5Series.net - Forums

Frequently Asked Questions Feel free to add to our FAQ answers or contribute new questions.

Why didn't my car come with red rear reflectors?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-20-2005, 09:06 AM
  #11  
JDN
Contributors
 
JDN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Dallas, TX USA
Posts: 4,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
Originally Posted by Rudy' date='Feb 20 2005, 09:01 AM
[quote name='Lomag' date='Aug 5 2004, 07:54 PM']To replace them, use strong fishing line going in from the outside side and then pull firmly. The new ones snap right in. Make sure to thread the line from the outside side, not the side by the license plate.
[snapback]21515[/snapback]
Although people have had success removing the reflectors using this method, I believe the reflectors pop out easier if you pull them out from the "inner" side, or the side that is closest to the license plate. If you look at the reflector, you can see the way the clip is designed. It'll pop out with less force if you do it from the inside, rather than the outside...
[snapback]92366[/snapback]
[/quote]
Based on design, there certainly is a benefit from putting the inside in first, but as for taking them out, it may not make any difference which side is popped out first. There is a 90 degree step for both sides.
JDN is offline  
Reply Like
Old 02-20-2005, 11:19 AM
  #12  
Banned
 
stream's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Default
Originally Posted by Lomag' date='Aug 5 2004, 04:54 PM
To replace them, use strong fishing line going in from the outside side and then pull firmly. The new ones snap right in. Make sure to thread the line from the outside side, not the side by the license plate.
For those who don't have fishing line lying around, I used dental floss! I used mint flavored, and it worked great!!
stream is offline  
Reply Like
Old 02-22-2005, 09:35 AM
  #13  
Members
 
BMW RULES's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Belgium
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
Originally Posted by 530E60NL' date='Aug 23 2004, 07:43 PM
For me it was 40% more but hey I got the rearreflectors for free!! So I paid it hapilly for them? :'(
[snapback]27415[/snapback]
The Netherlands is just the most expensive country to but you're BMW or other car. In Belgium they are cheaper
BMW RULES is offline  
Reply Like
Old 02-22-2005, 09:56 AM
  #14  
Contributors
 
cobradav's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: FLA - East Coast, USA
Posts: 3,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: (USA) 645Ci, Silver Gray, Chateau, Cold Weather PKG, Premium Sound PKG, Sport PKG, Step, NAV [Std Equip in 645], HUD, Satellite (SIRIUS) Radio, Aux Input, Bluetooth enabled using iPhone 3GS w/ adapter cradle - Build date - 01/05, Baby delivered 2/24/05
Default
Originally Posted by Lomag' date='Aug 5 2004, 06:54 PM
Why didn't my car come with red rear reflectors?

In the U.S., our government decided that for some reason the red reflectors seen on European cars are dangerous to the U.S. population. They forced BMW to replace them with plain black inserts for U.S. deliveries. Many users report that they've happily replaced their black inserts with the red reflectors ordered from www.bekkers.com. To replace them, use strong fishing line going in from the outside side and then pull firmly. The new ones snap right in. Make sure to thread the line from the outside side, not the side by the license plate.


If you have any additions or comments please post them below for other forum members and web site visitors to read.
[snapback]21515[/snapback]
I must have read this a hundred times and cannot quite understand what is being said. Isn't this just the E60? I have not seen any other BMW models (3,6,7,X series) have the same issue of NOT having red reflectors in the US spec vehicles. What can be so unique about the E60 reflectors to make this so - too low, too high, too wide, too narrow? The NHTSA code requires red reflectors, so what went wrong with E60?
cobradav is offline  
Reply Like
Old 02-22-2005, 04:09 PM
  #15  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default
WHY SHOULD BMW GIVE FOR FREE WHEN THEY CAN CHARGE YOU FOR IT IN THE ACCESSORIES CATALOG!
 
