de-badging my 3is
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 182
From: Los Angeles, CA
I personally think a car someone drives has nothing to do with where they are at in life. Some people simply like to have nice cars, while some just don't need them. Someone may be well off in life, with a house and a family and whatnot, but continues to drive their old volvo (for example). So other shallow people see them and think it's a poor person driving, while that person has more money anyone could imagine them having. And I think owning/leasing an is250 already tells the public that you ain't messing around in life. You driving a 350 just tells them you wanted extra power. With that said, there is some logic to what you're saying though, as I would never debadge an ISF or an M3 and such because those badges are something to be proud of. However, an IS250/350 is so massively popular nowadays that not a minute goes by when I don't see one on the freeway. It's a nice car, but it's not special anymore in its factory form. Not sure how it is in other states, but here in CA it's just insane how many people have an IS. So anything I can do to separate mine from the pack, I will do it! And debadging was my first step in that direction.
there are, though, a great amount of people in southern california (less here in SD county than in LA, though) who own ISs and to differentiate from the rest of the pack is really quite difficult. I do, for the most part, like the look of the car as it is stock which makes it even more difficult to differentiate. tasteful and very small mods here and there make all the difference, although i'm not sure which tasteful/small mods to make. i'm not a fan of heavily or even moderately modded cars and so it's all the more difficult.
i contemplated debadging the car, but ultimately decided against it.
I have a rare 350 here in the NY/NJ area where like 90% of the IS's any generation are always 250's however i still debadged simply because it looks so much cleaner in the rear IMHO 
It does kinda suck that there's really no visual way to distinguish a 250 and 350 since they look exactly the same ?? At least with the 3 or 4 Series BMW's i've learned that they do look almost exactly the same way but one can tell them apart by checking their exhaust tips where only the 335 or 435's have the dual exhausts
It does kinda suck that there's really no visual way to distinguish a 250 and 350 since they look exactly the same ?? At least with the 3 or 4 Series BMW's i've learned that they do look almost exactly the same way but one can tell them apart by checking their exhaust tips where only the 335 or 435's have the dual exhausts
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I debadged my 350 F Sport the day I brought it home from the dealer and did it because I prefer that " clean " look and really don't give a rat's *** of what other people think as to whether I'm in a 250 or 350 
Not for nothing but my rear looks pretty darn good IMHO
Not for nothing but my rear looks pretty darn good IMHO
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 532
Likes: 15
From: Singapore
IS250 is for female - they want the look but dont know jack about power
IS350 is for men - know what he wants
All joke aside the IS250 and IS350 price difference isnt even that big, so i don't understand why people even get the IS250. If your excuse is to save gas than should get a hybrid.
IS350 is for men - know what he wants
All joke aside the IS250 and IS350 price difference isnt even that big, so i don't understand why people even get the IS250. If your excuse is to save gas than should get a hybrid.
Rookie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 61
Likes: 3
From: AZ
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I haven't been able to find much info on the 
badge on the rear. I assume because most people do not remove them, it is because there are holes? I know the IS250/350 AWD all will not leaves holes behind, but not sure about the or the F-Sport badge.
I am asking in reference to a 2015 IS350 F-Sport. Any insight will be appreciated.
badge on the rear. I assume because most people do not remove them, it is because there are holes? I know the IS250/350 AWD all will not leaves holes behind, but not sure about the or the F-Sport badge. I am asking in reference to a 2015 IS350 F-Sport. Any insight will be appreciated.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 423
Likes: 48
From: America
I agree. MPG difference between isn't even that big. Why not drop the extra $5k for the much better car. I also assume a debadged IS is a 250 when it passes. Chances are it is anyways because so many people buy the 250.
