Why do some people debadge "special" cars?

[VR-Tech]

I recently picked up a second hand 2013 135is, and it was in pristine condition. Everything was great except one thing - it was debadged. Not sure I understand the logic of this, especially when this version is limited to 800 in the USA. Granted you can turn the regular 135 into the "is", but technically the "is" was limited run, hence somewhat special. Why would somebody want to debadge such a car?

Regularly produced cars I can understand, but not sure if you do it on a special one. Sort of like why debadge a 1M.

Any thoughts?

[c1pher]

Limited to 586 haha. I always figure if someone debadges it’s because they have the low end model and embarrassed they couldn’t afford more so try to hide it. But who really cares? I’ve never done it so
I don’t understand why.

[shawnj]

looks cleaner. who cares what people think.

if I had my way, I would have opted for no m sport badging.

M is special. IS..... not really.

[VR-Tech]

Originally Posted by shawnj

looks cleaner. who cares what people think.

if I had my way, I would have opted for no m sport badging.

M is special. IS..... not really.

Ok, I feel its missing something o the other hand, feels incomplete

[VR-Tech]

Moderator, can this thread be moved to the general discussion section?

[Esteban]

I like the badges the way they come from the factory, but can understand some people wanting the clean, debadged look. It's their car to do what they want with. That said, I'm not in love with all the Ms BMW puts on their cars.

[Denny347]

I do it because it's less clutter on the trunk lid. I drive a 330i, I'm not trying to hide that fact nor am I trying to pass it for a 335i. I also hated buffing/waxing around it.

[Beartato]

Originally Posted by Denny347

I also hated buffing/waxing around it.

This, badges are a wax trap. I do have to say though I haven't debadged mine since the badges BMW puts on their cars are easier to manage than other cars I've own, I'm looking at you Ford.

[AIRPOWER]

De-badging is pretty popular in Europe because of the high theft rate in larger size engines.

People in the USA do it because they think that it's cool to do because Europeans do it.

[E86Z]

If you've seen the badge on an "x3 sdrive28i ".. it's hardly appealing to look at

[xQx]

I've de-badged my 135i then put a hardly visible (black on black) ///M badge in its place.
I live in an area where theft is particularly low - so there's no logic here!

I debadge for two reasons:
1. Not to advertise that it's the top-of-the-range model. If you know your BMW's you'll know it's a 135i from the bumper & mags, but for everyone else: There's no need to advertise what I know I've got.
2. It's easier to clean.

I put ///M logos front back and side:
1) because I like them
2) as a subtle warning to other motorists that I'm a hoon,
3) because it pisses M3 drivers off.
I don't see it as 'pretending' to drive an M, since BMW is now putting them on every car they make. (Why BMW, Why?!)

Honestly, I'm considering removing them for exactly the same reasons.

If you buy a de-badged car, it's going to cost you about $20 on eBay to get replacement badges and put them on yourself, so don't loose any sleep over it.

... but to honestly answer your question: We all do things sometimes that defy logic. Any attempt to justify our actions is really just finding excuses.

[HyeWarrior]

Originally Posted by AIRPOWER

De-badging is pretty popular in Europe because of the high theft rate in larger size engines.

People in the USA do it because they think that it's cool to do because Europeans do it.

Not really, people usually do it to hide the fact that they got the cheaper/slower/smaller engine lol

[tranquility]

I don't understand it either but teto. I like to keep things oem personally.

[AmooManiak]

There are two type of people:

1. The ones who will know what car you have whether or not you have a badge on it just based on the exhaust.
2. The ones who can't tell a difference between a 528i and an M5.

In either case they won't be fooled so the logic of "trying to hide" is irrelevant. I do it because it looks much cleaner. People who know the 6 series lineup know that it's not an M6 or 640i based on the exhaust. People who don't know about the lineup couldn't tell a 640i from an M6 apart, so badging or de-badging is irrelevant because the car looks the same to them.

[CLH]

Originally Posted by Beartato

This, badges are a wax trap. I do have to say though I haven't debadged mine since the badges BMW puts on their cars are easier to manage than other cars I've own, I'm looking at you Ford.

+1

I have typically only done it in the past to get rid of lettering/badges that are tough to wax around, or on cars I've bought used that I wanted to get all the built-up gunk off of.

[rlmesq]

Originally Posted by xQx

I put ///M logos front back and side [...] because it pisses M3 drivers off.

Pass the popcorn, please!

[xQx]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

There are two type of people:

1. The ones who will know what car you have whether or not you have a badge on it just based on the exhaust.
2. The ones who can't tell a difference between a 528i and an M5.

In either case they won't be fooled so the logic of "trying to hide" is irrelevant.

I couldn't agree more, which is why I'm taking the M badges off ... either someone will know you're not driving a real M, or won't know what M means.

Though, I do think there's some logic in de-badging a early Model GTR, a subaru STI or a real 'M' - and that's that people who want to pinch your car probably don't know enough to tell a standard WRX from a STI, or a M5 from a 528i - without looking at the badges. So if you're not of the mindset "if you've got it, flaunt it" - debadging does carry some merit.

Exhausts are easy to fake - that's the real reason we all love quad exhausts on our 1'ers - the performance BMW's all have quads. The hardest thing to fake (and the best way to tell a real Skyline GTR from a GTS-T with GTR Badges) is the flaring of the guards.

[The Wind Breezes]

I took my badge off cuz who the hell cares that I have a 135i??? I mean, why would I advertise that if they can't already tell? lol really though it looks cleaner without.

[jgoens]

My 335 was de-badged when I bought it and like it better that way. Gives a clean look. I don't buy in to the whole trying to hide what my car is thing--I don't think the numbers and letters make the car look better.

[RED-d]

I have a jetta tdi and a 335d. I've debadged the "jetta" and the "335".
Just kept the "tdi" and the "d". I don't do it because Europeans do it or because I have a wimpy motor. In fact both are modded respectfully. I do it out of pride for what I have; to make a statement to the people who are tuned-in. Everyone else is clueless anyway.
And if you haven't figured it out by my very literal handle, all my letters are red.

[metrickid]

I ordered my M2 de-badged (Option 320) just because it looks cleaner.

[RED-d]

As a modern day philosopher puts it (me ): If you don't do anything to distinguish yourself, you are just part of the crowd.