2009 BRABUS announcement - Page 12

carolthompson323 · 10-24-2008, 02:50 PM

I just had a realllllllllly terrible paranoid thought just now in thinking about the BRABUS announcement. Do you think it's possible that smart will hold off on manufacturing cars until the November cut-off date for replies so that they can see how many smart reservation holders will switch to BRABUS?

If so, I may kill myself!!!!!

tbone28 · 10-24-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike T

How would Mercedes fans and owners react if AMG started selling new-in-showroom cars as C- Class AMG, which were a bone stock C 230 with 100% of the appearance of a C 63 AMG, and a C 63 AMG badge on the rear?

To my way of thinking, using the name BRABUS on a car that is essentially an appearance and roadholding package only depreciates the (up to now) meaning of BRABUS. To the point where they are going to have to call the eventual Turbo version the BRABUS Sport......

The cars will look cool, but will be a little bit slower than a pure.

I have a mercedes, and it doesn't bother me. You should see the amount of energy some mercedes owners use in identifying "posers". I think there are more important things in my life than spending energy worrying about how people badge their cars.

i debadged my car. even took the mercedes star off the trunk, had the holes filled, and trunk resprayed. My wife said, "then people won't know what kind of car it is". I'm really not concerned what other people think. I like the cleaner look of a debadged car, and others, who are car enthusiasts, they will recognize what type of car it is, regardless of badge status.

Mike T · 10-24-2008, 04:41 PM

That's fine, I have a Mercedes too and couldn't give a rat's behind about status and all but then again, selling a BRABUS from the dealer floor - which traditionally carries with the name a significant speed gain - which is no faster will depreciate the BRABUS brand, which is not a good thing in terms of getting people to pay the premium.

Having the Benz trunk resprayed to get rid of the star is a bit over the top!

Rwest234 · 10-24-2008, 04:55 PM

Configured my Brabus, Silver/Silver Cabriolet all accesories except alarm. My DDE was May - July 09. Other than reservation number does anyone know the acceptance criteria?

Orphan-Beggar · 10-24-2008, 06:25 PM

It might be worth the effort to inquire about distinct
"Brabus only" orphan lists
at smartcenters
smart USA on tour

mini2nut · 10-24-2008, 09:21 PM

Yes, the Brabus model will sell on looks alone. The car will look MUCH better in person with the killer 6-spoke Monoblock wheel/tire combo and lowered stance. I also thought $18K was a lot for a Fortwo Brabus with zero performance upgrades, but I feel it's priced fair. You get an exclusive (1500 for the USA, 6 months production) model that will most likely become a collectors item in the future and it's under full factory warranty. No shoddily installed body kit to worry about either. I only wish we got the turbo version, but I understand it's in the works to be released at a later date. A smart (no pun intended) vehicle manufacturer knows it's makes keen business sense to slowly release new versions to "keep the metal moving" and keep the model fresh.

Mike T · 10-24-2008, 10:04 PM

Having sat in a BRABUS in Germany last April (I didn't score a test drive though) I can confirm they look absolutely great. I did manage a test drive of a 84 HP 451 pulse cabrio though and it was a road rocket and the wide tires were nice.

I just could never see myself driving one of these and knowing there is no go behind the show.

tbone28 · 10-24-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike T

That's fine, I have a Mercedes too and couldn't give a rat's behind about status and all but then again, selling a BRABUS from the dealer floor - which traditionally carries with the name a significant speed gain - which is no faster will depreciate the BRABUS brand, which is not a good thing in terms of getting people to pay the premium.

Having the Benz trunk resprayed to get rid of the star is a bit over the top!

I'm not too concerned with how companies choose to market their products. If this depreciates their brand, that's on them, and of no concern to me. I will buy what I like, what looks good to me, etc.

Not taking into consideration any depreciation of brand, and from a purely financial standpoint, it's hard to deny that this is a great value. I would have ordered most of these parts aftermarket anyway.

I'm not too concerned with the engine. My mercedes will take care of my speed needs. The SMART is a toy car for me. It would have been nice to have the Brabus turbo, but this is a project car for me. I hope to find enough info to do a car engine swap in the future - trying to see if the C230 Kompressor engine will fit.