Quote:
Originally posted by LarryBible
This badge was in GREAT BIG letters, much bigger than I've ever seen on an MB. In Germany on the other hand, most cars have NO badge on the trunk lid indicating that it is a base model with a four cylinder.
|
Larry, this is also true of Mercedes in the Dutch market as well. The trunk lid badge is offered as an option on new vehicles ordered from a dealership regardless of model. I have even seen several "CLK" and "SLK" cars during this past trip, so it appears that a partial badge is also now an option. There is another reason for de-badging a Mercedes that I found interesting:
Most new car buyers in Germany and elsewhere intentionally order high-end models without identifying badges to deter thieves. I first learned of this while admiring a mint E34 M5 in Germany a few years ago. Since then (with this new awareness), its been quite easy to pick out the more expensive cars by their _lack_ of a badge :-)
Greetings,
-dm