BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Cosmetic/Visual (Exterior + Interior) Modifications
 
View Poll Results: What have you done with your front reflectors?
Left them alone. 16 28.07%
Replaced them with body colored ones. 36 63.16%
Replaced them with clear or another color reflector. 5 8.77%
Replaced them with carbon fiber inserts. 0 0%
Voters: 57. You may not vote on this poll

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-02-2010, 03:30 PM   #1
jeffnnj
Second Lieutenant
jeffnnj's Avatar
United_States
14
Rep
281
Posts

Drives: 2011 E93 M3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NNJ, USA

iTrader: (0)

What To Do....The Great Reflector Debate

When I got my 2006 550i it came with body color reflectors in the rear bumpers. At the time, everyone who I knew with the same car was getting red "Euro" reflectors for their back bumpers so I, of course, did the same thing. I just looked through the Aftermarket Rim thread and it looks like the vast majority of you have replaced your orange front reflectors with body colored ones, doing the exact opposite thing as E60 owners back in the day. Just wondering if I am the only one who decided to just keep the stock ones. Am I all alone out here?
__________________
2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/Black Novillo Leather
2008 550i Sport, Platinum Gray/Natural Brown (retired)
2006 550i Silver Gray/Black (retired)
2002 M3 Convertible Titanium Silver/Black(retired)
1998 328i Convertible Arctic Silver/Gray(retired)
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 03:48 PM   #2
James T. Kirk
Captain of the Enterprise
James T. Kirk's Avatar
United_States
101
Rep
1,424
Posts

Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001

iTrader: (0)

You may just be alone on this. The front reflectors are a consequence of USDOT law. You won't see them on EU versions of the car which one could argue is the originally intended design. Those reflectors are right up there with those yellow obligatory child safety seat signs that they plaster on all of our sun visors. Anyone know how to get THOSE off?
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 03:53 PM   #3
jeffnnj
Second Lieutenant
jeffnnj's Avatar
United_States
14
Rep
281
Posts

Drives: 2011 E93 M3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NNJ, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by James T. Kirk View Post
You may just be alone on this. The front reflectors are a consequence of USDOT law. You won't see them on EU versions of the car which one could argue is the originally intended design. Those reflectors are right up there with those yellow obligatory child safety seat signs that they plaster on all of our sun visors. Anyone know how to get THOSE off?
Actually yes. I did a DUI on my 2002 M3. Tape off around the perimeter of the sign with masking tape. Then apply Goo Gone liberally to the entire area and allow to penetrate for a couple of minutes. You will notice the area bubbling up. Should will then the easily wipe off. If not then reapply, wait and try again. After it's gone, clean the entire area with vinyl or all purpose household cleaner. Worked great for me.
__________________
2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/Black Novillo Leather
2008 550i Sport, Platinum Gray/Natural Brown (retired)
2006 550i Silver Gray/Black (retired)
2002 M3 Convertible Titanium Silver/Black(retired)
1998 328i Convertible Arctic Silver/Gray(retired)
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 03:55 PM   #4
KJM3
Private First Class
5
Rep
177
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: East Tennessee

iTrader: (0)

If I dont see it when i drive the car then I dont care that much, if someone hates the yellow ones that much they are more than welcome to send me a pair of jet black ones for free and I'll gladly install them
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 03:57 PM   #5
linsm3
Lieutenant
19
Rep
500
Posts

Drives: E92 08 M3 AW
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by James T. Kirk View Post
You may just be alone on this. The front reflectors are a consequence of USDOT law. You won't see them on EU versions of the car which one could argue is the originally intended design. Those reflectors are right up there with those yellow obligatory child safety seat signs that they plaster on all of our sun visors. Anyone know how to get THOSE off?
I deleted them with help from IND
__________________
Vorsteiner front lip molded and painted no reflectors*type II diffuser*single side CF trunk*Blk grilles*side markers w/ dark tint*40% tint*H&R springs*Macht Schnell spacers*BBS-LM 19"*Eisenmann Racing*Hardwired Escort 9500ci radar/laser system*Brembo 380MM BBK*GIRLS RULE!
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 04:02 PM   #6
James T. Kirk
Captain of the Enterprise
James T. Kirk's Avatar
United_States
101
Rep
1,424
Posts

Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the Goo-Gone tip! That won't harm the vinyl, right?
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 04:21 PM   #7
Erhan
Colonel
Erhan's Avatar
United_States
87
Rep
2,464
Posts

Drives: Cooper S
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

I never "fix"ed this in my Z4 MC, and I doubt I will in M3.
__________________
2011 MINI Cooper S
previous cars: E92 M3, Z4MC, Z4 Roadster, E36 328 Sedan
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 04:29 PM   #8
sor
Brigadier General
sor's Avatar
3091
Rep
3,063
Posts

Drives: 2023 iX M60 Oxide
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UT

