Motoring Badges are Back!
The MotoringFile Magnetic Badges have a new name and a new home: MotoringBadges.com. And to celebrate we have a huge batch of new badges to debut today. Here’s the rundown:
R50/R53 Original Motorer Badge: For the owners of the soon to be classic R50 (Cooper) and R53s (Cooper S). Show your pride and let the world know that you were ahead of the curve on this whole “MINI thing”.
The MotoringFile Checkered Badges: These simple yet striking badges are available in black/silver, blue, green, red and white/silver (coming soon) to match just about any color combo.
6-Speed Badge: For all those drivers who consider a manual transmission a badge of honor, here’s your badge of honor.
100% to Scale: A new take on an always popular badge.
Move Right/Left: A new idea based on our very popular move left badge. These make it a little more obvious to the guy driving the SUV in front of you. And now our friends in right-hand drive countries can get in on the fun too.
Peace: The first is the classic peace symbol in black and silver. The second is the less classic but always cool peace hand symbol (in white, black and red).
For those who are new to the MotoringFile magnetic badge scene, the badges are magnetic and designed to be used with MINI’s official grille badge holder. They are made from high-quality materials that will not fade in the sun. You can get a single badge for $7.50 and a set of six for only $37 (bottom of each page). And for those who have no more room on their grilles we also offer high-quality decals of each badge priced at $4.50.
You can take a closer look at the badges by clicking on each and you can buy the badge (or badges) of your choice by clicking on the button to the left. The new badge additions are on pages 7 & 8 of the site.
You can get your official MINI grille badge holder (part #: 51 13 0 406 752) at any one of the MotoringFile sponsors below:
Knauz MINI (mention MF and get the official badge holder for only $20)
Patrick MINI
Morristown MINI (currently 30% off)
MINI of Manhattan
Outmotoring.com (ships internationally)
Going to ask an stupid question, is the ’05 Vert still considered an R53?
>Going to ask an stupid question, is the ‘05 Vert still considered an R53?
Good question. Here’s a rundown:
R50: MINI One & Cooper Coupe
R52: MINI One, Cooper and Cooper S Convertible
R53: Cooper S Coupe
So Gabe, why no R52 badge?
The R52 motors on for two more years.
AWESOME!!! Thanks for the new designs.
<blockquote>The R52 motors on for two more years.</blockquote>
Oh great, I have to wait 2 more years for a stinkin’ badge!
Thanks Gabe
If I have a badge suggestion, how can I send it to you?
Hey, Gabe, love the 6 speed badge….. are you also going to do an “Autos Rule” for the other side of the house 😉
Also, on the decal versions, are they cling plastic that can be put on and removed/changed out easily, or are they paper/sticky permanent?
Thanks
>If I have a badge suggestion, how can I send it to you?
Contact link above.
>the decal versions, are they cling plastic that can be put on and removed/changed out easily, or are they paper/sticky permanent?
High-quality real stickers.
>Oh great, I have to wait 2 more years for a stinkin’ badge!
Maybe less 🙂
The badges are actually mounted to a magnet. The holder is just a metal bracket that the magnet holds on to.
Thanks Gabe for some more great designs !
I love these badges and think they look great, but can’t help but long for a more substantial looking badge. Any chance these could be made to be thicker? Something that tapers to the sides and is thicker in the middle, with a nice clear coat on it – does that make sense? I love being able to switch these out, but they don’t take to small stones very well. My first badge is already pretty haggard looking, although I have many to replace it.
Is an R50/R53 owner really an “original” motorer?
At least in the U.S., maybe “first time reincarnated” or “awoken from a long hibernation” or “you’re not old enough to remember the real original” motorer? 🙂
Wow. Seriously Gabe, these are awesome. I especially love the move left/right badges. Very cool.
>I love these badges and think they look great, but can’t help but long for a more substantial looking badge. Any chance these could be made to be thicker? Something that tapers to the sides and is thicker in the middle, with a nice clear coat on it – does that make sense?
