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A long time ago there was a discussion about the 1998 CLK 430. Long story short there were just too many CLK430s running around with AMG badges placed as you have seen above. So one could assume there cant be that many posers. A quick google search will reveal this has been discussed many many times on many different forums.
I remember reading a post by a guy who worked for MBUSA who claimed the AMG badges were installed at the Port of Jacksonville and were indeed sold off dealer's lots with the AMG badge. I believe this was done at the dealers request on cars that were pre-ordered. This was before the CLK55 (m112) came out in 2001 and AMGS offerings were limited to the E55 and the C36/C43 (Which was made before MB even acquired AMG). In the CLK430s defense the car did come with the wheels and the body kit offically marketed as the sport package. HOwever if you were to enter the VIN in AMGPL, you will not gain access bc officially Mercedes Benz never sold a CLK430.
saw one YESTERDAY at the indy shop I go to.......picture did not come out well, but it was a 430 with a badge
I think this thread is irrelevant now, Mercedes put these badges themselves. I went to MB headquarters in my city and they had an ML350 AMG, it was a brand new car.
I think this thread is irrelevant now, Mercedes put these badges themselves. I went to MB headquarters in my city and they had an ML350 AMG, it was a brand new car.
lol, no chance, MB doing it does not make it okay
makes it watered down and about the buck/euro
2004 W211 E55 AMG >>gone but not forgotten > W123 280E > W124 E280 > W126 380SE
Originally Posted by e500slr
I think this thread is irrelevant now, Mercedes put these badges themselves. I went to MB headquarters in my city and they had an ML350 AMG, it was a brand new car.
As I have mentioned to you before Mercedes does not put AMG badges on cars that are not developed by AMG. Obviously a Mercedes with an AMG package does not fit within this criteria. There are many dealerships who go so far as to ask for the VIN to ensure AMG badges are only given to legitimate owners so if a specific dealership is affixing badges themself this is in clear violation of their agreement.
The following excerpt discusses the new C450 in a recent article titled "Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG won’t dilute AMG brand":
Asked by CarAdvice if those ‘lesser’ AMG models will hurt the AMG brand, Mercedes-Benz Australia public relations senior manager David McCarthy said he didn’t believe so.
“I don’t think it will, we very clearly say it’s an AMG sport, but it’s not an AMG,” McCarthy told CarAdvice.
When asked why it should wear an AMG badge if it’s not an AMG, McCarthy said, “because it’s developed by AMG.”
The confusion is better clarified now that Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG are different brands — the Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG sitting below its more potent brother, the Mercedes-AMG C63 AMG S.
“Every brand is different. I think the AMG brand has not only enough respect, but you won’t see that badge going on a car that is not worthy of it. Tobias [Moers, the head of AMG in Germany] has a view on it and he believes it’s the right view.”
Also the following link has a straightforward explanation of the new Mercedes-Benz AMG Sports brand compared to the established but freshly defined Mercedes-AMG division.
2004 W211 E55 AMG >>gone but not forgotten > W123 280E > W124 E280 > W126 380SE
Originally Posted by moosejaw
A long time ago there was a discussion about the 1998 CLK 430. Long story short there were just too many CLK430s running around with AMG badges placed as you have seen above. So one could assume there cant be that many posers. A quick google search will reveal this has been discussed many many times on many different forums.
I remember reading a post by a guy who worked for MBUSA who claimed the AMG badges were installed at the Port of Jacksonville and were indeed sold off dealer's lots with the AMG badge. I believe this was done at the dealers request on cars that were pre-ordered. This was before the CLK55 (m112) came out in 2001 and AMGS offerings were limited to the E55 and the C36/C43 (Which was made before MB even acquired AMG). In the CLK430s defense the car did come with the wheels and the body kit offically marketed as the sport package. HOwever if you were to enter the VIN in AMGPL, you will not gain access bc officially Mercedes Benz never sold a CLK430.
That is interesting considering the CLK430 I snapped was in Australia, and you are right there does seem to be an unusually large percentage of this specific class of poser...?
The plot thickens... time to whip out the tinfoil hat again...
I'm just telling you what I saw at MB Sydney. There were not AMGs with AMG badges. I'm just telling you what I saw, not agreeing with the whole badge thing but they're doing it, they just are. I personally don't care, I like when I see an S320 AMG Black Series 4matic, it's hilarious.
By the way there was a car a few months ago at Autowerks Automotive that had a Stage 3 Weistec M156 engine in it.....believe or not it was a C250 with a swap. The owner didn't label it as C63 but still......the awkward moment when a C250 CGI destroys a brand new biturbo E63 :P Actually, I'll try to get some info on the car because I have the owners number.
