[climkt]

Originally Posted by moocow

US DOT requires amber corner reflectors on all cars

will they really fine e90 drivers for using clear euro indicators in USA? Euro and asian and australasian cars have clear indicators.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by KevinC

The only elegant solution would be non-US-spec front (plastic) fenders in place of the ones built for the reflectors. Someone will no doubt import them. But then again the dilemma of non-factory paint crops up. No thanks, I'd probably just be a contrarian of sorts and live with the damn things.

That makes me wonder why they changed to the clear-corner setup with the seperate reflector. Seems like having a seperate part for US fenders would cost way more.

[picus]

Just about any body shop will be able to paint them; it'll probably cost under $100. I doubt they will bake them (being plastic), so you won't be able to seal them for a couple months, but no biggy.

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by picus

Just about any body shop will be able to paint them; it'll probably cost under $100. I doubt they will bake them (being plastic), so you won't be able to seal them for a couple months, but no biggy.

Would I just need to bring the body shop the paint code from BMW and they will be able to mix that paint up? This is all new to me.

[MrSilver]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Would I just need to bring the body shop the paint code from BMW and they will be able to mix that paint up? This is all new to me.

Ditto.

[petesamprs]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

That makes me wonder why they changed to the clear-corner setup with the seperate reflector. Seems like having a seperate part for US fenders would cost way more.

Based on my conversation with the US 3-series brand manager, the original e90 sedan was supposed to be this way, but the BMWNA did not have enough clout/time to get BMW Germany to change the entire headlight design to remove the amber. They agreed it looked worse than an all-clear headlight.

I doubt it costs that much more, and if it does, the incremental sales gained from the more attractive front end will more than cover it.

[picus]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Would I just need to bring the body shop the paint code from BMW and they will be able to mix that paint up? This is all new to me.

Yep.

Of course some shops are better than others, as with any service buyer beware, etc and so on. Just make sure they do a good job.

[BK]

Interesting reading for modders -- all you want to know (and more) about Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, which contains the US DOT lighting requirements: http://fmvss108.tripod.com/

[LEDZEP]

I'll say this... knowing that those people drooling over the E92 will just buy it and bitch anyway... but just don't buy the car. Make a statement! BMW will change that piss poor design so fast it will make your head spin if they aren't selling and they find out why.

I've always been puzzled over the complaints about the amber corners in the sedan (never bothered me) - and maybe that is what has driven this change. Just goes to reaffirm: Be careful what you wish for...

[pseto]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Would I just need to bring the body shop the paint code from BMW and they will be able to mix that paint up? This is all new to me.

You can always ask your local dealer who they use for paint jobs. Most dealerships don't do paint/body work and contract that stuff out. That company should be able to match the paint exactly. As a matter of fact, any reputable paint place will be able to match the paint regardless of whether they know the BMW codes or not.

I also can't imagine why it would be more than $100 to do this job (probably a lot less), unless it takes a long time to remove/install the reflectors.

[gtc6244]

I've painted my own reflectors in the past - cost me roughly $20 for a bottle of spray paint in factory BMW tint. Most cities (even smaller ones) have auto paint companies that supply all the dealerships/shops with paint when they need to do collision work - ie, the shops must call out to the paint distributors for paint, they don't keep having it shipped from Germany!

[Zirenz2006]

I wish someone would come out with clear ones. I'd be fine with those.

[petesamprs]

Originally Posted by Zeroday

From what I read on another forum, they are held on by two 10mm hex nuts. They appear to be very easy to remove.

Are you sure about this? Based on my other post here I saw no holes in the body panel. It's possible the reflector is GLUED on, like the model numbers on the trunk. In that case, some dental floss should do the trick. Can anyone that has one at a dealer nearby confirm how it is attached to the panel? Simple removal would be the best option vs. painting/etc.

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I'll say this... knowing that those people drooling over the E92 will just buy it and bitch anyway... but just don't buy the car. Make a statement! BMW will change that piss poor design so fast it will make your head spin if they aren't selling and they find out why.

