[TheRealEssad]

Originally Posted by McBride

You could look at this the other way as well.

People with smaller engines debadged because it gives a cleaner look. The badge doesnt matter to them.
People with larger engines like to show off and keep the badge to make sure everybody knows, even though like you say anybody who cares can tell just by looking at the car.

Yeah I've seen 5-series without the badges. Since I've been an admirer of BMW's for years I know what that car is at first glance. So I don't think it's about trying to compensate for something

[TheRealEssad]

I wonder if my ego would come into play here. I feel like once I got my first BMW I would keep the badges on just to let everyone know what it is.

[hollandog]

Originally Posted by McBride

You could look at this the other way as well.

People with smaller engines debadged because it gives a cleaner look. The badge doesnt matter to them.
People with larger engines like to show off and keep the badge to make sure everybody knows, even though like you say anybody who cares can tell just by looking at the car.

Yep, I'm keeping the 340i there to make sure the dudes and chicks on the street aren't thinking I'm on a stripped 320i Msport.

[Ecks]

Originally Posted by hollandog

Yep, I'm keeping the 340i there to make sure the dudes and chicks on the street aren't thinking I'm on a stripped 320i Msport.

Haha! The first thing I did when I got my 340xi into the garage was remove the badges, order up the color matched side and rear markers. I'm all about the ".... is that....a 320 Msport? Wait...it has new tails....and dual exhaust...." Then I bang out a quick 1-2 gear shift and the nail is in the coffin.

[Dave DDS]

Here in Europe I'd say that close to half of the BMWs being sold are debadged from the factory. I tend to see more Xdrive cars with badges though.

[TheRealEssad]

Originally Posted by Dave DDS

Here in Europe I'd say that close to half of the BMWs being sold are debadged from the factory. I tend to see more Xdrive cars with badges though.

The xdrive badge does make the rear look more symmetrical.

[McBride]

Originally Posted by Dave DDS

Here in Europe I'd say that close to half of the BMWs being sold are debadged from the factory. I tend to see more Xdrive cars with badges though.

It's like the Quattro badge though, people want you to know is 4 wheel drive.

Have you ever heard an XD or Quattro owner tell you the car they drive without mentioning is AWD?

[dman918]

I agree it looks cleaner in a way. I have a 335 and am debadged. That being said, I've thrown around the idea of black badges. The chrome is just ugly IMO.

Nobody cares if you have a 335/340 - I don't need to advertise it.

[jhuber]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I proudly display my 328i badge since I don't want anyone to think I spent $2,500 extra for two unnecessary cylinders (along with pistons, rings, valves) and added weight over the front axle. ;) Just in case its not clear, I am kidding! I think the 335i (now 340) is a fine car. Its just not want I wanted personally. Taking the badge off my lovely and amazing 328i to have the unknowing think my car is something I wouldn't think of doing since I'm at that happy stage where what other people think is not as important as it used to be.

I think I may have gone 328i if I had given it a proper try, had driven an older 128i when shopping for my 135i 5 years ago and it wasn't enough. The new 328s are probably enough zoom for most folks

[CalCarNut]

I leave my 428 on there just so everyone knows I'm not driving your run of the mill 3-series

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I debadge everything.

[BavarianFanatic]

It's all about personal preference. I hate clutter of any sort. Everything I own is debadged (or in situations where there are holes for the badges - REBADGED from a different/lesser model - my blown Mustang is badged like a V6).

My M3 will be debadged the day I pick it up for redelivery.

[SLOWER]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

It's also easier to wash and dry, not to mention polish and wax/seal.

That's why I do it. No dirt/wax/drips from the badges.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by TheRealEssad

Is it that you want to keep some anonymity over which model car you're driving?

+1 on that rationale

I haven't gotten around to it, but am planning to remove the rear badge, change the front grille, and paint over or change the side vent grilles so they don't have the badge

Obviously the CF roof, fender flares and quad exhaust tips are still going to be there so anyone who cares enough about 3 series will know what it is, but others can go on thinking it is a white 320i (whose small engine I am hiding by debadging) with vinyl roof and a body kit

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by McBride

It's like the Quattro badge though, people want you to know is 4 wheel drive.

Have you ever heard an XD or Quattro owner tell you the car they drive without mentioning is AWD?

It's like being vegan and NOT mentioning it in public.

[drummerlauw]

Less weight on the car. More power to weight ratio. My suggestion is to find a good spot for your badge, maybe re-position it to the middle or something

[carlr]

I have always ordered my BMW's debadged from factory (incl. M3). Just looks cleaner to me. Also - those who know their stuff will dientify the other trademarks of the individual models.

[Ali Shiralian]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

The tailpipes are a dead give away.

Now a 320i vs a 328d however....

Isn't the 328d double pipe?

[Beowulf65]

De-badging = clean, simple lines

Badging = decorative ornaments/embellishments

Personal taste is just that, personal taste.

I'm a Baroque kind of guy...so you can guess which I prefer.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by McBride

You could look at this the other way as well.

People with smaller engines debadged because it gives a cleaner look. The badge doesnt matter to them.
People with larger engines like to show off and keep the badge to make sure everybody knows, even though like you say anybody who cares can tell just by looking at the car.

Actually, I put a 320i badge on my 335i. Just so I can catch n00bs off-guard.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

Isn't the 328d double pipe?

In the US it's single. At least I think it does, your post has me second guessing myself lol.

[Minkia]

people do it for the cleaner look and there may be some (very few i would gather) that are not very proud of their engines. as somebody else mentioned, everything has badges so seeing cars de-badged almost look unfinished to me (think formula 1 cars without the sponsors' logos).