Clear Reflectors on Mineral White

corrado79 · 03-18-2012, 11:48 PM

I know that the common opinion is to go with painted reflectors, but from my research, it seems that the painted reflectors have trouble matching mineral white (and maybe other metallic colors). Accordingly, I thought I would give the clear reflectors a shot.

I figured they would look potentially OEM, as opposed to a painted cover that looks awkward, especially if the paint does not match correctly. Also, I went clear, instead of smoked, because I think clear is better for lighter cars and smoked for darker ones.

Anyway, I ordered the infamous Depo clear reflectors from **********s. Ordering experience went great. And the Depo reflectors seem well made out of the box, despite their "Made in Taiwan" stamp.

I followed the instructions of pressing on the bumper below the reflector and it worked like a charm. The Depo reflectors went in well and after a tweak or two, sat really cleanly IMO. And so far no water leaking or other issues. I am very happy, for now. We will see if they end up fading. If so, I might just buy another set.

Before:

After:

I think it looks good, but each to their own.

HK8888 · 03-19-2012, 12:27 AM

Painted looks better.

YolkyPalky · 03-19-2012, 01:52 AM

You might want to try the clear reflectors from DDM, they have a much finer prism pattern, more like the OEM.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/E9X-M3-Front-Bumper-Reflectors

baarii · 03-19-2012, 02:02 PM

Painted on MW looks bad, DDM tuning ones don't fit right.

blublur · 03-19-2012, 03:12 PM

I like it.

tibra1 · 03-19-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HK8888

Painted looks better.

+1....either that or get the Euro spec-d bumper with no markers at all

corrado79 · 03-19-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YolkyPalky

You might want to try the clear reflectors from DDM, they have a much finer prism pattern, more like the OEM.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/E9...per-Reflectors

Cool. I will give those a shot if these reflectors become discolored, which from what I have read, is pretty likely to happen. For now though, I am pretty satisfied.

corrado79 · 03-19-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baarii

Painted on MW looks bad, DDM tuning ones don't fit right.

Ah, maybe I won't try the DDM ones yet. Despite the hate, these Depo ones are not bad (so far).

corrado79 · 03-19-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

+1....either that or get the Euro spec-d bumper with no markers at all

Yeah, Euro bumper would be nice, but not enough to justify the extra $$$. The reflectors were about $45. A new bumper with paint would come close to $2k.

blublur · 03-20-2012, 01:28 PM

No hate from me. I like the clear.

corrado79 · 03-20-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blublur

No hate from me. I like the clear.

thurston · 03-21-2012, 04:22 AM

I think they actually look pretty good. I like that you went with clear. I ordered painted for mine and if I don't like them when I install them, I'm going clear. Thanks for the pics!

HK8888 · 03-21-2012, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvieso

I think they actually look pretty good. I like that you went with clear. I ordered painted for mine and if I don't like them when I install them, I'm going clear. Thanks for the pics!

Seriously..

GOLFFRR · 03-21-2012, 08:30 AM

I know that MW is hard to match from what I read and after looking at these clear reflectors you posted I kinda of like it. It really doesn't look bad at all and its a def plus over the orange reflectors

Giccy · 03-21-2012, 10:19 AM

As hard as it is, IND has done a great job on their painted MW reflectors. I have a set on mine and it's definitely as good as it's going to get.

808@702 · 03-21-2012, 10:58 AM

How many HP do these reflectors add?

corrado79 · 03-21-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

I know that MW is hard to match from what I read and after looking at these clear reflectors you posted I kinda of like it. It really doesn't look bad at all and its a def plus over the orange reflectors

Thanks! I dig them too. I know the painted reflector is the overwhelmingly common choice, but I think in this setting, the clear reflector works nicely.

DarkstarZero · 03-21-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808@702

How many HP do these reflectors add?

GOLFFRR · 03-21-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado79

Thanks! I dig them too. I know the painted reflector is the overwhelmingly common choice, but I think in this setting, the clear reflector works nicely.

agreed 100%

Templar · 03-21-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808@702

How many HP do these reflectors add?

