[Hunter5179]

Originally Posted by Seattle335

Either way, I prefer de-badging to re-badge engineers - ie. making 'M' versions of 318's...on a similar note, I was getting my 550 washed at a car wash - an older gentleman in an '80's Buick complimented on the 550, then ask what '700' series was that - I said it wasn't a 7, but a 5 - he said I should change the badge to a 700 and that would get me more street cred, especially on the south side of Chicago...and he proceeds to tell me he's been helping younger dudes like me for years...I really didn't want to be a dik to an older guy, so I thanked him for his 'help' and said I would get right on ordering a '700' badge

LMFAO!!!!!!!

[Alan l.]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Really? Much easier?

Yes. Not so much washing but drying the car is easier since water gets caught inbetween the badge. Waxing for sure. Its a pain in the ass trying to wax around the badge. Yes i'm OCD when it comes to cleaning/waxing my car

Also the back the car looks symmetrically right and cleaner without anything there. The only exception I would make an M car. Badge looks simpler (two digits) and the ///M looks nice to me.

Alan

[Bucaro]

I think that it depends on each person (obviously)... I don't think there is any shame in driving a 520d. I recently traveled in an E220d throughout Tuscany, on mountain roads, and the car/engine performed beautifully. I can only assume a 520d would perform better and I would never be ashamed of owning/driving one...

[jftoha]

I am sure different people do it for different reasons, but I have debaged all my BMW's since the early 90's. I've had an E30 325is, an E24 635csi, an E34 540i 6spd, an E39 540i 6spd, an E63 645, and now a F10 535i Sport and they have all been debaged, no matter how big or small the engine is.

When I was pretty young i went to Europe for a long trip and fell in love with German cars. I loved seeing Tuned German cars with all the goodies and the most sophisticated, subtle, clean, minimal cars were normally debaged. Ever since then, I have been doing it. I think the exterior looks streamlined and subtle while still very sporting due to the tuner parts.

My 0.2 cents.

[MATTE 5]

Originally Posted by YodaSyrup

It just looks cleaner. If I had an X Drive, I'd pull those badges too. I could care less which model/engine people 'think' I've got - I know what I've got. Plus, anyone who knows the U.S. F10 can tell a 528 from a 535 from a 550 - they all have different rear bumpers and tailpipe configurations.

Exactly what I was going to say.

[Touring]

I think badge is old school.

If you drive a 7 or 5 doesnt say anything about your wealth anymore, it just shows you pay a little more lease every month.

[Ellmat]

Originally Posted by grimlock

Have you got the 'Msport' lettering or a decal to add to your emblem?
You can buy those on ebay. A worthy addition in case somebody doesn't realize what kind of car they are looking at.
I am serious!

I have not made any changes to my car, it looks exactly the same as the day it came off the production line in Germany....but this would be the case whatever the engine size badge said.

[jenks89]

Never realized there was this much contention out there about debadging!!

Seems the first thing I do to my cars is shave the badges. From my Range Rover SC and 335i to my new 535i. For me it's purely a clean cosmetic improvement. It's my belief that people either know what these cars or they do not. Badges shouldn't really change that. Proof: I took my '11 335i into my local BMW dealer for service. It had been debadged along with a few other mods but still retained the stock dual exhaust. No BS the service advisor stood behind the car with me and asked if it was a 328i??? HOLY SH*T. haha. Point for me is the same as with all modding. Do what you enjoy and don't worry about everyone else. It's a subjective hobby!

[StatenEye]

Any badge or model number modding is unclassy. Black model number is nice but custom emblems and de-badge-ing is woeful. Hiding the model number is horrible, changing the emblem color is worse.

[StealthBomber]

Originally Posted by A900ss

I think it is mostly a case of 520d owners wanting people to think they their car has a bigger engine than it actually has.

I wear my 520d badge loud and proud and think of the BIK!!!!

Quite the contrary if I care at all - I want people to think my 530d is a 520d - I have an inner smile.

