To debadge or not to debadge...

yomaster · 03-21-2021, 09:29 AM

Hi there,

I am thinking to debadge my 2020 photonic Blue m40i...but not sure what it will looks like...

can anyone share your pictures to help me decide?

Thanks!

335dFan · 03-21-2021, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yomaster

Hi there,

I am thinking to debadge my 2020 photonic Blue m40i...but not sure what it will looks like...

can anyone share your pictures to help me decide?

Thanks!

Lighter color: Glacier Silver.

lcasale · 03-21-2021, 10:44 AM

De-badged (dirty) black sapphire

titomi · 03-21-2021, 11:09 AM

Just use google. At least you get what you're looking for. I've got Sophisto grey/Dark graphite so not posting any picture. But I like the clean look.

dinan5m3 · 03-21-2021, 12:02 PM

Is de-badging straight from the factory for custom build order even an option? If so, then will that shave off few cost from the build?

titomi · 03-21-2021, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

Is de-badging straight from the factory for custom build order even an option? If so, then will that shave off few cost from the build?

Not sure whether an option in your country (mine was an option from factory), but certainly no costs savings with this one.

335dFan · 03-21-2021, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

Is de-badging straight from the factory for custom build order even an option? If so, then will that shave off few cost from the build?

In my case, the un-badge was not done during the order process. Rather it was done via my instructions to the dealer as part of the final readiness actions taken before I took possession.

JSY · 03-21-2021, 01:20 PM

The dealer usually takes care of the unbadging. Mine actually had a checklist when I ordered to indicate which... but I didn't go along with it - except for the dealer badge that they would have put on anyway.

TheFiX3r · 03-21-2021, 04:21 PM

Tangential question related to debadging / rebadging... Has anyone seen any carbon fiber (in look, if not actual fiber) badges available?

Poked around on aliexpress but didn't see X3 M40i offerings.

satz · 03-21-2021, 04:54 PM

I think if you order unbadged it comes like that from the factory? That was the case with my X2

I removed the X3 badge on mine, but not the M40i. Have to show people why I paid so much for this car

Now I regret removing the X3 badge.

rob175 · 03-21-2021, 10:03 PM

If you "de-badge" how will anyone possibly know what make or model you drive?...oh yea, those two big blue, white and black front and rear BMW logos, grill, side vents and the size and shape of your X3.......how "stealth!....lol

yomaster · 03-21-2021, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dFan

Quote:

Originally Posted by yomaster

Hi there,

I am thinking to debadge my 2020 photonic Blue m40i...but not sure what it will looks like...

can anyone share your pictures to help me decide?

Thanks!

Lighter color: Glacier Silver.

Clean and beautiful

yomaster · 03-21-2021, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob175

If you "de-badge" how will anyone possibly know what make or model you drive?...oh yea, those two big blue, white and black front and rear BMW logos, grill, side vents and the size and shape of your X3.......how "stealth!....lol

lol
Well my intention of owning M40i is not to show off, but just want to enjoy the fun. I don't want people know how expensive this car is...just want people to think it's just a regular x3 and theres nothing to look at...

But they will know it's not a normal x3 until I turn on the engine haha

JSY · 03-22-2021, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yomaster

lol
Well my intention of owning M40i is not to show off, but just want to enjoy the fun. I don't want people know how expensive this car is...just want people to think it's just a regular x3 and theres nothing to look at...

But they will know it's not a normal x3 until I turn on the engine haha

I think someone here once said "those who don't know, won't know the difference anyway, and those who do, will know regardless".

I think there's truth to that. People who know it's a x3 will most likely know it's a m40i and those that don't know it's a x3 won't know the difference.

JSY · 03-22-2021, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satz

I think if you order unbadged it comes like that from the factory? That was the case with my X2

I removed the X3 badge on mine, but not the M40i. Have to show people why I paid so much for this car

Now I regret removing the X3 badge.

I really like the font of the X3 for the m series and it's unique for the model to be on the left side so I actually quite like it. You can always put it back on. LOL

JonnyBoyUK · 03-22-2021, 04:34 AM

People used to de badge their cars when they had a base model. To hide the fact that it was a base model.

Of course, in time people realised that when a car had no badge on the back it was probably a base model.

UncleWede · 03-22-2021, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyBoyUK

People used to de badge their cars when they had a base model. To hide the fact that it was a base model.

Of course, in time people realised that when a car had no badge on the back it was probably a base model.

debadged all 3 of my current vehicles:

GMC - bone stock: even hand-crank windows
E90 - 325, stock
G01 - M40i

For me, it had nothing to do with the model of vehicle. I don't have the dealers' license plate frame either.

TX3M · 03-22-2021, 01:01 PM

I'm planning to debadge. I've seen several videos on Youtube with different methods to get the adhesive off. One is the 3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel.

It looks really easy if you use the wheel, but I'm concerned about the wheel leaving fine scratches in the paint. Thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUj96ns1l7w

UncleWede · 03-22-2021, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX3M

I'm planning to debadge. I've seen several videos on Youtube with different methods to get the adhesive off. One is the 3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel.