You must track your car often.

persian54 · 03-21-2012, 02:11 PM

when we meet up, let's take pics of my IND Painted reflectors next to your clear ones

I'm curious to see how it looks

My car is rarely clean, but I'll try to keep it clean lol
hard considering track day this weekend

corrado79 · 03-21-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

when we meet up, let's take pics of my IND Painted reflectors next to your clear ones

I'm curious to see how it looks

My car is rarely clean, but I'll try to keep it clean lol
hard considering track day this weekend

Good call. Back to back.

Wash up after this weekend.

See you soon.

03-18-2012, 11:48 PM	#1
corrado79 Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2012 E93 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Clear Reflectors on Mineral White I know that the common opinion is to go with painted reflectors, but from my research, it seems that the painted reflectors have trouble matching mineral white (and maybe other metallic colors). Accordingly, I thought I would give the clear reflectors a shot. I figured they would look potentially OEM, as opposed to a painted cover that looks awkward, especially if the paint does not match correctly. Also, I went clear, instead of smoked, because I think clear is better for lighter cars and smoked for darker ones. Anyway, I ordered the infamous Depo clear reflectors from **********s. Ordering experience went great. And the Depo reflectors seem well made out of the box, despite their "Made in Taiwan" stamp. I followed the instructions of pressing on the bumper below the reflector and it worked like a charm. The Depo reflectors went in well and after a tweak or two, sat really cleanly IMO. And so far no water leaking or other issues. I am very happy, for now. We will see if they end up fading. If so, I might just buy another set. Before: After: I think it looks good, but each to their own. __________________ 2012 BMW E93 M3 \| Mineral White \| 6MT 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i Sport \| Black Sapphire 2015 BMW F10 M5 \| MCB \| ZCP\| MPE (On Order)
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03-19-2012, 12:27 AM	#2
HK8888 Captain 24 Rep 926 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 Coupe [10.00]	Painted looks better.
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03-19-2012, 01:52 AM	#3
YolkyPalky Captain 333 Rep 687 Posts Drives: ‘23 X3MC Dark Graphite Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	You might want to try the clear reflectors from DDM, they have a much finer prism pattern, more like the OEM. http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/E9X-M3-Front-Bumper-Reflectors __________________ 2011 E90 M3 ZCP Space Gray - gone but never forgotten. 2002 E46 M3 Carbon Black - my “M” first love.
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03-19-2012, 02:02 PM	#4
baarii Major 79 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: .. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: I-66 iTrader: (8)	Painted on MW looks bad, DDM tuning ones don't fit right.
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03-19-2012, 03:12 PM	#5
blublur Private First Class 1 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '12 (Indiv MCB) E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	I like it.
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03-20-2012, 01:28 PM	#10
blublur Private First Class 1 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '12 (Indiv MCB) E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	No hate from me. I like the clear.
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03-21-2012, 04:22 AM	#12
thurston Lieutenant 215 Rep 565 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (0)	I think they actually look pretty good. I like that you went with clear. I ordered painted for mine and if I don't like them when I install them, I'm going clear. Thanks for the pics! __________________ Designer & Photographer
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03-21-2012, 08:30 AM	#14
GOLFFRR 10769 Rep 27,579 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	I know that MW is hard to match from what I read and after looking at these clear reflectors you posted I kinda of like it. It really doesn't look bad at all and its a def plus over the orange reflectors __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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03-21-2012, 10:19 AM	#15
Giccy Captain 33 Rep 748 Posts Drives: like he has much to learn Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	As hard as it is, IND has done a great job on their painted MW reflectors. I have a set on mine and it's definitely as good as it's going to get.
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03-21-2012, 10:58 AM	#16
808@702 8th BMW, 520th Surfboard 494 Rep 1,215 Posts Drives: My girlfriends crazy! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nv. and Honolulu, Hi. and Seattle Wa. iTrader: (0)	How many HP do these reflectors add?
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03-21-2012, 02:11 PM	#21
persian54 Lieutenant General 922 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	when we meet up, let's take pics of my IND Painted reflectors next to your clear ones I'm curious to see how it looks My car is rarely clean, but I'll try to keep it clean lol hard considering track day this weekend __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
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