The main reason though is that I find badges a pain in the arse to clean around and polish and they spoil the lines of the boot lid - the car looks much more classy with no badge at all - they are so bling IMO.

And I bought the car for me, not to shout at anyone who cares or does not how much I could afford, how many litres or cyclinders I have, or whether I am burning oil or petrol - who cares?

I don't pay BIK !

[StealthBomber]

Originally Posted by rhinosaur

LOL
Great answer!

In my case, I ordered it without model designation because I honestly think the F11 looks beautiful badgeless. And it should be easy to judge what engine size it is by noticing one exhaust pipe on each side and that pristine I6 diesel engine rattle…

The 530d has twin side pipes like the 520d - only the 535d has pipes both sides.

A slight asside, but I was wondering only this morning - is there any external visual difference between a 530d and 520d? I don't think so - possibly the brake disc diameter, but I have not checked myself.

[rhinosaur]

Originally Posted by StealthBomber

The 530d has twin side pipes like the 520d - only the 535d has pipes both sides.

Yeah, that's what I said, the 535d has one on each side…

Originally Posted by StealthBomber

A slight asside, but I was wondering only this morning - is there any external visual difference between a 530d and 520d? I don't think so - possibly the brake disc diameter, but I have not checked myself.

I also think it's just the disc diameter.

[fat dog]

Originally Posted by StealthBomber

The 530d has twin side pipes like the 520d - only the 535d has pipes both sides.

A slight asside, but I was wondering only this morning - is there any external visual difference between a 530d and 520d? I don't think so - possibly the brake disc diameter, but I have not checked myself.

In the UK (at least), all but the 520d come with ambient lighting. In addition to adding LED's behind the exterior door handles it also gives chrome strips along the exterior door handles.

As most 520d's are bought to a budget, ambient lighting is rarely added. Hence, lack of chrome strips is an easy give away even if debadged.

[kc1953]

Originally Posted by Touring

I think badge is old school.

If you drive a 7 or 5 doesnt say anything about your wealth anymore, it just shows you pay a little more lease every month.

Not everyone leases, friend.

[LiveLarger]

Originally Posted by kc1953

Not everyone leases, friend.

His point is still valid. Lease or not. Noone here is going to raise an eyebrow if you drive a 7 series. And noone really gives a shit if you drive a F10/11 It's just another sedan/wagon among the sea of Audis/Mercedes etc.

[1badbimmer]

The best answer to this ? Is cause I can sorry but doesn't Everyone like it shaved

[dunderhi]

I debadged my 550xi right after redelivery in the USA. It stayed that way until I earned my Dinan badge.

[BigP535I]

on a side note- how are you guys debadging? Dental floss?

[dunderhi]

I used dental floss and then GooGone followed by some spray wax.

[DentalBoy]

I am embarresed of my 550i and want people to think it might be a 535 or 528.... It keeps people guessing.....

[ceebange061175]

I hv a Jet Blk 535I and replaced oem matte blk 535I emblem. I personally like it.

[Gran Turismo]

After 4 pages in this thread, I'm slightly wondering that nobody mentioned yet that new BMWs can be ordered without model designation badges in Europe by simply clicking the "badge delete" option in the BMW configurator tool.

IMHO there's probably a subtle difference between removing an existing badge (and possibly damaging the paint) and simply not ordering it.

Also, as opposed to the UK, I think that in Central Europe the vast majority of "non-badged" BMWs, MBs and Audis/VWs are equipped with bigger engines, multiple exhausts and bigger wheels.

So the motivation for ticking the "badge delete" option when ordering a higher-end model would be one or several of the following:

- Cleaner "stealth" look
- Understatement / modesty (i.e. avoiding envious reactions from acquaintances like neighbors, coworkers, etc. who can only afford a "reasonable, eco-friendly" car)
- While the car is parked somewhere in public, avoid provoking car haters / militant tree huggers because of badges suggesting a model with "excessive" emissions/fuel consumption