Re-Badge…

1

1stKnight

Member
 San Diego, CA
As some of you may have read from my newbie post, last year I had purchased a 04 2.5i with the SMG transmission. Prior to my purchase I had read and researched about this particular type of transmission. Personally, and having driven normal manual transmissions I was initially doubtful about SMG. Furthermore, I also knew that there was going to be a learning curve for me with the timing of the paddle up-shifts and downshifts, etc. etc. However, after driving and feeling the car for awhile, it has been quite fun and exhilarating. :D .....The definition of “SMG” as made by my son was, ”Simulated Manual Gratification”

Anyways, as part of my own personal pride to display the type of transmission that is in my Zed, I wanted to retrofit the engine identification side emblems from “2.5i” to “SMG”.

So after searching the internet for days, I finally found a distributor of chrome automotive lettering that had a slanted font very much similar the “Z4” as displayed on our trunk lids. I wanted the appearance to be as “OEM” as possible.

So what do you guys/gals think? And by the way I unfortunately took the lousy pictures. I’ll try to take better ones on a clear sunny day….

Before....
IMG_1418.jpg

After...
IMG_1424.jpg

IMG_1435.jpg
 
I think the pictures look fine! Now all you need is clear side indicators ;)

You realize its only BMW people whos going to understand that? Ive had people ask me "What does the M stand for on the side?"
I also think BMW should have offered SMG with all Z's
 
Starscream said:
I think the pictures look fine! Now all you need is clear side indicators ;)

You realize its only BMW people whos going to understand that? Ive had people ask me "What does the M stand for on the side?"
I also think BMW should have offered SMG with all Z's
Click to expand...

Yes, BMW owners are the ones. Also, I was just curious, what was your reply to the question to the "M"?, and when you replied did they have that blank look on there face and went, Uuuh-hmm and aahhh? I have friends who have M's, and it's really funny when somebody asks who makes that "M".....

Clear Markers? maybe....we will see....Hmmmm :roll:
 
I've looked twice and have fallen on the side of liking them. Debadged is the way to go as many have but these letters look good quality and well positioned. It's customisation and I'm all for that and it says what it is. (My pet hate is badges that don't belong on cars ///M on a non M etc.)

Perhaps a slightly more distant photo would be better to see how it sits than close up.

Totally agree on the clear indicators - They're becoming a bit late 90's now
 
cj10jeeper said:
I've looked twice and have fallen on the side of liking them. Debadged is the way to go as many have but these letters look good quality and well positioned. It's customisation and I'm all for that and it says what it is. (My pet hate is badges that don't belong on cars ///M on a non M etc.)

Perhaps a slightly more distant photo would be better to see how it sits than close up.

Totally agree on the clear indicators - They're becoming a bit late 90's now
Click to expand...

I'll try taking some new pics & posting them tomorrow...Thanks for the input......
:thumbsup:
 
Looks good...incidentally, would it be a problem to debadge my 2003? Will I see fading underneath? If not, how do I do it???!!!
 
It is no problem to remove. I used dental floss, placed it behind the emblem and with a slow sawing motion, slid the floss from right to left, and the emblem came off. You will notice that after removal there will be some adhesive residue still on the body panel. Others have said to use Goo-Gone or similar. As for me, I was too afraid to apply this stuff to the clear-coat. So I just carefully peeled the remaining adhesive with my fingers, which was no problem. I then finished the panel with Meguiar’s ScratchX, then last with a Microfiber cloth. There was no sign
of any fading when I had removed my side engine emblems...

Total time for each emblem removal was approximately 5 min....Good Luck :thumbsup:
 
mattholecko said:
Looks good...incidentally, would it be a problem to debadge my 2003? Will I see fading underneath? If not, how do I do it???!!!
Click to expand...


As above dental floss but use a hair dryer first will soften the glue holding them on when i did mine it did leave a couple of tiny marks pin head size but they will wet sand out just need someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to wet sanding.

Gives a much cleaner look to the car also removed the Z4 badge from the rear looks great shame about the boot lock though they should have put that behind the roundell
 
Use dental Floss or the plastic wedggie thingy used to press stickers/decals down to slowly force the emblems out, the "." in the "2.5" has a tendecy to break easily. Note: helps a LOT if u spray adhesive removal before hand and let it soak into the double sided tape underneath!

You will see some discoloration underneath if your car has been parked under the sun a lot but nothing a little wax & polish won't fix :thumbsup:
 
I've never seen a badge like that, it looks good I like it :thumbsup: .
As far as the clear indicators go, guess I'm again in the minority who thinks they're just meh.. :|..the yellow/orange is fine with me.
 
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