Getting Rid of the Front Reflectors....

SchnellM3 · 03-06-2010, 09:26 AM

What the most common way of doing this?? I figured Id post here and find out before I try and go taking them off and screwing up my finish...

JCtx · 03-06-2010, 10:40 AM

Best way is to catch some ice, drive off the road, mess your bumper with a cattle guard, and use it to make cutouts (plus backing plates) to eliminate reflectors on new bumper

. And yes, I did just that

.

With a good bumper, I'd wait until you have enough rock chips to warrant a repaint, which is the proper way to do it. In addition, if you want it to last, you better use the same bumper material to fill the holes plus a larger backing plate to secure the cutouts, but you'd need a damaged bumper for that.

The other 2 options are clear reflectors (not remotely close to OEM fit and quality, and only 'DEPO' makes them), or OEM body-colored reflectors, which look like patches to me, so I was going to live with the stock reflectors... until my little off-road excursion. I also had the bodyshop paint the stock gills (along with their black inserts) body-color, and looks great now. Good luck.

MMMorish · 03-06-2010, 12:09 PM

I have smoked reflectors which have OEM fit and finish. But they only look good on darker color cars like my Space Grey.

SV Concepts II · 03-06-2010, 12:45 PM

Either go with clear/smoked or painted reflector replacements...

infernoM3 · 05-22-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMorish

I have smoked reflectors which have OEM fit and finish. But they only look good on darker color cars like my Space Grey.

Where did you get ur smoked reflectors lookin for a good set.

mmm def · 05-22-2012, 01:27 PM

Painted reflectors from IND and you're good to go.

PetrolFumes · 05-22-2012, 09:08 PM

IND does an appearance package which includes the painted reflectors.i thought it was just standard

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmm def

Painted reflectors from IND and you're good to go.

BIGW0RM · 05-22-2012, 10:41 PM

I hated my orange reflectors with a passion. I ended up buying clear DEPO brand ones. Problem was... they leaked right away and turned yellowish over 8 months. I actually replaced them today with some painted ones, but I think the painted ones look worse than my yellowing clear ones.

The painted ones look like a cover to something your missing. Like an option you didnt get. They look like a WART.

At least the clear ones matched with the head lights and did whatever function the orange ones did. To me, clear looked great on my car.

I'm actually thinking about selling my painted ones to buy 2 sets of the crappy clear ones.

mmm def · 05-23-2012, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPowerrE92

IND does an appearance package which includes the painted reflectors.i thought it was just standard

not standard and you can get the reflectors separately.

kscarrol · 05-23-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

What the most common way of doing this?? I figured Id post here and find out before I try and go taking them off and screwing up my finish...

I assume you are asking about how to physically remove the OEM orange reflectors? Simply press on the plastic bumper cover (it will flex inward) right below the orange reflector and the bottom should pop out. Then simply pull down and the reflector will come out. To install the painted ones, reverse the process by slipping the top in and pushing in the bottom of the new reflector...

Edit: Here's a DIY thread showing the process... http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=178

lorinzo · 05-23-2012, 08:35 AM

Get a color matched set from IND.

Nine · 05-23-2012, 10:29 AM

If the question is how, you press with your thumbs below the reflector and it should pop out bottom first. Use tape so it doesn't fall into the bumper, there are few nice tutorials on youtube and on the forums.

Merlosso · 05-23-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

I assume you are asking about how to physically remove the OEM orange reflectors? Simply press on the plastic bumper cover (it will flex inward) right below the orange reflector and the bottom should pop out. Then simply pull down and the reflector will come out. To install the painted ones, reverse the process by slipping the top in and pushing in the bottom of the new reflector...

Edit: Here's a DIY thread showing the process... http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=178

This thread is over 2 years old. I sure hope the guy hasn't been sitting around all this time waiting for a reply.

kscarrol · 05-23-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlosso

This thread is over 2 years old. I sure hope the guy hasn't been sitting around all this time waiting for a reply.

I know! But it does a good job of showing how to remove the reflectors. It was also the first one that came up under my search and I didn't look any further...

