Everytime I see a non 4matic w221 S550 w/amg package on ebay, more and more likely it has AMG badge on back.

- These never came with an AMG badge did they?

Fully debaged:

 

I think they did... My buddy has an 07 non 4 matic and it def has it.

 

There is NO such thing as an S500 AMG

AMGs have two numbers after the "S". For example, S63, S55, etc. Non-AMGs have three numbers: S550, S600, etc.

You can have a non-AMG model with a sport package (S550 w/sport package) but that does not make it an AMG model. It is still a S550 (some call it S500 Sport)

So if you see an S550 with an AMG badge, someone added the badge. This holds true for most other MB models.. for example, there is no C350 AMG, E350 AMG, etc.

 

BTW I really do like that grille with the large star, but they need to remove the standing star on the hood and replace with a flat badge.

I have an all black S550 and it looks very sporty.. except for the standing badge on the hood. I have considered replacing it with a flat badge, and putting that large star grille in. I think it will modernize the car a lot... I already have LED marker lights and the updated taillights (my car is a 2007) and it looks very modern.

I just can't find any pics of someone who has done this... Any thoughts?

BTW the CLS models have this same type of setup.. large star in the grille and it looks great... so that's what I'm trying to replicate but don't want it to look aftermarket. To most people, my markers and taillights look completely stock even though most of you would know they aren't stock.

 

Oh man, I just saw one the other day, the grill and all the window trim, trunk trim, all in GOLD on a black car!!

 

I'm a big fan of the hood ornament. I drove Cadillacs for years and when I looked out the window and saw the Cadillac emblem guiding your way it made me feel very good. The same holds true for MB. If I were to upgrade to the W222 and it was a sport model I would swap out the grille for a non sport grill and put the 3 pointed star on the hood.
There is a vendor on here who sells the flat hood badge.

That's very late 80's early 90's.