Why does BMW downgrade turn signals to non-LED for new models? - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

DannyITR · 02-18-2013, 03:14 PM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

If you remember, the last E46 2005 3-Series had LED brake lights and LED rear turn signals. The first 2006 E90s has incandescent or standard bulp rear turn and brake lights. The facelifted E92 2009-2011 has LED rear turns, brakes and front turns. Now the brand spanking new F30s have (you guessed it) reverted back to incandescent or standard bulp rear turn and brake lights.

Am I the only idiot that is bothered by this downgrade in technology? Why does BMW do this? Do they think that the shiny new model design is enough to make us forget they screwed us on the on the LED lights which are brighter, safer, more efficient and just plain look better?

venkata · 02-18-2013, 03:34 PM

I've noticed this too! Other Manufacturers also seem to do this and leave things for the facelift models. Very Annoying

metrathon · 02-18-2013, 03:42 PM

So that when you get the LEDs on the the LCI you feel like it's added value

It's been pretty much the same story with adding LEDs to LCI and then remove them with the E39 and E60. So it looks to me this is a strategy.

roundel335 · 02-18-2013, 03:44 PM

As I recall, the E46 COUPES had LED lights; I think all of the sedans were incandescent. Haven't seen an F30 Coupe yet, but my 2007 E92 has incandescents. Haven't checked the F30, as it isn't due to be at the dealer's until next week, but I'll look. I'd expect the F30 335i to have LED units, though. If not, it's not that big a deal, although I'd much prefer the LEDs.

SamS · 02-18-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

I'd expect the F30 335i to have LED units, though. If not, it's not that big a deal, although I'd much prefer the LEDs.

F30 has LED 'rear lights' aka light bars, but regular bulb brake and turn signals.

roundel335 · 02-18-2013, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

F30 has LED 'rear lights' aka light bars, but regular bulb brake and turn signals.

Well, that's a bummer! I'd think brake lights would be the same as the regular tail lights. I'm sure there'll be an upgrade kit available soon, though. At least the angel eyes are LED now.

SamS · 02-18-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

Well, that's a bummer! I'd think brake lights would be the same as the regular tail lights. I'm sure there'll be an upgrade kit available soon, though. At least the angel eyes are LED now.

Someone will probably come out with LED replacements.. but that is risky IMO. LEDs can produce heat/voltages/errors that the standard bulb systems weren't designed for. And when it comes to something like brake lights, it seems like a safety risk. I'll stick with bulbs. After all, I'll never see 'em

LED halos are a HUGE upgrade. Those suckers are bright. No aftermarket E90 or pre-LCI E92/E93 version comes close to what's on the F30.

zeezz · 02-18-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

Well, that's a bummer! I'd think brake lights would be the same as the regular tail lights. I'm sure there'll be an upgrade kit available soon, though. At least the angel eyes are LED now.

I think someone mentioned to me that the center brake signal is LED. At least there's that. Relatively easy to replace with LED bulbs but it's still not the same nor should that be a necessary process.

skier · 02-18-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

As I recall, the E46 COUPES had LED lights; I think all of the sedans were incandescent.

Not until LCI; I had a 2001 e46 330Ci, no LED.

DrivenByE30 · 02-18-2013, 05:52 PM

... so that they can make money ...

lmaleke · 02-18-2013, 09:56 PM

These....

Quote:

Originally Posted by metrathon

So that when you get the LEDs on the the LCI you feel like it's added value

It's been pretty much the same story with adding LEDs to LCI and then remove them with the E39 and E60. So it looks to me this is a strategy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

... so that they can make money ...

+1000000000000000000
BMW's marketing at their best..

FE9000 · 02-19-2013, 12:57 AM

Product life cycle management... Besides, by the time LCI comes out, base MSRP will be higher by then...

ft1338 · 02-19-2013, 11:43 AM

So what will be the LCI? 2014 MY coming out this summer?