Get some dental floss, pull it behind each letter, you might need a tad bit of goo gone to get the final slight adhesive if you don't do a bit of polishing right after. Mine I debadged as part of the initial detail, so I could hit the spot with my polisher if needed (wasn't this time) Then sealed the whole car with Z-2

chicagofan00 · 03-22-2021, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX3M

I'm planning to debadge. I've seen several videos on Youtube with different methods to get the adhesive off. One is the 3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel.

It looks really easy if you use the wheel, but I'm concerned about the wheel leaving fine scratches in the paint. Thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUj96ns1l7w

When I swapped out my badges for the gloss black ones I just heated them up a bit with a hair dryer (make sure not to hold it in one spot for too long and instead use a sweeping motion) and then took some dental floss and used a sawing motion to pop them off. Cleaned up any residue left behind with some isopropyl alcohol and it was good as them never having been there in the first place. I'd recommend to go through and do a little detail work afterwards like using a clay bar, some polish if needed, and then apply some wax.

TX3M · 03-22-2021, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Get some dental floss, pull it behind each letter, you might need a tad bit of goo gone to get the final slight adhesive if you don't do a bit of polishing right after. Mine I debadged as part of the initial detail, so I could hit the spot with my polisher if needed (wasn't this time) Then sealed the whole car with Z-2

Thanks, I am planning to use dental floss. I'm wondering if that Eraser wheel is a good idea?

satz · 03-22-2021, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

When I swapped out my badges for the gloss black ones I just heated them up a bit with a hair dryer (make sure not to hold it in one spot for too long and instead use a sweeping motion) and then took some dental floss and used a sawing motion to pop them off. Cleaned up any residue left behind with some isopropyl alcohol and it was good as them never having been there in the first place. I'd recommend to go through and do a little detail work afterwards like using a clay bar, some polish if needed, and then apply some wax.

This is exactly the same process I followed to remove the "X3" badge on mine.

03-21-2021, 09:29 AM	#1
yomaster YO 73 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	To debadge or not to debadge... Hi there, I am thinking to debadge my 2020 photonic Blue m40i...but not sure what it will looks like... can anyone share your pictures to help me decide? Thanks!
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03-21-2021, 10:44 AM	#3
lcasale Enlisted Member 9 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	De-badged (dirty) black sapphire Attached Images
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03-21-2021, 11:09 AM	#4
titomi Colonel 937 Rep 2,046 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: EU iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 G01 [0.00]	Just use google. At least you get what you're looking for. I've got Sophisto grey/Dark graphite so not posting any picture. But I like the clean look. __________________ '18 G01 X3 xDrive 30i xLine, Sophisto grey, Vernasca Mocha, Adaptive
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03-21-2021, 12:02 PM	#5
dinan5m3 Colonel 4488 Rep 2,112 Posts Drives: e39 m5 e46 m3 g01 x3m40i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: RTP NC iTrader: (0)	Is de-badging straight from the factory for custom build order even an option? If so, then will that shave off few cost from the build?
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03-21-2021, 01:20 PM	#8
JSY Major 584 Rep 1,110 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [9.33] 2015 BMW X3 35i [9.50]	The dealer usually takes care of the unbadging. Mine actually had a checklist when I ordered to indicate which... but I didn't go along with it - except for the dealer badge that they would have put on anyway.
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03-21-2021, 04:21 PM	#9
TheFiX3r Private First Class 25 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Tangential question related to debadging / rebadging... Has anyone seen any carbon fiber (in look, if not actual fiber) badges available? Poked around on aliexpress but didn't see X3 M40i offerings.
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03-21-2021, 04:54 PM	#10
satz Lieutenant Colonel 360 Rep 1,677 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: A land down under iTrader: (0)	I think if you order unbadged it comes like that from the factory? That was the case with my X2 I removed the X3 badge on mine, but not the M40i. Have to show people why I paid so much for this car Now I regret removing the X3 badge. __________________ 2019 X3 M40i, Sophisto grey, H/K, pano Previous: 2019 BMW X2 Msport, Mineral Grey, Adaptive Suspension, H/K Previous: 2009 335i LCI, Bluewater
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03-21-2021, 10:03 PM	#11
rob175 Major 712 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xiDrive30 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	If you "de-badge" how will anyone possibly know what make or model you drive?...oh yea, those two big blue, white and black front and rear BMW logos, grill, side vents and the size and shape of your X3.......how "stealth!....lol
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03-22-2021, 04:34 AM	#16
JonnyBoyUK Enlisted Member 23 Rep 43 Posts Drives: m140 & X3 2.0d M Sport XDrive Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bournemouth, UK iTrader: (0)	People used to de badge their cars when they had a base model. To hide the fact that it was a base model. Of course, in time people realised that when a car had no badge on the back it was probably a base model.
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03-22-2021, 01:01 PM	#18
TX3M Car guy 1049 Rep 1,324 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I'm planning to debadge. I've seen several videos on Youtube with different methods to get the adhesive off. One is the 3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel. It looks really easy if you use the wheel, but I'm concerned about the wheel leaving fine scratches in the paint. Thoughts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUj96ns1l7w
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