Boot lid Badges

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   My E39 BMW bought second hand, me being the second owner, doesn't have the 523i badge on the boot lid.  
The previous owner had it de-badged.  Why do people do it?  Is it to hide the fact that they are really tight fisted folk who only buy the frugal 1.6 and 1.8 power units on the Series 3's and don't want others knowing it?  Feel better... rant over.
Anyone know how much a new 523i badge would be?  Presumably these are a dealer source part only.  Anyone got any dimensions as to where these things go on the boot lid?  Is it just double sided tape that holds these badges on?
Andrew

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Andrew Rolland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579	Topic: Boot lid Badges Posted: 06-September-2004 at 03:50
	My E39 BMW bought second hand, me being the second owner, doesn't have the 523i badge on the boot lid. The previous owner had it de-badged. Why do people do it? Is it to hide the fact that they are really tight fisted folk who only buy the frugal 1.6 and 1.8 power units on the Series 3's and don't want others knowing it? Feel better... rant over. Anyone know how much a new 523i badge would be? Presumably these are a dealer source part only. Anyone got any dimensions as to where these things go on the boot lid? Is it just double sided tape that holds these badges on? Andrew
	Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto

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Retset Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 12-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 53	Posted: 06-September-2004 at 04:50
	Why do they do it? 3 reasons: 1) They have a smaller engined model in the range and hide it out of embarrasment - usually done by people who wanted the car as some sort of image statement but don't give a monkey's about how quick it is. 2) They have the fastest model in the range but want to get give that nova driving chav a surprise at the lights 3) To give the boot a cleaner visual profile. My 540i was debadged from new. Click my signature link to look at all the pics. Lovely isn't it? Handles well on M suspension as well. But does it look like it has 286bhp? No it doesn't! As long as I leave the standard 16" alloys on, I have the perfect "Q-car" ;) I have read somwhere that in Germany it is mainly the big engined cars that are debadged and that in the UK it is mainly the small engined ones ... go figure! Yours is interesting as it is not the smallest engined model. Of course, it sounds like it has a 2.3 when it actually has a 2.5 so perhaps the new buyer thought it sounded weenier than it was? I like a debadged car (my previous Passat 1.8T just said "Passat" and was faster than it looked, plastic wheel trims etc!) and would say to just leave it but that is, of course, a very personal opinion. I think they are just a stick on item from the stealers. You could just take a ruler with you and measure the location of one of the used E39's in stock whilst you are buying the badge! Edited by Retset
	1997 540i Touring auto Pictures and spec.

Nostrils Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 27-October-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 792	Posted: 06-September-2004 at 05:25
	Check with your local dealer, IIRC the car is standard with the badges and de-badging is a FOC option - Theoretically you should get the badges for free! I know with my E30 M3, imported from Germany without front or back badges, these were supplied FOC after looking at the computer (not sure if this was my dealer or something gleaned from the screen). Worth a call ay!
	Phil

Retset Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 12-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 53	Posted: 06-September-2004 at 07:16
	Also, you can get all your cars original spec from any BMW main stealer - just call or visit with chassis (last 7 digits only) or reg number - see my post 3rd down here for more details on what you can get.
	1997 540i Touring auto Pictures and spec.

parsley Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 26	Posted: 06-September-2004 at 07:42
	Andrew, You should be able to get a replacement badge from Euro Car Parts (http://www.eurocarparts.com/default.asp). They're usually around 12 quid HTH Parsley 1993 E34 520i

BMWE34sport Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 30-April-2004 Location: Hertfordshire Status: Offline Points: 353	Posted: 06-September-2004 at 07:51
	Andrew There happens to be one on Ebay at the moment, I found it when I was looking for Bonnet and Boot Roundels http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category =10374&item=2488997885&rd=1 Stuart
	1991 525 Sport