Number · 02-19-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

Someone will probably come out with LED replacements.. but that is risky IMO. LEDs can produce heat/voltages/errors that the standard bulb systems weren't designed for. And when it comes to something like brake lights, it seems like a safety risk. I'll stick with bulbs. After all, I'll never see 'em

LED halos are a HUGE upgrade. Those suckers are bright. No aftermarket E90 or pre-LCI E92/E93 version comes close to what's on the F30.

LEDs are already available; plug/play and no errors.

Personally, I HATE the LED turn signals on the E90/F10 and I'm glad they left it off the F30. They look like wasp hives.

The whole dotted LED lights are passe now. Audi and BMW's new LED DRLs are stunningly beautiful; they just need to integrate that tech into the rest of the lights.

snowghost · 02-19-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

Someone will probably come out with LED replacements.. but that is risky IMO. LEDs can produce heat/voltages/errors that the standard bulb systems weren't designed for. And when it comes to something like brake lights, it seems like a safety risk. I'll stick with bulbs. After all, I'll never see 'em

LED halos are a HUGE upgrade. Those suckers are bright. No aftermarket E90 or pre-LCI E92/E93 version comes close to what's on the F30.

Yes the LED halos are awesome! Can't believe how bright they are.

Alpine F31 · 02-19-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number

Personally, I HATE the LED turn signals on the E90/F10 and I'm glad they left it off the F30. They look like wasp hives.

The whole dotted LED lights are passe now. Audi and BMW's new LED DRLs are stunningly beautiful; they just need to integrate that tech into the rest of the lights.

YES YES YES!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you said this. I was starting to think I was the only one. I'm very happy that I DON'T have LED turn signals.

manicottiK · 02-19-2013, 08:06 PM

Agreed. I want to see the light, not the light "bulbs."

BavarianFanatic · 02-19-2013, 08:15 PM

So there's fodder for folks to bitch about on forums.

Elk · 02-19-2013, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number

The whole dotted LED lights are passe now.

Yes, to me they mean Kia, tractor/trailers, etc.

drob23 · 02-19-2013, 09:53 PM

Obviously I'm a huge fan boy, but the DRL's on the A5/S5/RS5 are the absolute tits

Angle eyes are also wicked, love seeing them in oncoming traffic...I think a part of me dies inside when I see a 328 w/o the light package...although not sure if I like new 4 series concept headlights, saw them in person and couldn't decide.

gator15 · 02-20-2013, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ft1338

So what will be the LCI? 2014 MY coming out this summer?

The F30 was just went on sale last February. If BMW goes according to their usual LCI schedule, it will be MY2016, so quite a wait.

ValeYellow46 · 02-20-2013, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drob23

Obviously I'm a huge fan boy, but the DRL's on the A5/S5/RS5 are the absolute tits

Angle eyes are also wicked, love seeing them in oncoming traffic...I think a part of me dies inside when I see a 328 w/o the light package...although not sure if I like new 4 series concept headlights, saw them in person and couldn't decide.

Agree, F30's without Xenon lights look terrible! I still can't believe BMW NA is using the Estoril Blue M-Sport 328i without Xenons in their ads right now.

02-18-2013, 03:14 PM	#1
DannyITR New Member Drives: 2007 328i sedan Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 9 iTrader: (0)	Why does BMW downgrade turn signals to non-LED for new models? Featured on BIMMERPOST.com If you remember, the last E46 2005 3-Series had LED brake lights and LED rear turn signals. The first 2006 E90s has incandescent or standard bulp rear turn and brake lights. The facelifted E92 2009-2011 has LED rear turns, brakes and front turns. Now the brand spanking new F30s have (you guessed it) reverted back to incandescent or standard bulp rear turn and brake lights. Am I the only idiot that is bothered by this downgrade in technology? Why does BMW do this? Do they think that the shiny new model design is enough to make us forget they screwed us on the on the LED lights which are brighter, safer, more efficient and just plain look better?
	Tweet

