Debadge or Keep the Badge?

ki__ · 02-22-2009, 10:51 PM

Ok so many people tell me different things everyday. The One thing holding me back from debadging my car, is that people might mistake it for the 128i. cause not everyone is so into cars and can tell the difference with out the badge.

Is it worth debadging? has anyone who debadged their car gotten 128i remarks?

Papa13 · 02-22-2009, 10:55 PM

I have debadged every car that I have owned. Back to a corvette, a porsche, x5 and e90. It makes the car look so clean. If you want people to know that you have a 135i then keep the badge on.

But, there is nothing like a debadged car. Looks how it should IMO.

1speedbike · 02-22-2009, 11:17 PM

Haha who cares what other people think! More people will just plain wonder what the hell your car is at this point (I still barely see 1ers on the road, everyone still stares, even in the NYC area and Baltimore where I alternate between) than those who will know enough to wonder if its a 128 or 135. And if you're worried about appearances, do some cheap yet cool exterior mods on the car, it'll make you seem more "special" than a "35" after your 1 ;]

PS.. what's wrong with a 128?? Any BMW, even the "baby" (if you can call it that) 1 series, is in many many many many ways superior to 90% of the cars you will see on the road. Well, depending on what part of CA you live in. But even in the NYC area this still applies..

PS I just debadged, changed over to red roundels, shadowline grille, and and thinking about CF accents. The car already looks so great I don't really care what "number" people think it is. And if you're really that worried, check out the shadowline number badges: http://www.bimmian.com/SVE/82 Not exactly debadging, but on a BSM car it'll look very subtle, but your "135i" will still be there ;]

BSM 135i · 02-23-2009, 12:22 AM

^^ here's a pic of matte shadow emblems on my BSM.

Bullitt · 02-23-2009, 02:32 AM

I didn't think I'd see one, but I recently saw a debadged E92 M3...

Does it really matter if someone mistakes it for a 128i? You know what it is. It should be known when it matters anyway. Just don't be gentle with the pedal when it's a concern.

swiftss13 · 02-23-2009, 07:47 AM

I debadged the second day that i had the car!

Pol · 02-23-2009, 09:02 AM

Mine is coming Thursday without badge. Like one said : "I know what it is.., and that's more than enough".

SV Concepts II · 02-24-2009, 05:03 PM

My vote goes to debadge. All of my bimmers have always been debadged.

Although I'll be breaking the trend by putting 332i shadow emblems on the E36 as soon as I get the new motor in.

italiantank26 · 02-24-2009, 06:33 PM

I debadged my 128i, but i hope people dont confuse it for a 135

Ibedon · 02-25-2009, 11:29 AM

I've been thinking about rebadging my 135.

How about...
153i, 351i, 1i35, 13i5 or 1i?

Just kidding. But I do plan to debadge as soon as I have the time to do it. I think it looks very clean and as long as I know what I paid for, who cares?

jkp1187 · 02-25-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlacknRedi

Ok so many people tell me different things everyday. The One thing holding me back from debadging my car, is that people might mistake it for the 128i. cause not everyone is so into cars and can tell the difference with out the badge.

Is it worth debadging? has anyone who debadged their car gotten 128i remarks?

I'm very seriously thinking of debadging when I get my car just b/c I like the cleaner look.

Why worry what other people think anyway? Reminds me of the comment someone else made on this forum to the effect that he worried about what some punk doing valet parking thought about his cars.

The people who know cars will know what a fine vehicle you have. The people who don't know cars, but care about appearances will look askance at you for buying the "cheap" BMW - they won't even know the distinction between a 128i and a 135i anyway. The people who don't know cars and don't care about appearances won't care one way or another.

And in the right circumstances, being mistaken for a 128i is a serious advantage.

SV Concepts II · 02-26-2009, 06:16 PM

Some may mistake it for a 128, but only until they hear your turbos spool up.

tom @ eas · 02-26-2009, 07:08 PM

Get rid of the badge - looks so much cleaner.

jeremyc74 · 02-26-2009, 07:22 PM

I was walking out to my car the other day and saw these two guys (father and son) walking around it. I overheard the son say "I'm not sure which one it is!" and then the Dad noticed the brakes and told him he was pretty sure it was a 135i. I've also had people pull up next to me in traffic and actually ask which model it is. It wasn't really my intention to begin with, but I think it's interesting to see who takes notice of it.

mugennosora · 02-26-2009, 08:22 PM

come with the name keep the name, you wouldn't de-name your car why would you debadge your car? would you like me to remove one of you toe? you're still you just miss a toe...or shave your head it looks clean....you wouldn't do that just because it looks clean would you? you wouldn't.. my vote goes to keep the badge. but i am against adding badge.

rawbert54 · 02-26-2009, 08:36 PM

removing a toe might affect your ability to run, but removing your badges wont affect the cars ability to go. not a good analogy.
debadge. If the letters were cooler, molded or unique in some other way i wouldn't mind. but as it stands, they are cheap plastic stickers affixed to my beautiful paint job. debadge for the same reason you wouldn't put a bumper sticker on the car.

