Taping the area around the insignia on the hood to safeguard the paint while removing it is optional. Using a cloth under the pry tool to prevent scratches is another option for protection. To make the removal process simpler, choosing the appropriate pry tool is essential. To fit beneath the symbol, the tip must be extremely thin. To prevent scratching your paint, we advise sealing the tip of a thin flat head screwdriver with masking tape. For further information, see the images below.
Pry up the old insignia first, then work your way around it until it begins to lift up evenly. Simply grip and pull after it has been raised high enough for you to pick it up with your fingers.
Two mounting tabs on the underside fit into plastic grommets on the underside. Along with the symbol, these two grommets should be replaced. The grommets will become loose as a result of drying out and cracking. While driving, a loose hood emblem could cause the emblem to fly off.
Use needle tip pliers to pry out the plastic grommets to remove them. Now that the hood emblem and both grommets have been removed, the hood may be cleaned. It’s possible that the old symbol had salt, sand, or dirt trapped underneath it from normal driving conditions.
After cleaning the hood, start placing the new grommets into position. Align the tabs of the new BMW hood emblem with the grommets now. The margins of the emblem should fit snugly with no gaps between them and the hood. The installation is now finished.
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How to Replace the BMW Hood Decals (aka Roundel Emblem)
The roundel emblems on the hood and trunk of a BMW are one of its distinguishing characteristics. When you initially buy a new car, these decorations are attractive. However, with continued exposure to the sun’s UV rays, they may eventually deteriorate, possibly cracking and fading. A replacement emblem can be purchased for $5 to $35 on eBay and other internet retailers, making it more inexpensive than many other auto components. Once you have a fresh symbol in your possession, you may swap out the old one for the new one in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes.
Even though an 82mm ornament diameter is the norm, BMWs DON’T always have the same size ornament. To confirm the part you require, you can use a tool like RealOEM. Take off the current emblem and check the rear for the OEM part number as a last resort if you can’t figure out what part you need. In this manner, you will be aware of what you require whether you buy an OEM or aftermarket part.
Both the emblem and two mounting grommets must be purchased. You are prepared to start this BMW repair once you have the necessary parts and tools.
Tools:
- Sharp-nosed pliers
- tape masking
- razor-sharp flat-head screwdriver
- a plastic pry bar
Step 1: Tape the area around the BMW symbol to protect the paint as you remove it from the vehicle. Placing a towel beneath the pry tool while you work will also prevent scratches on your car. Make sure to use a pry tool that is as thin as possible because it will have a significant impact on how easy the replacement process is. Masking tape must also be applied on a flat-head screwdriver if you choose to use one to prevent scratching the paint.
Step 2: Use the prying tool to start removing the ornament that is currently attached to your car once you have all of your tools nearby and everything is secure. As you loosen the symbol, move it around so that it remains comparatively flat. Once you’ve mostly freed it, you can use your fingers to complete the removal.
3. Mount the ornament by inserting the tabs on the back of it into grommets. When replacing the emblem, it is a good idea to go ahead and install new grommets. The plastic grommets, which naturally begin to wear and split with time, endanger the stability of the ornament and may even cause it to come loose from the car while you are driving (which is dangerous, although not as bad as a poorly secured tree flying off it).
Step 4: Remove your BMW’s grommets using your needle nose pliers. The grommets and decoration should have been taken off by this stage. Cleaning is best done now because it’s likely that over time, dirt or other debris have gotten caught under the emblem.
Step 5: Now that everything has been put away, you can simply press your replacement grommets into place. Align the symbol so that you may attach the grommets with its tabs. Make sure there is no space between the hood and the decoration at all.
Replace a roundel with self-adhesive tape:
The self-adhesive front insignia on the F30 BMW 3-series is mounted into the bumper. Use painter’s tape to mask off the area around the roundel because there is no use in replacing it if you’re going to harm the paint around it. Feed a plastic shipping strap under the roundel if you have access to one. The badge can then be removed by using an old credit card or flathead screwdriver.
Remove the old badge and throw it away. If you’re having difficulties removing the badge, heat the roundel using a hairdryer or heat source to loosen the adhesive holding it down. Using heat sources on the exposed glue will speed up removal because you also need to remove the residual adhesive.
To remove the old adhesive, use an old credit card or a plastic scraper. Goo Gone and other adhesive remover chemicals help hasten removal. To guarantee proper adhesion of the new emblem, try to clean the mounting surface as well as you can. Install the new symbol on its locating pins after removing the paper covering it.
Is BMW’s radical logo change the decade’s most innovative auto branding?
