hinckley

Ok, let the flames begin -- I LIKE the reflectors!!

First, like the X5 and 3er, they'll be well integrated (flush mounted, not just stuck on). Second, I think that the reflectors provide an interesting visual cue to the front fenders, that IMHO are rather bare and uninteresting without them.

Anyway, it just goes to prove . . . different strokes for different folks.

bmw093

I have to admit that, although not huge on them at first, I'm with you that I like them. It's a different look and differentiates the LCI from pre-LCI. I love the clear housing for the headlights, and that is not possible without the reflectors on the side. I think we will all notice them on the road, and they will look nicer in person. I doubt the M Aero kit which was put on at the port will have the reflectors, and I'm a little disappointed. I'll take the beating with you on this one....

hinckley

It'll have to. It's a US DOT reg, and since the reflectors are no longer integrated into the headlight cluster, they'll have to be part of the assembly installed at the VPC.

bmw093

I would agree, except that the M-kit I ordered is the same part number as the '07 kit (which was without the reflectors), and I am told that the kit is now on the car. Unless they taped some reflectors on there, which would be mortifying, I don't think they would be on there.

hinckley

I took a closer look. I think that the reflectors are actually part of an upper bumper piece, not part the lower bumper that's replaced at the VPC for the M-kit. So I'll bet that the reflectors are good as installed at the factory.

bmw093

That would be COOL! Hope to be able to let you know really soon!

bmw093

I just took a closer look as well. I thought the M Aero kit replaced the entire bumper?? I think it's one whole piece--and that would mean that the part housing that reflector would be replaced too? http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=25959

hinckley

Yup . . . it looks like one piece. But BMW's got to figure out the DOT reg thing. Guess we'll being waiting to figure that one out as well . . .

bmw093

Yeah I'm holding my breath for no more delays...or worse, a big, non-factory, non-integrated yellow reflector sitting on my bumper! I should have the answer this week....

ExGMan

Those reflectors (and a whole list of other items) are supposed to be for safety & visibility, courtesy of the US Dept. of Transportation, aka DOT. Frequently you can find a little number on these items which begins with "DOT XXXX" or something like that. The DOT kept the little red reflectors (common in Europe and the rest of the world) on the original E60 rear bumpers out of the US for some reason. Ask a Washington bureuacrat for the answer to that...