mikebridges Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Hi all, I'm new to this forum so go easy on me if I have novice questions! Was wondering what peoples opinions on my badgeless 1998 A3 1.8T are. I bought it 4 months back and its great to drive but I find due to the fact that it looks like any other A3 (not modified in any way) no one really notices that its a turbo model. Also its a dark metallic green so it doesn't stand out. The only givaways are the turbo wheels and the black leather interior. Should I get the A3 and 1.8T badges for the back or is it best to stay badgeless? Also don't some Audis have badges with a red T? Whats the difference. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 I think that the lack of badge is useful because no body knows what lurks under the bonnet. Regarding the red letters, the Mk IV golf GTi without the turbo had GTi in silver and the turbo models had a red i. This held up until there were shortages in the red letters as my turbo model has GTi all in silver letters. Maybe the same for yout A3. prt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1MAC Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Another vote for no badges - although I think badge deflation is even better! Works well on certain brands such as Audi & BMW where you can get identical cars with many different engines. Works less well on others. Welcome BTW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Im a fan of the badgeless idea, although with Audi's I'd keep the model badge but remove the engine size badge. My 520d is de-badged, but thats simply because i think it cleans up the rear view I still think that 0-60 in 8.6 for the smallest engine in the 5 series range is impressive, surprises some drivers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Funilly enough I ticked the no cost box for going badgless on the M3. I dont know why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Im not keen on the M3 badges, i just think it looks cleaner without, plus you might surprise afew more people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Personally i like the badges, but then the S3 only has the Audi rings, and the S3 badge. No engine sizes, no "T" for turbo and not even a quattro badge other than inside on the glove box lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwo Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 badgeless all the way, especially so on a more desirable car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 [ QUOTE ] badgeless all the way, especially so on a more desirable car! [/ QUOTE ] What about on the R8? If you had the V10 would you want a badge? Think I would... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 No i'd rather hide the fact that i have the more powerful engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 [ QUOTE ] No i'd rather hide the fact that i have the more powerful engine [/ QUOTE ] I think it will have to look different anyway. At £100k the current car is expensive for an Audi. The V10 will be what £125k? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandle Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 I must admit if I see any BMW or Audi without a badge I assume it is one of the lower engine ranges and most of the time they are looking at the tail pipes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snail Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 I've debadged every car i've had, whether it be the base model in the range, or the top of the range. How many times have you seen an M3 badge on something that plainly isn't an M3? Or Turbo badges on something that plainly isnt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandle Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 [ QUOTE ] How many times have you seen an M3 badge on something that plainly isn't an M3? Or Turbo badges on something that plainly isnt? [/ QUOTE ] Loads of times. Ive yet to see an M3, R32, S3 or RS4 debadged though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebridges Posted July 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Thanks for the feedback everyone. I agree that most of the time, if I see a badgeless car like a beemer 3 series for example, I always assume its a 318 base model and not a 330. Maybe thats not such a bad thing. Inconspicuous all the way! All the boy racers in their Saxos and Corsas might get a nasty surprise when they race my 1.8T off the lights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 In the vast majority of cases, most people won't care what engine you have and those that do will be able to tell despite the badge. Most of the time there are small tell-tales which will give the game away as to what engine is under the bonnet although, with the A3, as far as I know the 2.0T and 2.0TDI170 S-Lines are totally identical apart from the badge and can't be told apart - anyone know different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeDesmo Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 I couldn't care less about badges/numberplate (age) etc, really doesn't bother me what others think, but a guy I knew many years ago bought a Mercedes 500 (petrol V8) and had it badged as a 300D to 'confuse' people......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 like the A3 & 1.6FSi badges on a grey S3...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneforsorrow Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Mines debadged and I like it - fewer fiddly bits to clean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diadem Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 [ QUOTE ] In the vast majority of cases, most people won't care what engine you have and those that do will be able to tell despite the badge. Most of the time there are small tell-tales which will give the game away as to what engine is under the bonnet although, with the A3, as far as I know the 2.0T and 2.0TDI170 S-Lines are totally identical apart from the badge and can't be told apart - anyone know different? [/ QUOTE ]Do they not have different exhaust pipes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 No, the 170 has straight exhausts due to the DPF and I believe they're the same ones as the 2.0T has. You're right though, usually the exhausts are the dead giveaway for a diesel but, if these aren't down-turned I don't think there's any other tell-tale sign - other than the noise of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diadem Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 [ QUOTE ] No, the 170 has straight exhausts due to the DPF and I believe they're the same ones as the 2.0T has. You're right though, usually the exhausts are the dead giveaway for a diesel but, if these aren't down-turned I don't think there's any other tell-tale sign - other than the noise of course [/ QUOTE ]I stand corrected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARTHY Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Debadged all the way. Saves people trying to race you off traffic lights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doogal1972 Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 I saw a black debadged S3 in Ibiza without the alloy mirrors and it just looked like a nice A3, only the flared arches and exposed exhausts give it away on an 8L. I heard of a quy who had a RS4 Avant(old shape) and put a 1.9TDi badge on the back, again, only flared arches, fcuk off discs and exposed exhaust pipes gave that away to the untrained eye. It's why I like Audi's really, nice and subtle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector-8 Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 has anybody got pics of their badgeless a3's please, interesting topic and i was thinking about going badgeless myself.just the 2.0 tdi(not sure bout the a3 badge) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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