BimmerLearner · 02-26-2009, 08:39 PM

Maybe people dont want others to think they bought a poor mans bimmer with the 1.. it doesnt get the same respect as a 3 for example.

BMW put a 135 on it so im leaving it there.

BAV_M_PWR · 02-26-2009, 08:40 PM

I say it's whatever you prefer...

The enthusiasts will ask, and the non-enthusiasts won't care. Either way, at the end of the
day, it comes down to penis measuring...and someone else's will always be bigger...

:

rawbert54 · 02-26-2009, 08:42 PM

i disagree about the respect thing. nobody notices a 3 on the road, they are everywhere. i get asked about my car all the time. as far as poor mans Bimmer, my car cost me more than the 3 i was looking at.

BimmerLearner · 02-26-2009, 08:52 PM

Doesnt matter what it cost; people see 1 series and think bottom of the totem.

M3_Dust · 02-26-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAV_M_PWR

I say it's whatever you prefer...

The enthusiasts will ask, and the non-enthusiasts won't care. Either way, at the end of the
day, it comes down to penis measuring...and someone else's will always be bigger...

:

mine's smaller

Garduna · 02-27-2009, 01:06 AM

Ppl can do whatever they want to the car

You got it cuz you love it right? My isn't debadged but about 2 weeks ago, a guy in a M3 was tailgating me trying to get a good look at my car. He eventually got on the right side lane and began eyeing every part of the car, I honestly thought he was going to crash into the car infront of him. Just to remind you guys, mine is a 128i, NOT a 135i lol!!!

View Poll Results: Debadge? or Keep
Debadge	97	62.99%
Keep	57	37.01%
Voters: 154. You may not vote on this poll

