I've been pondering the debadge question. I'd like to change the Chrysler inserts to the Mercedes-Benz emblem. I think there needs to be a subtle emphasis on the Mercedes-Benz in this car. The silver wing states Chrysler and the Mercedes-Benz emblem in center of the silver wings would complete the story.
I've admired the other inserts from Andrew and others but they don't include Mercedes-Benz.
IMO it would look better than the "powered by Mercedes-Benz" emblem under the spoiler.

 

Although the Crossfire is a SLK320 in a different body, it is not being sold/serviced by MB and does not deserve to wear the three pointed star. IMO, a "powered by Mercedes-Benz" placed somewhere on the car is more appropriate and gives reference to the car's heritage without falsely badging it as a Mercedes-Benz.

Dan Root has some good looking "powered by" stuff for sale to replace the Chrysler ones in the wings and wheel center caps. See his gallery.

My version of a subtle "powered by" decal.

 

I'll be honest with you, and of course this is just my humble opinion, but...

Though I am proud of the fact that the underpinnings are MB, this car is not a Mercedes Benz. And while I never had a high opinion of Chrysler in the past, and certainly never (and I mean NEVER) thought I'd ever own one, this car is no Chrysler either, as we all know.

This is a Crossfire. A unique car in its own right. And for that, I am a proud owner.

As of yesterday, I have officially de-badged it of all external traces of the Chrysler name, and personally, I don't feel the car should wear the misnomer of MB in plain view either.

But, I will admit that I kinda like the "Powered by Mercedes Benz" sticker under the spoiler idea.

 

Ah heck... you don't need a powered by MB anywhere ! Just pop the hood the star is everywhere !!!

 

The Crossfire is a Daimler Chrysler with no Chrysler parts except the wings! I actually like the wing with my replacement emblems. As for not being a Benz you decide, it's built by Germans with all Benz parts in Germany!

 

What's with all the name changing? Why try to demystify the pedigree of the vehicle at all? I think some of you folks are suffering some sort of inferiority complex. What's funny is that people are obsessed with letting everyone know it's a MB even while MB's recent reputation for reliability is one of the worst. You'd be better off these days calling it a Chrysler. Or why not just call it a Karmann? Why not go all out and affix a couple Lexus decals to the bumper?

 

Gee, wonder if there are any SLK owners who'd rather rebadge their car as a Crossfire?

Who cares? If you really want MB badges on your car, buy a MB. IMO, putting the star on the car makes it look a little foolish. "Powered By" in the door insert or somewhere subtle is one thing, but rebadging to another brand?

 

I have not posted in quite some time...however I got tired of people asking me how much MB is actually in the car so I went to my dealer and got the powered by emblem and it now sits under the spoiler...subtle but right to the point.can't go wrong for $8.00 in Canada.

 

actually i am partial to a Porsche badge if we are going to open it up to the rest of the automotive library.

 

Actually Daimler Chrysler started this mixed bred. All ones parts with another's name to show people they're married!!!

 

Personally I like the fact people come and ask me what car this is. Everyone is surprise that it is a chrysler, I don't need to mention that is a MBZ to get second take with the car to begin with.

 

geez...have to agree with others...let it be what it is...and keep having fun with the fact that you get lots of questions about the car...crossfire will stay on mine...as will chrysler...i'm not ashamed...

 

Me neither...I work for them.

 

IMO, the reason that the crossfire is not selling and is in danger of being dropped from production, is because of the reason being discussed in this thread...no one seams to be willing to say 'IT'S A CHRYSLER! As long as people are determined to try to find ways to obscure the identity of this vehicle, then prospected buyers become leery to this without understanding the reasons behind the motivation to debadge the vehicle. Sure, it would be nice to be able to buy the SLK for under forty grand...but in ain't happen. I'm proud to say my car is a CHRYSLER and have no intentions to debadge it. i will admit that when i talk to others about the car, i emphasize that it's heritage is from the mercedes line, but do not hide the fact that it is a CHRYSLER Crossfire...IMO.

 

Debadging has little to do if anything with the car not selling. First, it is a very small two seater and very impractical for the majority of people. Chrysler has not promoted/advertised/marketed the car at all. When the car came out along with the Pacifica, people got sticker shock and it scared them away... whoever heard of a $35,000 Chrysler. On top of all that, Chrysler has a bad reputation in the past for not building quality vehicles that they still are trying to get over. Now the new 300C along with the other new MOPAR vehicles are doing a lot to reverse that reputation.

Anyway, this topic has been discussed in length in many threads here.

 

you apparently missed the point...no badge indicates that someone looking at the car doesn't know who made the car, especially if it says, powered by mercedes. if your not willing to admit your driving a chrysler, then why would anyone buy one.

i do agree that DC has done a poor job of promoting the vehicle, but debadging the car for whatever reason doesn't help either.

 

Thanks for all of the excellent comments. I've owned Chryslers for many years and have always liked them. I purchased one of the first 300Ms in 1999 when they were introduced and still drive it regularly with ~175,000 miles on it still GREAT (Ohio - I keep the Crossfire inside in winter). For now I'll keep the Chrysler badging as it is, keep the "powered by Mercedes-Benz" emblem under the spoiler, and keep pondering new ideas presented on this forum.
Still lookin for that spare tire though.

 

If Chrysler only provides a good customer service whenever we bring our crossfires over for service, then maybe our loyalty will remain with Chrysler! But their services to our European crossfires are not satisfactory!

I have to bring mine to a Mercedes shop to have my H&R Cup Kit installed...paid them $1,000 for it and I'm happy thinking that they'll do a wonderful job on my XFIREX because they know how to fix it than Chrysler! Plus, I get a free Toyota Camry loaner to drive around which was never offered to me by Chrysler whenever they hold my XFIREX up for days to repair the wind noise! Merc even reset my FSS because it has not been reset by Chrysler after 2 oil changes with them! Moreover, the tech even talked to me personally about my car and what he'll do with it.

It'll be good to have another badge "Powered and serviced by Mercedes".

 

I will debadge my Roadster Limited soon, because almost all of the letters are loose. Talked to DChrysler and the only fix is to just re-glue them, which means eventually they will become loose again. Really don't want to ride around in a "Chrysler Crossfir " or "Chrysler Cros ire".

 

Since I'm already on record as not being a stranger to previous Chrysler ownership, I suppose saying, "I'm not ashamed to admit my Crossfire has a Chrysler heritage" is a given. And to be honest, I don't think embarrassment has anything to do with why anybody chooses to debadge their cars. It's simply a matter of personal preference, or a way to "personalize" their cars.
IMO, I really don't feel doing so is going to harm Chryslers reputation either.
After all, some people will always be faithful to General Motors, others wouldn't be caught dead in anything but a Ford. Still others, will never buy anything American. What we do, or not do to our cars isn't going to change their opinions.
But as long as some people are supposedly willing to pay Millions for some old cars Chrysler built 35 years ago, then I guess that means Chrysler must have done something right along the way.