Badges? They Don’t Need ...

Why bash the Yanks? There's no evidence that your explanation has any validity or data to back it up.
The other explanation could just as easily be that the Europeans who do debadge are the ones who buy the 118i or 320i's and want to pass them off as 128i or 335i's.
And btw, I'm not a Yank, but don't like to see my buds south of the border getting kicked around by some ahole who doesn't know what wtf he's talking about.

— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 1:22:45 PM | | Votes: 9   

Yeah thats not right to generalize I will say though that while everyone doesnt think like that clearly the Auto companies believe they do. There are no 6 cylinder high end versions of cars despite the fact they are in 2009 and beyond adequate ie 740i, CLS350 etc. Or the fact that everyone thought Hyundai would fail with the Genesis because of its "badges," or the fact Toyota had to introduce Lexus in order to sell its high end car so on and so forth.

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 1:38:40 PM | | Votes: 2   

"Seems people in the States want to shout about how much they spent and like to flaunt it at every opportunity."

At least we cab still build or own darn cars.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 6:59:05 PM | | Votes: 2   

— 204E60:

> Europeans, particularly well-heeled ones, are far more discreet
> than people with money in the States.

Almost each and every over the top ostentatious car belonging to:
- supercars
- overpowered normal cars (like a 600HP Audi estate car, 600HP+ Mercedes AMG sedans)
- pointless due to price vehicles (like the Bugatti Veyron, McLaren F1)
comes from Europe.

Probably the only wealthy nation not eaten by the conspicuous consumption disease are Japanese. They can own a Kei car and be satisfied with that.


> As an S Class, for example, can be had with a small
> Diesel motor or small V6 as well as the ostentatious V12,

The only reason for this is that Europeans can neither afford a V12 Mercedes nor they can afford refueling it. Simple as that.

In terms of power, USA starts where Europe ends.

See this in a BMW example. In Europe, BMW 3 series are almost entirely sold with economy class, underpowered four pot diesel slow burners. At the same time, USA portfolio starts with a BMW trademark straight six - an engine that already lays above the purchase barrier for some 90% of European BMW 3er buyers.


> removing the badge keeps the vehicle in a relatively low-key status

Removing the badge only decreases the probability of the car being stolen.

And it also hides the fact that you buy, say, a large, luxury car with a Mickey Mouse engine (because you can't afford fuel). It's quite comfortable from the psychological perspective.


> Seems people in the States want to shout about how much
> they spent and like to flaunt it at every opportunity.

Just like they do it in Europe all the time. Visit some bigger capitals to see my point as clearly as possible.

— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 8:04:58 PM | | Votes: 1   

AgentOrange -- Who's bashing the Yanks? And you want "evidence?" I live in both Europe and California and I have plenty of evidence: All German manufacturers have a "delete badge" option for cars delivered into the European Union. It's also very common to see de-badged BMWs, Audis, Mercedes-Benz and other high-end brands throughout Europe. In the States, it's very rare to see a car de-badged. So the "evidence" you mention is clear as a bell. And why call someone an "ahole"...? How low do you have to be to say that? 'Nuff said.

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 10:12:31 PM | | Votes: 1   

Oh... I thought those with de-badged cars just got their badges stolen. lol

— WorldofLuxury (View Profile)

Posted on 10/11/2009 7:50:27 AM | | Votes: 0   

Downtoretardness,

What a bunch of crap in your post.


"Probably the only wealthy nation not eaten by the conspicuous consumption disease are Japanese. They can own a Kei car and be satisfied with that."


Give me a fucking break.

You talk about Europeans not being able to afford a luxury car with a big engine when the reality is that most people who buy a luxury car in Europe feel that the entry-level engines are completely ADEQUATE TO THEIR NEEDS. I drive a BMW 118i and I love it. It's quick, it's fun and it satisfies my needs. Why the hell should I buy a 130i which is limited to the same speeds on public roads or highways as my 118i and uses more fuel? Oh wait, it is quicker to 100 km/h! Who friggin cares!?

Aside from this we have a lot of vehicle taxes here. These taxes have ensured that we have stayed realistic with out car purchasing habits. People here don't think that a 0-100 km/h time of 9-10 seconds is "slow".

Oh, and just because you're wealthy doesn't mean you want to flaunt your wealth by buying an S600 instead of an S320. I personally know many well-off people that could easily afford a luxury car with a bigger engine - but these guys bought a luxury car with a smaller engine instead for their own reasons. Near my little of Mühldorf in southern Germany is a castle and its ground owned by a wealthy baroness. She's filthy rich - and she drives an early 2000 Volkswagen Golf SDI which is a naturally aspirated (slowest) diesel offering from that Golf generation. Clearly, she buys cars with her HEAD. She's old, she doesn't drive much - this car obviously suited her needs.

It's funny how you claim that the Japanese are not affected by this. Have you ever been to Japan? My guess is not. You can get an Audi, BMW or Mercedes there with a 4-cylinder engine. Big deal. You can get a Toyota Crown with a 2.0 engine as well - and the Crown is a premium car.


Your obsession with 0-100 km/h times and big engines indicates to me that you're some dysfunctional kid who doesn't understand shit.

— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/11/2009 2:08:59 PM | | Votes: 2   

Wimmer

Idiots like downtoearth have probably never stepped foot outside the USA so trying to have a sensible debate with him is a total waste of time.

— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 10/11/2009 6:12:20 PM | | Votes: 0   

agent orange:
it's the opposite. europeans buying the TOP models are the one most likely to de-badge the car. it's a matter of discretion. not flaunting wealth.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 12:01:28 AM | | Votes: 4   

There are at least a dozen Audis in my small Midwest town that are debadged. It is the "euro" thing to do. They all seem to be modified a bit. To me, it makes the car a bit more timeless, as the comparable models with badges look older to me for some reason.

— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 9:39:17 AM | | Votes: 2   

debadging is tasteful. the folks trying to make their 6 cylinder appear to be an 8 cylinder are more likely to buy the 8 cylinder insignia rather than remove badges altogether.

on a previous mercedes i owned, i removed the upright hood ornament in favor of the small round piece flush with the hood (while when i was younger, i wanted to get an aftermarket grille with the enormous flava flav 3 pointed star).

if i were buying a 911, particularly one of the high end models, the first option i'd check off would be the "model designation delete" option. its the one reasonably priced porsche option...free.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/14/2009 12:06:11 AM | | Votes: 1   

Even if that were true in Europe, one could not therefore conclude that Yanks don't debadge because they "want to shout about how much they spent and like to flaunt it at every opportunity".

— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 1:38:01 PM | | Votes: 1   

AgentOrange: you are so wrong, it's pathetic. Maybe you've been sniffing too much of that "Agent Orange."

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 10:15:34 PM | | Votes: 1   

True story: a friend of mine had his trunk broken into his car creating scratches and dents on the trunk lid. He took the car in to get it fixed and painted and he left the badges off becuase he loved the cleaner look (honestly it did look better).

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 3:45:43 AM | | Votes: 3   

All Porsche 911 models have a "Delete Model Designation" option in the U.S. as well as European markets.

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2009 10:19:11 PM | | Votes: 1   

Why do you think I said "MOST MANUFACTURES"

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 10/11/2009 12:42:41 PM | | Votes: 2   

Please do not use a knife to remove your badges you will scratch the hell out of your car. Fishing line or dental floss get badges off likity split without damaging the paint.

— rigid (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 10:20:29 AM | | Votes: 2