No model numbers?

doc1911 · 04-08-2007, 06:19 PM

What does it mean when the BMW has no model/ series numbers? I've seen it a couple times in the US and a lot in Europe. Where you would think to see a 330i or 525i or whatever there is nothing. Is there a story behind it?

spydrz · 04-08-2007, 06:23 PM

Basically it's so people with 316i's can make those following them wonder if they have the top model...Autobahn supremacy etc.

Brunotheboxer · 04-08-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc1911

What does it mean when the BMW has no model/ series numbers? I've seen it a couple times in the US and a lot in Europe. Where you would think to see a 330i or 525i or whatever there is nothing. Is there a story behind it?

this means that the car was stolen and the new owners didn't want to be caught so they disguise the car.

j.k. its called de-badging.

E90Fleet · 04-08-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc1911

What does it mean when the BMW has no model/ series numbers? I've seen it a couple times in the US and a lot in Europe. Where you would think to see a 330i or 525i or whatever there is nothing. Is there a story behind it?

In europe its a option to take the model badge off.

Many other people take it off themselves

Its for peope that just dont like the numbers on the back

Josh49 · 04-08-2007, 06:27 PM

Clean look FTW..

325 Baller · 04-08-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spydrz

Basically it's so people with 316i's can make those following them wonder if they have the top model...Autobahn supremacy etc.

maybe some people do it for that reason but most do it because it gives the rear end a much cleaner look.

STE92VE · 04-08-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc1911

What does it mean when the BMW has no model/ series numbers? I've seen it a couple times in the US and a lot in Europe. Where you would think to see a 330i or 525i or whatever there is nothing. Is there a story behind it?

What's up Doc? Do you mean to say that you have only noticed this on BMW's?

JSpira · 04-08-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

In europe its a option to take the model badge off.

Actually the option is to order without a badge. No badge is applied, hence it is not taken off.

KL2DC · 04-08-2007, 09:09 PM

Some europeans like to keep a low profile for various reasons...debadging is popular with high-line models as well.

JSpira · 04-08-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc1911

What does it mean when the BMW has no model/ series numbers? I've seen it a couple times in the US and a lot in Europe. Where you would think to see a 330i or 525i or whatever there is nothing. Is there a story behind it?

In Germany, to keep a more green image, purchasers of models with larger engines might specify badge delete so that others don´t see how wasteful they might be.

Some like the cleaner look as well (myself included).

rjs · 04-09-2007, 03:32 AM

It varies from country to country, germans tend to debadge high end cars as "less is more" over there.

In the UK however, it's usually the lower end models that are debadged by posers who want to pretend they have a better car

Then again, as prev stated, some people just prefer the cleaner look.

ludo · 04-09-2007, 08:53 AM

I did not want my boss to know I drove a better than him for fear of kissing a decent rise goodbye.

I also like the look - real enthusiast can generally tell what your driving anyway because of the body / wheel combos

remmib · 04-09-2007, 08:58 AM

I like the clean look, like my car

Josh49 · 04-09-2007, 09:15 AM

If I put them right next to each other will the m-bumper magically transfer to mine?? My fingers are crossed..

remmib · 04-09-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

If I put them right next to each other will the m-bumper magically transfer to mine?? My fingers are crossed..

I think my m-bumber is quite happy were it is now.

akhbhaat · 04-09-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

In Germany, to keep a more green image, purchasers of models with larger engines might specify badge delete so that others don´t see how wasteful they might be.

Some like the cleaner look as well (myself included).

+1 on both accounts.

If you were to drive around Munich until you'd spotted ten M5s (which might take a while

), perhaps eight of them would be debadged.

The reasons vary from country to country, though the attitude that debadging is done mostly or entirely to "disguise" a lower end model is prevalent in the US. Those who actually do it argue (successfully, in my opinion) that the cosmetic trim on US models is clearly and uniformly delineated and thus it's easy to tell what model a car is without seeing the badge, so debadging hides nothing from the trained eye (it gets much trickier on European models, where there's a much wider variety of cosmetic bits and wheels). It's amusing in any case, because the US market only gets the most expensive models to begin with.

I belong to the group who just doesn't like the numbers or how they look. They're offset to one side which kind of unbalances the appearance of the rear (I like symmetry), they're distracting to the eye (debadged is much cleaner looking), and I don't really think they serve a legitimate purpose. The only person who needs to be concerned with what model the car is, is the person actually driving it.

PI Guy · 04-09-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akhbhaat

+1 on both accounts.

If you were to drive around Munich until you'd spotted ten M5s (which might take a while

), perhaps eight of them would be debadged.

The reasons vary from country to country, though the attitude that debadging is done mostly or entirely to "disguise" a lower end model is prevalent in the US. Those who actually do it argue (successfully, in my opinion) that the cosmetic trim on US models is clearly and uniformly delineated and thus it's easy to tell what model a car is without seeing the badge, so debadging hides nothing from the trained eye (it gets much trickier on European models, where there's a much wider variety of cosmetic bits and wheels). It's amusing in any case, because the US market only gets the most expensive models to begin with.

