///M3 Emblem Placement on trunk

fiveightandten · Sat, Jul-24-2010, 11:44:09 PM

I've never seen a writeup on this here, so I figured i'd post the necessary information and throw some pics up to aid anyone who might be doing this in the future.

Emblem part numbers are as follows (and they're not cheap, plan on nearly $50 for both pieces):

"///M": BMW PN 51142250811
"3": BMW PN 51142250539

Here are the specs for placement:

What you will need:
-The specs for placement
-A ruler that measures in mm
-A level
-Some painters tape
-A writing implement with a fine tip
-T square (not pictured, sorry)

Also recommended:
-Some rubbing alcohol, clay bar, and microfiber towels...or whatever else you need in order to make sure you have a nice clean paint surface that's free of wax or contaminants.

STEP 1:
After cleaning the area completely, mark off A and B. I had the car parked on level ground and used the level to approximate the junction of A and B which is a critical point to measure accurately. I used the level to make sure that line A (height) wasn't crooked. Yes, I know it looks crooked...the dead straight line is under the piece of tape you see in the picture. You could also use the T-square to make sure this line is perpendicular to the lower edge of the trunk, but seeing as the metal is rounded I found using the level easier, and it's definitely close enough if the car is on level ground.

After you have the height reference, you'll want to put a horizontal piece of tape that's parallel with the bottom of the edge of the trunk before it starts to round down. Don't use the level for this, as the line isn't completely level. I measured the height out off the edge of the trunk in 3 places and used that to place my horizontal line. This would serve as the horizontal reference for the emblem pieces.

STEP 2:
Using the t-square, place a vertical piece so you can square the '3' up real nice. This isn't 100% necessary, but I liked being able to literally butt the emblems up against the tape so the fitment was nice and accurate. Note that the bottom of the '3' is rounded, so it's possible to put that on crooked without a nice tight vertical reference for the side of it.

STEP 3:
Mark out C and place the ///M on the car.

Now, peel off the tape and see how she looks...

Success.

propchef · Sat, Jul-24-2010, 11:50:34 PM

I'm still impressed that you can get the car in that garage AND get the doors open!

Nice DIY. Thanks.

WRXEATR · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 12:17:31 AM

Holy crap batman.

Nice work Nick......sheesh.

BleedsBlue · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 12:21:29 AM

Look at that bright red booty

bl79 · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 12:37:44 AM

Wish I saw this a week ago, I just eye balled it but I only replaced the M badge so it was relatively easy to line up.

Herbert · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 01:46:21 AM

Very nice, I want blacked out ///M 3 emblem with colored stripes, no real luck yet though.

Craws out through sunroof then closes it with the key in the trunk lock mech., getting back in would be a problem though

.

Petrucci · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 01:50:22 AM

Look at all that orange peel Nick!!

Jk man, perfect write up! I'll be using this when I replace mine

m1356guy · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 06:00:15 AM

you know what ive been thinking about this for a while now. i occasionally see some people driving with it too high or too far inside, which obviously looks dumb..this is great success!

Blutarsky · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 06:35:35 AM

the fact that this even needs to be mentioned...

firedancer414 · Sun, Jul-25-2010, 07:23:18 AM

I know this wasn't the case for Nick since he was using a 318 trunk (I think) ... When I replaced my emblem I just c-taped around the edges of the previous emblem and was able to drop it into the same spot

