Side emblem removed

Z4-Archon · 07-14-2009, 10:03 AM

Well,

I finally removed the side emblems on the car "SDrive 35i" and I think the car looks better off for it. You can see pictures of it on and off in my gallery if you like. Here are some pictures of the car freshly washed with it removed, and a few shots of the lights. Sorry about the dead grass laying around after mowing, and the poor cropping in one photo.

Does anyone like the side badging? If it just said 35i I think it would be okay.

This one is my favorite, while wet:

Side view, top down:

Tail light, very pretty:

Headlight with lowbeams off:

Headlight with lowbeams on:

supernobita · 07-14-2009, 10:51 AM

Wow Very beautiful ride you got. The car looks neat without the badge. And those head and tail light shots are stunning

richard in NC · 07-14-2009, 05:31 PM

Yes, a much cleaner look with out the badges. Nice!

Nate@IND · 07-14-2009, 06:21 PM

Looks great! Will be doing some OEM E89 painted reflectors soon

Mark · 07-14-2009, 06:33 PM

much better!

twin turbo · 07-14-2009, 07:58 PM

I have the same color car with the 19's, beige interior though. I love the Alpine White. How did you remove the badges? I would like to remove mine as well. Did it leave any residue on the paint?

By the way, I still have the side angle picture of your car as my wallpaper on my computer at work. I had been waiting for the car to arrive for a couple of weeks and your picture was the best one I had seen. I finally picked it up this past Saturday.

Jason · 07-14-2009, 08:30 PM

CLEAN!! Perfect look for white.

teagueAMX · 07-14-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4-Archon

Well,

I finally removed the side emblems on the car "SDrive 35i" and I think the car looks better off for it. You can see pictures of it on and off in my gallery if you like. Here are some pictures of the car freshly washed with it removed, and a few shots of the lights. Sorry about the dead grass laying around after mowing, and the poor cropping in one photo.

Does anyone like the side badging? If it just said 35i I think it would be okay.

Your Z4 looks absolutely fabulous w/o the badging. I'm curious how you managed to get the emblems off w/o damaging the paint or leaving some junk on it.

From a photography perspective, the night shots are incredible. How did you manage to get such precise, clear images with so little light?

Otago · 07-14-2009, 11:29 PM

Please teach me how to remove the emblems without scratching the paintcoat?

Shinobi · 07-14-2009, 11:48 PM

Godddayum that car looks good. Very nice and clean!

When I see the old Z4 =

When I see the new Z4 =

Inside and out there is nothing I like about the old version over the new one. Even my friends who really don't care for recent BMW designs find it to be a gorgeous car. A real winner.

Z4-Archon · 07-15-2009, 12:34 AM

Hi again,

To answer some of the above questions:

Removal of the emblems is simple enough, but time consuming. First I use a heat gun to heat up the emblem and more importantly the glue behind it. Then I take some 50 lb monofilament fishing line and use a 2 foot section of that with a couple of dowels to run it behind each emblem one at a time. This leaves a fair amount of the sticker behind which I pull off as much as I can by hand. Usually I just push it around with my thumb or finger until it peels off. For whatever is left I use "Goo Gone" and/or gasoline to remove that. Immediately finishing that I wash the car and re-wax that body panel. The guys at the body shop told me that they do the same thing but have used the nylon packing straps that bind boxes as it is easier to manage and much stronger than fishing line. I have not tried those as I think they would scratch the car.

As far as the night photos, it is more the camera than me. I have a Canon 5D Mk. II that I hand held. I had the camera in manual mode and simply adjusted the fstop and shutter speed until I got it to where I wanted it. I think the camera was shooting at 3200 ISO though. I hand held it because I was too lazy to go get the tripod

Thanks for all the kind words, I am very happy with how the car looks now. I wish I had known of the option code for the sdrive delete from the car. Someone posted it earlier, something like 320.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

tiborakos · 07-15-2009, 01:42 AM

Badge removal is Code320 at least in EU. I was reluctant at first, so i left it on...think i will have to remove it as well...only thing when you remove it with the initial order is that i think you also miss the badge @ the rear, not sure though...

yabbanoname · 07-15-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiborakos

Badge removal is Code320 at least in EU. I was reluctant at first, so i left it on...think i will have to remove it as well...only thing when you remove it with the initial order is that i think you also miss the badge @ the rear, not sure though...

Was that code not the "removal" of the Z4 badge at the rear ?