I belong to the group who just doesn't like the numbers or how they look. They're offset to one side which kind of unbalances the appearance of the rear (I like symmetry), they're distracting to the eye (debadged is much cleaner looking), and I don't really think they serve a legitimate purpose. The only person who needs to be concerned with what model the car is, is the person actually driving it.

I agree 1000%. Its cleaner and I need not impress anyone (except myself).

doc1911 · 04-09-2007, 06:46 PM

So how does one debadge without depainting?

ACZakka325i · 04-09-2007, 07:42 PM

Heat the numbers up with a hair dryer and run some tooth-floss back and forth on top of the glue behind the numbers.

nhhiep · 04-09-2007, 07:50 PM

You don't even need a dryer. After my car was parked in the sun for a few hrs, I used floss and those numbers came off easily.

ACZakka325i · 04-09-2007, 07:53 PM

you might want to also get some "goo-gone" or other adhesive remover, but make sure it wont mess up your paint!!!! GOO-Gone worked fine for me.

HyperM3 · 04-09-2007, 09:25 PM

Instead of floss, use fishing line. It holds up better and doesnt tear. GooGone does help but heating it up first helps more. This way you dont need the GooGone because you can just roll up the glue into a ball. Then wax away.

04-08-2007, 06:19 PM	#1
doc1911 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Sold my 335i and looking Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pinehurst, NC iTrader: (0)	No model numbers? What does it mean when the BMW has no model/ series numbers? I've seen it a couple times in the US and a lot in Europe. Where you would think to see a 330i or 525i or whatever there is nothing. Is there a story behind it?
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04-08-2007, 06:23 PM	#2
spydrz Captain 33 Rep 671 Posts Drives: '15 M4, '15 i3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: RVA iTrader: (2) Garage List 06 330i [7.00] 2002 X5 3.0i [0.00] 2001 525i [0.00]	Basically it's so people with 316i's can make those following them wonder if they have the top model...Autobahn supremacy etc. __________________ 2002 X5 3.0i/man.* 2006 330i/man./Arktis/Grau* 2001 525i/step./Schiefergrün/Sandbeige* 2013 X1 xDrive35i Alpinweiß/Schwarz/M Sport/Dinan Stage 2 *retired
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04-08-2007, 06:27 PM	#5
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Clean look FTW.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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rjs Major 35 Rep 1,281 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK (West Mids) iTrader: (0) Garage List '09 M3 (e93) [10.00]	It varies from country to country, germans tend to debadge high end cars as "less is more" over there. In the UK however, it's usually the lower end models that are debadged by posers who want to pretend they have a better car Then again, as prev stated, some people just prefer the cleaner look.
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04-09-2007, 08:53 AM	#12
ludo New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: e91, 330d, montego blue Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England, Manchester iTrader: (0)	I did not want my boss to know I drove a better than him for fear of kissing a decent rise goodbye. I also like the look - real enthusiast can generally tell what your driving anyway because of the body / wheel combos
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04-09-2007, 08:58 AM	#13
remmib General 1569 Rep 29,202 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	I like the clean look, like my car Attached Images __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 \| Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 \| KW V3 Coilover \| M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar \| 3DDesign Front Lip \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance Pedals \|
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04-09-2007, 09:15 AM	#14
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	If I put them right next to each other will the m-bumper magically transfer to mine?? My fingers are crossed.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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04-09-2007, 06:46 PM	#18
doc1911 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Sold my 335i and looking Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pinehurst, NC iTrader: (0)	So how does one debadge without depainting?
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04-09-2007, 07:42 PM	#19
ACZakka325i Colonel 278 Rep 2,008 Posts Drives: 2 stroke Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	Heat the numbers up with a hair dryer and run some tooth-floss back and forth on top of the glue behind the numbers. __________________ (Waitlist): #1 M2CSL (Current): 2016 F15 X5 3.5xdrive - 2010 997.2 C4S Coupe (Past): 2016 F30 340xi M-Sport -2013 535i xdrive 2008 E92 M3 - 2006 E90 325i 2002 E46 325xi - 1991 E30 325i
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nhhiep Captain 88 Rep 863 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	You don't even need a dryer. After my car was parked in the sun for a few hrs, I used floss and those numbers came off easily.
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04-09-2007, 07:53 PM	#21
ACZakka325i Colonel 278 Rep 2,008 Posts Drives: 2 stroke Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	you might want to also get some "goo-gone" or other adhesive remover, but make sure it wont mess up your paint!!!! GOO-Gone worked fine for me. __________________ (Waitlist): #1 M2CSL (Current): 2016 F15 X5 3.5xdrive - 2010 997.2 C4S Coupe (Past): 2016 F30 340xi M-Sport -2013 535i xdrive 2008 E92 M3 - 2006 E90 325i 2002 E46 325xi - 1991 E30 325i
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HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	Instead of floss, use fishing line. It holds up better and doesnt tear. GooGone does help but heating it up first helps more. This way you dont need the GooGone because you can just roll up the glue into a ball. Then wax away. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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