I've always been puzzled over the complaints about the amber corners in the sedan (never bothered me) - and maybe that is what has driven this change. Just goes to reaffirm: Be careful what you wish for...

When the e90 came out and to this day people where / are complaining about the amber corners on the front lights.

Now, for the e92, BMW has "rectified" this design faux-pas in a manner which still respects the letter of the law and people complain about as well.

I'm with Ledzep on this

+1

[jmonier]

Originally Posted by petesamprs

Are you sure about this? Based on my other post here I saw no holes in the body panel. It's possible the reflector is GLUED on, like the model numbers on the trunk. In that case, some dental floss should do the trick. Can anyone that has one at a dealer nearby confirm how it is attached to the panel? Simple removal would be the best option vs. painting/etc.

The one I saw is definitely in a indent so dental floss would not do the trick. I couldn't really see the back side (inside the wheel well) but I could feel something that was either a nut on a stud or a plastic stud and collar. It felt to be covered with an undercoating type material so it was hard to tell exactly what it was.

[Straz M3]

Honestly, a can of OEM spraypaint is all you need...I did my own grilles and reflectors on my E46...came out wonderful. All you need to do is be patient and use small wide bursts of paint. A good primer is key as well. If anyone wants me to do them for you, I will do it if you buy the OEM spray paint. I think the website for OEM paints is www.towerpaint.com. It will definately be harder for you metallic paint owners...Ti Silver took me a few tries. Alpine White should be a breeze...

[NuovoTech]

Are you sure about this? Based on my other post here I saw no holes in the body panel. It's possible the reflector is GLUED on, like the model numbers on the trunk...

I inspected one of those Black/Beige/Auto 328i's most all of the dealers got for demos. There's a hole punched thru the bumper space & the reflectors pop in & out.

[ashecnc]

Originally Posted by Zeroday

I don't plan on modding my 335 but the orange reflectors have to go IMO. It appears however that if they are removed, an indentation will exist on the fender where the reflector is designed to recess.

1st, does anyone know if there is a legal reason not to remove them?

Some possible solutions off the top of my head:

-remove and paint the reflectors body color
-tint them with vinyl overlays
-look for clear aftermarket replacements
-bondo them and repaint the entire bumper (eek)
-remove them and leave the indentation and the 2 holes and call it a day.

on my e46, i removed the orange reflectors in my bumper, they were painted same as car, it matched and looked perfect.

[petesamprs]

Originally Posted by NuovoTech

Yep I'm sure about it, I inspected one of those Black/Beige/Auto 328i's most all of the dealers got for demos. There's 2 holes punched thru the indented fender space & the reflectors are held on via 2 nuts in the wheelwell. Just insert your hand in there, the hex nuts are very easy to distinguish.

That's very interesting. The 328i in my other post must be some special daeler/demo car...even though it was on the floor with a sticker looking to be sold

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by petesamprs

Based on my conversation with the US 3-series brand manager, the original e90 sedan was supposed to be this way, but the BMWNA did not have enough clout/time to get BMW Germany to change the entire headlight design to remove the amber. They agreed it looked worse than an all-clear headlight.

Wait, so they think it looks better to have the seperate amber reflector on the wheel-well than it does to have it integrated into the head-light? I guess looks are subjective, but man I like the integrated solution a lot more.

[Nikki]

I wonder if BMW will change the reflectors next year or the year after when some many people complain about them. There has to be a better way!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I've always been puzzled over the complaints about the amber corners in the sedan (never bothered me) - and maybe that is what has driven this change. Just goes to reaffirm: Be careful what you wish for...

Indeed.

However, I just realized that the mount location of the reflector is not on the fender - its on the bumper (yeah I guess I'm a little slow). This would be much simpler to change out than a fender, IMHO. Although still costly, of course. But what's more, for E90 people we have access to the part easily because its on the 2006 E90. E92 people would have to import the part. Although their may be aftermarket bumpers available with no reflector holes/detents for the E92 as well.