Debadging - DIY or local garage?

[DiamondLights]

As the title says, am picking up an M40i this week hopefully but bit concerned as heard a lot of people de-badge.

Is this a DIY jobby (and if so, how easy/what do i need) or do people tend to garage locally and get it done properly from a detailer?

[2 GKC]

Concerned? Wear the badge with pride!

[MikeM6]

Think most would do it themselves, not too tricky with some fishing wire and a gentle approach, bit of goo gone or similar and a polish when done. YouTube will have loads of videos showing you how to do it.

Assume you are concerned about it being nicked?

[DiamondLights]

Yep, i would love to wear the M Badge with pride but apparently lot of people check the back of the car specifically for those reasons.

I mean, when you start the car, you'll know it's an M40i!

[stuart_83]

I had the badges taken off my 440i as part of the PDI for the same reason as you. Unfortunately in the 4 series, the 440i is the only one with dual exhausts so it's possibly a bit of a waste of time.

Got an m340i coming in Nov/Dec, so I'll be asking the dealer to remove the badges again I think. Already spec'd it with the extended shadowline pack so it'll blend in a bit more, and all new 3 series seem to have two exhausts for some reason

I know people can check the reg etc, but it stops attention being drawn to it unnecessarily while you're driving around.

Tempted to get a 320d badge for it

[ANJ91]

Please do not pay someone to debadge the car for you.

Just use some tooth floss, it will come off easily. If you want to be extra careful you could use a hairdryer to soften the glue a bit.

Then use some glue remover with a microfiber cloth to get rid of the remainder glue and you can even take some polish and go over it after.

[InitialDave]

Is "no badge" not a zero-cost option on BMWs still?

[thebraketester]

I would only let a main dealer do it.... not worth the risk.

[InitialDave]

thebraketester said:

I would only let a main dealer do it.... not worth the risk.

Funny, I wouldn't let a dealer do it, on exactly the same basis.

[sociopath]

I always assumed people debadged cars to pretend they were something more impressive than they actually are, not the other way round.

If you're doing it why buy the upmarket spec? It's not like you can drive it with anything like abandon these days, so you might as well buy the cheapo version and save money.

[2 GKC]

I don’t get the debadging for security. If it’s not obvious, then there’s plenty of apps that will tell you the engine in seconds

[Krikkit]

2 GKC said:

I don’t get the debadging for security. If it’s not obvious, then there’s plenty of apps that will tell you the engine in seconds

Now that the apps for checking on reg/engine are legion I agree. Some people like a cleaner rear end of course, and it will cut down on the traffic light boy racer types.

[Discombobulate]

sociopath said:

I always assumed people debadged cars to pretend they were something more impressive than they actually are, not the other way round.

If you're doing it why buy the upmarket spec? It's not like you can drive it with anything like abandon these days, so you might as well buy the cheapo version and save money.

Because we like the performance, handling etc, but like to keep as low a profile as possible. Although there wasn’t much point with my RS6....

[d_a_n1979]

Gentle heat with a hair dryer

Fishing line or dental floss to get behind and slice through the glue pad

Autoglym Intense Tar Remover fluid & a microfibre cloth to remove the residue (can use a bit more heat at this stage to keep the glue soft)

Wipe clean with some car shampoo & hot water

Quick buff with a rapid detailed spray/normal car polish & that’s it all done

[Muzzer79]

TOTALLY a DIY home job.

Bit of heat - hairdryer
Dental floss to ‘saw’ the adhesive behind the badge.
Clear residue with tar/glue remover.

I’ve done 2. Piece of urine.

I do mine for no other reason than it makes it easier to clean the car.

[MOBB]

One of the easiest things you can DIY

I’ve done a couple of my own BMW’s and they come off really easily once you get a hairdryer on them

[Pioneer]

InitialDave said:

Funny, I wouldn't let a dealer do it, on exactly the same basis.

100% this!

[Pioneer]

sociopath said:

I always assumed people debadged cars to pretend they were something more impressive than they actually are, not the other way round.

If you're doing it why buy the upmarket spec? It's not like you can drive it with anything like abandon these days, so you might as well buy the cheapo version and save money.

Maybe 20 years ago, most people do it now for aesthetics and ease of cleaning. The BM badges are all just cheap crappy plastic that tend to lose their finish very quickly. We've debadged everything from 120d's to 650i's, M4s, M5s, i8s, 7 series etc. Looks fresher and leaves less dirt traps. Think there's a long thread on this somewhere. But each to their own. On or off is better than swapping for a 'fake' badge

[Timbuktu]

sociopath said:

I always assumed people debadged cars to pretend they were something more impressive than they actually are, not the other way round.

If you're doing it why buy the upmarket spec?

Some people are the opposite of attention seekers believe it or not - they like to have nice things but don't necessarily want people to notice!

I de-badged my F80 M3 a few weeks after I got it and the result was way less attention in town which was the goal. People at the car wash didn't realise it was an M3 until they saw the tiny badges on the front wings, people stopped trying to race me at the lights. Being a dark colour most people just thought it was a BMW and nothing more.

I just poured a kettle of hot water (not boiling) over the badge and it peeled straight off with not much resistance.

[Sicksilinda]

Beautiful colour @Timbuktu. I've never seen another. Individual I presume?

I'm thinking of whipping off my M140i badge too. It's a shadow but will look no different to an equivalent 118d. Might just keep the scallies at bay.