Badging. My thoughts
Discussion
When I were a lad badging was simple. A Cavalier had L, GL, CD etc prefixed by 1.6, 1.8 etc. All very simple, no trim level badge often meant it was a base.
BMW's were easy too, a 316i was a 3-Series with a 1.6 litre engine. Want to know of that Granada was top-spec? Look for the X after the Ghia badge.
I got it, I knew what was what. More importantly, the owners seemed not to care either, with many wearing the Merit badge without issue, no peeling off of badges, no bodykit to make the neighbours think you have an SRi.
Nowadays I have no idea what is what, and a BMW 328i is a 2.0 and the trim level is unknown. A ford is largely unbadged bar the model designation...
Now I'm all for choice, more is more and all that, but I do miss simple badging. I miss when you could look at that Cavalier L and see the owner had ticked the 2.0i option, and it wasn't just the 1.6.
Maybe I'm getting old, maybe it doesn't matter, maybe I just don't know as much about modern trim levels as I used to.
I'm off for a sit down.
BMW's were easy too, a 316i was a 3-Series with a 1.6 litre engine. Want to know of that Granada was top-spec? Look for the X after the Ghia badge.
I got it, I knew what was what. More importantly, the owners seemed not to care either, with many wearing the Merit badge without issue, no peeling off of badges, no bodykit to make the neighbours think you have an SRi.
Nowadays I have no idea what is what, and a BMW 328i is a 2.0 and the trim level is unknown. A ford is largely unbadged bar the model designation...
Now I'm all for choice, more is more and all that, but I do miss simple badging. I miss when you could look at that Cavalier L and see the owner had ticked the 2.0i option, and it wasn't just the 1.6.
Maybe I'm getting old, maybe it doesn't matter, maybe I just don't know as much about modern trim levels as I used to.
I'm off for a sit down.
Garlick said:
When I were a lad badging was simple. A Cavalier had L, GL, CD etc prefixed by 1.6, 1.8 etc. All very simple, no trim level badge often meant it was a base.
BMW's were easy too, a 316i was a 3-Series with a 1.6 litre engine. Want to know of that Granada was top-spec? Look for the X after the Ghia badge.
I got it, I knew what was what. More importantly, the owners seemed not to care either, with many wearing the Merit badge without issue, no peeling off of badges, no bodykit to make the neighbours think you have an SRi.
Nowadays I have no idea what is what, and a BMW 328i is a 2.0 and the trim level is unknown. A ford is largely unbadged bar the model designation...
Now I'm all for choice, more is more and all that, but I do miss simple badging. I miss when you could look at that Cavalier L and see the owner had ticked the 2.0i option, and it wasn't just the 1.6.
Maybe I'm getting old, maybe it doesn't matter, maybe I just don't know as much about modern trim levels as I used to.
I'm off for a sit down.
I agree whole heartedly; you are getting old. BMW's were easy too, a 316i was a 3-Series with a 1.6 litre engine. Want to know of that Granada was top-spec? Look for the X after the Ghia badge.
I got it, I knew what was what. More importantly, the owners seemed not to care either, with many wearing the Merit badge without issue, no peeling off of badges, no bodykit to make the neighbours think you have an SRi.
Nowadays I have no idea what is what, and a BMW 328i is a 2.0 and the trim level is unknown. A ford is largely unbadged bar the model designation...
Now I'm all for choice, more is more and all that, but I do miss simple badging. I miss when you could look at that Cavalier L and see the owner had ticked the 2.0i option, and it wasn't just the 1.6.
Maybe I'm getting old, maybe it doesn't matter, maybe I just don't know as much about modern trim levels as I used to.
I'm off for a sit down.
It's not all bad, there's an E36 M3 Saloon in the classifieds onto which the owner has very helpfully thought to attach a badge that says EVO.
Joking aside, one thing I've noticed is that badges have become smaller and smaller over the years too. E.g. compare the badges on an E30 compared to an E36, compared to an E46 .... smaller and smaller each time.
Remember the massive V12 badge on the back of the XJS? Nice.
I liked it when cars had 'Injection' and 'ABS' written on the back.
Joking aside, one thing I've noticed is that badges have become smaller and smaller over the years too. E.g. compare the badges on an E30 compared to an E36, compared to an E46 .... smaller and smaller each time.
Remember the massive V12 badge on the back of the XJS? Nice.
I liked it when cars had 'Injection' and 'ABS' written on the back.
Edited by Pappagallo on Thursday 27th February 11:02
Garlick said:
hornetrider said:
Garlick said:
a 316i was a 3-Series with a 1.6 litre engine
I'm no beard but I think you'll find that was a 1.8 
The 316 (no i) was 1.6.
I think...
Then they went and put a TRD badge on the back of the GT86. Crickey, I thought, the whole fun RWD sport coupe mantra didn't last long now they've stuck an oil burner up front. Turns out that it is a petrol engine. I'm with the OP on the must be an old age thing. I'm off to for my nanna nap.
Badged up from the factory. Ok.
Debadged bottom spec car. Trying too hard.
Debadged top spec car. Cool.
Manufacturers still know how to make the little differences count. My 530d has a few clues it is not a 520d.
My thinking is that if you have genuine M3 the badge won't make any difference. Petrol heads can tell and anyone else won't car!
Debadged bottom spec car. Trying too hard.
Debadged top spec car. Cool.
Manufacturers still know how to make the little differences count. My 530d has a few clues it is not a 520d.
My thinking is that if you have genuine M3 the badge won't make any difference. Petrol heads can tell and anyone else won't car!
hornetrider said:
I'm no beard but I think you'll find that was a 1.8
The 316 (no i) was 1.6.
I think...
My old E36 316i was a 1.6. My mate's old E30 316i was also a 1.6. The 316 (no i) was 1.6.
I think...
My old E36 318ti was however a 1.9.
I still have the badges on my cars. One glance will tell you my Accord is the 2.0 SE version, and my Mondeo is the ST24 with the reminders on the sides that it has 6 cylinders in the configuration of V.
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