April 16, 2010
The market is flooded with replica BMW accessories bearing the M-Tec logo. Sometimes it is difficult to tell which are originals and which are copies. This is especially true for M-Tec boot and grille badges.
Probably the products most copied are M-Tec boot and grille badges. Such replica badges are effectively illegal counterfeits as they are using the M trademark without authorisation. This has led to the circulation of numerous misconceptions about what is and is not original BMW. Following are a few facts ....
* The letter M on original M-Tec boot and grille badges is always chromed plastic. BMW never made this part of the badge out of metal like many people believe
* The M stripes are always a sticker. BMW never painted these on or made them from enamel
* BMW never made an M-Tec grille badge out of the newer style curved M-Tec badge. Those 'new style' grille badges on the market are not original, although its not to say that the badge itself isn't original
As you will have noticed by now, BMW changed the style of the M-Tec logo when the BMW E39 M5 appeared. It now has a curved surface as opposed to the flat surface of the older style badge. It then appeared on the BMW E46 M3 and on all other M Power models since then. The old style badge faded out with the E30, E34 and Z3 models.
The perception seems to be that the new style badge is better quality than the older flat style and therefore some believe that because of this, the older style badge is a copy. Obviously, this isn't true.
The new style curved M-Tec badge has a few little known facts surrounding it......
* A BMW supplied new style M-Tec boot badge may include a red stripe which is a darker red than normal; in fact it is almost burgundy in colour.
* The new style BMW E46 M3 badge includes a burgundy red stripe. However, the badge is smaller than that of many other new style M, M5 and M6 badges etc by about 5mm or 6mm. The M5 and M6 badges have a lighter red stripe.
* The new style BMW E90 and BMW E92 M3 badge is also smaller than most other M badges. The back of the badge has a slight curve which helps it to fit on the curved boot lid surface of the E90 and E92 M3.
When buying an M-Tec badge,check with the seller that it is original and that its suitable for your BMW.
There are numerous different types and sizes of M badges available. Whilst each is designed to fit on to certain BMW models in specific locations, many can be used on most flat surfaces on any model.
Undoubtedly, original M-Tec badges cost much more to buy than replicas but you get what you pay for in terms of quality and originality.
---------------------------------------------------- Nigel Marston has been an independent BMW accessories and parts specialist for the past 20 years and a BMW enthusiast since the late 1980s. He has owned many different BMW models over the years and is well known by people in many countries for his knowledge and enthusiasm about BMW cars. To subscribe to Nigel's free BMW enthusiasts newsletter and read other BMW related articles he has written, visit his website => http://www.nm-motorsport.com
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