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2023 BMW iX M60  [0.00]
Look at it from the perspective that the trend is to take it back to the original euro look, then your 550i example and the front reflector trend are pretty much the same thing.
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 04:35 PM   #9
toper
Second Lieutenant
toper's Avatar
2
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: C4S Cab
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KJM3 View Post
If I dont see it when i drive the car then I dont care that much, if someone hates the yellow ones that much they are more than welcome to send me a pair of jet black ones for free and I'll gladly install them
so you don't care if your car is dirty, gets keyed, or has dings?
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 05:09 PM   #10
KJM3
Private First Class
5
Rep
177
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: East Tennessee

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by toper View Post
so you don't care if your car is dirty, gets keyed, or has dings?
No, those things would annoy me, the yellow reflectors dont annoy me
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 05:13 PM   #11
toper
Second Lieutenant
toper's Avatar
2
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: C4S Cab
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KJM3 View Post
No, those things would annoy me, the yellow reflectors dont annoy me
They're actually orange.
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 05:18 PM   #12
KJM3
Private First Class
5
Rep
177
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: East Tennessee

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by toper View Post
They're actually orange.
See how much I've noticed them
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2010, 05:21 PM   #13
toper
Second Lieutenant
toper's Avatar
2
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: C4S Cab
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KJM3 View Post
See how much I've noticed them
LOL, good one!
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2010, 12:38 PM   #14
SchnellM3
Digger
SchnellM3's Avatar
United_States
204
Rep
2,619
Posts

Drives: 03 E46 M3
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Pa

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
What I never understood is why they can make them reasonably "camouflaged" in other models and they just put them in plain sight on ours

I was also debating what to do with mine, unfortunately 4 weeks ago even though I was parked in a completely different time zone at the store some idiot (we'll keep it clean) in a pimped out caddy thought it would be a good idea to swipe my front bumper with his instead of backing out of his space completely. So now I have a new Euro bumper coming all paid for by him I hate the fact that it had to come to that for me to do it since now my M wont be whole and feel a little tainted when I look at her now. I work so hard to keep all of my cars nice and its always seems like other people screw it up
__________________
2009 E92 M3 /// Melbourne Red /// Fox Red /// M DKG

Full Innotech Exhaust - DINAN Intake - IND Engine Bay Appearance - IND Hand Stitched Boot Covers - and much more....
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2010, 01:39 PM   #15
MShao825
Go Terps!
MShao825's Avatar
53
Rep
1,375
Posts

Drives: 2009 SSII/FR E92 M3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Jersey City, NJ Gaithersburg, MD

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffnnj View Post
Actually yes. I did a DUI on my 2002 M3. Tape off around the perimeter of the sign with masking tape. Then apply Goo Gone liberally to the entire area and allow to penetrate for a couple of minutes. You will notice the area bubbling up. Should will then the easily wipe off. If not then reapply, wait and try again. After it's gone, clean the entire area with vinyl or all purpose household cleaner. Worked great for me.
You mean you did a DIY. There's a big difference
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2010, 01:44 PM   #16
saeedg48
Brigadier General
United_States
341
Rep
3,574
Posts

Drives: Porsche 991.1 GT3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Newport Beach, CA

iTrader: (1)

The reflectors don't bother me but my friends are always suggesting that I send the money to get replacement color matched ones. Given that I have a Sparkling Graphite Metallic (they don't make the color on M3z anymore) - they cost way too much. $80 for what??? an 80Cent part made in China by Lee and Wong..

I'd be interested if they were $30>
__________________

2015 Porsche 991.1 GT3
2015 F80 M3 -- Individual; Space Grey
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2010, 02:33 PM   #17
zhangzeyuandss
Captain
zhangzeyuandss's Avatar
United_States
62
Rep
939
Posts

Drives: e92 m3, 911 GTS manual,F80,G80
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Houston, Tx

iTrader: (9)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MShao825 View Post
You mean you did a DIY. There's a big difference
saw that two.. I was like what.. DUI .lol
__________________

2011.5 mineral white e92 zcp 6mt m3
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2010, 04:06 PM   #18
LateBraking
Brigadier General
United_States
323
Rep
3,882
Posts

Drives: Relatively Quick.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: U.S.A.

iTrader: (27)

Quote:
Originally Posted by saeedg48 View Post
The reflectors don't bother me but my friends are always suggesting that I send the money to get replacement color matched ones. Given that I have a Sparkling Graphite Metallic (they don't make the color on M3z anymore) - they cost way too much. $80 for what??? an 80Cent part made in China by Lee and Wong..

I'd be interested if they were $30>
FYI at the very least, IND reflectors cost 70-80, and are OEM reflectors that have been painted. I have had made-in-China replica reflectors before, and the quality is not comparable, fitment and longevity being the two issues. For OEM, you pay to play, I guess.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2010, 05:29 PM   #19
bunny
Private First Class
bunny's Avatar
United_States
19
Rep
116
Posts

Drives: e92 m3
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Orange County

iTrader: (1)

i guess i'm the only one with the clear reflectors. i love them on my AW m3
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:18 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST