I have to agree with Rudy on his remarks about debadging. I really think the car looks better without the badge, but I wouldn't want beemers and others to think I was trying to hide the car model. This is why I will not do it. If I ever get an M car, I will keep the badge, too. May even put a light on it!

 

Hobo, I think you're smart for not debadging.

In addition to my earlier opinion, I'd like to add that when I see a 525 or 325 car with badges, I still respect it for the fine car that it is.

The owner has nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of. I recognize that not everyone wants (or can afford) the top model -- I don't use those sorts of things to judge anyone. Not debadging, in my opinion, is "cooler" than debadging it. In other words, I respect anyone who isn't ashamed of what they have and isn't trying to hide it.

On the other hand, when I see a debadged car, or a car that's clearly a poser, I lose a lot of respect for that owner.

 

I also see one debadged, and think that it was in a wreck, and the owner didn't want to spend the money on the badges....

james

 

I don't like badges.
My previous BMW's didn't use it. Only the 635 CSi had it....

 

Same thing here, I had 2 320d's and one 330Cic in the past, all of them were debadged. And with my new 525d it is the same thing, no badge. Why? Because it looks much cleaner. Even when I would get a 545i, I would still debadge it because I just do not like the look of it and I certainly do not want anyone else to know what type of engine I have (and it doesn't matter whether it's a small or a big one)!

I guess that the only car that I would never debadge would be an M3 or M5, why? Because they are something special and you can also recognize them without the badge.

 

I have a 520i, and Im proud of it, badge stays ! lol......

But in reality, if I had taken out my 20 badge, it would be really hard to tell it apart from a 25 or 30, given the fact that specs for all 3 are almost the same here in Hong Kong (except the wheels, I'll have to change them to fake it). That's why I find the 20 an excellent value for money.

Bunbun.

 

Likewise...I'm going to enjoy the look on other drivers faces when I whoosh past and they spot The "d" badge on mine........what....a diesel?.....and he's getting 40 mpg!!


Ha HA

 

Hi Rudy.
I ordered my 530 D SE without the badges ...
In Europe we often order without badges - and this occurs more frequently with the high end models.
We think
(i) The car boot ( trunk to you guys!) looks better and cleaner without a badge.
(ii) We have a sense of enjoyment and ownership fulfillment that comes from the car itself ... Heck, I drive a lovely car that lists at over ?38K I don't need a badge on the car to show others how much I spent .
So to sum up , It's about driving not snobbery. maybe hard for some Americans to understand that ?

 

Stu, I understand what you're saying, I believe you, and I think it's quite noble of you to do what you do. Unfortunately, in my experiences here in America, the people who routinely debadge do it for less noble reasons.

Enjoy your car!

 

The wheels do look great, but look at these