Iceman

Yep.

But it looks better/cleaner without it anyways.

I took it off for the look and got a license plate with 545 at the end instead.

shiny

I disagree - it's anything but a simple answer

If you pulled up outside a bar in London driving a new Ferrari, most people would curse you. Do the same in California and I bet most people would congratulate you, maybe ask what you do to afford that car, and aspire to be like you.

For some people understatement is fundamental to their existence - Europeans generally are not "blingy", are modest and don't wish to flaunt their wealth (or perceived wealth). Debadged cars are common in Europe partly for this reason - the owners feel awkward displaying status and wealth amongst their peers. It's not "the done thing" to show off.

Across the pond things seem to be different - in my experience American culture actively encourages and rewards achievement, whereas in Europe we are generally wary of excess and success.

Those who re-badge their car upwards are just wankers.

Oh and I don't think many people in Europe want a 545: The depreciation (and fuel costs) are ridiculous, which is why most Europeans drive diesels

Casper

If I had a 525 I would definitely debadge it, but I keep the badge on a 550.


I think most E60 in Europe are base models, that is why they debadge so much.

kscarrol

While I generally agree with you, how much is truly a desire to be modest versus how much is to avoid being being cursed by others as you cited above? There is a difference between a genuine desire to be modest and low key about things and the desire to avoid the reaction of others (and not get your car keyed!).

While you are correct that we Americans reward achievment and tend toward excess, I still firmly believe that most Americans simply accept the badges because that is the way they come from the factory. Most, if the cars came debaged, would not be asking to have a badge put on. As I pointed out much earlier in this thread, almost all dealers in the states put badges or decals on the rear of the car with their name as a form of advertising. They are usually quite unattractive but the vast majority of drivers simply leave them on here in the states, just like the badges.

goodman

Yes, but I believe it is often a personal matter, such as an ex-boyfriend keying his former girlfriend's car, at least in the instances I have heard about.

goodman

As P.T. Barnum said, "you will never go broke over-estimating the bad taste of the American people."

bimmerguy288

Well, with due respect, that car (330d) the poster was refering to was in Europe somewhere, NOT in U.S.A. So much for "bad taste of the American people.

ipp

I don't understand why Americans are driving anything above 520:s, anything else is plain stupid. A lot of traffic, low speed limits, bad roads and a cop around every corner...

iversonm

Because it's our God-given right to consume every last drop of petroleum on the planet?

hinckley

Well said.

When I was younger, I lived and worked in Europe for several years. I came back to the States as a complete Europhile, feeling quite smug and sophisticated. Then I grew up and realized that entrepreneurship and very hard work can really pay off here in a way that it just does not or cannot in Europe. I still consider myself a Europhile, but I'm also a proud American capitalist.

And while it's easy to critique the PT Barnum-ism bad taste of the American public, while in Europe I can't help but notice the crowds in every Starbuck's in Germany and the wild profits of McDonald's in France (although I've never met a Frenchman who eats there - strange).

I don't criticize either culture. I just recognize the best of each of them. So although I agree that those who upwardly badge are "wankers" (a great expression that we don't have here), those who keep their big V8 badges because they're proud of their achievement are not braggarts.