[TheRealEssad]

I'm curious what everyone's opinions are on removing the badges from your car. I've been seeing it for years on various BMW's over the years, and it always made me wonder, what's the appeal? I'm sure there's a reason people have for wanting to do it, I might just be out of the loop on what that is.

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

[hollandog]

Some people like the clean look.

[yoandry]

Originally Posted by TheRealEssad

I'm curious what everyone's opinions are on removing the badges from your car. I've been seeing it for years on various BMW's over the years, and it always made me wonder, what's the appeal? I'm sure there's a reason people have for wanting to do it, I might just be out of the loop on what that is.

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

There you go. I always do it for the clean look, but you can still know what I have.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1233269

[jhuber]

I see mostly 320 and 328i drivers doing this... Makes it look clean and not advertise smaller engine I guess?

[IndotagSwizz]

To me it just looks so much cleaner, I have done it with every car I have ever owned, just a preference

[fecurtis]

So people don't know you're rocking a 320i.

Joking, some people just think the trunk looks cleaner without all the badges.

[Dave DDS]

Looks a lot less cluttered. I did it on my 335 and on my current 320d because of that.
I don't think anyone expect for car guys even notice the model designation and engine size.

[yoandry]

Mine.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by TheRealEssad

I'm curious what everyone's opinions are on removing the badges from your car. I've been seeing it for years on various BMW's over the years, and it always made me wonder, what's the appeal? I'm sure there's a reason people have for wanting to do it, I might just be out of the loop on what that is.

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

Clean look. I don't particularly like the font/style they use. The numbers don't mean anything to me.

[Jamesons Viggen]

When a car is first designed/sketched, I find it's often in it's purest intended form. Badging is just adornment, cake decorating, that comes much later on.

[McBride]

Looks cleaner without it, more so on darker colours where the chrome badge stands out more.
I've debadged every car I've owned.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by TheRealEssad

I'm curious what everyone's opinions are on removing the badges from your car. I've been seeing it for years on various BMW's over the years, and it always made me wonder, what's the appeal? I'm sure there's a reason people have for wanting to do it, I might just be out of the loop on what that is.

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

Originally Posted by hollandog

Some people like the clean look.

^^ this is it, as all of the other posts reiterate. Personally, it's not my thing. It's desired enough in Germany and other European countries that it's a factory option.

[Paladucky]

I see a lot of debadged cars that are smaller engine models. It feels like people are trying to hide that. Most people don't know and don't care, and the people who do know can tell what your car is without the badge.

[platty]

I took off the 335i because I like the cleaner look as well.

The only comments about the debadging that I've had come from people who are not enthusiasts. They obviously don't know the sound nor recognize the twin exhaust pipes, non-M fender flares, M-sport bumpers, etc.

Now 320 & 328 against each other, that's a bit tougher.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by jhuber

I see mostly 320 and 328i drivers doing this... Makes it look clean and not advertise smaller engine I guess?

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 what I wanted personally. Taking the badge off my lovely and amazing 328i to have the unknowing think my car is something else 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.

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by Paladucky

I see a lot of debadged cars that are smaller engine models. It feels like people are trying to hide that. Most people don't know and don't care, and the people who do know can tell what your car is without the badge.

I think that's a misconception, in the majority of cases. People who spend the time and energy debadging do it because it looks so much cleaner to them - subjective of course.

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

Just like you said, people who care to notice will know what engine you have by the small design cues. People who don't care and don't notice the debadge won't care what engine you have.

I've de-badged nearly every car I've owned, including S4, 335, GTI, and now 328. The only exception is my E30 which I haven't debadged because the badge itself is in such good shape like the rest of the car (keeping the stock look). Plus it's white.

[jgoens]

My car came de-badged...I've always liked the look of a de-badged car, so now I have it with no effort.

[Gabreigns]

In my very very very Humble opinion debadging looks as if the car has been in a rear end collision previously and the owner is awaiting it's proper badging.

[KGB_123_99]

I took my dealer sticker off the trunk . No free advertising for them!

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by platty

I took off the 335i because I like the cleaner look as well.

The only comments about the debadging that I've had come from people who are not enthusiasts. They obviously don't know the sound nor recognize the twin exhaust pipes, non-M fender flares, M-sport bumpers, etc.

Now 320 & 328 against each other, that's a bit tougher.

The tailpipes are a dead give away.

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

[bad karma]

Looks so much cleaner, especially on the xDrive models where BMW insists on putting that awful xDrive badge on the back. Cluttered. I toyed with removing it and leaving the 328i, but then it was asymmetrical and bugged me.

It's pretty obvious that I'm not trying to hide my model, being as the F31 is only offered in one flavor in the US (well, two, if you count the diesel). Hard to pretend it's an M3 Touring when such a thing doesn't exist.

[McBride]

Originally Posted by Paladucky

I see a lot of debadged cars that are smaller engine models. It feels like people are trying to hide that. Most people don't know and don't care, and the people who do know can tell what your car is without the badge.

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.