MB Marko

To de-badge or not to de-badge that is the question?

I'm mixed on this topic and out of all the topics i've read it seems to be mixed as well.

Just wanted to take a poll on what you W204 drivers think.

I personally don't mind the badges but the more I see de-badged w204's I think about doing it.

What are your thoughts on the subject?

97 GSX 97

I debadged my new C yesterday afternoon. Looks so much cleaner from the rear.

MB Marko

did you do it yourself?

hair dryer with detail floss method? and some Goo Gone to remove the access glue?

I'm just worried if i take the badges off and theres ghosting from the letters. My cars probably been out in the sun its whole life lol.

It does make it look cleaner thats for sure!

97 GSX 97

Yes exactly what I did. I used lacquer thinner instead of Goo Gone though (I detailed for years and it is safe to use).

edgalang

All my cars are debadged, regardless of make and model...even the hybrids. This is one of the checklist items the dealer is suppose to do when I take delivery. You can also get a general sense of the driver when passing them in the freeway. I find that debadged cars are generally always well maintained.

Zavato

other than seeing if a car is clean, how can you determine that a rebadged car you pass on the road is well maintained?

thesaintusa

He pulls them over and checks the fluid levels an brake pad thickness.

edgalang

MB Marko

hahaha! well I think ill be doing this soon, if i don't like it i can always put the badges back on.

michail71

You debadged but left on the dealer frame?

staplescenter

I debadge my e92 and 3 days after getting mine, I did the same. much cleaner

MB Marko

I have yet to change out my dealer frame!hahaha I've be so lazy, i need to find a nice one on ebay.

95Sinned420

I also debadged mine, first thing I did. I would not use lacquer thinner though, and I also detail cars. Goo gone would not hurt the paint, the 2011 I had did not leave any "ghosting" from fading. I think the only ghosting you may see is if the car was not well taken care of and the paint around the letters are dirty/swirled up. In any case, some clay/compound/polish and wax should clear it up. I would wax the area after using goo gone as well.

It's a personal preference, I like it since it's a cleaner look. To the average person, unknown model and therefore a little mystique.

97 GSX 97

I detailed for Mercedes and lacquer thinner was perfectly fine on their paint. Obviously you push lightly like anything else. All thinner does is strip down to the hard clear. We were actually trained by Benz that it was safe/best on lighter cars. I used it frequently on white and silver cars for that extra hard road grime.

All I have is a Canibeat plate frame from my slammed Honda's haha. It was the cleanest one I have so far.

hyperion667

no badges!!!

Adi-Benz

Honestly I could go either way, on some cars it looks better than others. For the benz, idk.

Your choice.

MB Marko

I feel like i keep changing my mind, when I get my spoiler i'll take the plunge and see how i like it.

thanks for all the input guys!

Its a hard choice! but another hard choice is what licence plate frame to buy LOL! I can't believe OEM plate frame that says Mercedes Benz is $60!!!! thats just plain ridiculous....

michail71

Yes, they are crazy expensive at the dealer. I've seen similar ones go for around $20 on Amazon.

Andriy242

Do it!!!!!
Before and After.

MB Marko

decisions decisions hum looks like the polls at 9 de badged to 4 not. It does look cleaner for sure.

Adi-Benz

most cars in eu that are expensive cars are debadged in first place. > benz, audi, etc.

That being said I looked at mine today and decided against it.

I voted to debadge, but like I said, meh.

While it does look clean, I wouldn't say it looks "better"

As you can tell I'm still 50/50 for the Benz.

michail71

Taking off just the 4matic could be an option.

If it's something like a V10 or V12 bragging rights badge it might be worth keeping. But those usually go on the sides.

Alfadude

If you are going to "de-badge" it wouldn't you also take off the Mercedes tristar badge as well if you want the look really clean?

MB Marko

I was thinking about doing that also, but a lot of people keep it because you have to cover the holes and get it painted. theres a lot more work involved!

97 GSX 97

There are alignment holes behind the Benz star. Also it still looks clean with it IMO. It matches be front then.