JeF4y · 07-15-2009, 08:12 AM

Another product to consider for removing adhesive without damaging the surface is 3M Adhesive Remover. Most auto stores sell it. Smells like circus peanuts and will pull off the nastiest of anything (tar, bugs, window sealant, literally any sticker adhesive). Best stuff I've ever seen...

Would love to have seen a before/after on the badging to compare it, but will just have to dig up another pic.

Anyhooo.. Looks beautiful...

Soki... · 07-15-2009, 08:22 AM

Z4-Archon · 07-15-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeF4y

Another product to consider for removing adhesive without damaging the surface is 3M Adhesive Remover. Most auto stores sell it. Smells like circus peanuts and will pull off the nastiest of anything (tar, bugs, window sealant, literally any sticker adhesive). Best stuff I've ever seen...

Would love to have seen a before/after on the badging to compare it, but will just have to dig up another pic.

Anyhooo.. Looks beautiful...

Here you go, it isn't perfect since one picture was on an afternoon and the other early morning. I also don't have one at exactly the same angle, but it isn't too far off

kplsoleil · 07-15-2009, 09:52 AM

That first shot is AMAZING! Also like the taillight photo at night. What a stunning car. Congrats to all u lucky owners

I hope they style the Z2 after the Z4

JeF4y · 07-15-2009, 10:19 AM

Thanks for the before/after... I'm with you, I like the after much better!

flpnout · 09-13-2009, 12:22 AM

Great taste in color combo! I ordered similar except Coral Red interior and the anticipation of waiting to get it by end of October is killin' me!! I too used your photos as desktop background to constantly remind me that mine is coming....

evanirene · 09-13-2009, 03:33 AM

nice car you have~~~ ^^

Zirenz2006 · 09-13-2009, 02:25 PM

Much better without that badge

datbimmerdoe · 09-13-2009, 04:52 PM

Very clean. Love the 296's.