Reply Like
Old 02-23-2005, 06:19 AM
  #16  
Super Moderator
 
Rudy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Default
Originally Posted by JDN' date='Feb 20 2005, 01:06 PM
[quote name='Rudy' date='Feb 20 2005, 09:01 AM'][quote name='Lomag' date='Aug 5 2004, 07:54 PM']To replace them, use strong fishing line going in from the outside side and then pull firmly. The new ones snap right in. Make sure to thread the line from the outside side, not the side by the license plate.
[snapback]21515[/snapback]
Although people have had success removing the reflectors using this method, I believe the reflectors pop out easier if you pull them out from the "inner" side, or the side that is closest to the license plate. If you look at the reflector, you can see the way the clip is designed. It'll pop out with less force if you do it from the inside, rather than the outside...
[snapback]92366[/snapback]
[/quote]
Based on design, there certainly is a benefit from putting the inside in first, but as for taking them out, it may not make any difference which side is popped out first. There is a 90 degree step for both sides.
[snapback]92440[/snapback]
[/quote]
I don't know why I didn't do this a while ago but here goes:

replacing_rear_reflector.pdf
Rudy is offline  
Reply Like
Old 03-03-2005, 10:56 AM
  #17  
Members
 
ATLESixty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: Silver Grey Metallic 545i, Logic 7, Comfort Seats with Black Dakota Leather, Sirius Satellite Radio, Euro Reflectors, Aux Input Build Date 9/03
Default
Originally Posted by Rudy' date='Feb 23 2005, 11:19 AM
[quote name='JDN' date='Feb 20 2005, 01:06 PM'][quote name='Rudy' date='Feb 20 2005, 09:01 AM'][quote name='Lomag' date='Aug 5 2004, 07:54 PM']To replace them, use strong fishing line going in from the outside side and then pull firmly. The new ones snap right in. Make sure to thread the line from the outside side, not the side by the license plate.
[snapback]21515[/snapback]
Although people have had success removing the reflectors using this method, I believe the reflectors pop out easier if you pull them out from the "inner" side, or the side that is closest to the license plate. If you look at the reflector, you can see the way the clip is designed. It'll pop out with less force if you do it from the inside, rather than the outside...
[snapback]92366[/snapback]
[/quote]
Based on design, there certainly is a benefit from putting the inside in first, but as for taking them out, it may not make any difference which side is popped out first. There is a 90 degree step for both sides.
[snapback]92440[/snapback]
[/quote]
I don't know why I didn't do this a while ago but here goes:

Attachment 5325
[snapback]93489[/snapback]
[/quote]
Too bad I don't have the special tool!!!!!
ATLESixty is offline  
Reply Like
Old 03-11-2005, 05:06 PM
  #18  
Contributors
 
uwsc11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
Originally Posted by stream' date='Feb 20 2005, 12:19 PM
[quote name='Lomag' date='Aug 5 2004, 04:54 PM']To replace them, use strong fishing line going in from the outside side and then pull firmly. The new ones snap right in. Make sure to thread the line from the outside side, not the side by the license plate.
For those who don't have fishing line lying around, I used dental floss! I used mint flavored, and it worked great!!
[snapback]92488[/snapback]
[/quote]

I just put my red reflectors in and I used dental floss, too. But I have to say I went through a bunch of dental floss before they came out. I tried several times and the dental floss kept ripping. So I doubled up on the dental floss and it still ripped. It finally worked, once I trippled up on the detal floss. Phew!!

Now the car looks like it was meant to look!

uwsc11 is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-01-2005, 06:40 AM
  #19  
Members
 
ballyhoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
Wait...Dental Floss?

I just ordered the reflectors from the 5 series catalog for $12 each. I used my car key to pop out the body color inserts (very easy from right side) and then put the reflectors in the space - the ones I got from my parts center had clips on them that lock the reflector into place.

What's everyone using the dental floss for?
ballyhoo is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-01-2005, 02:01 PM
  #20  
Senior Members
 
alohalc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
dental floss will eliminate to scratch the paint and, in your case, break the car key .
alohalc is offline  
Reply Like



Advanced Search
Quick Reply: Why didn't my car come with red rear reflectors?


Reply Closed Thread Share

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:49 PM.