benz_addict

is there a such model as a S600 4Matic? Or did he put the badge on himself?

Diesel Benz

No such model, not if it is a W221. The same with the W220 too.

LETO

makes you think if it really even is a 600??

WSH

LOL...false badging/aftermkt stuff often reveals much about net worth/IQ/taste (or lack thereof) of owner....

Perhaps Darwinian selection explains why cash-poor poseurs don't simply buy cheapest used, salvage, post-lemon law buyback S550 they can find and spend ?$50 to slap some "S65 AMG" and "V12 Biturbo" badges on....no one in their often clueless, foreclosure-prone regions will know diffce anyway....the well-informed can easily distinguish the poseurs, no matter what....

Have found in wealthiest corridors of NYC/SF, one actually sees some frequency of repeat 65 buyers who opt to debadge their cars....I suspect some 90%+ of new 65 in these regions are leased, so if MBF offered a badge-delete option in the factory specs, more drivers of new 65's in these upscale regions would actually prefer no badges....ironically, know of a few billionaires who drive new 65s (or use 65 as a daily limo), but seem to know of more billionaires who drive/who are driven around in some scuffed-up, underpowered, plasticky S550 (w/humble 550 badges in full view for all to see).....

trumpet1

I can't believe I just read your post WSH as just yesterday I was discussing with one of my sons the thoughts of debadging my car due to the unwanted attention it gets. What I mean by "unwanted attention" is the attention of someone who will key the car just because of the jealousy and hatred towards someone who has such a fine auto.

In my area of the country, most people never even see W221s, much less a V12 W221. As far as I know, I'm the only V12 W221 owner within hundreds of miles of here. Maybe the only one of possibly less than 5 within my state of Alabama (Alabama has a terrible economy and Birmingham is 4th in the country in terms of violence and is very boring/dangerous )

I feel the V12 emblem alone might stimulate vandalism.

Hmmm, what to do, what to do?

WSH

Trumpet, if I didn't lease cars and trade them in frequently, without doubt, I'd spec all my cars debadged....

Even in rather wealthy regions like SF Peninsula/Greenwich, stuff like V12 badges can be viewed as obnoxious/spark envy (even from other rather affluent, highly educated guys who drive $100K MBs) and anger/vandalism from some of the Prius-driving eco-militants (who also often tend to be affluent and "over-educated") who see new 65s/599s casually parked outside certain office bldgs, shopping areas, etc...forms of expression may vary, but jealousies are universal among humans...

AustinGuy

Can't say I've heard about any MB/V12/550-type envy here in Austin....

Out here it's common to see the occassional Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, etc. S-classes (550's, 600's) are fairly common, but I still shudder to think about walking back to my car from a store only to see it keyed by some scum bag or hit by some reckless idiot in the parking lot

WSH

In my expce, envy varies in its "subtleties"....

In a less affluent part of an urban region (e.g., SF's EastBay suburbs or NYC's Bronx en-route from Manhattan to Greenwich or most of LA, ex-BH/NwptCst) envy may be expressed via carjacking, road rage, etc....

In more sophisticated industries like finance/tech, subtle aspects of jealousy re: one's consumption of cars/houses/pvt planes, etc are injected during yr-end bonus discussions (esp in finance) or (in tech/VC industry) in negotiation of equity stakes in start-ups, etc.....

For ex., a few mths back I heard a few rather mediocre 35yo-ish investment bankers in NYC (who each earn some $5MM/yr) expressing amongst selves indignation that a 38yo colleague who earned $30MM/yr was flashy enough to actually drive a new $100K 997S Cab to the country club in Greenwich one Spring wkend (realize that the ethos among most $1-$10MM/yr financiers in NYC is to endure a daily commute via some sweaty, smelly, unsafe 3rdWorld-equivalent cab/train).....the stuff that provokes jealousy among the affluent and highly educated in high-powered, lucrative industries, even in an allegedly sophisticated place like Manhattan/Greenwich is often astonishing and amusing....

cjf_moraga

I suspect that if most of your neighbours have never seen a w221 (let alone a V12) that fact on its own merit alone stands out enough... (Hard to mistake that imperious grill)

You could re-badge it to a (big) C300....

Chris

AsianML

Rebadge to S320 CDI.