02-22-2009, 10:51 PM	#1
ki__ Brigadier General 409 Rep 3,479 Posts Drives: 19 M2C 6MT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2019 BMW F87 M2C [0.00]	Debadge or Keep the Badge? Ok so many people tell me different things everyday. The One thing holding me back from debadging my car, is that people might mistake it for the 128i. cause not everyone is so into cars and can tell the difference with out the badge. Is it worth debadging? has anyone who debadged their car gotten 128i remarks?
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02-22-2009, 10:55 PM	#2
Papa13 Go Gators! 90 Rep 1,621 Posts Drives: e82 / e90 / e53 / e46 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa / SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	I have debadged every car that I have owned. Back to a corvette, a porsche, x5 and e90. It makes the car look so clean. If you want people to know that you have a 135i then keep the badge on. But, there is nothing like a debadged car. Looks how it should IMO. __________________ e90 M-Tech 330i JB/Terra / e82 n54 135i AW/CR 420rwhp 444rwtq - RIP e53 X5 4.8is M///BLUE/M///SUEDE - 357whp 369wtq - The Snow Beast! n54 135i JB/CR JB4 FBO - Tc Kline D/A Coils - 11.5 @ 122mph 1/4 mile 18' Blue/Black SEL Premium R-Line 4 Motion Tiguan - Mods on order
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02-22-2009, 11:17 PM	#3
1speedbike Brigadier General 732 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2022 X4 M40i, 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MKE iTrader: (15)	Haha who cares what other people think! More people will just plain wonder what the hell your car is at this point (I still barely see 1ers on the road, everyone still stares, even in the NYC area and Baltimore where I alternate between) than those who will know enough to wonder if its a 128 or 135. And if you're worried about appearances, do some cheap yet cool exterior mods on the car, it'll make you seem more "special" than a "35" after your 1 ;] PS.. what's wrong with a 128?? Any BMW, even the "baby" (if you can call it that) 1 series, is in many many many many ways superior to 90% of the cars you will see on the road. Well, depending on what part of CA you live in. But even in the NYC area this still applies.. PS I just debadged, changed over to red roundels, shadowline grille, and and thinking about CF accents. The car already looks so great I don't really care what "number" people think it is. And if you're really that worried, check out the shadowline number badges: http://www.bimmian.com/SVE/82 Not exactly debadging, but on a BSM car it'll look very subtle, but your "135i" will still be there ;] __________________ 2022 X4 M40i - 2008 135i - 2015 F700GS On Order - 2024 i4 M50 Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived... Mmhm.
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02-23-2009, 12:22 AM	#4
BSM 135i Colonel 207 Rep 2,229 Posts Drives: 08' BSM E82 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (23)	^^ here's a pic of matte shadow emblems on my BSM.
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02-23-2009, 02:32 AM	#5
Bullitt Major 91 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (18) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	I didn't think I'd see one, but I recently saw a debadged E92 M3... Does it really matter if someone mistakes it for a 128i? You know what it is. It should be known when it matters anyway. Just don't be gentle with the pedal when it's a concern.
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02-23-2009, 07:47 AM	#6
swiftss13 808 Member 10 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 09 135i /05 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ewa Beach, HI iTrader: (0)	I debadged the second day that i had the car!
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02-23-2009, 09:02 AM	#7
Pol Major 1119 Rep 1,407 Posts Drives: M2 CS BMS DCT August 2020 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Mine is coming Thursday without badge. Like one said : "I know what it is.., and that's more than enough".
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02-24-2009, 05:03 PM	#8
SV Concepts II 269 Rep 6,093 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (7)	My vote goes to debadge. All of my bimmers have always been debadged. Although I'll be breaking the trend by putting 332i shadow emblems on the E36 as soon as I get the new motor in.
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02-24-2009, 06:33 PM	#9
italiantank26 First Lieutenant 34 Rep 381 Posts Drives: BMW 128i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [0.00]	I debadged my 128i, but i hope people dont confuse it for a 135
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02-25-2009, 11:29 AM	#10
Ibedon 1More 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 09 135i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	I've been thinking about rebadging my 135. How about... 153i, 351i, 1i35, 13i5 or 1i? Just kidding. But I do plan to debadge as soon as I have the time to do it. I think it looks very clean and as long as I know what I paid for, who cares? __________________ 09 135i Coupe \| CashSilver \| Taupether \| GrayPop \| Steptronic \| Premium \| Comfort \| PDC \| iPod \| Smartphone \|
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02-26-2009, 06:16 PM	#12
SV Concepts II 269 Rep 6,093 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (7)	Some may mistake it for a 128, but only until they hear your turbos spool up.
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02-26-2009, 07:08 PM	#13
tom @ eas General 8208 Rep 18,823 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (19) Garage List 2018 BMW i3s [5.00] 2010 BMW M3 [6.50] 2015 BMW M4 [6.20]	Get rid of the badge - looks so much cleaner. __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
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02-26-2009, 07:22 PM	#14
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I was walking out to my car the other day and saw these two guys (father and son) walking around it. I overheard the son say "I'm not sure which one it is!" and then the Dad noticed the brakes and told him he was pretty sure it was a 135i. I've also had people pull up next to me in traffic and actually ask which model it is. It wasn't really my intention to begin with, but I think it's interesting to see who takes notice of it.
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02-26-2009, 08:22 PM	#15
mugennosora Master Wang 37 Rep 444 Posts Drives: YMB 2016 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Framingham MA iTrader: (3)	come with the name keep the name, you wouldn't de-name your car why would you debadge your car? would you like me to remove one of you toe? you're still you just miss a toe...or shave your head it looks clean....you wouldn't do that just because it looks clean would you? you wouldn't.. my vote goes to keep the badge. but i am against adding badge.
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02-26-2009, 08:36 PM	#16
rawbert54 Private First Class 6 Rep 129 Posts Drives: sedona Reda 128i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: fort lauderdale iTrader: (0)	removing a toe might affect your ability to run, but removing your badges wont affect the cars ability to go. not a good analogy. debadge. If the letters were cooler, molded or unique in some other way i wouldn't mind. but as it stands, they are cheap plastic stickers affixed to my beautiful paint job. debadge for the same reason you wouldn't put a bumper sticker on the car.
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02-26-2009, 08:39 PM	#17
BimmerLearner My car is less than a week old and on its 3rd tank 12 Rep 379 Posts Drives: Tiag 135 Vert Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE iTrader: (0)	Maybe people dont want others to think they bought a poor mans bimmer with the 1.. it doesnt get the same respect as a 3 for example. BMW put a 135 on it so im leaving it there.
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02-26-2009, 08:40 PM	#18
BAV_M_PWR Enlisted Member 1 Rep 37 Posts Drives: '03 ///M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	I say it's whatever you prefer... The enthusiasts will ask, and the non-enthusiasts won't care. Either way, at the end of the day, it comes down to penis measuring...and someone else's will always be bigger...:
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02-26-2009, 08:42 PM	#19
rawbert54 Private First Class 6 Rep 129 Posts Drives: sedona Reda 128i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: fort lauderdale iTrader: (0)	i disagree about the respect thing. nobody notices a 3 on the road, they are everywhere. i get asked about my car all the time. as far as poor mans Bimmer, my car cost me more than the 3 i was looking at.
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02-26-2009, 08:52 PM	#20
BimmerLearner My car is less than a week old and on its 3rd tank 12 Rep 379 Posts Drives: Tiag 135 Vert Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE iTrader: (0)	Doesnt matter what it cost; people see 1 series and think bottom of the totem.
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02-27-2009, 01:06 AM	#22
Garduna Brigadier General 160 Rep 4,013 Posts Drives: Sedona 1er\|Yellow S3\|NardoTTRS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	Ppl can do whatever they want to the car You got it cuz you love it right? My isn't debadged but about 2 weeks ago, a guy in a M3 was tailgating me trying to get a good look at my car. He eventually got on the right side lane and began eyeing every part of the car, I honestly thought he was going to crash into the car infront of him. Just to remind you guys, mine is a 128i, NOT a 135i lol!!!
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