Pre-merger versus post-merger AMG status

Commenters argue over whether the W202 AMGs count as 'pre-merger': the majority position is that AMG only became majority-owned by Mercedes in January 1999, so the C36 and C43 are pre-merger and hand-built 'real AMGs,' while others insist the C36 was the first post-merger car. Either way the community treats them as genuine, non-badge-engineered AMGs and a genesis point for the Mercedes-AMG relationship.