I'm in Amsterdam and most of the BMWs have no badges...

[P1]

Originally Posted by BadAstroknot

Thanks for the responses. It's interesting.

I also saw a white R8 wedged in a tiny parking spot on the canal in between two cars with a bicycle leaning against it and covered in dirt.

Also, apologies - didn't mean to generalize all of Europe. But Amsterdam and Brussels are beautiful! Highly recommended for anyone in the States to visit. Just don't fly American Airlines direct to Amsterdam - that 757 sucks hard. I'm a "normal" sized guy...I guess? But those goddamn seats are awful. 8hrs of numb ass syndrome.

I was about to apologize for Brussels, but glad to hear you had a good time!

[antych]

Originally Posted by Zippster

didn't you guys leave Europe?

No one can leave Europe, it's a continent.

[Unikarl]

Originally Posted by Zippster

didn't you guys leave Europe?

Yeah, we had England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland floated away to a different continent.

It's warmer now!

Badge delete is a free option. I went for it on mine but for the reason that I like an even look to it. Just need to get the 535 exhausts on it now instead of the twin pipes on one side.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by BadAstroknot

Thanks for the responses. It's interesting.

I also saw a white R8 wedged in a tiny parking spot on the canal in between two cars with a bicycle leaning against it and covered in dirt.

Also, apologies - didn't mean to generalize all of Europe. But Amsterdam and Brussels are beautiful! Highly recommended for anyone in the States to visit. Just don't fly American Airlines direct to Amsterdam - that 757 sucks hard. I'm a "normal" sized guy...I guess? But those goddamn seats are awful. 8hrs of numb ass syndrome.

American or European normal?

[AIRPOWER]

Originally Posted by Hans_ACS

Reason is that a lot have a small engine and don't want people to notice this. A bit stupid, but very common over here.

And even the other way around happens a lot : having a big engine and removing the badge, since it 'creates' jealousy ...

Debadging a bigger engine also helps to shy the THOUSANDS of car thieves in Holland!

Penalty for car theft in The Netherlands......3 months in jail with 3 hots and a cot, cable TV, college courses. Penalty for subsequent thefts........3 months. There is no discouragement at all.

[P1]

Originally Posted by AIRPOWER

Debadging a bigger engine also helps to shy the THOUSANDS of car thieves in Holland!

Penalty for car theft in The Netherlands......3 months in jail with 3 hots and a cot, cable TV, college courses. Penalty for subsequent thefts........3 months. There is no discouragement at all.

That holds true for most of Western Europe. It's disheartening.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by P1et

Typical. The Netherlands has a terrible car scene, so all you see are the smallest petrol engines are diesels.

I agree, that's why I love Cali so much.
But it can be explained. Cars are horribly expensive...my M5 comp pack set me back € 160.000 (some $ 180.000 ). Plus Amsterdam is different from the Netherlands.
Because of congestion and limited availability of parking spaces, Amsterdam is a city where even most rich folks prefer a bicycle over a car for their daily innercity transportation.

Welcome to XXX by the way!

[BadAstroknot]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

American or European normal?

American.

Nice one!

[PatrickM3]

Originally Posted by P1et

Typical. The Netherlands has a terrible car scene, so all you see are the smallest petrol engines are diesels. So what do you do? You rip the badge off. Same in Belgium. And if you have a big engine, you should be ashamed because HOW DARE YOU THROW THAT IN MY FACE so you take the badge of as not to offend someone who cannot afford a large engine...

Based on your experience?

Most laws concerning cars over here in the Netherlands are created by very left wing politicians. Cars and environment are the cash cow of our governement. That is why many people chose to drive a diesel-saver or small petrol engine. Hybrid cars drive mostly on petrol engines on the highway, yet still they are heavily supported by various tax cuts for the owners and drivers....

It is true that driving a big car is sometimes seen as not done. Showing you can afford something more is many times not appreciated. (sadly) We even have a word invented for SUV's : Shoppingmall Tractor. (actually a free translation of PC Hooft Tractor)

I drive a big diesel until the end of the year and had my badges left off, because I loved the cleaner look of the rear of the car. I have an M Sport package which stands out a lot more than a few BMW or engine badges with its bulky bumpers and mini M badges all over.

[shil]

I've debadged mine. I like it.

[P1]

Originally Posted by PatrickM3

Based on your experience?

Most laws concerning cars over here in the Netherlands are created by very left wing politicians. Cars and environment are the cash cow of our governement. That is why many people chose to drive a diesel-saver or small petrol engine. Hybrid cars drive mostly on petrol engines on the highway, yet still they are heavily supported by various tax cuts for the owners and drivers....