We’ve carefully considered many different factors before going with the current material and design. Todd can go into detail more than I but let me give you my take. If we go to something more substancial it involved a completely different manufacturing process and costs rise dramaticlly. Spending $8 on a badge is much easier for most people than spending $40.
The upside of the design is that we can sell them at a very reasonable price yet they won’t fade in the sun and are sturdy enough that they won’t fly off cars over 100mph. And they’re inexpensive enough that you can easily buy more than one and swap them out as desired.
Another issue in dealing with costs is potential theft. Since they’re magnetic they can obviously be swiped. But by keeping the price down (half of what valve stem caps go for these day) the magnet is a little easier to replace if lost or stolen.
Also a consideration is the thickness and strength of the magnet. Make them too thick or lessen the magnet’s power and the chance of them flying off at speed increases. And that’s the last thing we want.
Still waiting on the Cooper wreath badge…
>Still waiting on the Cooper wreath badge…
Me too. But pesky copyright laws get in the way of it.
What would be cool for maybe Magnetic Badges 2.0 is to have an online customizer (similar to those Euro plate vendors) where you have templates with a couple of fields for type so you can do Motoring IDs, Track Numbers or forum screen names.
I think it would also be cool to have a bar code converter, where you can type in your VIN and get a bar code badge (sorry, I like the looks of bar codes: very tech) specific to your MINI.
I love the badges. I’d love to have more than one on the car at a time. I’m also a little paranoid about theft. I’d therefore love to see the badges printed on static cling vinyl so I could put them on the inside of my windows. How ’bout it Todd.
I second and third Joel’s suggestion. I’ve never had one stolen (don’t think anyone looking at the badge realizes it is just a magnetic plastic add-on), but I would like to have a few mounted in my rear window (on the inside) and be able to swap them out as the mood strikes.
New badges look awesome. Very cool designs, and I’ll be ordering some more soon. Still waiting for that City of Chicago flag though…:)
Another vote for some static cling versions for the inside of windows.
I finally figured out why I like these things so much (I just ordered 6 more): because they are like vanity plates, but much easier to customize and change with my mood.
And just when you thought Todd ran out of ideas and creativity, he comes out with yet another set of great looking designs. I can easily spend upwards of 60 dollars to get all the ones I want. All in good time 🙂
Soon to be seen in the Netherlands. I ordered 6 together with the holder from Outmotoring 🙂
I’ve got 2 holders on my grill + the MOTD2006 badge (I know, I know)… but I used one for the Motoring Hearts badge which is stuck on the holder so I only have one available for the dozen or so magnetic badges I’ve purchased. I was worried about theft also so I took off the Dragon badges and left them at home.
Keep ’em coming Gabe/Todd!!!
I bought some of the original set and am yet to see another MINI here in San Diego with any badges on whatsoever. And I usually see 5-8 a day in my daily commute.
Oh, since I have an ’05 ‘vert I vote for an R52 badge. Would be just the excuse I need to order the flag of St. George that I’ve been putting off.
How do I get the badge to attach to the aero grill?
mb
>How do I get the badge to attach to the aero grill?
It works with the aero grille as well. Instructions are included in the holder.
I emailed you Gabe. I hope it went thru. The contact link is a bit off & the words to the left don’t quote line up with the fill-in box. I didn’t include a subject for the contact as I couldn’t tell if I was supposed to or if you were asking me for my website? : )
Gabe these are so cool,please can you let me know when the R52 is coming. Need to ship it to the UK, quick 🙂
Love ’em! Even though I’m unemployed, I’m gonna dig into the couch to come up with enough to buy a six-pack. Of badges. Six-pack of badges, that is. One quick question, however; wouldn’t it have been easier to just have one “move (right|left)” badge that you can turn over? Perhaps if you’re driving from England to das Fatherland? 😉
<blockquote>Psst! <i>hic</i> Hey, kid, wanna <i>hic</i> buya <i>hic</i> gently used CD player? <i>hic</i></blockquote>
They look great and I have a few already. Was wanting some stickers though.. Do you offer a deal on bulk stickers like the 6 badge deal?
So would i be fround on if i put the r50 on my 2006 mini cabriolet?