Rebadged the 335i - My first Mod (pics) - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

TripleBlack · 10-03-2012, 11:58 AM

Hey people.
Thought I'd mention here that I rebadged my car this evening. There wasn't much information on here about it but I pieced it all together and gathered the courage to actually do my first mod. I suppose I could do a DIY write up seeing as there isnt one, but I carried it out in such away that I wouldn't encourage others to do; but from every angle I think I did a great job.

So I got the car and didn't noticed it was factory debadged until its first wash. Since then I wasn't too happy to be driving around in a 'not so obvious' 335i.
Done my research and settled on the gloss black type from ebay for about £12.
Took ages to come and it spent months laying inside the boot.

When it came to doing the job. I simply washed down the target area using normal dish washing liquid (good degreaser) and waited for it to dry. I lined up everything using a ruler and masking tape making sure the 90 degree angles were right. I used zoomed in photos I could find of the OEM location to base my measurements. The task took me about an hour because I didnt want a hint of a mistake; making a mistake would mean ruining the 3M glue strip on the back among other things.
Really proud of myself

.
Now from a distance the car looks debadge but from the right angle or light you can see its model name.
Heres some quick pics, maybe I'll add a better one when the cars properly washed.

SA320 · 10-03-2012, 12:45 PM

I like it!!!

AWBimmer · 10-03-2012, 01:51 PM

Like it a lot mate!

thejimreaper · 10-03-2012, 01:56 PM

These are great, just done mine.

vblanche · 10-03-2012, 02:14 PM

nice...

P 5UML · 10-03-2012, 03:47 PM

Simple and effective!!! Makes it more stealth!!

top mod!!

parapaul · 10-03-2012, 04:55 PM

Looks brilliant

you got a link for the badges on ebay? I bought mine from the states and paid more for the shipping than the badges

TripleBlack · 10-04-2012, 04:55 AM

Thanks guys, I'll try and arrange a day time and night time photo using a descent camera in the next couple days once its cleaned.

You can find the emblems doing a quick eBay search. There was about 3 people/companies selling them.

xenon · 10-04-2012, 04:59 AM

Looks great but the "i" isn't parallel to the "5". Closer at the top, isn't it?

TripleBlack · 10-04-2012, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

Looks great but the "i" isn't parallel to the "5". Closer at the top, isn't it?

maybe you're right there. I think I got the distance between the too of them right; but because the 'I' is slanted a bit, it was difficult to get it perfect. Plus once the glue strip touches the surface there isnt much adjustments you can do. Maybe a better angle shot will confirm this.

xenon · 10-04-2012, 05:28 AM

When I did the same job I lined the letters up on a table and then stuck a 3" wide masking tape over the top to hold in that position. Then turn it over and remove the backing tape from the individual letters and then apply to the car as one. Once pressed down remove the masking tape et voila!

TripleBlack · 10-04-2012, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

When I did the same job I lined the letters up on a table and then stuck a 3" wide masking tape over the top to hold in that position. Then turn it over and remove the backing tape from the individual letters and then apply to the car as one. Once pressed down remove the masking tape et voila!

didnt trust myself doing it that way, but that would seem like a smarter option.

Checked the 'I' out and it does seem a bit wobbley due to the thickness of the 3M tape, hence why adjusting it after the initial first contact hasnt worked. Maybe I'll remove just the 'I' and try again with some tape from Halfords.

basitha · 10-10-2012, 10:47 AM

very neat mod!

TripleBlack · 10-11-2012, 12:44 PM

Thanks.
These are the last pics I could come up with using an iphone4. Dont have the spare cash for a fancy DSLR-whatchamacallit.
You can see the the there/not there effect which I'm very happy with.
Next Mod: spacers

mistryn · 10-11-2012, 03:02 PM

looking good there I have too thought about re badging my D but cant seem to find any on ebay

dav_e92 · 10-11-2012, 04:36 PM

Looks great! Perfect balance of badging and debadging for a black car. Best of both worlds

Nigelo · 10-12-2012, 04:11 AM

I like it against the black of the car - I did a similar thing when I had a red mazda 3 mps and I loved it.

I've gone for a gloss black scheme on my e92, but think ill leave the badges chrome, just not sure it'd look quite right on a space gray car, just can't put my finger on it.

Hotcoupe · 10-12-2012, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistryn

looking good there I have too thought about re badging my D but cant seem to find any on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-320d-3...item3a78415000

mistryn · 10-12-2012, 06:02 AM

Thanks Hotcoupe, for some reason when I searched on ebay the only ones I could see were the standard ones from BMW at £23.66

mistryn · 10-20-2012, 07:57 AM

just got my 335d badge today, Trippleblack i dont suppose you coule measure the distance from the bottom of the leterring to the edge pf the boot lid and the spacing distance between the lettering?

SBN · 10-20-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistryn

just got my 335d badge today, Trippleblack i dont suppose you coule measure the distance from the bottom of the leterring to the edge pf the boot lid and the spacing distance between the lettering?

This might help

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...23&postcount=3

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=668949

TripleBlack · 10-20-2012, 12:26 PM

hey, you know I spent a couple days trying to find those two posts before I rebadged! Couldn't find it anywhere! I read them once when I first joined the forum.

As I said I wouldn't really recommend the way I did it but it came out pretty much perfect. I started by noticing how the 'i' lines up with the dip in the boot near the number plate and worked my way backwards from there using close up photos of 335i badges on my iPad.
I lined up masking tape at the base of where the digits would be and used a protractor to make sure I got my right angles right when making a box with the tape. I tripled

the layer of the tape to make a surface layer where I could rest or guide the alignment of the digits.
Again using the photos as reference I figured out that the distance between digits was a quarter inch and marked that on the tape. Note that the distance between the letter and the numbers is slightly bigger.
Looking at the details in those two links again, I feel more confident that I got it near perfect.

What I didn't do is measure it against the roundel and the lights. I'm sure doing so would further help with alignment..... all that means little if you got shaky hands and you place the letters wrong in the end, as per my very slightly off 'i'.

If you still want my measurements I can sort it out for you tomorrow when its light.

10-03-2012, 11:58 AM	#1
TripleBlack Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 BMW E93 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	Rebadged the 335i - My first Mod (pics) Hey people. Thought I'd mention here that I rebadged my car this evening. There wasn't much information on here about it but I pieced it all together and gathered the courage to actually do my first mod. I suppose I could do a DIY write up seeing as there isnt one, but I carried it out in such away that I wouldn't encourage others to do; but from every angle I think I did a great job. So I got the car and didn't noticed it was factory debadged until its first wash. Since then I wasn't too happy to be driving around in a 'not so obvious' 335i. Done my research and settled on the gloss black type from ebay for about £12. Took ages to come and it spent months laying inside the boot. When it came to doing the job. I simply washed down the target area using normal dish washing liquid (good degreaser) and waited for it to dry. I lined up everything using a ruler and masking tape making sure the 90 degree angles were right. I used zoomed in photos I could find of the OEM location to base my measurements. The task took me about an hour because I didnt want a hint of a mistake; making a mistake would mean ruining the 3M glue strip on the back among other things. Really proud of myself . Now from a distance the car looks debadge but from the right angle or light you can see its model name. Heres some quick pics, maybe I'll add a better one when the cars properly washed. Attached Images
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10-03-2012, 01:51 PM	#3
AWBimmer Can He? Drives: E92 335D Pre-LCI Join Date: May 2011 Location: Wheels in Motion Posts: 2,700 iTrader: (3)	Like it a lot mate! __________________ Now: E92 335D Gone But Not Forgotten: E90 320D Alpine White

10-03-2012, 02:14 PM	#5
vblanche Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 E91 alpina D3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bristol Posts: 236 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E91 Alpina D3 [5.00]	nice... __________________ 2007 E91 Alpina D3

10-03-2012, 03:47 PM	#6
P 5UML Major Drives: BMW E92 325D M Sport Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: London Posts: 1,029 iTrader: (1)	Simple and effective!!! Makes it more stealth!! top mod!! __________________ E92 - 325D M Sport

10-03-2012, 04:55 PM	#7
parapaul Lieutenant Colonel Drives: E91 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 1,942 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E91 330D MSport [0.00]	Looks brilliant you got a link for the badges on ebay? I bought mine from the states and paid more for the shipping than the badges __________________

10-03-2012, 12:45 PM	#2
SA320 Private First Class Drives: BMW 320i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: UK Posts: 100 iTrader: (0)	I like it!!!

