De-badging / Emblem Removal - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

AskNiko · 05-23-2005, 12:45 PM

Hi All,
I noticed member "weytie" de-badged his E90

That's also one of the first things I would like to do once I get my car.

Any tips and or things to avoid in removing the rear 325i emblem?

I'm planning on saving the emblem so I can put it back when I sell the car in the future. Any tips on re-attaching it?

Thanks in advance.
Niko

Broken1 · 05-23-2005, 12:53 PM

I also want to debadge my car when i get it. I once had a saphire black 325 (E46) and I ordered it 'deletion of model badging' and they never did it. The dealer took an atm card, and just clipped the numbers off. It did leave some slight marks behind (especially on the black paint) but I just polished it out and it looked perfect.

As for sticking it back on, you would need to go buy more of the double sided tape they use, you could most likely get it from a spares shop or your local bmw garage. As far as I am aware, a new badge (including tape) is R300 (south africa) which would convert to about $50 US

Jason · 05-23-2005, 12:56 PM

For removing, use tough dental floss to slide behind the lettering and it should come off pretty easily (especially if you heat the area up first with a blowdryer). It may leave some residue, which you can further remove with goop remover you can find in auto stores.

Some debadged E90's

Weytie's E90

matrix · 05-23-2005, 01:44 PM

Just out of curiousity, what's the reason for "de-badging" the car/emblem?

scottz5 · 05-23-2005, 02:09 PM

Looks cleaner, but I am not sure if i am going to do it yet.

Pangearox · 05-23-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrix

Just out of curiousity, what's the reason for "de-badging" the car/emblem?

Cheap people that dont want other people knowing they didnt splurge for the 330i....HAHAHA....just kidding

honestly though....

vivid · 05-23-2005, 02:17 PM

As jwocky said, using a hairdryer will make it a bunch easier

wannabe · 05-23-2005, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pangearox

Cheap people that dont want other people knowing they didnt splurge for the 330i....HAHAHA....just kidding

Someone that spends > $30K on a car is not cheap. Besides you can tell the difference between 325i and 330i without the badges.

JBOO · 05-23-2005, 02:43 PM

It's common in Europe to debadge and in fact, it's a BMW option. IMO, it looks nicer, plus it's easier to clean. Really, who cares whether other people know you have a 320i or a 330i? It's still a 3 series.

Athos · 05-23-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwocky

For removing, use tough dental floss to slide behind the lettering and it should come off pretty easily (especially if you heat the area up first with a blowdryer). It may leave some residue, which you can further remove with goop remover you can find in auto stores.

Thanks, Jwocky. Does this work for the fin, too!

I know some people like the fin, but the car looks so much cleaner without it.

BimmerJon · 05-23-2005, 03:04 PM

I think it looks very nice without the badging. People in Europe are used to this, some here in the states might think it looks too bare without badging but that's cause we're used to it.

E90Newbie · 05-23-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pangearox

Cheap people that dont want other people knowing they didnt splurge for the 330i....HAHAHA....just kidding

I think this has some truth to it... i bet there are more unbadged 325 than 330. I was planning on unbadging mine if i bought a 325.

matrix · 05-23-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Newbie

I think this has some truth to it... i bet there are more unbadged 325 than 330. I was planning on unbadging mine if i bought a 325.

It's probably a 9 to 1 ratio, i.e. 9 unbadged 325 for every unbadged 330

- Paul - · 05-23-2005, 03:44 PM

This may cause an argument but it's not meant to!! The brits (in general) aren't bothered by telling the world what engine is in their car. It's just showmanship. The driver knows what power he has under his foot, why should anyone else? I have a 320D SE and mines unbadged purely because of this reason. I am not ashamed or embarrased that I didn't order a 330i. I don't want one. It also helps when you get the boy racers who tailgate you at 70mph. They see the single exhaust and assume I'm driving a 1.6 or something. Put my foot down - goodbye.

I apologise in advance if my point of view upsets anyone.

AskNiko · 05-23-2005, 04:14 PM

To badge or debadge is a personal preference. If I had a 330i, I will still most likely debadge the car. But then again, if "if" was a fifth, we would all be drunk.

