De-badging the car is cool because it is discreet. In the UK, BMW cars were the first to be offered new with a de-badge option. Back in '89 you would order a dolphin grey 325i, have it de-badged and nobody would know it was a rocket until it blew their doors off. Of course, then the owners of every 316i had them de-badged, so nobody could tell that it was the junior Beemer (my first car, 316, I left the badge on for that reason).

I guess it is an inverted snobbery thing. And, if you're fortunate enough to own a high-powered MB, why shout about it? You know how good your car is, there's no need to let anyone else know. Boasting and bragging is such bad form.

Finally, MB cars (and most other German vehicles) are renowned for their clean lines and pure body styling. Why spoil that with lumps of plastic metal?