Can someone tell me why the US based LCI taillights have a red blinker
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Originally Posted by Krozi' post='714111' date='Nov 6 2008, 04:15 PM
If there is one thing I can't stand then it's red blinkers, it ticks me off because they are difficult to distinguish from the brake lights in the corner of your eye. So why on Earth would they allow red turn signals in the taillights. Is there any reasoning behind this?
US Based LCI Taillights have RED blinkers ... are you ready ...
The answer is coming ...
...
...
...
"BECAUSE".
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From: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Originally Posted by panaguy' post='715192' date='Nov 7 2008, 03:51 PM
To all still wondering about this topic., here is my take on a reply I made to a posting on this very same subject back on September 3oth so maybe it bears repeating:
"I bought the Euro Spec LCI Tail Lights from Germany that have the yellow (amber) LED turn signals. I think they look better especially since my 2007 530xi (and all years of U.S. E60's before 2008 LCI !) originally came with yellow turn signals in the U.S., albeit plain non-LED pre-LCI version. Since I am not the least bit color blind and a very graphically visual person, to me yellow means "caution" and red means "stop".
In a sudden about face there must have been a recent change in U.S. DOT regulations because an awful lot of other new cars are now suddenly coming out with RED turn signals again as of 2008, including BMW, and I think the look is dated.
For 30-40 years or so cars sold in the U.S. were allowed to use the international style amber or yellow turn signals on their cars and now they have changed back. This is my opinion as to probably what has happened: :thumbsdown:
The U.S. is the most litigous country on earth (Even Shakespeare wrote in Mac Beth "Kill the lawyers"). Some lawyer must have successfully litigated a multi-zillion dollar lawsuit recently for a plaintiff who rear ended a BMW stopped for a turn in front of them and the owner was critically injured because they were "confused" when they saw yellow turn signals on that car in front of them and not a "red" signal instead cautioning them to slow down and stop or some other such nonsense argued as a defense... Then DOT and/or BMW changed the turn signal color requirment back to red to avoid future claims or litigation.
Many unexplained product changes today can be attributed to some past litigation forcing the mfr. to make a running change. (Hey we can get remote opening of windows, sunroofs, and convertible tops, etc. in the U.S. but not REMOTE closing function because that is considered unsafe by DOT for U.S. models; yet BMW and other imports have "full" open and close remote control function in Europe, Asia, etc. "
Now I have nothing personal against lawyers...just my $.02 worth
"I bought the Euro Spec LCI Tail Lights from Germany that have the yellow (amber) LED turn signals. I think they look better especially since my 2007 530xi (and all years of U.S. E60's before 2008 LCI !) originally came with yellow turn signals in the U.S., albeit plain non-LED pre-LCI version. Since I am not the least bit color blind and a very graphically visual person, to me yellow means "caution" and red means "stop".
In a sudden about face there must have been a recent change in U.S. DOT regulations because an awful lot of other new cars are now suddenly coming out with RED turn signals again as of 2008, including BMW, and I think the look is dated.
For 30-40 years or so cars sold in the U.S. were allowed to use the international style amber or yellow turn signals on their cars and now they have changed back. This is my opinion as to probably what has happened: :thumbsdown:
The U.S. is the most litigous country on earth (Even Shakespeare wrote in Mac Beth "Kill the lawyers"). Some lawyer must have successfully litigated a multi-zillion dollar lawsuit recently for a plaintiff who rear ended a BMW stopped for a turn in front of them and the owner was critically injured because they were "confused" when they saw yellow turn signals on that car in front of them and not a "red" signal instead cautioning them to slow down and stop or some other such nonsense argued as a defense... Then DOT and/or BMW changed the turn signal color requirment back to red to avoid future claims or litigation.
Many unexplained product changes today can be attributed to some past litigation forcing the mfr. to make a running change. (Hey we can get remote opening of windows, sunroofs, and convertible tops, etc. in the U.S. but not REMOTE closing function because that is considered unsafe by DOT for U.S. models; yet BMW and other imports have "full" open and close remote control function in Europe, Asia, etc. "
Now I have nothing personal against lawyers...just my $.02 worth
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Originally Posted by Brit_in_NJ' post='715186' date='Nov 7 2008, 12:48 PM
I'll swap you the M3 for a nice American convertible that has red blinkers... 
LOL
Brit - only if you can find me one of those mid 80's Lebaron convertibles with the woodgrain paneling and trunk rack....C's Bimmer has one - but he's not about to part with it....tells everyone it's his wife's car... 
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From: London, UK
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Model Year: 2006
Originally Posted by GENEaTALS' post='715342' date='Nov 7 2008, 11:55 PM
Bruce, do you know of a good EU dealer to contact if US/NA members wanted to order EU spec parts?
