Debadging an M Car

[EmmDrei]

All my non-M BMWs have been debadged. I simply think the bunch of numbers on the back isn't really a looker. My M346 was debadged, my M392 wasn't and my 1M won't be. Not because I care what people think. The only thing I look at is how it looks on that car. If I like it, it stays, if I don't, the badges go. Most people won't be close enough to my cars rear end long enough to read what it says anyhow.

[NPVPositive]

I read somewhere that over 50% of Audis sold in Germany are debadged.

It's not about trying to fool people into thinking you have a top of the line car. Quite the opposite.

If you think about it, it's kind of absurd that we accept the manufacturer's preference that we should advertise our engine size on the back of our car.

BMW and the other manufacturers are tapping into our need to communicate social standing ("look I can afford a 335i") and also using us as an unpaid billboard to advertise their model range.

It's like those stickers the dealer puts in the back window. I rip them straight out.

[EmmDrei]

Originally Posted by NPVPositive

I read somewhere that over 50% of Audis sold in Germany are debadged.

I couldn't provide a figure, but I'm pretty sure that number is too low rather than too high. You will see more cars on german roads that come off the production lines without badges than with badges.

[Future M1 owner]

Originally Posted by NPVPositive

If you think about it, it's kind of absurd that we accept the manufacturer's preference that we should advertise our engine size on the back of our car.

It's even worse than that.
Most manufacturers also have a compulsive need to convey, in no particular order, at least one or more of the following:
Engine configuration (V6, V8, V10);
Transmission type(whatchama-matic);
Number of forward gears (6spd....).
Number of drive wheels if more than two;
Number of valves (particularly on 4 bangers);
Number of camshafts (dohc);
ABS (duhh);
Forced induction type (if turbo, number of turbo's as well);

I've always debadged all this fascinating side info.

[Drillslinger]

Originally Posted by NPVPositive

I read somewhere that over 50% of Audis sold in Germany are debadged.

It's also a lot easier to do this as Germans can order their cars debadged from the factory. If this weren't the case then I'm sure you'd see more badges around here

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by EmmDrei

I couldn't provide a figure, but I'm pretty sure that number is too low rather than too high. You will see more cars on german roads that come off the production lines without badges than with badges.

I would agree.. I would guess closer to 80-90% in Germany. I actually began to hope I would see a car WITH a badge.. just so it would break up the monotony of all the debaged cars.

[ethanh8791]

I like to debadge mainly because to make the car look cleaner and will probably debadge the 1M when she arrives.

Plus the police have a harder time ID'ing you if there is no badge....good for high speed chases....

[silvs]

I like how it just says M. No model information, engine size, etc.

You could remove that as well, but it's not like you're trying to be a sleeper. Well at least for me, the thing is orange.

[James T. Kirk]

Here's how I see it. Any desire to change what something is is essentially rooted in shame. Whether it's the 128i guy debugging to pose up or the 1M guy looking to tone down, either way, it has to do with a lack of comfort with what something already is.

The only legitimate reason to debadge is for the aesthetic reason of wanting a cleaner line. Anything else has to do with being uncomfortable in your own skin.

[richb811]

You've earned that M Badge. Keep her on there!

[///M1]

A quick question to those that have their car in their possession while I anxiously await mine. What is the size of the trunk emblem? I would probably replace it with a black one with the 3-tone silver decal, as IMO would look better with the shadow line trim (I am also 'de-chroming' the car fully, so the stock emblem is out). The ones on Ebay are stated to be for the M3, wonder if those badges are bigger (something I don't want, hence why I may just take mine and paint it black). Here is an example of one (obviously won't use the '3' bit)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by ///M1

A quick question to those that have their car in their possession while I anxiously await mine. What is the size of the trunk emblem? I would probably replace it with a black one with the 3-tone silver decal, as IMO would look better with the shadow line trim (I am also 'de-chroming' the car fully, so the stock emblem is out). The ones on Ebay are stated to be for the M3, wonder if those badges are bigger (something I don't want, hence why I may just take mine and paint it black). Here is an example of one (obviously won't use the '3' bit)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123

like this...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=593671

[evolution80]

debadged old s6 avant, v10touareg and volvo s60R for sleeper style...

