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dealer won't debadge because forbidden to take off "hybrid" sign

Old Dec 18, 2021 | 10:15 AM
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Question dealer won't debadge because forbidden to take off "hybrid" sign

I've never heard of this law myself, does anyone (in Europe) know if this is true ?
To debage myself i just use a hairdryer and dental floss right ?
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 11:29 AM
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Haven't de-badged recently, but have used fishing line rather than dental floss in the past. Good luck.

https://spirecar.com/troubleshooting...m-Step-by-Step

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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 12:34 PM
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I call BS, they are probably just too lazy to remove them for you. Is it the “EQ” badges on the front fenders you want to remove? Noticed that when you order a hybrid you can’t choose to remove the emblem in the configurator though.
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 12:46 PM
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they did it on previous cars so that's not the problem
want to remove them from the rear (didn't know they are elsewhere as well)
the option to debage is no longer on the French website for any model/engine
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 01:04 PM
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Very odd! Yeah there are some “EQ Power” badges on each front fender as well. Here’s a pic:


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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 03:50 PM
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Not sure if it applies to all European countries but our MY 2017 350e was not de-badged even if I asked it when ordering the car. I don't think I ever asked the dealer why it came badged. Now recently I ordered a W223 plug-in hybrid and learned the factory does not allow removing model identification at the trunk. The price list used to be vague on the topic but I just checked the latest price list and it says 260 is not allowed for the hybrid.

I prefer no badges mainly because washing and cleaning the car is easier.
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 04:44 PM
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I have not heard of such a law, but it kinda makes sense. Probably for ease of parking enforcement at chargers etc. I know Germany has E license plates for PHEVs and BEVs to help with that, but not sure if France has separate license plates for EVs.

Last edited by superswiss; Dec 18, 2021 at 04:46 PM.
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 06:23 PM
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Please excuse my ignorance but, may I ask, what is the main (personal) reason for de-badging? For easier cleaning or for aesthetics?
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by bishop64
Please excuse my ignorance but, may I ask, what is the main (personal) reason for de-badging? For easier cleaning or for aesthetics?
There are several reasons. Yes, easier cleaning is one. Not wanting to advertise for the manufacturer is another one, or to just make it look cleaner. But in Europe it's very popular to disguise a lower-spec model. They don't want others to know that they bought the cheap low end model and therefore remove the badges. It's also done at the higher end to not flaunt one's wealth. Showing off in many parts of Europe is not socially acceptable.

Last edited by superswiss; Dec 18, 2021 at 06:40 PM.
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Old Dec 19, 2021 | 02:37 AM
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Sounds like BS to me. Anyway, 2 mins with a hair dryer and panel wipe and you can do it yourself. Option to factory de-badge was removed from the UK market a few years back so i had to debadge my own cars myself.
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Old Dec 19, 2021 | 04:39 AM
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I can understad why they should not be allowed to remove it. Probably same reason as it is mandatory by law to have visible sign thay you have a solar power system in your house. If there is a fire or accident then it is very important for fore fighters etc to know that there is high voltage present, not only 12 volt, that needs to be handled accordingly. In a house with solar power there is always a main switch that can be accessed from outside.
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Old Dec 19, 2021 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by bishop64
Please excuse my ignorance but, may I ask, what is the main (personal) reason for de-badging? For easier cleaning or for aesthetics?
reasonable question :-) aesthetics
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Old Dec 19, 2021 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
There are several reasons. Yes, easier cleaning is one. Not wanting to advertise for the manufacturer is another one, or to just make it look cleaner. But in Europe it's very popular to disguise a lower-spec model. They don't want others to know that they bought the cheap low end model and therefore remove the badges. It's also done at the higher end to not flaunt one's wealth. Showing off in many parts of Europe is not socially acceptable.
i definitely do not do it to "hide" my small little diesel engine, nor will i fake badge it with an AMG logo ;-)
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Old Dec 19, 2021 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Dnilsson
I call BS, they are probably just too lazy to remove them for you. Is it the “EQ” badges on the front fenders you want to remove? Noticed that when you order a hybrid you can’t choose to remove the emblem in the configurator though.
Don’t emergency workers need to know if a car is electric or a hybrid to know that there are high voltage lines in the car?
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Elvisfan0108
Don’t emergency workers need to know if a car is electric or a hybrid to know that there are high voltage lines in the car?
Indeed, I looked up this topic a little and firefighters and emergency workers really depend on logo/badge on the car to formally identify it being a hybrid/electric vehicle. Strategies to deal with such category is different from dealing with a regular gasoline car.
Eg
2:00-3:00 https://www.fireengineering.com/tech...-firefighting/
4:00-5:00
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 01:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Sudden
I can understad why they should not be allowed to remove it. Probably same reason as it is mandatory by law to have visible sign thay you have a solar power system in your house. If there is a fire or accident then it is very important for fore fighters etc to know that there is high voltage present, not only 12 volt, that needs to be handled accordingly. In a house with solar power there is always a main switch that can be accessed from outside.
I would have thought a solar panel on the roof would be obvious enough not to require a sign Even Germany (the home of pointless rules) hasn't gone that far!
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 02:57 AM
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The sign has to be adjacent to the main switch to ensure quick process. Ordnung muss sein 😀
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 09:37 AM
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Ridiculous !

