Why the ugly reflector?
#21
Senior Members
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
here is my X5 from US that I brought over to Moscow the first thing I done is got it to my people to paint those silly orange reflectors. Remove the "key-hole" from the front drivers door by buying the empty keyhole from rear passenger door, tinting the rear lights, painting the red reflectors black.
Edit: ohh forgot that I replaced the exhausts
and that this X5 is an eX5 now...
[attachment=89218:33kbokl.jpg]
[attachment=89219:2hf7ul3.jpg]
[attachment=89220:35bh9gj.jpg]
Edit: ohh forgot that I replaced the exhausts
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
[attachment=89218:33kbokl.jpg]
[attachment=89219:2hf7ul3.jpg]
[attachment=89220:35bh9gj.jpg]
#22
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i / Black Sapphire / Premium / Navigation / Bluetooth / PDC / USB Audio Integration / 6 Speed Sport Automatic with Steptronic / Logic 7 / Comfort Access / Auto Folding Mirrors / Comfort Seats / Rear Heated Seats / 35% Tint All Around / Black Dakota Leather
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Cool! Thanks for the pic.
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
#23
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i / Black Sapphire / Premium / Navigation / Bluetooth / PDC / USB Audio Integration / 6 Speed Sport Automatic with Steptronic / Logic 7 / Comfort Access / Auto Folding Mirrors / Comfort Seats / Rear Heated Seats / 35% Tint All Around / Black Dakota Leather
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Great...thanks everybody for the tips and pics. I think I will pop mine out and take them to the body shop for painting when I am ready.
#24
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by GENEaTALS' post='763802' date='Jan 9 2009, 09:24 PM
yes you can paint it...AFAIK recall the yellow reflector was add;d due to DOT standards ![Think](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/think.gif)
![Think](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/think.gif)
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
Why they are there I don't get? The LCI has all the side leds in the light cluster.
.
#25
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Sapphire Black on Black M5 - loaded sans soft close doors
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I agree it is ugly - and I agree BMW could have done something different (like they did on the M5 that does NOT have it).
However, I don't think I would paint mine if I had it - people love to sue each other here in the states and if you WERE to get into an accident, and someone (say the police? say a good attorney?) were to notice that you purposely covered up a reflector on the car....well...that would certainly help their case.
Just my 2 cents....
However, I don't think I would paint mine if I had it - people love to sue each other here in the states and if you WERE to get into an accident, and someone (say the police? say a good attorney?) were to notice that you purposely covered up a reflector on the car....well...that would certainly help their case.
Just my 2 cents....
#26
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i / Black Sapphire / Premium / Navigation / Bluetooth / PDC / USB Audio Integration / 6 Speed Sport Automatic with Steptronic / Logic 7 / Comfort Access / Auto Folding Mirrors / Comfort Seats / Rear Heated Seats / 35% Tint All Around / Black Dakota Leather
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by doug_999' post='764577' date='Jan 10 2009, 04:25 PM
I agree it is ugly - and I agree BMW could have done something different (like they did on the M5 that does NOT have it).
However, I don't think I would paint mine if I had it - people love to sue each other here in the states and if you WERE to get into an accident, and someone (say the police? say a good attorney?) were to notice that you purposely covered up a reflector on the car....well...that would certainly help their case.
Just my 2 cents....
However, I don't think I would paint mine if I had it - people love to sue each other here in the states and if you WERE to get into an accident, and someone (say the police? say a good attorney?) were to notice that you purposely covered up a reflector on the car....well...that would certainly help their case.
Just my 2 cents....
This is a sad state of affairs. There are more ugly reflectors on the rear bumper of my car. How can I paint all of my reflectors after reading your post?? *LOL*
![Unsure](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/unsure.gif)
#27
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ocean Springs, MS
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 Sapphire Black Metallic 525i. Beige Dakota Leather, Premium package, bluetooth, BMW Assist, Xenon adaptive lights, Sirius radio
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by BMW4Ever' post='764739' date='Jan 10 2009, 08:41 PM
This is a sad state of affairs. There are more ugly reflectors on the rear bumper of my car. How can I paint all of my reflectors after reading your post?? *LOL* ![Unsure](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/unsure.gif)
![Unsure](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/unsure.gif)
#28
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by doug_999' post='764577' date='Jan 10 2009, 05:25 PM
I agree it is ugly - and I agree BMW could have done something different (like they did on the M5 that does NOT have it).
However, I don't think I would paint mine if I had it - people love to sue each other here in the states and if you WERE to get into an accident, and someone (say the police? say a good attorney?) were to notice that you purposely covered up a reflector on the car....well...that would certainly help their case.
Just my 2 cents....
However, I don't think I would paint mine if I had it - people love to sue each other here in the states and if you WERE to get into an accident, and someone (say the police? say a good attorney?) were to notice that you purposely covered up a reflector on the car....well...that would certainly help their case.
Just my 2 cents....
#29
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Holland
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='763985' date='Jan 9 2009, 11:57 PM
Correct. And it's our own fault. US bound BMWs have always had orange parking light lenses in the headlight assemblies due to DOT regs. We consequently have begged for clear corners for years. BMW thought "we'll teach those Americans" and gave us those ugly side markers when finally giving us the clear corners.
At least they made it simple enough to fix.
At least they made it simple enough to fix.
#30
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i / Black Sapphire / Premium / Navigation / Bluetooth / PDC / USB Audio Integration / 6 Speed Sport Automatic with Steptronic / Logic 7 / Comfort Access / Auto Folding Mirrors / Comfort Seats / Rear Heated Seats / 35% Tint All Around / Black Dakota Leather
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I wonder if these DOT standards for reflectors apply to the new Mercedes, Audi and Lexus vehicles also. I'm curious now. I will have to take a closer look at them. :-)