in his home country. That doesn't mean he can legally sell it anywhere he wants to as other people have the rights to sell the trademarked logos in their respective home countries/trading areas. If he does, he is selling "gray market goods" in our country. It is done every day, much like buying a Cannon camera in our country, made for distribution in S. America. The camera is the same, but the manual will be in Spanish & the American franchised distributor is under no obligation to service it at all.

You are not risking any great deal of money...

Dec 1, 2004 | 01:55 PM

luxury1

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Joined: May 2004

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From: Pittsburgh, PA

They look good!

I have a set of rims from tirerack. How do I know if these stickers will fit? Also, can I just place them on top of my current caps?

Last edited by luxury1; Dec 1, 2004 at 01:57 PM.

Dec 1, 2004 | 02:52 PM

SAguirre

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From: Longmont, CO

04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R

OK, I just got the info from the guy in Brazil. You should "measure twice and order once"

. My center caps were 2 inches, but not all caps are the same! Also, I strongly recommend that you remove the center cap from the wheel to glue it! This way the cap can be cleaned and you can make sure it does not slide. The adhesive on the back of the stickers was strong, but not as strong as epoxy. I do believe that they will come off if you just stick them on there. Think of the high-pressure water at carwashes!! (If your MB goes to one of those things when it is dirty).

Disclaimer time: I am in no way, shape or form associated with this person. I will take no responsibility if anything goes wrong!!!!!