Some people even go the other way and add more emblems and or stickers. It's your car, do what you want to do with it as long as you are not endangering anybody.

When I had an Audi TT three years ago, I almost debadged the car. For that car, it was called the "bare butt" look for obvious reasons. I sold the car before I was able remove the emblems and up to now, I still wish I had pictures of that car with the smooth look.

wannabe · 05-23-2005, 04:45 PM

Could you imagine de-badging the supposed 335? People wouldn't know until the hiss of the turbo...sweeeeeet.

ogrady · 05-23-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabe

Could you imagine de-badging the supposed 335? People wouldn't know until the hiss of the turbo...sweeeeeet.

Yup! which is another reason people debadge, to have the ultimate sleeper car!

Athos · 05-23-2005, 11:17 PM

I plan to debadge my 330 when I get it. It's a cleaner look.

skimo · 05-23-2005, 11:36 PM

No one braught this option up, debadge the 325 and add a 330.

or get a body kit and add an M3 badge...

make sure not to rev the engine or you will get busted !!

marcus330i · 05-24-2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skimo

No one braught this option up, debadge the 325 and add a 330.

or get a body kit and add an M3 badge...

make sure not to rev the engine or you will get busted !!

You better get the right wheels and the chrome bits front and rear or other BMerfiles will know you're a poser.

I was told by a real German guy that people with the biggest engines often debadge because they are afraid someone will vandalize their car out of jealousy. Not sure if this is true but it's pretty sad.

JBOO · 05-24-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcus330i

You better get the right wheels and the chrome bits front and rear or other BMerfiles will know you're a poser.

I was told by a real German guy that people with the biggest engines often debadge because they are afraid someone will vandalize their car out of jealousy. Not sure if this is true but it's pretty sad.

I've also heard this before and it is quite sad.

I would say the comments are true about there being more debadged 325's in the US than 330's. I guess most people want everyone to know they spent that extra $6K

On a similar issue I find funny, I recently saw a Corvette Z06 and it has a badge on it's side that states how much HP it has. Why would they do that?

voltron1011 · 05-24-2005, 04:25 AM

Or better yet, the Pontiac rim badges that let every one know it has ABS (anti lock brakes)?!?!? American cars are by far the worst when it comes to badges.

05-23-2005, 12:45 PM	#1
AskNiko Private First Class Drives: E90 325i + 4Runner Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Honolulu Posts: 86 iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 325i [0.00]	De-badging / Emblem Removal Hi All, I noticed member "weytie" de-badged his E90 That's also one of the first things I would like to do once I get my car. Any tips and or things to avoid in removing the rear 325i emblem? I'm planning on saving the emblem so I can put it back when I sell the car in the future. Any tips on re-attaching it? Thanks in advance. Niko __________________ \|U.S. Spec. 325i \| 6 Spd. Manual \| Titanium Silver \| Black Leatherette \| Aluminum Trim \| Sports Package \| Xenons \| Sat. Prep. \|
	Tweet

05-23-2005, 12:53 PM	#2
Broken1 E90 Addict Drives: E90 325i Sparking Graphite Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg Posts: 2,065 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Mazda MX-5 [0.00] 2005 (MY2006) BMW 320d [0.00]	I also want to debadge my car when i get it. I once had a saphire black 325 (E46) and I ordered it 'deletion of model badging' and they never did it. The dealer took an atm card, and just clipped the numbers off. It did leave some slight marks behind (especially on the black paint) but I just polished it out and it looked perfect. As for sticking it back on, you would need to go buy more of the double sided tape they use, you could most likely get it from a spares shop or your local bmw garage. As far as I am aware, a new badge (including tape) is R300 (south africa) which would convert to about $50 US __________________ Broken1.e90post.com / First Meet 11 June Photo's

05-23-2005, 02:09 PM	#5
scottz5 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 11 F10 535i & 11.75 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 1,619 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330 [0.00]	Looks cleaner, but I am not sure if i am going to do it yet. __________________ 11.75 E93 M3 MR/Black (wifey) 11 F10 535i AW/Cin Brown

