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To Badge or to Debadge?


NewNiceMrMe
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Ive Debadged mine as the last one I had some barsteward nicked the badge. Someone had a go at my Quattro badge so I decided to take them all off before any more damage was done.

I think it looks OK with or without it just personal choice. I wouldnt though go sticking an RS4 badge on it

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An interesting one this.

I did hear once that there were similar yet subtly different trends when it comes to debadging in the UK and Germany. In Germany, one may debadge an M5 to make it look like a 520i, in the UK one is far more likely to debadge a 520i to try to make it look like an M5. Says everything about our obssessive brand image culture I think...

I voted to debadge a high end model for stealth. In fact, I'm unlikely to actually take the badges off a car, but if there is a delete model inscription option on a new car I'd probably tick it.

It also depends on the car - there really isn't much point debadging a rally blue Impreza WRX STi, but I'd almost certainly go for debadging something like an A8 W12 (although I think I'd leave the grille badge). I think I'd leave the badge on yours too MrMe - wouldn't want to be accused of trying to make it look like a 650i or M6... grin.gif

The Legacy came debadged anyway, apart from the Subaru logo and 'LEGACY', which certainly helps the stealth factor.

I can see what MrMe is saying inasmuch as debadging won't fool everyone - the observant/anorak enthusiast (or thief for that matter) can see an RS6 or an M5 a mile away. But your average Joe Public hasn't got a clue about exhausts, vents, wheel arches, alloys etc. etc.

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As for me, definitely debadged. It looks cleaner, and why exactly do you need other road users to know the model, the engine side, whether it's got a turbo (for instance), what fuel the car uses, that it's the "top of the range", that it's really really fast, whatever? I mean really, why? confused.gif

Mine is a the "base" model however my previous A3 was the "top" model and I debadged that too. Oh and incidently, other than different exhausts on the diesel, the Audi A4 Cab models are internally and externally identical.

At the end of the day it's an Audi Cabriolet, what else do I need people to know? confused.gif

6_G_001.sized.jpg

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If I tried to tow the boat with the cab I think it'd fall over! grin.gif

Incidentally, in the boating world you just get the make and the model, no manufacturer feels the need to mention turbos or engine size or whether it's a Tdi or a "Sport" or whatever.

In fact hows this for subtlety? In the Fairline Squadron range, they even display the model (which relates to the boat size, ie a Squadron 62 is 62ft) as the nautical flag symbols for 62! grin.gif

Like this:

signalflag1.GIF

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Interestingly I saw a S class this morning being tested by Mercedes, which had had only one number removed.....so it read

S 00

Bit wierd, it could only be either a 500 or 600 couldn't it?

Anyway, debadged rear for me, looks smarter I think and on the estate it is very stealthy!

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Ok, apologise for not reading all the posts but this is the experience I've had with debaging a car (my ex's bini)

She had a mini one, we put cooper s alloys on it, gave it some decal treatment, had amd tweak it and had a decent option spec on it from BMW. Took off the one badge from factory because we knew these things were going to be done, resultant car was faster than a cooper, looked like a cooper but was in fact £4500 cheaper than buying the most similar spec cooper.

We didn't badge it up as anything different but to those who thought they were in the know they would think it was a Cooper.

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[ QUOTE ]

How about a Before and After shot. Which do you prefer?

786611-TSN999.jpg

786627-mrme.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Without for me. Not because of the symmetry issue (I can't argue that one having an asymmetric S4 badge that I rather like) but for two other reasons:

1) The size - It seems just a touch too large, a bit shouty like.

2) That it fails to serve any useful purpose. Everyone can see its a 6 series convertible. No-ones business what engine you've choosen.

If mine had any V8 or 4.2 badges they'd have been removed straight away. The rings, quattro and S are the only Audi badges that I like.

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[ QUOTE ]

[2) That it fails to serve any useful purpose. Everyone can see its a 6 series convertible. No-ones business what engine you've choosen.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly my point of earlier! 169144-ok.gif

Why does anyone need passers by to be aware of which model, what size the engine is, and other technical information? confused.gif

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How do people feel about down badging ie getting something with uprated engine, suspension and brakes, for example a Rover Metro with a 1.8 K-Series engine, then badging it as a Rover Metro 1.1C?

Leaving all of the body standard and just uprating whats below the body for ultimate sleep effect?

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On rereading, that sounds a little dismissive. IIRC this was suggested on TSN many moons ago and I wasn't totally opposed to the concept. Having since had a debadged car, I now think that simply debadging probably goes far enough on the stealth front.

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I have to say, on MrMe's 6, I would go for the debadge for no other reason then symmetry. Having heard and seen the car first hand, there's no mistaking it for what it is but for me, the back looks much cleaner without the badges in the pictures.

786611-TSN999.jpg

786627-mrme.jpg

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