[mroach]

One of the things I've noticed while driving around Germany is that debadging seems to be very popular. Here in the US it's almost non-existent, so the lack of model badging really stood out.

Is not having the car badged a delivery option at the dealer or are these people actually doing it themselves? It seemed common on all types of cars, but primarily BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. I guess VW as well now that I think of it.

Why is debadging so popular?

[trixman]

Didn't realise it was just a European thing. You'll find just a handful of cars badged up here, not entirely sure why, I've always done it because people are jealous g*ts and tend to key your car if they know its the 'top of the range' model (we have many more petrol and diesel variations of 3 series than the states).

Vice versa, people with the lower range models want people to confuse it with the more expensive ones, by buying the aero-package, wheels and de-badging.

[mroach]

I figured it might be something along those lines which are the typical reasons for debadging; I was just surprised by the volume.

I might do mine at some point if I can figure out how to do it without ruining the paint. I think it looks cleaner without the badge.

[SC335]

I am in the military and stationed in Germany. They asked me upon receiving my car if I wanted to de-badge it. And after talking with my friends when they received there vehicle, they asked them the same thing prior to receiving the car off the showroom.

[RDHTran]

hey, i have family in germany so im there about every three years. That is one thing I did notice. I actually noticed this more with M badge vehicles and wonder why they took their badges off. If you had a M wouldnt you want that thing to shine? I asked my cousin why they took off there badges and he said that they dont want people to know they have money. I dont know if this is actually true sounds a little silly to me but thats what he said.

[mroach]

Originally Posted by Rtran

hey, i have family in germany so im there about every three years. That is one thing I did notice. I actually noticed this more with M badge vehicles and wonder why they took their badges off. If you had a M wouldnt you want that thing to shine? I asked my cousin why they took off there badges and he said that they dont want people to know they have money. I dont know if this is actually true sounds a little silly to me but thats what he said.

Oh right I forgot Europeans have been brainwashed to believe that wealth is theft from society and is shameful.

[hanmaas]

Eh not really, the problem is destructive envy. Apart from that, a lot of people including myself simply like the clean look and favor not having their trunk clogged up with letter and numbers. I know what car I drive, I don't have the need to ensure that others do too.

[rsyed]

People should care less whether you have a 316i or a 330i... The tailpipes usually give away which group you belong to: the 3 series has 3 groups:
1) single exhaust left side: 4 cylinder petrol and diesle
2) dual exhaust left side: all 6 cylinder diesels and petrol except 335d/i
3) dual exhaulst left and right: reserved for the best of the best: 335s only..

[E91_E88_E21]

Originally Posted by hanmaas

Eh not really, the problem is destructive greed. Apart from that, a lot of people including myself simply like the clean look and favor not having their trunk clogged up with letter and numbers. I know what car I drive, I don't have the need to ensure that others do too.

exactly your right > me too

[E91_E88_E21]

Originally Posted by rsyed

People should care less whether you have a 316i or a 330i... The tailpipes usually give away which group you belong to: the 3 series has 3 groups:
1) single exhaust left side: 4 cylinder petrol and diesle
2) dual exhaust left side: all 6 cylinder diesels and petrol except 335d/i
3) dual exhaulst left and right: reserved for the best of the best: 335s only..

that´s it, if someone is car enthusiastic he know what car it is without a number on the trunk

[Geoffo]

Originally Posted by hanmaas

Eh not really, the problem is destructive envy. Apart from that, a lot of people including myself simply like the clean look and favor not having their trunk clogged up with letter and numbers. I know what car I drive, I don't have the need to ensure that others do too.

I agree, It just looks much better without all the badges on the trunk.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by mroach

One of the things I've noticed while driving around Germany is that debadging seems to be very popular. Here in the US it's almost non-existent, so the lack of model badging really stood out.

Is not having the car badged a delivery option at the dealer or are these people actually doing it themselves? It seemed common on all types of cars, but primarily BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. I guess VW as well now that I think of it.

Why is debadging so popular?

It's a dealer option, so you don't have to debadge it youself.

[rsyed]

when you order your car, it is option code 320...

[Chriz3586]

the main reason here in germany is grudge...people are so extremely jealous in this country

and in my personal oppinion i think it looks better without the badge, it's my 3rd bmw now (had e46 320d, e87 120d), always removed it