Diesel Benz

But I can always rebadge to S280 (neither sold on our market).

trumpet1

That's funny. Actually I thought about putting a 1968 model 220 D emblem on it. Remember when the emblems were underlined with that chrome strip under the lettering??

cjf_moraga

Oh yes ...and it is probably not entirely coincidental that MB's 1990's fall of (quality) grace seemed to coincide with the removal of that underlined chrome strip... If they put it back all will be as it was...

Chris

WSH

Great humor

Agree, even if local unwashed masses are car-clueless, a new S-Class is kind of hard to hide in many places...advantages/disadvantages of street presence....

My biggest issue w/any post-factory badge removal is risk that paint reveals any residue/sun-imposed imprints of badge outlines....

Would greatly appreciate a factory-spec option of badge delete....

trumpet1

Ah yes. The fading may be a problem but I don't think mine is yet a problem. Good point.
Just got back from Home Depot with chrome strips. Post pix later

ahmadkshuja

Agreed!!

I de-badged mine way back and it looks pretty sober. In fact, I was in Belgium couple of weeks back and most S classes did not have any badges. I inquired why and was told that it was because most had "old" money; did not want much attention and / or show-off.

IMO - S-Class actually looks more classy without the badges.

AustinGuy

Quite honestly - this whole "de-badging" stuff seems a little odd. Didn't know there was such a thing. I mean come on - this is not Cuba, where there are like 10 rich people in the whole country.

It's not like people can't tell what an S-class looks like. Sorry -but it's not going to be confused with a Hyundai Sonata whether you de-badge it or not. OTH, if someone's really THAT jealous, then I'm not sure the "V12 BiTurbo" badge is going to make that car more susceptable to keying than say.... an S550 w/AMG sport pak

trumpet1

Actually the V12 badging does get more attention than you would imagine. Even when I had a W12 Phaeton, I got more attention than you would believe even though the car looked like a Passat. I eventually debadged it.

Also, with the push towards "green" efforts due to economic fuel crisis and the environment, people might even key my car to show their feelings about how I'm not taking part in that effort.

I haven't debadged it yet but I'm thinking about it seriously.

One more thing, I'm not talking about removing the Mercedes star, just the model notation.

AustinGuy

Isn't attention good?

(I mean the right kind of attention )

If I were you, I would not debadge it unless you have real solid proof that people in your area are out to "get the privileged few". Again, this is America - while there are vandals out there, it's not like people are out there looking to get back at those they percieve as not to be taking part in the green coalition. Maybe if SUV's were non existant I'd tend to agree w/you...
The only way I could see someone keying a nice car is when owners of such vehicles double park. That sends a message that you don't want anyone next to you and that your car is so awesome that you think it's your right to take up two spots. Yeah, in that case I could see it.

I think you are overreacting a little bit. Relax ....and enjoy that beautiful car you own...STOP worrying about who's going to key your car!

cjf_moraga

The only "green" in people who might key your car is envy...

....and probably more chance of the key treatment here in the Bay Area.... (Especially as I am near Berzerkely) Priuses (what is a pack of Prius called?) are breeding like crazy here... but I don't see V12's or AMG's cowering in their garages quite yet...

I drive the S600 to work a few days and ride my bike most others... living the extremes...

Chris

AustinGuy

Any pics of your 600?

I'd like to see some (especially of the interior we hear so much about )

cjf_moraga

Here are some quick pictures in another thread I posted last year...

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...t=#post2424204

I can take others if there are specific areas you want to look at.

Chris

carsnob

Chris; don't debadge your car. I agree with Austin Guy. The car itself stands out amongst most cars so the badge or not won't prevent a vandal. Agreed you can't worry about it.
As for the V12, that is a badge of honour and from a snob point of view that puts your car heads and shoulders above other S classes. Not that I personally give a s*** . But yes it's nice to know that you know and they know you have a mighty fine car.
Enjoy it!

cjf_moraga

Oh I have no intention of debadging my car! Having those little V12's behind the front wheel arches is most satisfying... Other drivers do seem to notice them... Actually MB put V12 badges all over the place...

- On the front fenders (2)
- On the engine cover (1)
- Each seat back (4 of them)
- Each front door mat (2)
- And on the center dash (1)

Thats 10 V12 badges... MB does not want you to forget it!

Chris

trumpet1

Maybe you were referring to me? Austin has convinced me to leave the badges on. I guess that would be best.

Hey you guys, I posted this on the "off topic" forum.

What do you think? as I didn't want to start another thread?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UOpcPfAarjY