The psychology of 'de-badging'
Discussion
It has always struck me as strange to have any badges whatsoever. A marque badge I can just about understand, but a jumble of numbers and letters for the model ?
I don't have a visible badge on my suit indicating the type/wool content, so why have them on my car ?
Who needs to know, and why ?
I don't have a visible badge on my suit indicating the type/wool content, so why have them on my car ?
Who needs to know, and why ?
BOR said:
It has always struck me as strange to have any badges whatsoever. A marque badge I can just about understand, but a jumble of numbers and letters for the model ?
I don't have a visible badge on my suit indicating the type/wool content, so why have them on my car ?
Who needs to know, and why ?
+1I don't have a visible badge on my suit indicating the type/wool content, so why have them on my car ?
Who needs to know, and why ?
I took mine off as I prefer the clean lines at the front. It actually bothers me that I can't take the model ones off at the back, as it I prefer the clean, more symmetrical look.
If I were doing it to disguise the model or masquerade as something else, it'd be a bit daft, as mine only came in one core engine configuration.
If I were doing it to disguise the model or masquerade as something else, it'd be a bit daft, as mine only came in one core engine configuration.
Most cars look a lot cleaner without the badge, a lot more understated as well.
I've been looking at old BMW 3 series coupes and think they look pretty tacky with the badges on. Most of the general public don't know what "318" or "323" means and just assume it's a random BMW number unrelated to the engine size.
What I do hate is manufacturers that badge a car up to look like something they're not i.e. 1.6 VTEC Sport Civic badged and stickered up as a Type-r, Fiesta Zetec S to look like a Fiesta ST, etc etc. Fair enough, stick the sporty body kits on them but don't badge them up as something they're not with flipping racing stripes and stickers.
I've been looking at old BMW 3 series coupes and think they look pretty tacky with the badges on. Most of the general public don't know what "318" or "323" means and just assume it's a random BMW number unrelated to the engine size.
What I do hate is manufacturers that badge a car up to look like something they're not i.e. 1.6 VTEC Sport Civic badged and stickered up as a Type-r, Fiesta Zetec S to look like a Fiesta ST, etc etc. Fair enough, stick the sporty body kits on them but don't badge them up as something they're not with flipping racing stripes and stickers.
); one on the grill and two either side of the tailgate. 
t.There was a picture of a M5 estate on here recently that was re-badged as a 520d.
I just don't get this 'Q' car thing at all.
Most of the de-badged cars I notice Merc and Beemers, and most often than not it's the base models. Guess most people do it to try and cover up the fact that they've got the cheaper option.
I just leave mine as they are, don't see the point in it.
I just don't get this 'Q' car thing at all.
Most of the de-badged cars I notice Merc and Beemers, and most often than not it's the base models. Guess most people do it to try and cover up the fact that they've got the cheaper option.
I just leave mine as they are, don't see the point in it.
sday12 said:
CAPP0 said:
I de-badged my Monaro for 2 reasons:
1. the scrotes were nicking VXR badges like they were going out of fashion, presumably to nail them to their 1.2 Corsas
2. the car caused so much head-scratching, "what IS that?" attention that I thought it mildly amusing to leave 'em wondering!
Haven't removed from anything else, although when I bought my FFRR the previous owner had up-specced it from Vogue to Supercharged so I had to put that right.
Nice Vectra 1. the scrotes were nicking VXR badges like they were going out of fashion, presumably to nail them to their 1.2 Corsas
2. the car caused so much head-scratching, "what IS that?" attention that I thought it mildly amusing to leave 'em wondering!
Haven't removed from anything else, although when I bought my FFRR the previous owner had up-specced it from Vogue to Supercharged so I had to put that right.
Jim909 said:
I would personally have a new car de-badged, it just looks better, regardless of what model/engine/spec the car is, i just dont feel the need to cover the back with badges to remind me what i bought.
Indeed, it's just a cleaner look. Would I buy a shirt and display the price, materials mix, size? No. Same with cars. I know what it is because I bought it.
I actually think its a bit weird to have them on TBH. They are not only ugly but serve no purpose whatsoever that I can think of except to serve the idle 2 second curiosity of complete strangers.
I would de-badge a top spec model, to avoid the attention of the uninformed, envious mouth breathers that would damage it purely because it was an AMG, BMW M car, Audi RS, whatever. For those enthusiasts that know what one looks like without the badge, I presume they would be more interested in the car, rather than the damage they can cause to it.
Not sure why you'd de-badge a bargain basement model, unless you actually cared what people you've never met thought of you.
Not sure why you'd de-badge a bargain basement model, unless you actually cared what people you've never met thought of you.
I just don't like badges. I usually think they look tacky, and that includes adding model badges to front grilles etc like this:
or even:
I don't mind the splitters, vents, exhaust pipes etc that come with the better models, but I positively hate there being writing, letters and numbers emblazened across everything.
I'm still meaning to debadge mine for cleanliness and symmetry reasons, but keep finding better things to do with limited time.
If I were speccing any new car I'd choose the badge delete option. Badges at least are usually stuck on with double sided tape. I'd get annoyed if I had to spend actual money getting rid of a stupid grille or filling holes in the boot lid and respraying.
or even:
I don't mind the splitters, vents, exhaust pipes etc that come with the better models, but I positively hate there being writing, letters and numbers emblazened across everything.
I'm still meaning to debadge mine for cleanliness and symmetry reasons, but keep finding better things to do with limited time.
If I were speccing any new car I'd choose the badge delete option. Badges at least are usually stuck on with double sided tape. I'd get annoyed if I had to spend actual money getting rid of a stupid grille or filling holes in the boot lid and respraying.
There is a 370Z round here with a V8 badge on the back, I mean, an enthusiast type car, someone who has not gone the normal German way and bought a pretty nice car, that probably cost 20 grand plus, 30 plus if new, and they felt the need to stick a badge proclaiming it has 2 more cylinders than standard, and the badges dont even look like they are from the same era, thats a bit strange.
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