Psychological impact of hood star
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: San Francisco
2001 E430
Psychological impact of hood star
I recently replaced my upright hood star with the flat emblem. While I think it looks much better when you see the car from the outside, what I really like about it is that I don't have the star in my vision while I drive.
I don't need to be constantly reminded that I'm driving a Mercedes. If you keep your eyes on the road, the upright star is like a billboard ad that you can't look away from. It was as if someone kept whispering "Mercedes, Mercedes, Mercedes..."
Anyway, just wondering if anyone else noticed the same thing after switching to the flat emblem.
-milt
I don't need to be constantly reminded that I'm driving a Mercedes. If you keep your eyes on the road, the upright star is like a billboard ad that you can't look away from. It was as if someone kept whispering "Mercedes, Mercedes, Mercedes..."
Anyway, just wondering if anyone else noticed the same thing after switching to the flat emblem.
-milt
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looks like crap
I bought a flat emblem on Ebay to replace the star on my 600SEL. It looked like crap, it did not fit in the indent and just screamed of non factory add on. My dealer said there is no factory flat emblem for the W140. If someone knows different please tell me.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Long Island, NY
When I got my C240 loaner, all I could do was stare at the star when I was stopped at a light. It looked much bigger from inside the car than it actually was. It was just THERE! My attention was immediately drawn to it for some reason, lol.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: SF Bay Area
C240
Its much harder to see the star on the new body styles like the C then it used to be. I have to lean forward and look down to see it on my C240. Whenever i get into an older body style the darn thing is always there like a target - it adds to the "vintage" feel but i don't really like it.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Obama Land
K Car
I personally like the look of the star on the car. It's not that I don't like the flat emblems, but I prefer the way the upright star looks. However, I don't think I like it because it "stands out" or shouts "Look at me, I'm a Mercedes". I'm sure that the same amount of people that would confuse the make of the car without the star would probably still confuse it with the star. It's just a detail I like.
My first MB (a 76) had a much more visible star on top of a much larger grill. I like the look of this on that style of car. The stars on the newer cars with the smaller grills, and more sloping lines, stand out much less then on the older models, but they are still an important detail to me.
My first MB (a 76) had a much more visible star on top of a much larger grill. I like the look of this on that style of car. The stars on the newer cars with the smaller grills, and more sloping lines, stand out much less then on the older models, but they are still an important detail to me.
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here's an option
Some will hate this some will love it. so here goes.
Take the star off and remove the star itself, you will have to pry out a C clip then cut the spring. The star will come right out, now you have a perfect flat emblem with a hole in the middle. I took a clear dark blue marble (thats right a kids marble) and put it in from behind so about 1/4 of the sphere sticks through. Secured it in place put the keeper back on and "Voila" it looks great, it sparkles like a jem when the sun catches it and definately looks factory.
Just an idea...now let the daggers fly....LOL
Take the star off and remove the star itself, you will have to pry out a C clip then cut the spring. The star will come right out, now you have a perfect flat emblem with a hole in the middle. I took a clear dark blue marble (thats right a kids marble) and put it in from behind so about 1/4 of the sphere sticks through. Secured it in place put the keeper back on and "Voila" it looks great, it sparkles like a jem when the sun catches it and definately looks factory.
Just an idea...now let the daggers fly....LOL
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I personally don't care one way or another but I just like change. So, since I have had the star on my Benz since the day I bought it, I think I will go with the flat badge, unless shmelvin is kind enough to take a pic. of his creation and post it here...
Then when I get tired of the flat badge, I will put the star back on...:p
Then when I get tired of the flat badge, I will put the star back on...:p
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 458
Likes: 1
From: Oxford, Pa
03 CLK55
I miss the hood mounted star...
Now I don't have any cross-hair for my hood munted .50 caliber machine guns. At least I have my DVD display for my television guided trunk mounted Maverick missles...
Best regards,
Matt
Best regards,
Matt
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 235
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From: NY
2003 s500 sport
I love the star. With out it I would not know which way to go 
I don't really notice while I drive but when it's bent to the side it just drives me nuts. I have to stop and make it straight. Besides it speaks heritage and a company over 100 years old. I would've thrown in "quality" in there too but it also becomes a history when it comes to MB.
I don't really notice while I drive but when it's bent to the side it just drives me nuts. I have to stop and make it straight. Besides it speaks heritage and a company over 100 years old. I would've thrown in "quality" in there too but it also becomes a history when it comes to MB.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Wash., D.C.
C280
Re: Psychological impact of hood star
Originally posted by milt
I recently replaced my upright hood star with the flat emblem. While I think it looks much better when you see the car from the outside, what I really like about it is that I don't have the star in my vision while I drive.
I don't need to be constantly reminded that I'm driving a Mercedes. If you keep your eyes on the road, the upright star is like a billboard ad that you can't look away from. It was as if someone kept whispering "Mercedes, Mercedes, Mercedes..."
Anyway, just wondering if anyone else noticed the same thing after switching to the flat emblem.
-milt
I recently replaced my upright hood star with the flat emblem. While I think it looks much better when you see the car from the outside, what I really like about it is that I don't have the star in my vision while I drive.
I don't need to be constantly reminded that I'm driving a Mercedes. If you keep your eyes on the road, the upright star is like a billboard ad that you can't look away from. It was as if someone kept whispering "Mercedes, Mercedes, Mercedes..."
Anyway, just wondering if anyone else noticed the same thing after switching to the flat emblem.
-milt
I like the star...you don't really notice it after a while, but you notice you are driving an MB after you spend a day or two in driving another car.
I think it was MB's star that forced other auto makers copy it, they viewed the three-pointed star as a "marquee" symbol, now you see something like it on every expensive/up scale car. MB’s still has the best/coolest symbol (it can be viewed as a Christian symbol as well, even if there is another story about the star (which I forgot) never the less, anything in threes may be viewed as a Christian symbol for obvious reason, but we don’t want to go there).
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From: Southern California, USA
03 White on Stone E320
I like the star, but I use it to as a driving aid. It's not necessary on a small car like the C-class, but I learned how to drive on our old 500SEL and the easiest way for me to tell if I was still in the lane was if that star was in the lane.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Originally posted by 6.3
I love the star. With out it I would not know which way to go
I don't really notice while I drive but when it's bent to the side it just drives me nuts. I have to stop and make it straight. Besides it speaks heritage and a company over 100 years old. I would've thrown in "quality" in there too but it also becomes a history when it comes to MB.
I love the star. With out it I would not know which way to go
I don't really notice while I drive but when it's bent to the side it just drives me nuts. I have to stop and make it straight. Besides it speaks heritage and a company over 100 years old. I would've thrown in "quality" in there too but it also becomes a history when it comes to MB.
Well put & great pix!
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,587
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From: Louisiana
E320
Originally posted by 6.3
I would've thrown in "quality" in there too but it also becomes a history when it comes to MB.
I would've thrown in "quality" in there too but it also becomes a history when it comes to MB.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Originally posted by oggle
Hehe yeah just go ask JD Powers. They'll tell ya about MB's quality!
Hehe yeah just go ask JD Powers. They'll tell ya about MB's quality!
But, MB service corrected it.
Just pondering, what happens down the road:
When noone wants to own a used MB car that is out of warranty, because of ASTRONOMICAL & PROHIBITIVE repair cost.