Cannot understand this.

In Switzerland many people debadge their car to hide their high end equipped car in order to make less show off !

In many European countries you have to get a sticker that you put on your windscreen to make proof that you car is allowed to circulate in zones with pollution limitations. In Belgium, if you are a foreigner, your car must be registered and no sticker is needed, by reading the number plate, authorities can check your status.

With regard to intervention by emergency workers, most MB have got a QR in the refuelling tap where they can appraise all details of the vehicle.



Germany + France stickers
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 11:29 AM
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Mercedes has the rescue assist as well, no?
https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/owners/rescue-assist
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Elvisfan0108
Don’t emergency workers need to know if a car is electric or a hybrid to know that there are high voltage lines in the car?
If that’s the case there should be some regulated marking of all hybrids. Adding an “e” or “EQ” would probably not be clear enough for a non Mercedes person to distinguish an hybrid from a petrol model or from an EV. All manufacturers have different denominations for there lineup.
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Old Dec 22, 2021 | 04:23 AM
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Another thought on de-badging: having had a look at a number of Mercedes test drives and marketing material, all of the S580e cars are de-badged. I certainly do not know the legislation but this in my opinion proves that de-badging EVs and hybrids is fully under the factory control, not restricted by any law. Seems they want to show the public how green the brand is or something like that.
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Old Dec 23, 2021 | 01:08 AM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
There are several reasons. Yes, easier cleaning is one. Not wanting to advertise for the manufacturer is another one, or to just make it look cleaner. But in Europe it's very popular to disguise a lower-spec model. They don't want others to know that they bought the cheap low end model and therefore remove the badges. It's also done at the higher end to not flaunt one's wealth. Showing off in many parts of Europe is not socially acceptable.
Back in the day I re-badged my US-spec BMW 320i to 316 to mess with people.
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Old Dec 23, 2021 | 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by AMGBM
Ridiculous !

Cannot understand this.

In Switzerland many people debadge their car to hide their high end equipped car in order to make less show off !

In many European countries you have to get a sticker that you put on your windscreen to make proof that you car is allowed to circulate in zones with pollution limitations. In Belgium, if you are a foreigner, your car must be registered and no sticker is needed, by reading the number plate, authorities can check your status.

With regard to intervention by emergency workers, most MB have got a QR in the refuelling tap where they can appraise all details of the vehicle.
Germany + France stickers
Have you tried to scan the Rescue sticker QR code of your car with your phone?
If yes, did you get anything?
I wonder, if all the rescue and emergency information data stored behind the code is not available to the general public or the owner but rather to emergency workers only?
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Old Dec 25, 2021 | 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by bishop64
Have you tried to scan the Rescue sticker QR code of your car with your phone?
If yes, did you get anything?
I wonder, if all the rescue and emergency information data stored behind the code is not available to the general public or the owner but rather to emergency workers only?
The QR codes work for the cars in our family at least, no access restrictions.
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Old Jan 4, 2022 | 03:41 PM
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Well it's done; took off the "E300De" and the 2 "EQ power" signs on the side. Very easy
If anyone asks: they fell off.....
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