02-18-2013, 03:34 PM	#2
venkata Lieutenant Drives: F30 320D MSport EBII Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lancashire Posts: 475 iTrader: (0)	I've noticed this too! Other Manufacturers also seem to do this and leave things for the facelift models. Very Annoying __________________ Gone: E46 320D Sport \| Silver Grey \| Xenon \| Heated Leather \| Rain Sensors \| M Sports package II Driving: http://mybmw.co.uk/x1j0z7b7 \| F30 320D ///M-Sport \| EBII \| Black Leather \| Visibility Pack \| Adaptive Suspension \| Media Pro Pack \| BMW Apps \| Sports Auto \| Sun Protection Glass \| EU6 BluePerformance Diesel

02-18-2013, 03:42 PM	#3
metrathon Private First Class Drives: 2012 328i Sport Line Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Vista, SoCal Posts: 192 iTrader: (0)	So that when you get the LEDs on the the LCI you feel like it's added value It's been pretty much the same story with adding LEDs to LCI and then remove them with the E39 and E60. So it looks to me this is a strategy. __________________ 2012 BMW 328i Sport \| 2009 Audi A4 2.0T \| 2007 BMW 750Li 2001 BMW 530i \| 2004 BMW 530i \| 2004 BMW 520i \| 2003 Opel Vectra \| 2002 Honda Civic \| 2002 Citroen Xsara

02-18-2013, 03:44 PM	#4
roundel335 Colonel Drives: 13 335i Sedan, 11 128i Cabrio Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boerne, TX Posts: 2,734 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i Sedan [5.00] 2011 BMW 128i Cabri ... [4.25]	As I recall, the E46 COUPES had LED lights; I think all of the sedans were incandescent. Haven't seen an F30 Coupe yet, but my 2007 E92 has incandescents. Haven't checked the F30, as it isn't due to be at the dealer's until next week, but I'll look. I'd expect the F30 335i to have LED units, though. If not, it's not that big a deal, although I'd much prefer the LEDs. __________________ 2013 F30 335i M-Sport 8AT/MPE/MPPK, 2011 128i M-sport Cabrio 6MT/PE

02-18-2013, 05:52 PM	#10
DrivenByE30 Colonel Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal Posts: 2,184 iTrader: (0)	... so that they can make money ... __________________ all 3 are MT > F30 Luxury 335i 6MT- The dream driven... _..._4/12/12 ED trip MASSIVE photo thread here <<<

02-19-2013, 12:57 AM	#12
FE9000 Private Drives: F30 328i AW M Sport Line Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Socal Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	Product life cycle management... Besides, by the time LCI comes out, base MSRP will be higher by then... __________________ 13 F30 328i Alpine White with Black Leatherette, Sportmatic Auto, M Sport Line, Nav, HK -- Bought 12/30/12 08 E60 535i Alpine White with Black Leather, Auto, Premium, Sport and Nav -- SOLD 06 E90 330i Alpine White with Black Leather, 6 Speed, 35% Tint, Premium and Sport package -- SOLD

02-19-2013, 11:43 AM	#13
ft1338 Second Lieutenant Drives: None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 226 iTrader: (0)	So what will be the LCI? 2014 MY coming out this summer?

02-19-2013, 08:06 PM	#17
manicottiK New Member Drives: BMW 328i 6MT M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Bala Cynwyd, PA Posts: 22 iTrader: (0)	Agreed. I want to see the light, not the light "bulbs."

02-19-2013, 08:15 PM	#18
BavarianFanatic Too much is never enough Drives: Too Many Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE PA Posts: 753 iTrader: (0)	So there's fodder for folks to bitch about on forums.

02-19-2013, 09:53 PM	#20
drob23 Lieutenant Drives: 2013 S4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 539 iTrader: (0)	Obviously I'm a huge fan boy, but the DRL's on the A5/S5/RS5 are the absolute tits Angle eyes are also wicked, love seeing them in oncoming traffic...I think a part of me dies inside when I see a 328 w/o the light package...although not sure if I like new 4 series concept headlights, saw them in person and couldn't decide. __________________ 2013 S4 - Monsoon Grey - Premium Plus - DSG - Alcantara - Sports Diff - ADS - MMI - B&O - Key

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