Why didn't my car come with red rear reflectors?
07-24-2005, 08:36 PM
#21
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10-11-2006, 11:03 AM
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Who knows why there are even reflectors on the bumper anyway because there are reflectors built into the rear lights. The reflectors in the bumper look stupid. I prefer the look of my M Sport rear bumper with no reflector.
12-15-2006, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by cobradav' post='93206' date='Feb 22 2005, 11:56 AM
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?
03-23-2007, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Lomag' post='21515' date='Aug 5 2004, 08:54 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.
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.
cheers
vern
04-11-2007, 05:47 AM
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Apparently, the real reason is that in a low speed collision the reflectors may break, not permitted under DOT regs, therefore not standard in US. Its as simple as that. Other models (E46) probably afforded more protection and did not break in required test.
04-14-2007, 08:00 PM
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Why the hell would people be putting red reflectors back on their car? They are repulsive. If all 5 series came with them on everyone would be trying to figure out how to get rid of them. Leave them black or color match, don?t replace with the ugly red reflectors.
04-14-2007, 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 20045seriesOC' post='413796' date='Apr 14 2007, 09:00 PM
Why the hell would people be putting red reflectors back on their car? They are repulsive. If all 5 series came with them on everyone would be trying to figure out how to get rid of them. Leave them black or color match, don?t replace with the ugly red reflectors.
I for one like the red reflectors, however, the grass is always greener on the other side. I get your point.