2004 W211 E55 AMG >>gone but not forgotten > W123 280E > W124 E280 > W126 380SE
Originally Posted by e500slr
By the way there was a car a few months ago at Autowerks Automotive that had a Stage 3 Weistec M156 engine in it.....believe or not it was a C250 with a swap. The owner didn't label it as C63 but still......the awkward moment when a C250 CGI destroys a brand new biturbo E63 :P Actually, I'll try to get some info on the car because I have the owners number.
Yeah I've heard of that sort of thing. Guess it makes sense to buy the least expensive version of the chassis if you plan to rebuild everything on top. Or I've seen others who are just building outright show cars where the performance is absolutely not required and again all they want is a chassis to build their creation on.
But in the end both of these types of modders would never consider slapping an AMG badge on thinking it will make them cooler lol.
Yeah I've heard of that sort of thing. Guess it makes sense to buy the least expensive version of the chassis if you plan to rebuild everything on top. Or I've seen others who are just building outright show cars where the performance is absolutely not required and again all they want is a chassis to build their creation on.
But in the end both of these types of modders would never consider slapping an AMG badge on thinking it will make them cooler lol.
That's true. If you're getting the car to keep it stock then buying it like that from the factory is the way to go, you will have proper insurance, resale, WAY LESS hassle and headache and time waste but if you're planning to heavily modify, including the diff, brakes, suspension, wheels, tires, exhaust and a built transmission and engine then it's a waste of money to start off with the most expensive model. It's kind of like a reasonably fast computer vs a custom gaming desktop, it's best to just start barebone for the latter. Mind you, you will need to change the subframes and some other stuff, it's not just engine, gearbox and the brakes and such.
If you're gonna get a fully forged weistec engine and supercharger that's been built by weistec, you know, with ported heads and head stud kit and their pulley kit and forged pistons and a built gearbox etc etc then what do you really have from the original, the core which you'll pay a huge sum over anyway. when you buy the c63 you're getting the factory diff and brakes and suspension but you're still paying a big price for them. So if you're looking for bought, get the c63, if looking for built, just start with the cheapest car you can find.
projects like those are annoying and frustrating though, it's not an easy undertaking and alot has to do with the sourcing of the things you want and the bringing together and whatever. I honestly wouldn't undertake something like that again, too much time waste but as you know, all these performance cars have that no matter what. it's the price one much pay for the joy and fun they can have after blood, sweat and tears. also, something like this is more worth it in aus where the price gap is huge between the models. in the US, it's not really worth it to be honest.
As a person relatively new to the MB brand, owner of a couple vehicles over a few years, and relatively entry level ones at that (09 CLK350, 14 C250) I think this thread is awesome.
I've driven more powerful MBs and I aspire to be an AMG owner. It takes hard work (which creates the dough) and appreciation for maintaining such a performance vehicle (combined with more dough).
As a person relatively new to the MB brand, owner of a couple vehicles over a few years, and relatively entry level ones at that (09 CLK350, 14 C250) I think this thread is awesome.
I've driven more powerful MBs and I aspire to be an AMG owner. It takes hard work (which creates the dough) and appreciation for maintaining such a performance vehicle (combined with more dough).
...not really, E55s are cheap now, like, anyone-can-afford cheap. The W211 E63 isn't even far behind either in the US so aspiring to be an AMG owner doesn't make sense. There are alot of non-AMG models more expensive than AMGs (in the used market of course). The idea of more maintenance and more expensive servicing only applies if you don't know how to use a wrench, even for small things like say, an oil change, which I know is really difficult for people these days because it is very technical My E55, from the day I bought it to the day I sold it was the most reliable car I'd ever owned, it gave me NO issues. Yes, it was stock but it gave me no issues at all. No car I've ever owned has done that. Hell, I had an E500 at the same time which blew it's gearbox and it had slightly lower mileage I guess too much power from that E500 motor LOL.
Don't get me wrong, there are lemons, then there's the in between cars which have some issues but not lemons so it really depends on your due diligence and LUCK!! Honestly, you get lucky or you don't. It's a stretch to say they're expensive to maintain and own though, especially in the US, with cars and parts so cheap. Do yourself a favor if you can, buy a reasonably good written off car at the same time as the AMG you buy, in the same model of course. It will give you an inventory of parts you might need and it turns out WAY cheaper. Just part it, sell the parts you will obviously not need and you can just about make your money with them and then keep the stuff you may need. I can't even think of alot of things to go wrong with an E55 that's stock and well maintained.
These things are common:
1. IC pump
2. Airmatic, pump and struts (this is the big one)
3. SBC pump
4. Pretty rare on stock car, cylinder 8 fuel starvation.
That's honestly all I can think of off the top of my head. Don't be intimidated by "AMG", just do and buy one. It's just a car and if you want it then just have it. No need for all that "I must work hard and earn it". If you ever fail at something in life, reward yourself anyway
...not really, E55s are cheap now, like, anyone-can-afford cheap. The W211 E63 isn't even far behind either in the US so aspiring to be an AMG owner doesn't make sense.
lol unless you are talking about 2008 or older AMG's then amg's are still not "cheap" to anyone that makes under 100K per year... and if your the kinda person that advocates buying a $30K car (2008 w211 e63) to a person that makes $52K (average usa wage), then you probably also advocate selling food stamps for beer and vodka.... even e55 is boarderline too expensive for someone making 52K when you factor in repair cost (i had over 20K in repairs on my over the years i owned it and i did a lot of the work myself, would of been way more at dealer)
most people dont want a 6 to 12 year old car (03 e55 to 08 e63).... so saying AMG's are "cheap" is very subjective.... according to that logic i can say "porsche's" are cheap... because i can get a "porsche" for under 20K.... which one and how old and how many miles on it are a different story....
So im pretty sure the guy that is aspiring to get an AMG isnt talking about a 2008 E63 or 2003-2006 E55.... he's probably talking about a 2014- 2016 AMG and non of them come "cheap"
but yeah, porsche's are cheap in the same way amg's are
lol unless you are talking about 2008 or older AMG's then amg's are still not "cheap" to anyone that makes under 100K per year... and if your the kinda person that advocates buying a $30K car (2008 w211 e63) to a person that makes $52K (average usa wage), then you probably also advocate selling food stamps for beer and vodka.... even e55 is boarderline too expensive for someone making 52K when you factor in repair cost (i had over 20K in repairs on my over the years i owned it and i did a lot of the work myself, would of been way more at dealer)
most people dont want a 6 to 12 year old car (03 e55 to 08 e63).... so saying AMG's are "cheap" is very subjective.... according to that logic i can say "porsche's" are cheap... because i can get a "porsche" for under 20K.... which one and how old and how many miles on it are a different story....
So im pretty sure the guy that is aspiring to get an AMG isnt talking about a 2008 E63 or 2003-2006 E55.... he's probably talking about a 2014- 2016 AMG and non of them come "cheap"
but yeah, porsche's are cheap in the same way amg's are
Yh you're definitely right, the newer AMGs aren't cheap but I think you can find a good E55 that HOPEFULLY won't break on you but yes it's a gamble. I got lucky but I know a guy who went through HELL because of his. It was a a box of lemons, not just one You really need to be able to work on your own car to make it more financially viable though because labor is simply a *****, it's what gets you. If you do it yourself you'll save ALOT. I don't let anyone work on my car so I save alot.
Still, I maintain that ~18-23k is not alot of money, alot of new Chevrolets and Toyotas cost that and I know that they come with warranty and free servicing and care but it's still not a boat load of cash. It CAN get expensive, all you can do is pray it won't, that and inspecting and checking the car out properly but that's no guarantee. There's one car I saw near me a while back, an E55, with 200,000 miles on it, not KM, MILES It ran like a dream and the owner had a 12.03 run from a week before. He said the only things he had go wrong were the valve cover gaskets, the SC pulley bearing, the IC pump and SBC pump. That's in the 8 years he's owned it and he drives it everyday. Luck is a hell of a thing isn't it The guy I mentioned with the box of lemons above, his car had ~60k miles on it and it was 1 owner before him so you just never know.
By the way I'm not dissing the E55, I'm simply saying that aspiring is a word I would reserve for a Ferrari or Lambo.
Still, I maintain that ~18-23k is not alot of money, .
if that's not a lot of money then why are there protest in the streets to raise the minimum wage to $15/hr (31K per yr)
keep in mind that an AMG that cost 18k-23K is going to be more than 6yrs old with most likely more than 70K miles on it, meaning you are not going to be able to get a loan on it, so you are going to have to pay CASH...
now most of those people aspiring to make $15/hr are not going to have 18k-23K in cash in their bank account..
who has 18K-23K in their bank accts? ..... most likely people that make 75K or more per year..... that's only 1/3 people in USA, so about 33% of the USA population can realistically own "afford" an AMG and that's a older used one...
if you want a newer used AMG, say a 2014 E63 then you are looking at about 75K cost which is about $1675 per month.... if you studied finance you would know that your should not go above 20% of you monthly income on car payment.... so to be at that you would need to make about 101K per year.... in usa only 1/4 people make that so 25% can afford a newer but still used AMG
so based on USA wages most likely only about 25% to 33% can really afford AMG's.... so I wouldnt say they are cheap if 66% to 75% cant afford them.....
Something is "cheap" when about 90% of the population can afford them
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
My E55, from the day I bought it to the day I sold it was the most reliable car I'd ever owned, it gave me NO issues. Yes, it was stock but it gave me no issues at all. No car I've ever owned has done that. Hell, I had an E500 at the same time which blew it's gearbox 
It ran like a dream and the owner had a 12.03 run from a week before. He said the only things he had go wrong were the valve cover gaskets, the SC pulley bearing, the IC pump and SBC pump. That's in the 8 years he's owned it and he drives it everyday. Luck is a hell of a thing isn't it 
