We don't need no stinkin' badges

Bimmer p.i. · 03-01-2011, 11:51 AM

I have seen 'Spotted' threads where some guy has smacked M badges on a non-M car and understand that this frowned upon, and I can certainly understand why - but here's my question -

As a Dodge muscle car guy, if someone takes a regular - let's say 1970 Challenger 318cid small block car and completely redoes it - big block motor, transmission, beefier leaf springs, larger torsion bars, and all other aspects of the R/T performance package of the model, and he puts R/T badges on it, it's considered perfectly fine, as long as they don't change the VIN or fender tags to make it look factory. A big block R/T is just cooler and more enjoyable, anyway but costs a lot less to mod a rallye car than to buy an R/T. We call this a 'clone'. It is often done with the E-body cars such as Challengers and 'Cudas.

So if a guy takes a regular 3-series car and makes all the mods that would be found in a legit M car - body kit, suspension, exhaust, engine modifications (without the displacement but the injectors, M50 manifold, intake etc.) but doesn't do too much on the interior (stock seats over 'vaders') is he still an asshole to put M badges on it then?

I certainly don't plan on this myself (don't want to put that kind of cash into the project, quite frankly) but was just asking as I am still new to this community and to these cars and was curious where the line was.

Ceeker · 03-01-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer p.i.

I have seen 'Spotted' threads where some guy has smacked M badges on a non-M car and understand that this frowned upon, and I can certainly understand why - but here's my question -

As a Dodge muscle car guy, if someone takes a regular - let's say 1970 Challenger 318cid small block car and completely redoes it - big block motor, transmission, beefier leaf springs, larger torsion bars, and all other aspects of the R/T performance package of the model, and he puts R/T badges on it, it's considered perfectly fine, as long as they don't change the VIN or fender tags to make it look factory. A big block R/T is just cooler and more enjoyable, anyway but costs a lot less to mod a rallye car than to buy an R/T. We call this a 'clone'. It is often done with the E-body cars such as Challengers and 'Cudas.

So if a guy takes a regular 3-series car and makes all the mods that would be found in a legit M car - body kit, suspension, exhaust, engine modifications (without the displacement but the injectors, M50 manifold, intake etc.) but doesn't do too much on the interior (stock seats over 'vaders') is he still an asshole to put M badges on it then?

I certainly don't plan on this myself (don't want to put that kind of cash into the project, quite frankly) but was just asking as I am still new to this community and to these cars and was curious where the line was.

That's the difference between domestic and foreign, especially bmw's. A "clone" is not worth as much as an original. any collector will not want a clone and would be willing to pay the premium on an original. Since muscle cars are very limited now and earn their keep. Cloning something that is original into something that isn't actually takes away from its value. But! I suppose regardless of what people think, and everyone has an opinion. If someone whats to badge their car an R/T when it's not, then really who gives a rats ass whether you want to badge your non- M car when it comes down to it. It's yours and whether people agree or not makes no diff at the end of the day. We aren't in the dark ages where you get banished from the village for heracy and blasphemy!!!! LOL

Bimmer p.i. · 03-01-2011, 12:10 PM

well, just putting an M3 badge on, say a stock 318i then getting your ass handed to you by a guy in his mom's Accord makes the M-name look bad! We certainly don't want the backwards-hat-brigade thinking that Hondas can now beat an M car!! This I can understand as heracy!

But tooling around in a 328 that's had the proper mods to it so it can hold its own is another thing. Do what you want with your own car, just don't make the rest of us look bad doing it

thank you for your thoughts, Ceeker

defaultName · 03-01-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer p.i.

So if a guy takes a regular 3-series car and makes all the mods that would be found in a legit M car - body kit, suspension, exhaust, engine modifications (without the displacement but the injectors, M50 manifold, intake etc.) but doesn't do too much on the interior (stock seats over 'vaders') is he still an asshole to put M badges on it then?

More often then not the ///M badge is the only mod that is done to the car.

Helka · 03-01-2011, 08:53 PM

Doesnt the M badge give the car 5HP?

Bimmer p.i. · 03-01-2011, 09:10 PM

Depends on which - the trunk badge is 5 but the door trim is only 3

blk3 · 03-01-2011, 09:18 PM

lol nice. i was told by one guy that i should slap an m badge on my car because he thinks that would get all the ladies lol. i told him if i was to do something like that i would put in the m motor and leave the outside as is but thats just me i guess.

davericher20 · 03-01-2011, 10:02 PM

it's a matter of preference, some people won't care while others will flame you.

I'm suprised that the domestic scene is different where it's accepted by everyone.

IMO If it's not a real M then trying to be like one is pathetic (maybe a little harsh)

It seems to me that most people who have M badges on non-M cars are uneducated about the brand, and only care about what the uninformed regular idiot on the street thinks.

Again maybe a little harsh lol.

Bimmer p.i. · 03-01-2011, 10:03 PM

Makes me laugh, that - like most chicks even know the difference

When I had my 440 Challenger a guy once said that it must be a real p**sy magnet - seriously?? To a girl it's just a loud, smelly old car with lap belts and no A/C!!

M or not a BMW is still a BMW!

so this begs the question then - as a noob, I'm curious to what would a person "in the know" look for (other than the engine valve cover) on the exterior to know the difference? I woudl like to be able to spot the difference, and identify a fake.

The body of a Challenger is the same for a base vs. R/T, except for some of the hoods - what are the M vs. non-M differences to the body? Other than the obvious bumpers/mirrors/skirts. Is the hood different? Lights? Grille? doors? etc

joey79 · 03-02-2011, 12:15 AM

The exterior differences are front and rear bumpers, skirts, mirrors, moldings. All of the M sheet metal is the same as non-M. Some wannabes might even change the engine cover, so another way to tell by looking under the hood is the location of the oil cap on the valve cover, and the color of the oil filter housing. If the oil filler cap is towards the front of the valve cover and the oil filter housing has the silver aluminum top, it's an s50/52. Or you could look at the vin. VINs starting with "wba" = non-m, "wbs" = m.

Axxe · 03-02-2011, 12:17 AM

exhaust is usually the big one. M badges tend to be places on single tipped 318's and 320's the most (on e36's)

SiR · 03-02-2011, 12:54 AM

muscle car guys are some of the biggest r*cers ever...seriously.

its frowned upon this generation to do that kind of thing to any car...regardless of origin.

anyone who talks about cars being chick magnets is a dumba55.

pawcio · 03-02-2011, 08:21 AM

it also the mentality between N.A and Europe. i've probably brought this up before but there are european spec non-M cars that come M badged. and this is since the 70's or early 80's

personally though i wouldn't put an M3 badge on my car, but I don't think there's anything wrong with having M badges on a car...or at least i don't care if other people do it. i'd also be more accepting of it if some M-like mods were done but i wouldn't get my panties in a bunch about it like a lot of people.

Axxe · 03-02-2011, 09:57 AM

My e36 is basically an m3 at this point minus the wbs vin, and there is no way I'd rock an m3 badge. I might make a custom 332i badge, or just debadge it (most likely).

Bimmer p.i. · 03-02-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axxe

My e36 is basically an m3 at this point minus the wbs vin, and there is no way I'd rock an m3 badge. I might make a custom 332i badge, or just debadge it (most likely).

so did you do a whole S52 engine swap, or bore out a 2.8?

it is kind of funny, the two extremes. On one end are the 'meh - I don't care. Your car, do what you want", then other end is the "burnin's to good for'm! Hangin's too good for'm!" - there's really very little middle ground in this 'debate'.