07-14-2009, 10:03 AM	#1
Z4-Archon Private 12 Rep 84 Posts Drives: Alpine White Z4 35i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Side emblem removed - a few alpine white shots Well, I finally removed the side emblems on the car "SDrive 35i" and I think the car looks better off for it. You can see pictures of it on and off in my gallery if you like. Here are some pictures of the car freshly washed with it removed, and a few shots of the lights. Sorry about the dead grass laying around after mowing, and the poor cropping in one photo. Does anyone like the side badging? If it just said 35i I think it would be okay. This one is my favorite, while wet: Side view, top down: Side view, top down: Tail light, very pretty: Headlight with lowbeams off: Headlight with lowbeams on:
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07-14-2009, 10:51 AM	#2
supernobita Enlisted Member 0 Rep 33 Posts Drives: black E92 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bangkok iTrader: (0)	Wow Very beautiful ride you got. The car looks neat without the badge. And those head and tail light shots are stunning
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07-14-2009, 05:31 PM	#3
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Yes, a much cleaner look with out the badges. Nice!
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07-14-2009, 06:21 PM	#4
Nate@IND 2866 Rep 11,374 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (19)	Looks great! Will be doing some OEM E89 painted reflectors soon __________________ IND DISTRIBUTION \| 866-963-4520 • FACEBOOK • INSTAGRAM • FLICKR
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07-14-2009, 06:33 PM	#5
Mark Administrator 6698 Rep 4,201 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [8.34]	much better! __________________ BMW 1M. BMW M2. BMW M2.
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07-14-2009, 07:58 PM	#6
twin turbo Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I have the same color car with the 19's, beige interior though. I love the Alpine White. How did you remove the badges? I would like to remove mine as well. Did it leave any residue on the paint? By the way, I still have the side angle picture of your car as my wallpaper on my computer at work. I had been waiting for the car to arrive for a couple of weeks and your picture was the best one I had seen. I finally picked it up this past Saturday. __________________ 2020 BMW M340i xdrive 2016 BMW M4 (sold) 2015 BMW M4 (sold) 2014 Audi RS5 (sold) 2012 Audi TT RS (sold)
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07-14-2009, 08:30 PM	#7
Jason Administrator 40700 Rep 21,238 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	CLEAN!! Perfect look for white.
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07-14-2009, 11:29 PM	#9
Otago Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 09 Z4 sDrive 30i manual Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Please teach me how to remove the emblems without scratching the paintcoat?
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07-14-2009, 11:48 PM	#10
Shinobi Addicted to AutoX 17 Rep 171 Posts Drives: Modded e46 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	Godddayum that car looks good. Very nice and clean! When I see the old Z4 = When I see the new Z4 = Inside and out there is nothing I like about the old version over the new one. Even my friends who really don't care for recent BMW designs find it to be a gorgeous car. A real winner. __________________
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07-15-2009, 12:34 AM	#11
Z4-Archon Private 12 Rep 84 Posts Drives: Alpine White Z4 35i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Hi again, To answer some of the above questions: Removal of the emblems is simple enough, but time consuming. First I use a heat gun to heat up the emblem and more importantly the glue behind it. Then I take some 50 lb monofilament fishing line and use a 2 foot section of that with a couple of dowels to run it behind each emblem one at a time. This leaves a fair amount of the sticker behind which I pull off as much as I can by hand. Usually I just push it around with my thumb or finger until it peels off. For whatever is left I use "Goo Gone" and/or gasoline to remove that. Immediately finishing that I wash the car and re-wax that body panel. The guys at the body shop told me that they do the same thing but have used the nylon packing straps that bind boxes as it is easier to manage and much stronger than fishing line. I have not tried those as I think they would scratch the car. As far as the night photos, it is more the camera than me. I have a Canon 5D Mk. II that I hand held. I had the camera in manual mode and simply adjusted the fstop and shutter speed until I got it to where I wanted it. I think the camera was shooting at 3200 ISO though. I hand held it because I was too lazy to go get the tripod Thanks for all the kind words, I am very happy with how the car looks now. I wish I had known of the option code for the sdrive delete from the car. Someone posted it earlier, something like 320. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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07-15-2009, 01:42 AM	#12
tiborakos Private First Class 13 Rep 135 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: GR iTrader: (0)	Badge removal is Code320 at least in EU. I was reluctant at first, so i left it on...think i will have to remove it as well...only thing when you remove it with the initial order is that i think you also miss the badge @ the rear, not sure though...
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07-15-2009, 08:12 AM	#14
JeF4y Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 14 X1 35i M-sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Another product to consider for removing adhesive without damaging the surface is 3M Adhesive Remover. Most auto stores sell it. Smells like circus peanuts and will pull off the nastiest of anything (tar, bugs, window sealant, literally any sticker adhesive). Best stuff I've ever seen... Would love to have seen a before/after on the badging to compare it, but will just have to dig up another pic. Anyhooo.. Looks beautiful... __________________ Current: 14 X1 35i - M Sport - Ultimate pkg - Mineral Gray ext / Black & brushed aluminum int. Prev: 09 Z4 35i Black w/white napa leather & every option possible =)
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07-15-2009, 08:22 AM	#15
Soki... Private 8 Rep 57 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 23i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Greece iTrader: (0)
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07-15-2009, 09:52 AM	#17
kplsoleil Second Lieutenant 112 Rep 210 Posts Drives: F10 eventually... Join Date: May 2006 Location: Diamond Bar CA iTrader: (0)	That first shot is AMAZING! Also like the taillight photo at night. What a stunning car. Congrats to all u lucky owners I hope they style the Z2 after the Z4
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07-15-2009, 10:19 AM	#18
JeF4y Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 14 X1 35i M-sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the before/after... I'm with you, I like the after much better! __________________ Current: 14 X1 35i - M Sport - Ultimate pkg - Mineral Gray ext / Black & brushed aluminum int. Prev: 09 Z4 35i Black w/white napa leather & every option possible =)
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09-13-2009, 12:22 AM	#19
flpnout Major 81 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2010 Dinan S3 Z4-35i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2010 E89 Z4 [7.83]	Great taste in color combo! I ordered similar except Coral Red interior and the anticipation of waiting to get it by end of October is killin' me!! I too used your photos as desktop background to constantly remind me that mine is coming.... __________________ 2015 BMW i3 REX Last edited by flpnout; 09-13-2009 at 03:37 AM..
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09-13-2009, 03:33 AM	#20
evanirene GTR 2 Rep 74 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E89 Z4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	nice car you have~~~ ^^
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09-13-2009, 02:25 PM	#21
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1535 Rep 4,555 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	Much better without that badge __________________ Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
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09-13-2009, 04:52 PM	#22
datbimmerdoe Lieutenant General 1265 Rep 17,493 Posts Drives: like I'M BOUT THAT LIFE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: PARADISE aka CANES COUNTRY iTrader: (0)	Very clean. Love the 296's. __________________ #datbimmerdoe #thatbimmertho FOLLOW @datbimmerdoe on INSTAGRAM
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