It is exactly a legal issue. They were not approved for use in the U.S. because they didn't meet federal regulations. Too low I believe. Seems like a rediculous application of the letter of a law - as if no reflector is better than one that is too low somehow. Nevertheless, I suppose it isn't desirable to allow a variance from one supplier or all of them might try it on. Rather than re-design the rear bumper to make it pass, BWM just slapped on the band-aid solution.
[/quote]


It is NOT a legal issue for a couple of reasons:

1. Back in the autumn of 2003 when the US e60 came out and it did not have the reflectors some people (mainly BMW salesmen) immediately started to say that it was a legal issue. It did not seem to make sense to me because many cars (including the e46 coupe and the Z8) had these type of reflectors on the US versions. There was also talk of the height of the reflectors not meeting US specs, so I did some research and here's what I found: The US DOT regulations indicate that the height of the "center" the reflector must be between 15" and 60" above the ground. At this point I went to a BMW dealer and measured the heights of the reflector (actually black plastic) of both a Sport Package and regular E60 and in both cases the height was within DOT specs. Not only was the center of the black plastic above the 15" limit but even if you took the lowest part of the plastic it was still within the limit. On the Sports Package E60 (which is lower) the bottom of the black plastic was at about 16.5" above the ground, which is within the 15-60 inch range. Also, i measured the height of the reflector on a US e46 coupe and it was lower than that of the e60's. So if the e46 met the height requirement then the e60 would for sure.

2. Here's my second piece of evidence that the reflectors are indeed legal for use on US e60's. They are shown in the 2005 <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>US E60 ACCESSORIES CATALOG</span> and are officially available for sale at <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>US dealerships</span>. Obviously, if the height did not meet US regulations BMW of North America would not be allowed to sell the reflectors here as an accessory and install it in cars that have the wrong height for the reflector to go in.

By the way, the reflectors that I bought from Germany do indeed have the "DOT" marking on them, so the reflectors themselves were also up to US DOT specs. all along.
[/quote]
Called 2 dealers today and both said the red reflectors are stock items.
one dealer wants $14.00 each and the other wants $11.00 each.
vern

 

Bokke,

Love the wheels...... Those are the same ones I'm looking at. What size did you go with? Did you have to disable the low tire pressure gizmo? Did you keep the stagger?

Post more pics please............

Thanks,
Spartacus_33
[/quote]


Spartacus_33 - thanks. I love the look of the SSR GT3's. See my signature for the sizes. Did nothing with the low tire gizzmo - it's probably not activated to tell the truth. Did keep the stagger, but went with 10's in the rear

I am planning on taking some more pictures this weekend if the weather cooperates and I'll post.

Cheers
[/quote]

Bokke,

At one time I was actually considering a 530 instead of the 545...... Beewang changed my mind... thank you Bee

If I had gotten the 530 I was going to drive straight down to my permance shop and replace the 530 SP wheels. I was torn between the SSR GT3's and PIAA Super Rozzas......... I can live with the 545 SP wheels....... for now!

Once again... your car looks great!

Spartacus_33

 

The red reflectors are a sign aren't they? A sign of a fellow E60.net member

 

And I have yet to see another E60 here in New Orleans with the reflectors!

 

===============================================

Yea I have a set of Black ones that came of my new 2004 E60 530i and is is the same black ones that are sold on ALL 2004 USA five series models that I know of, and mine are less than two months old and you can have them for $28.00

Email me at Presley348@aol.com if you are interested.

Sincerely,

Raymond Presley

 

And I have yet to see another E60 here in New Orleans with the reflectors!
[/quote]
Around here they all drive by too fast to see if they've been replaced...... I can't keep up with them in my E39.
Have any of you replaced them yourselves? I hear it's fairly easy.

Thanks,
Spartacus_33

 

Spartacus - I see you are doing ED in the next few days. Dude it's been snowing for like the last 2 weeks. There is over 10 feet of new snow in Austria. That's going to be tough with the Sport Package, be careful out there.

It takes like 2 minutes to install the reflectors if you take your time. Buy them while you are here as they are a lot cheaper but don't put them in till you get the car back home. I have heard they replace them sometimes before redelivery.

Look us up for a beer if your near Stuttgart

 

And I have yet to see another E60 here in New Orleans with the reflectors!
[/quote]
Around here they all drive by too fast to see if they've been replaced...... I can't keep up with them in my E39.
Have any of you replaced them yourselves? I hear it's fairly easy.

Thanks,
Spartacus_33
[/quote]


================================================== =

Their easy to replace, all you need is fishing line to put behind the ones already on the e60, and gently pull in the right spots toward the end, and they pop right out! Well at least they did on mine.

Presley348

 

Ultra is right, they are very easy to put in. I used a bit of cooking twine from my kitchen, slipped behind the outside point of the insert and pull. They pop right out and the reflectors pop right in.

Can't confirm that they take them out upon return from ED, but why chance it. Do as Ultra said and wait till your back home to make the swap.

Have a great time on your trip! I am so jealous. I'm doing the ED for sure next go around!

 

Umm....where can I buy the body-matched inserts?