05-23-2005, 02:17 PM	#7
vivid Private First Class Drives: 135i, 323i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA. Posts: 825 iTrader: (0)	As jwocky said, using a hairdryer will make it a bunch easier __________________ Current: 135i, 323i wagon. Sold:GTI Sold: FX45 Sold: E36 M3

05-23-2005, 04:14 PM	#15
AskNiko Private First Class Drives: E90 325i + 4Runner Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Honolulu Posts: 86 iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 325i [0.00]	To badge or debadge is a personal preference. If I had a 330i, I will still most likely debadge the car. But then again, if "if" was a fifth, we would all be drunk. Some people even go the other way and add more emblems and or stickers. It's your car, do what you want to do with it as long as you are not endangering anybody. When I had an Audi TT three years ago, I almost debadged the car. For that car, it was called the "bare butt" look for obvious reasons. I sold the car before I was able remove the emblems and up to now, I still wish I had pictures of that car with the smooth look. __________________ \|U.S. Spec. 325i \| 6 Spd. Manual \| Titanium Silver \| Black Leatherette \| Aluminum Trim \| Sports Package \| Xenons \| Sat. Prep. \|

05-23-2005, 12:56 PM	#3
Jason Administrator Drives: Atom Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: IoT Posts: 10,366 iTrader: (0)	For removing, use tough dental floss to slide behind the lettering and it should come off pretty easily (especially if you heat the area up first with a blowdryer). It may leave some residue, which you can further remove with goop remover you can find in auto stores. Some debadged E90's Weytie's E90

05-23-2005, 01:44 PM	#4
matrix Private First Class Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York Posts: 74 iTrader: (0)	Just out of curiousity, what's the reason for "de-badging" the car/emblem?

05-23-2005, 02:43 PM	#9
JBOO First Lieutenant Drives: BMW 535d Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 287 iTrader: (0)	It's common in Europe to debadge and in fact, it's a BMW option. IMO, it looks nicer, plus it's easier to clean. Really, who cares whether other people know you have a 320i or a 330i? It's still a 3 series.

05-23-2005, 03:04 PM	#11
BimmerJon Private Drives: 328ci Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Univ. of Mich. Posts: 73 iTrader: (0)	I think it looks very nice without the badging. People in Europe are used to this, some here in the states might think it looks too bare without badging but that's cause we're used to it.

05-23-2005, 03:44 PM	#14
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 6,755 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [5.00] 2005 645 [4.50]	This may cause an argument but it's not meant to!! The brits (in general) aren't bothered by telling the world what engine is in their car. It's just showmanship. The driver knows what power he has under his foot, why should anyone else? I have a 320D SE and mines unbadged purely because of this reason. I am not ashamed or embarrased that I didn't order a 330i. I don't want one. It also helps when you get the boy racers who tailgate you at 70mph. They see the single exhaust and assume I'm driving a 1.6 or something. Put my foot down - goodbye. I apologise in advance if my point of view upsets anyone.

05-23-2005, 04:45 PM	#16
wannabe Private First Class Drives: 2008 BMW 335i e93 6MT Join Date: May 2005 Location: Az Posts: 198 iTrader: (0)	Could you imagine de-badging the supposed 335? People wouldn't know until the hiss of the turbo...sweeeeeet.

05-23-2005, 11:17 PM	#18
Athos Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i 6-spd Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 229 iTrader: (0)	I plan to debadge my 330 when I get it. It's a cleaner look.

05-23-2005, 11:36 PM	#19
skimo Lieutenant Drives: 2011 335 vert Dinan II Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin Texas !! Posts: 509 iTrader: (1)	No one braught this option up, debadge the 325 and add a 330. or get a body kit and add an M3 badge... make sure not to rev the engine or you will get busted !!

05-24-2005, 04:25 AM	#22
voltron1011 Colonel Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden Posts: 2,912 iTrader: (2)	Or better yet, the Pontiac rim badges that let every one know it has ABS (anti lock brakes)?!?!? American cars are by far the worst when it comes to badges.