That can't be true …
All of a sudden, the paint was gone. Although, it obviously wasn't paint—it was more like a sticker. On the BMW logo. On the logo! A company's calling card, almost like the Holy Grail of a car. Something you're proud of. Until the paint peels off.
On my E30, the paint was still peeling off slowly. After more than two decades under what felt like a thousand streetlights, through 40 seasons of sun, snow, and rain, the logo on the hood first showed a certain dullness, then the surface—pardon me, the paint—became thin. I suppose that's what they call patina. There was no need for action; a car is allowed to age with dignity.
But with the E46 convertible—the younger car, never driven in winter, carefully stored in the garage, meticulously maintained and washed—the white-and-blue emblem's lifespan had also come to an end after two decades. Yesterday it was still beautiful; today it's just a worn-out button with no sad remnants of color left on it—no foil, no baked-on enamel, just glued on. An undignified state.
My trusted BMW mechanic actually has the logo in stock. Which is a bit surprising—apparently, keeping it in stock pays off, since a disappointed customer drops by regularly. He wants 50 euros or francs for it. That leaves you speechless. A Chinese retailer offers emblems for less than 2 euros, but are they any good? And the size has to be just right, too. So it's time to dig deep into my pockets to make my youngtimer look presentable again.
P.S.: A quick check on popular forums shows that the problem is well-known, and sooner or later everyone needs a replacement emblem. What a shame—especially since the Bavarians are usually so proud of their work. They should just replace a damaged or ugly logo for free during a service appointment. It costs manufacturers or mechanics hardly more than a smile. Marketing at its best. And just think how happy that would make customers… renewed pride in their brand.