It is true that driving a big car is sometimes seen as not done. Showing you can afford something more is many times not appreciated. (sadly) We even have a word invented for SUV's : Shoppingmall Tractor. (actually a free translation of PC Hooft Tractor)

I drive a big diesel until the end of the year and had my badges left off, because I loved the cleaner look of the rear of the car. I have an M Sport package which stands out a lot more than a few BMW or engine badges with its bulky bumpers and mini M badges all over.

Based on the fact that I'm Belgian, lived in the Netherlands for many years and my parents, until recently, lived in Amsterdam...

[PatrickM3]

Originally Posted by P1et

Based on the fact that I'm Belgian, lived in the Netherlands for many years and my parents, until recently, lived in Amsterdam...

Couldn't have figured that from you profile ! Biertje? Proost !

Funny thing is that I have have also lived in Belgium and in Texas, but still living in the Netherlands now.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by shil

I've debadged mine. I like it.

Same. Always debadge all my cars.

Wish we had the option to have them built without them.

[P1]

Originally Posted by PatrickM3

Couldn't have figured that from you profile ! Biertje? Proost !

Funny thing is that I have have also lived in Belgium and in Texas, but still living in the Netherlands now.

Look at my user name and I bet you can guess it...

You didn't like living in Texas? I love it here.

[PatrickM3]

Originally Posted by P1et

Look at my user name and I bet you can guess it...

You didn't like living in Texas? I love it here.

I figured out your username later, I loved Texas, was living in Dallas ft.Worth area, went back after I got my masters degree.

I do go to FL every year, love it even better than Texas.

OT: I liked the debadged look on my 5 series better, but I'm so proud of my new M3 30 Jahre that I will leave every single one of them on my car.

[x5mannn]

Folks have been debadging mercs and BMWs since the 70's in Germany. I've been there many times since the 60's

[Zippster]

Originally Posted by Unikarl

Yeah, we had England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland floated away to a different continent.

It's warmer now!

Badge delete is a free option. I went for it on mine but for the reason that I like an even look to it. Just need to get the 535 exhausts on it now instead of the twin pipes on one side.

I meant Brexit. It wasn't a geographical plate tectonic statement.

[Robin_NL]

Difficult to unbadge the M2, because still in the front grille and sidegills, but my mate got rid of the '2'
So now every noncar guy thinks it's an M3/4/5 lol.



Cheers
Robin

[david in germany]

Very easy to determine what model they are by brake caliper and exhaust pipe. I don't even look for designation badge anymore because people will try to show off with a badge upgrade. Example, change the badge from 116i to 125i or even 135i. You can see the difference right away by the tiny calipers and rotors even if they have retrofit the performance exhaust.

[Northern X5M]

Originally Posted by BadAstroknot

Thanks for the responses. It's interesting.

I also saw a white R8 wedged in a tiny parking spot on the canal in between two cars with a bicycle leaning against it and covered in dirt.

Also, apologies - didn't mean to generalize all of Europe. But Amsterdam and Brussels are beautiful! Highly recommended for anyone in the States to visit. Just don't fly American Airlines direct to Amsterdam - that 757 sucks hard. I'm a "normal" sized guy...I guess? But those goddamn seats are awful. 8hrs of numb ass syndrome.

That's why for any flight over 3 hours I fly first/business class. Economy, I cannot sit and have my legs fit straight in front of me. If I get a chubby fella next to me then it is hell. I just spent a month in Europe a couple months ago and KLM First Class Amsterdam to Edmonton was perhaps one of the greatest experiences of my life! I now tell people if they have limited time in Europe to include Amsterdam.

[BadAstroknot]

Originally Posted by david in germany

Very easy to determine what model they are by brake caliper and exhaust pipe. I don't even look for designation badge anymore because people will try to show off with a badge upgrade. Example, change the badge from 116i to 125i or even 135i. You can see the difference right away by the tiny calipers and rotors even if they have retrofit the performance exhaust.

I'm new to the family . So, I need to learn about my relatives...

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by BadAstroknot

Thanks for the responses. It's interesting.

I also saw a white R8 wedged in a tiny parking spot on the canal in between two cars with a bicycle leaning against it and covered in dirt.

Also, apologies - didn't mean to generalize all of Europe. But Amsterdam and Brussels are beautiful! Highly recommended for anyone in the States to visit. Just don't fly American Airlines direct to Amsterdam - that 757 sucks hard. I'm a "normal" sized guy...I guess? But those goddamn seats are awful. 8hrs of numb ass syndrome.

As American living in Brussels for four years can you tell me where you visited??? I wanna see the beautiful parts too!! Jk...kinda

As far as the badges..no reason to advertise you drive a 318d or 320d..the 2.0 liter diesel is king in Europe