10-03-2012, 01:56 PM	#4
thejimreaper Private First Class Drives: 2006 330d m sport Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 195 iTrader: (1)	These are great, just done mine.

10-04-2012, 04:55 AM	#8
TripleBlack Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 BMW E93 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, I'll try and arrange a day time and night time photo using a descent camera in the next couple days once its cleaned. You can find the emblems doing a quick eBay search. There was about 3 people/companies selling them.

10-04-2012, 04:59 AM	#9
xenon Brigadier General Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,234 iTrader: (0)	Looks great but the "i" isn't parallel to the "5". Closer at the top, isn't it? __________________ Ian Current: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, Professional Media, Visibility Pack, Reversing Camera, DAB Previous: 2011 F10 520d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2

10-04-2012, 05:28 AM	#11
xenon Brigadier General Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,234 iTrader: (0)	When I did the same job I lined the letters up on a table and then stuck a 3" wide masking tape over the top to hold in that position. Then turn it over and remove the backing tape from the individual letters and then apply to the car as one. Once pressed down remove the masking tape et voila! __________________ Ian Current: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, Professional Media, Visibility Pack, Reversing Camera, DAB Previous: 2011 F10 520d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2

10-10-2012, 10:47 AM	#13
basitha New Member Drives: BMW E92 325i se Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: East London Posts: 7 iTrader: (0)	very neat mod!

10-11-2012, 12:44 PM	#14
TripleBlack Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 BMW E93 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	last pics Thanks. These are the last pics I could come up with using an iphone4. Dont have the spare cash for a fancy DSLR-whatchamacallit. You can see the the there/not there effect which I'm very happy with. Next Mod: spacers Attached Images

10-11-2012, 03:02 PM	#15
mistryn Lieutenant Colonel Drives: BMW 335D Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mids Posts: 1,598 iTrader: (7)	looking good there I have too thought about re badging my D but cant seem to find any on ebay

10-11-2012, 04:36 PM	#16
dav_e92 New Member Drives: 2011 e92 335i BSM Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 16 iTrader: (0)	Looks great! Perfect balance of badging and debadging for a black car. Best of both worlds

10-12-2012, 04:11 AM	#17
Nigelo Lieutenant Drives: E92 335i se Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 457 iTrader: (1)	I like it against the black of the car - I did a similar thing when I had a red mazda 3 mps and I loved it. I've gone for a gloss black scheme on my e92, but think ill leave the badges chrome, just not sure it'd look quite right on a space gray car, just can't put my finger on it.

10-12-2012, 06:02 AM	#19
mistryn Lieutenant Colonel Drives: BMW 335D Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mids Posts: 1,598 iTrader: (7)	Thanks Hotcoupe, for some reason when I searched on ebay the only ones I could see were the standard ones from BMW at £23.66 Last edited by mistryn; 10-12-2012 at 06:38 AM.

10-20-2012, 07:57 AM	#20
mistryn Lieutenant Colonel Drives: BMW 335D Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mids Posts: 1,598 iTrader: (7)	just got my 335d badge today, Trippleblack i dont suppose you coule measure the distance from the bottom of the leterring to the edge pf the boot lid and the spacing distance between the lettering?

10-20-2012, 12:26 PM	#22
TripleBlack Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 BMW E93 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	hey, you know I spent a couple days trying to find those two posts before I rebadged! Couldn't find it anywhere! I read them once when I first joined the forum. As I said I wouldn't really recommend the way I did it but it came out pretty much perfect. I started by noticing how the 'i' lines up with the dip in the boot near the number plate and worked my way backwards from there using close up photos of 335i badges on my iPad. I lined up masking tape at the base of where the digits would be and used a protractor to make sure I got my right angles right when making a box with the tape. I tripled the layer of the tape to make a surface layer where I could rest or guide the alignment of the digits. Again using the photos as reference I figured out that the distance between digits was a quarter inch and marked that on the tape. Note that the distance between the letter and the numbers is slightly bigger. Looking at the details in those two links again, I feel more confident that I got it near perfect. What I didn't do is measure it against the roundel and the lights. I'm sure doing so would further help with alignment..... all that means little if you got shaky hands and you place the letters wrong in the end, as per my very slightly off 'i'. If you still want my measurements I can sort it out for you tomorrow when its light.

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