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From: Jersey Shore, New Jersey, USA
My Ride: 2007 530xi, Monaco Blue Metallic, Beige Dakota Leather, Dark Popular Trim, Steptronic, Premium Pkg., Cold Weather Pkg., Heated Rear Seats, Navigation, Sirius,
2004 330cic convertible, Mystic Blue Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Myrtle Wood Trim, Rare Myrtle Wood & Leather Sport Steering Wheel, Premium Pkg, Sport Pkg, Xenons, Navigation, Heated Seats, Park Distance Control
2004 R1200C Montauk Motorcycle, Artic Blue Metallic, Servo ABS Linked Brakes, Chrome Pkg, Fog Lamps, Heated Grips
I purchased my Euro Spec LCI LED Tail Lights with Yellow/Amber Turn Signals through Alex Neetzel in Germany. 
(Thank you Bruce Miranda for recommending him). Completely trustworthy individual ; took about 2 weeks to get them. You can PM here on the E60 Forum for more info. Just remeber it may take a day or 2 to answer you because of time differences.
I have also purchased BMW European spec parts and accessories from Justin Leff/Roveractive on ebay (he's located in Pennsylvania). Roveractive is another trustworthy source of BMW parts and accessories that can only be purchased outside of the U.S. Delivery time varies on what you are ordering and can take 1, 2, 3 weeks or more. I purchased a gorgeous Myrtle Wood and Leather sport steering wheel (with Myrtle wood center spoke trim) for my 2004 E46 330cic convertible 
that I have NOT seen on any other BMW here in the U.S. 
Took almost a month to deliver but Justin/RoverActive kept in touch with me and always answered my e-mails and inquiries. Here is a picture of it from his ebay listing when I bought it (note steering wheel buttons control pod is not installed):
I also got my dark poplar steering wheel trim, another accessory not available from BMW-USA, for my '07 530xi from Roveractive (with credit- picture taken from another member posting here on E60 Forum):
(Newer LCI 2008/09 model E60's have a smaller steeing wheel design without steering trim panels to even accessorize any longer
)
Thought I would share...
(Thank you Bruce Miranda for recommending him). Completely trustworthy individual ; took about 2 weeks to get them. You can PM here on the E60 Forum for more info. Just remeber it may take a day or 2 to answer you because of time differences.I have also purchased BMW European spec parts and accessories from Justin Leff/Roveractive on ebay (he's located in Pennsylvania).
Roveractive is another trustworthy source of BMW parts and accessories that can only be purchased outside of the U.S. Delivery time varies on what you are ordering and can take 1, 2, 3 weeks or more. I purchased a gorgeous Myrtle Wood and Leather sport steering wheel (with Myrtle wood center spoke trim) for my 2004 E46 330cic convertible that I have NOT seen on any other BMW here in the U.S. Took almost a month to deliver but Justin/RoverActive kept in touch with me and always answered my e-mails and inquiries. Here is a picture of it from his ebay listing when I bought it (note steering wheel buttons control pod is not installed):
I also got my dark poplar steering wheel trim, another accessory not available from BMW-USA, for my '07 530xi from Roveractive (with credit- picture taken from another member posting here on E60 Forum):
(Newer LCI 2008/09 model E60's have a smaller steeing wheel design without steering trim panels to even accessorize any longer
)Thought I would share...
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From: London, UK
My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
I agree both Justin and Alex are stars. Alex had great prices too but recently he's been have trouble with BMW for using that name in his website. That closed his business down (poor guy). So now he has to buy everything retail and sell on. That has made him more expensive lately but one of the few options you have.
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Originally Posted by HotLap' post='715185' date='Nov 7 2008, 12:47 PM
Think of a black BMW parked across a dark street at night...you wouldn't see it until you were practically hitting it - but now put those side reflectors on and you're going to see it a block away...safety would be the reason. Being a m-cycle rider - I have learned over the years - visibility is a GREAT thing!!
OOO I suggest they use the parking lamp feature too. Click on the left blinker when parked on the street.. or right blinker if you're on the other side of the pond...
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From: Germany, Baden Württemberg
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CD Changer, M Style, Interior wood border oliv (M5), LED tail lights...
Originally Posted by Krozi' post='714111' date='Nov 6 2008, 10:15 PM
If there is one thing I can't stand then it's red blinkers, it ticks me off because they are difficult to distinguish from the brake lights in the corner of your eye. So why on Earth would they allow red turn signals in the taillights. Is there any reasoning behind this?
...you can't always get what you want...
Stupid shit, i'd kill for RED blinkers...
The law in Germany says "Amber" - nothing else, what a bummer - we could have change it
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From: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Originally Posted by javelin73' post='723229' date='Nov 17 2008, 11:59 AM
...you can't always get what you want...
Stupid shit, i'd kill for RED blinkers...
The law in Germany says "Amber" - nothing else, what a bummer - we could have change it
Stupid shit, i'd kill for RED blinkers...
The law in Germany says "Amber" - nothing else, what a bummer - we could have change it
Ich liebe den gelben blinker, mann kann das viel besser sehen.
I just prefer yellow.
Oh well, everyone is entitled to their opinions.
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