03-06-2010, 09:26 AM	#1
SchnellM3 Digger 207 Rep 2,619 Posts Drives: 03 E46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 Tra ... [8.00] 2009 BMW E92 M3 [8.30] 2009 Yamaha R1 (FOR ... [9.50]	Getting Rid of the Front Reflectors.... What the most common way of doing this?? I figured Id post here and find out before I try and go taking them off and screwing up my finish...
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03-06-2010, 10:40 AM	#2
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Best way is to catch some ice, drive off the road, mess your bumper with a cattle guard, and use it to make cutouts (plus backing plates) to eliminate reflectors on new bumper . And yes, I did just that . With a good bumper, I'd wait until you have enough rock chips to warrant a repaint, which is the proper way to do it. In addition, if you want it to last, you better use the same bumper material to fill the holes plus a larger backing plate to secure the cutouts, but you'd need a damaged bumper for that. The other 2 options are clear reflectors (not remotely close to OEM fit and quality, and only 'DEPO' makes them), or OEM body-colored reflectors, which look like patches to me, so I was going to live with the stock reflectors... until my little off-road excursion. I also had the bodyshop paint the stock gills (along with their black inserts) body-color, and looks great now. Good luck. Last edited by JCtx; 03-06-2010 at 12:48 PM..
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03-06-2010, 12:09 PM	#3
MMMorish Just call me J.J. McClure 156 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & C4 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	I have smoked reflectors which have OEM fit and finish. But they only look good on darker color cars like my Space Grey. __________________ MODS: Meisterschaft GT Racing Exhaust / BMC Air Filter / UUC SSK & DSSR (Modded)/ RPI Scoops / Passport SRX Hardwired / Custom Wrap 3M Clearbra / 20% Tint / 50% Windshield Tint / Key Hole Delete / Matted Out Accessories / VRS Type II Diffuser / Smoked Reflectors / Euphoria 6K LED Interior Lights / Rear Fog Light Mod / 6000K HID's / 6500K LUX H8 Angel Eyes / RDash License Plate LED Kit / LED Xenon Reverse Lights "M3 drivers have no friends"
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03-06-2010, 12:45 PM	#4
SV Concepts II 269 Rep 6,093 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (7)	Either go with clear/smoked or painted reflector replacements...
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05-22-2012, 01:27 PM	#6
mmm def Colonel 144 Rep 2,610 Posts Drives: 21 330, 19 ND2 RF, 11 RX350 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Painted reflectors from IND and you're good to go.
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05-22-2012, 10:41 PM	#8
BIGW0RM You got my money? 3155 Rep 4,646 Posts Drives: Ice Cream Truck Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ///OC iTrader: (14) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 [9.50]	I hated my orange reflectors with a passion. I ended up buying clear DEPO brand ones. Problem was... they leaked right away and turned yellowish over 8 months. I actually replaced them today with some painted ones, but I think the painted ones look worse than my yellowing clear ones. The painted ones look like a cover to something your missing. Like an option you didnt get. They look like a WART. At least the clear ones matched with the head lights and did whatever function the orange ones did. To me, clear looked great on my car. I'm actually thinking about selling my painted ones to buy 2 sets of the crappy clear ones. __________________ 2022 G80 M3 Competition X / 2020 Range Rover Sport P525 / 2023 Ford Raptor
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05-23-2012, 08:35 AM	#11
lorinzo Captain 84 Rep 953 Posts Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Get a color matched set from IND. __________________ \| 2011 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan exhaust \| Dinan software \| Dinan pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \| BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 \| Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 \| Red BBS Racing lug nut kit \| H&R Sport springs \|
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05-23-2012, 10:29 AM	#12
Nine Banned 49 Rep 1,922 Posts Drives: Not ZCP, FML. Join Date: May 2010 Location: DC, Miami, NYC iTrader: (2)	If the question is how, you press with your thumbs below the reflector and it should pop out bottom first. Use tape so it doesn't fall into the bumper, there are few nice tutorials on youtube and on the forums.
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