///M will stay on my 1M

1. the ///M badge looks great

2. the e36 m3 was the last car which could have achieved sleeper style wide wheel arches and four tailpipes are not the last word in understatment imo

[Rekraps]

OK, I lived in Germany for almost four years and removing badges or for that matter ordering automobiles without the badges is very common. Although it cleans up the car nicely (my son removed his 128i badge), the real reason as told to me by the Germans with whom I lived was that not everyone could afford the top of the line car (Mercedes/BMW) so they would get body styles similar but with say smaller engines and because they came with no badges, or they removed the badges, nobody would ever know.

Now, to America. With the techies over here, everyone knows so I can only guess that it is the "look" that people are after.

Bottom line, do what you want, it's your car!

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

Here's how I see it. Any desire to change what something is is essentially rooted in shame. Whether it's the 128i guy debugging to pose up or the 1M guy looking to tone down, either way, it has to do with a lack of comfort with what something already is.

The only legitimate reason to debadge is for the aesthetic reason of wanting a cleaner line. Anything else has to do with being uncomfortable in your own skin.

Hold on a second... Uncomfortable in your own skin? Uncomfortable in the car, maybe. But then how unusual is that? Are you comfortable in all types of cloths? Nothing wrong with changing your cloths to suit your personal style...

I'm not defending sticking an M badge on a 128, but I have no problem with de-banging. Badge delete is a common option on turbo Porsches, for instance, and I'd probably order mine that way.

Walk softly and carry a big stick, sleeper, however you want to put it. +1 for de-badging, but keep it so you can return it to stock.

[Artemis]

To those who prefer no ///M badge and can (still) specify their order: it is possible to get a circumcized 1M ex works free of charge. Just specify option 320 during the ordering process ("Modellschriftzug - Entfall" i.e. Badge/Monogram Deletion). However, it is true that you have to backorder the deleted ///M badges if you change your mind in the future.

[Simsims]

80% of the cars in Germany at least, does not have a badge.

Weird uh

[///M1]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

like this...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=593671

Yup, very much like that, except in black (and in the tri-color grey scheme for the M logo). Like how the M3's is smaller!

Originally Posted by Simsims

80% of the cars in Germany at least, does not have a badge.

Weird uh

And just about 99.9% of high end AMGs, ///Ms, RSs remain debadged. Here in the US it is often the other way around, you'll see those badges slapped on cars that aren't even remotely close to their pure bred cousins

[Moo]

Originally Posted by ///M1

Yup, very much like that, except in black (and in the tri-color grey scheme for the M logo). Like how the M3's is smaller!


And just about 99.9% of high end AMGs, ///Ms, RSs remain debadged. Here in the US it is often the other way around, you'll see those badges slapped on cars that aren't even remotely close to their pure bred cousins

I guess that leads us to the general conclusion: Europeans are low-key, and Americans like showing off?

I see a Passat with a Toyota V8 badge every now and then at the work parking lot. Would love to run into the owner one day and ask him/her about the powertrain

Also, there's a 325 with a M badge :sadpanda:

[tkbr0wn]

Re-post, but I cant resist putting this up every time this conversation starts...

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by tkbr0wn

Re-post, but I cant resist putting this up every time this conversation starts...

Just when you thought you've seen it all, here's some more more dubious BMW fauna and flora: http://www.jimmy540i.com/bmwnightmare.htm ("BMW Nightmare Webpage").

Oh well, as long as the owners are happy with their "creations".

[James T. Kirk]

Originally Posted by Pete_vB

Hold on a second... Uncomfortable in your own skin? Uncomfortable in the car, maybe. But then how unusual is that? Are you comfortable in all types of cloths?

It's a metaphor.