Sat, Jul-24-2010, 11:44:09 PM	#1
fiveightandten He'll save children, but not the British children... Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 7,701 In the garage: '03 BMW 330CI '02 SUBARU WRX '98 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Connecticut	///M3 Emblem Placement on trunk I've never seen a writeup on this here, so I figured i'd post the necessary information and throw some pics up to aid anyone who might be doing this in the future. Emblem part numbers are as follows (and they're not cheap, plan on nearly $50 for both pieces): "///M": BMW PN 51142250811 "3": BMW PN 51142250539 Here are the specs for placement: What you will need: -The specs for placement -A ruler that measures in mm -A level -Some painters tape -A writing implement with a fine tip -T square (not pictured, sorry) Also recommended: -Some rubbing alcohol, clay bar, and microfiber towels...or whatever else you need in order to make sure you have a nice clean paint surface that's free of wax or contaminants. STEP 1: After cleaning the area completely, mark off A and B. I had the car parked on level ground and used the level to approximate the junction of A and B which is a critical point to measure accurately. I used the level to make sure that line A (height) wasn't crooked. Yes, I know it looks crooked...the dead straight line is under the piece of tape you see in the picture. You could also use the T-square to make sure this line is perpendicular to the lower edge of the trunk, but seeing as the metal is rounded I found using the level easier, and it's definitely close enough if the car is on level ground. After you have the height reference, you'll want to put a horizontal piece of tape that's parallel with the bottom of the edge of the trunk before it starts to round down. Don't use the level for this, as the line isn't completely level. I measured the height out off the edge of the trunk in 3 places and used that to place my horizontal line. This would serve as the horizontal reference for the emblem pieces. STEP 2: Using the t-square, place a vertical piece so you can square the '3' up real nice. This isn't 100% necessary, but I liked being able to literally butt the emblems up against the tape so the fitment was nice and accurate. Note that the bottom of the '3' is rounded, so it's possible to put that on crooked without a nice tight vertical reference for the side of it. STEP 3: Mark out C and place the ///M on the car. Now, peel off the tape and see how she looks... Success. __________________ -Nick Last edited by fiveightandten; Thu, Jul-26-2012 at 04:07:18 PM.

Sun, Jul-25-2010, 01:46:21 AM	#6
Herbert I ///M Faster Join Date: Mar 2010 Age: 33 Posts: 343 Reputation: 0 Location: San Antonio	Very nice, I want blacked out ///M 3 emblem with colored stripes, no real luck yet though. Craws out through sunroof then closes it with the key in the trunk lock mech., getting back in would be a problem though. __________________ Bumper Sticker: "Real Racers Go Left AND Right" - So True Last performance car - e30s52

Sun, Jul-25-2010, 01:50:22 AM	#7
Petrucci Troll Level: 99 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,661 Reputation: 0 Location: Arizona	Look at all that orange peel Nick!! Jk man, perfect write up! I'll be using this when I replace mine __________________ 1995 ///M3 Cosmos Black/Anthracite M-Cross/Amaretta

Sun, Jul-25-2010, 06:35:35 AM	#9
Blutarsky Vintage Pimp Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 15,061 Reputation: 0 Location: Oregon	the fact that this even needs to be mentioned... __________________ chaos is hangin around

Sun, Jul-25-2010, 07:23:18 AM	#10
firedancer414 are you a dog, too? Join Date: Jan 2010 Age: 28 Posts: 553 Reputation: 0	I know this wasn't the case for Nick since he was using a 318 trunk (I think) ... When I replaced my emblem I just c-taped around the edges of the previous emblem and was able to drop it into the same spot __________________ Brian - [Current] 2009 997.2 C2 Aqua/Stone Cabrio - [Sold] 1999 E36 M3 Estoril/Dove Cabrio

Sat, Jul-24-2010, 11:50:34 PM	#2
propchef Toodle-oo Motherf**kers Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2,638 In the garage: '98 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Geyserville	I'm still impressed that you can get the car in that garage AND get the doors open! Nice DIY. Thanks.

Sun, Jul-25-2010, 12:17:31 AM	#3
WRXEATR The Frugal and Outspoken One Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 26 Posts: 2,573 Reputation: 0 Location: Orlando (Metro West), FL	Holy crap batman. Nice work Nick......sheesh.

Sun, Jul-25-2010, 12:37:44 AM	#5
bl79 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 118 Reputation: 0 Location: Long Island	Wish I saw this a week ago, I just eye balled it but I only replaced the M badge so it was relatively easy to line up.

Sun, Jul-25-2010, 06:00:15 AM	#8
m1356guy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 51 Reputation: 0 Location: San Jose	you know what ive been thinking about this for a while now. i occasionally see some people driving with it too high or too far inside, which obviously looks dumb..this is great success!

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