2020 was a big deal for many different reasons. Among other things, it turned out to be the year of the new automobile emblem, with manufacturers ranging from Nissan to Rolls-Royce announcing new designs that are nearly all characterized by the word “flat.” But a year ago this month, the first one to be shown was arguably the greatest of the group.
BMW’s new logo, which was unveiled in March of last year, is a translucent, flat reworking of its once metallic insignia. To achieve a clean, modern appearance, the traditional outer black ring has been eliminated and replaced with pure transparency. Both the circle pattern and the Bavarian state colors of white and blue are still present.
The straightforward design has a lot of appeal to us. Its simplicity suggests that it has been updated with digital use in mind, but it also recognizes the 103-year history of the brand, making it a strong example of both traditional and modern logo design. While there was some initial skepticism online, it quickly became apparent that the transparent design is perfect for both physical and digital uses, like the entertaining reveal video above.
BMW is evolving into a relationship brand, according to senior vice president of customer and brand Jens Thiemer. additionally intended to “radiate more openness and clarity,” the transparent logo.
Since then, BMW has added the 2020 design to its history of the logo page (opens in new tab). The boldness of this redesign becomes more apparent when viewed in context (below), where the elimination of the black ring seems to be the most significant alteration to the emblem since 1917.
We were especially intrigued in the article’s clarification of the widespread myth that the emblem itself symbolizes a propeller when BMW initially published it in 2019 (opens in new tab). This was inspired by a 1929 advertisement (below), which included the logo inside a moving airplane propeller to advertise a new aviation engine BMW was developing.
According to the report, “sticking to the story that the BMW is a propeller would not be altogether inaccurate” because BMW “for a long time made little effort to refute the myth that the BMW insignia is a propeller.” It’s refreshing to hear a company say that its logo may be whatever you want it to be in a world of bureaucracy and impossible-to-follow rules.
Considering that Renault quietly unveiled a new design just last week, it appears that the flat vehicle logo trend will persist beyond 2021. The unveiling of Kia’s new logo may have been the silliest ever, with the company’s spectacular ceremony outdoing even the most lavish New Year’s celebrations.
Where did the BMW logo originate?
What is the meaning of the BMW logo to you? Many people think it represents a propeller, but is this truly true? Wonder no more, as BMW has revealed the significance of its blue and white logo design (opens in new tab).
Of course, the BMW is often associated with aggressive drivers who roar up behind them on the highway and flash their lights while requesting to be let to pass (although, to be fair, Audi has recently usurped BMW in that regard). The next time a BMW emblem appears in your rearview mirror, though, you won’t have to ponder what it represents.
Previously known as Rapp, the company built aircraft engines for the German Air Force, or Luftwaffe, for the first few years of its existence before adopting its current name in 1917. Rapp’s previous logo included a chess piece knight silhouette encircled by a black ring containing the company name. For its new logo, the company kept the black ring but added the now-famous blue and white design in quarters.
The new look was created to showcase the company’s Bavarian background; the Bavarian flag also has a blue and white striped design, and there was a strong desire for Bavarian independence from Germany at the time BMW was founded. The corporate name, BMW, which is short for Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works, also expresses support for independence.
So where did the concept of a propeller come from? BMW claims that it all began with an advertisement that was printed in 1929, back when the company was still making airplane engines, and showed an airplane with the BMW emblem overlaid over the propeller. A similar illustration in a 1942 BMW magazine strengthened the relationship, and legend has since flourished from there.
Even though the firm hasn’t had anything to do with the aircraft industry in a very long time, BMW acknowledges that it hasn’t really made much of an attempt to dispel the misconception surrounding its emblem. It’s just a cute little pub fact that doesn’t hurt and promotes the BMW brand.
However, it’s important to understand the complete significance of the logo. To learn more and to see how the BMW logo has changed through time, see this article on the corporate website (opens in new tab).
How do I alter my vehicle’s emblem?
It’s time to prepare the region for a new symbol now that the emblem and adhesive have been removed.
The most technical aspect of the entire process is placing the vehicle emblem, but with the correct equipment, it’s not difficult. Here’s how to attach a car emblem on your vehicle.
Take a flexible ruler and measure the area where you want to place your emblem first. Start near the trunk’s edge or another prominent part of the body.
Sometimes people just eyeball it, but this might result in slightly “off” insignia, which isn’t very appealing. You will be rewarded for your accuracy if you measure for accurate placement.
Mark the location using masking tape or a dry-erase marker once you have found it. You can use these guidelines to hold the emblem in place while the adhesive dries.