body and interior Adding a roundel to the C-Pillar, E9 style cues

[jmanscotch]

As my sights close in on finishing some basic mechanical rehab on my project '73 Inka and start preparing for  the body work and paint to come over winter (which will be done by a friend and myself in his shop), I find myself revisiting an idea that caught my attention years ago when I saw one guy do it (though I cannot for the life of me find him or his car pictures now); adding a roundel badge to the base of the C-pillar, similar to the venting roundel on the E9s.

 

My question is about any obvious draw backs you ladies and gents might see that I'm missing.

 

I know it's drilling into a main pillar, but I feel the structural draw back is negligible really when considering the two small ~6MM holes on each side. Headliner would be installed still, so I'd have to be careful not to sink the drill bit too deep, clean up the hole edges and coat for corrosion protection. Is there anything I might be missing as far as what lives on the backside of the c-pillars? Searching pictures doesn't seem to show anything living there besides the obvious rear window latch.

 

Here's a picture I professionally modified for your viewing pleasure. I feel most of your purist will despise me for the concept, but that's ok, I can't afford nice things so I like to hack cheap things.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 13, 2015 by jmanscotch

[esty]

i would use the small roundel that fits on the roundie tail and 3M them

[jmanscotch]

Yep, I'd be using a 2002 roundel or similar, no the E9 styled one, in a hope to have consistency throughout the car.

 

I considered the 3M route, but something about drilling the holes and making it truly a part of the car makes me tingle, in a good way. The car is going the direction of a resto-mod and not a full restore nor a survivor in any manner of the term, so the perks of it being easily reversible don't really bother me.

 

EDIT: Ofcourse after submitting this I finally found a video of the car that inspired the idea: https://youtu.be/zYrQyoxtpL4

Edited October 13, 2015 by jmanscotch

[zinz]

look for kavadarci's car

 

 

Ed

[PaulTWinterton]

I always liked that look, and wondered why BMW never added that design element.

My car is so stock I wouldn't do it, but it does look cool. Smaller roundel makes sense.

Edited October 13, 2015 by PaulTWinterton

[adawil2002]

The e9 C pillar roundels are small, like the rear Roundel on '71-'73 2002s. Usually cloisonné though raised letter roundels are available. Just switched mine on Athena to raised letter. I'm a nay sayer about putting them on a 2002.

 

Edited October 13, 2015 by adawil2002

[zinz]

...how about a Z4 marker Roundel / light ?

 

 

Tied into the signal circuit for additional visibility?

 

Ed

Edited October 13, 2015 by zinz

[jmanscotch]

look for kavadarci's car

 

 

Ed

 

Thanks for the picture, Ed, it really is a great look! I found the one in the video I linked earlier and it's user H-Krix and his 'The Road to Phoenix' build thread. But it's sure nice to see it on another color for comparison.

 

I always liked that look, and wondered why BMW never added that design element.

My car is so stock so I wouldn't do it, but it does look cool. Smaller roundel makes sense.

 

I'll have to play with the size and see what meshes well but I do generally agree that slightly smaller would lead to a classier versus tuner look.

[jmanscotch]

Adawill2002; looks good with the raised lettering. Is your 'no' vote due it not belonging or simply not looking good?

 

Ed; I never did like those lights on my Z4, to me it's a little cheap looking and cheesy. I think it'd be plenty out of place on the oh two, much like the lighted halo badges lots of E90 and similar guys retrofit to their rides.

Edited October 13, 2015 by jmanscotch

[visionaut]

I think the 02 C-pillar is one of the sexiest parts of the car.  Would never put a badge on it to detract -- my $.02

 

Tom

[jmanscotch]

...but Tom, when I finally drag my ass to one of the four corners drives, how else will I recognize mine from across the parking lot?

[adawil2002]

Adawill2002; looks good with the raised lettering. Is your 'no' vote due it not belonging or simply not looking good?

Short story: Yes, don't look good. Lower C on '02s is narrower than an E9 at the Hoffmeister kink.

 

Long story: Giovanni Michelotti didn't design the car with one because it's not necessary like it is on the E9. I've seen 2002s with C Pillar roundels and I think it looks ridiculous. There are better mods to do to the car that enhance it's performance and aesthetics, C'pillars aren't one of them. It's like the guys who buy chrome stickers from parts stores and stick them on their usually beat up crappy cars.

[jmanscotch]

Short story: Yes, don't look good. Lower C on '02s is narrower than an E9 at the Hoffmeister kink.

 

Long story: Giovanni Michelotti didn't design the car with one because it's not necessary like it is on the E9. I've seen 2002s with C Pillar roundels and I think it looks ridiculous. There are better mods to do to the car that enhance it's performance and aesthetics, C'pillars aren't one of them. It's like the guys who buy chrome stickers from parts stores and stick them on their usually beat up crappy cars.

 

I appreciate you expanding some. I definitely have a different opinion but that's all good.

 

I think it has potential to look more at home then the chrome sticker comparison, but then again I'm not at all fan of the front spoilers lots of guys spend big bucks on because I feel THEY look way out of place on our cars...yet I know I'm in the minority on that opinion. Oh well.

 

Happy motoring.

[adawil2002]

I appreciate you expanding some. I definitely have a different opinion but that's all good.

 

I think it has potential to look more at home then the chrome sticker comparison, but then again I'm not at all fan of the front spoilers lots of guys spend big bucks on because I feel THEY look way out of place on our cars...yet I know I'm in the minority on that opinion. Oh well.

 

Happy motoring.

 

Yup, it's your car after all, customize as you wish. No '02s are the same, that's one thing that makes them so great.

Edited October 13, 2015 by adawil2002

[visionaut]

...but Tom, when I finally drag my ass to one of the four corners drives, how else will I recognize mine from across the parking lot?

Jake - paint, wheels, trim, maybe a flag?     I've never met an 02er who couldn't instantly pick their own car out in a crowd.  And while I've not yet been to the Drive4Corners event myself, I think they typically have under a half-dozen 02ers participating, so it shouldn't be too hard...