Indicator lights on wheel arches

supersebbo · 03-25-2013, 04:27 AM

When did they stop putting the indicator lights on the front wheel arches?

I can find images of them with that setup as late as 2012 - does anyone know when it was officially changed?

VailM3 · 03-25-2013, 04:39 AM

Are you referring to the side indicator above and right as you look at the front wheels? If so that has never gone away. Question seems a bit hard to answer.

supersebbo · 03-25-2013, 04:44 AM

Not sure I am - I mean this one

VailM3 · 03-25-2013, 04:48 AM

those are reflectors (correct me if i am wrong) but they are only mandatory for US specked cars. Us Europeans don't have htem

supersebbo · 03-25-2013, 04:50 AM

Ah - that makes complete sense

Thanks.

ManiacGT · 03-25-2013, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VailM3

those are reflectors (correct me if i am wrong) but they are only mandatory for US specked cars. Us Europeans don't have htem

You are correct.

rayeel · 03-25-2013, 07:42 AM

Anyone know where to get quality reflectors that match the paint color? Or any suggestions to hide it? Thank you in advance.

Rafale · 03-25-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayeel

Anyone know where to get quality reflectors that match the paint color? Or any suggestions to hide it? Thank you in advance.

Contact Andrew at IND
http://www.ind-distribution.com/

They are on the forums too.

juhap · 03-25-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafale

Contact Andrew at IND
http://www.ind-distribution.com/

They are on the forums too.

On a related note, a DIY from Crazy Bimmer.

Can't find E89 reflectors on the IND site anymore though...

Rafale · 03-25-2013, 09:46 AM

They are still there. under the E89 35i. I got parts from them they have never listed on the website though. Just have to contact them and tell them what you need.

BMWZ4RIDER · 03-25-2013, 02:43 PM

I did not like the Orange Front reflectors or the rear red reflecters. As well, I did not like the look/color of the white side markers lights and Red 3rd brake light. I removed all of the them and wrapped them in a 20% dark/smoked film. Easy mod, pennies for the film, reversible and changable any any time. I had the same film on my Acura for 4 years with no deterioration.
(Pre Debadged Pictures and Black CF roundels)

InsanePineapple · 03-25-2013, 06:13 PM

Seems like it'll be easy to take them off and paint them yourself.

Rafale · 03-25-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morfinx

Seems like it'll be easy to take them off and paint them yourself.

Taking them off without damaging them is a challenge. They are glued to the bumper cover with some nasty double face tapes which then need to be scrubbed off. I did this for 4 cars so I know... Color matching is kind of a hassle with not just the paint but the clear coat. Then after you paint it, you need to put double face tape on.

InsanePineapple · 03-25-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafale

Taking them off without damaging them is a challenge. They are glued to the bumper cover with some nasty double face tapes which then need to be scrubbed off. I did this for 4 cars so I know... Color matching is kind of a hassle with not just the paint but the clear coat. Then after you paint it, you need to put double face tape on.

I think color matching is more of a problem for metallic paint like space grey. For flat paint like alpine white, it's easier. I had repair a big scratch and made license plate bumper plugs and the color match is perfectly adequate. The double side tape does sound like a hassle though.

Hujan · 05-15-2013, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafale

They are still there. under the E89 35i. I got parts from them they have never listed on the website though. Just have to contact them and tell them what you need.

Yup. They are sending me body-match replacements for the red reflectors on the rear in addition to body-match replacements for the reflectors on the arches. Not a fan of either. (The white side markers don't bother me because the car is Alpine White.)

tranquility · 05-15-2013, 11:40 PM

I'm just curious, just like having front plates....are those side reflectors *that* hideous you guys have to do something about it?

Hujan · 05-15-2013, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

I'm just curious, just like having front plates....are those side reflectors *that* hideous you guys have to do something about it?

Absolutely. It ruins the clean lines of the car. I'm a no front plate, no reflector kind of guy.

What I will never understand are the people who have some generic "BMW" plate in lieu of their DMV-issued plate. If you are going to drill holes in the bumper and hang something there, why not the actual plate?

tranquility · 05-16-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hujan

Absolutely. It ruins the clean lines of the car. I'm a no front plate, no reflector kind of guy.

What I will never understand are the people who have some generic "BMW" plate in lieu of their DMV-issued plate. If you are going to drill holes in the bumper and hang something there, why not the actual plate?

Ok, it doesn't make a diff to me, but to each their own. The things are still there.

Don't follow your 2nd para.

03-25-2013, 04:27 AM	#1
supersebbo First Lieutenant 234 Rep 366 Posts Drives: iX3 Premier Pro (Dec 21) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Indicator lights on wheel arches When did they stop putting the indicator lights on the front wheel arches? I can find images of them with that setup as late as 2012 - does anyone know when it was officially changed?
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03-25-2013, 04:39 AM	#2
VailM3 Captain 61 Rep 766 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Geneva Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Are you referring to the side indicator above and right as you look at the front wheels? If so that has never gone away. Question seems a bit hard to answer.
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03-25-2013, 04:44 AM	#3
supersebbo First Lieutenant 234 Rep 366 Posts Drives: iX3 Premier Pro (Dec 21) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Not sure I am - I mean this one Attached Images
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03-25-2013, 04:48 AM	#4
VailM3 Captain 61 Rep 766 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Geneva Switzerland iTrader: (0)	those are reflectors (correct me if i am wrong) but they are only mandatory for US specked cars. Us Europeans don't have htem
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03-25-2013, 04:50 AM	#5
supersebbo First Lieutenant 234 Rep 366 Posts Drives: iX3 Premier Pro (Dec 21) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Ah - that makes complete sense Thanks.
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03-25-2013, 07:42 AM	#7
rayeel Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kennesaw, GA iTrader: (0)	Anyone know where to get quality reflectors that match the paint color? Or any suggestions to hide it? Thank you in advance.
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03-25-2013, 09:46 AM	#10
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	They are still there. under the E89 35i. I got parts from them they have never listed on the website though. Just have to contact them and tell them what you need. __________________
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03-25-2013, 02:43 PM	#11
BMWZ4RIDER BMWZ4Rider 69 Rep 801 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW Z4 35i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (0)	I did not like the Orange Front reflectors or the rear red reflecters. As well, I did not like the look/color of the white side markers lights and Red 3rd brake light. I removed all of the them and wrapped them in a 20% dark/smoked film. Easy mod, pennies for the film, reversible and changable any any time. I had the same film on my Acura for 4 years with no deterioration. (Pre Debadged Pictures and Black CF roundels) Attached Images __________________ 2009 BMW Z4 35i/SMG/DCT/Premium,Cold, Sound PK/Com Acc/Ash/PDC/Wind Deflector/Smoked Reflectors/Red Calipers/Cl Mask/M Series Grill/6000K LED's/De-Badged/M Pedals/CF Mirrors-Engine Cover/Stubby/20% Tint/H8 LED's/LCI Side Markers/Sniper Sprint Spoiler/VMR V710/H&R Sport Springs/KN.
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03-25-2013, 06:13 PM	#12
InsanePineapple Shenanigans 81 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: See Signature Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (1)	Seems like it'll be easy to take them off and paint them yourself. __________________ [Current] Tesla Model 3 Performance [Retired] Audi R8 V10 6MT, BMW i3 BEV, BMW i3 REx, BMW Z4 sDrive35i DCT, BMW 335i Coupe 6MT
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05-15-2013, 11:40 PM	#16
tranquility sportscars only 3242 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I'm just curious, just like having front plates....are those side reflectors that hideous you guys have to do something about it?
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