[330dMSXD]

Just looking through the BMW 3 Series brochure and came across this description - "Ambient lighting - Switchable BMW Classic Orange/Cold White LED"

Am I wrong in assuming you can switch between Classic Orange or LED white lighting of the interior lighting?.....can anyone clarify this description

[dopper99]

I think it just changes the lighting on the doors (which you can hardly see anyway!).

[mynamesnotbob]

The footwells, gearstick area and various others switch between Orange and White. Apparently white is sporty, orange is classic. A bit pointless really.

I think you get more lighting with the comfort pack and on the bigger engined models

[jaffab]

Reminds me of the old REd Dwarf line.....

DAVE: Right thats it, time to go to RED alert
CRYTON: Sir, are you sure? That does mean changing the light bulb.

[....,,,,..,,..]

As mentioned it changes your dim interior lighting.

Bit pointless, only your passengers would really notice.

[330dMSXD]

Thats one question put to bed!.........thanks for your replies

[F30Andy]

All my passengers have commented on it and say it's better in white. (maybe it's just more visible with my beige leathers.)

They also all say (and I agree with) its a shame it does not change the lighting behind the clocks.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

All my passengers have commented on it and say it's better in white. (maybe it's just more visible with my beige leathers.)

They also all say (and I agree with) its a shame it does not change the lighting behind the clocks.

Taxi driver ?

Posh cab btw

[F30Andy]

It bloody feels like I am.
Nah, just spend a lot of time with likeminded friends in cars.

Between us we own (and lease) a very nice collection. We also do a lot of renting.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

It bloody feels like I am.
Nah, just spend a lot of time with likeminded friends in cars.

Between us we own (and lease) a very nice collection. We also do a lot of renting.

Ahh you go doggin as well


We had to sell, offload ours to daughter n her bf.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Ahh you go doggin as well


We had to sell, offload ours to daughter n her bf.

Doggin! i had an inkling you were a bit saucy Brigand!

[330dMSXD]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

All my passengers have commented on it and say it's better in white.

They also all say (and I agree with) its a shame it does not change the lighting behind the clocks.

Exactly my thinking......orange lighting belongs in classic cars not modern ones....a bit like LED rear lights too!

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Originally Posted by 330dMSXD

Exactly my thinking......orange lighting belongs in classic cars not modern ones....a bit like LED rear lights too!

God not the led thing again lol.

Exactly what makes the led better for brake lights and tail lights for modern cars?

What type if led should modern cars have?

White light for modern?

I assume modern is post 1990, as I had internal white lighting on previous cars.

In fact my Y reg Yaris was fully mood lighted (after market).

[bwrlane]

Yes you can switch between orange and white. It is accessible under iDrive options - Lights. For a while I could never see the ambient lighting even when turned up to full brightness. It was so subtle that, to my eyes it wasn't even there. Then I discovered with the help of this forum, that the brightness of the ambient lighting is linked to the brightness of the dash. The dash brightness is controlled via a physical dial below and to the right of the steering wheel. Turning this up to max revealed the ambient lighting in all its glory. It's quite nice really, gives a sort of feint glow to the interior car in the dark. I think I prefer white, but I like to change between the two, now and then.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

Yes you can switch between orange and white. It is accessible under iDrive options - Lights. For a while I could never see the ambient lighting even when turned up to full brightness. It was so subtle that, to my eyes it wasn't even there. Then I discovered with the help of this forum, that the brightness of the ambient lighting is linked to the brightness of the dash. The dash brightness is controlled via a physical dial below and to the right of the steering wheel. Turning this up to max revealed the ambient lighting in all its glory. It's quite nice really, gives a sort of feint glow to the interior car in the dark. I think I prefer white, but I like to change between the two, now and then.

Unless you code it to not be effected by the dash dial!

[johno]

Originally Posted by Brigand

God not the led thing again lol.

Exactly what makes the led better for brake lights and tail lights for modern cars?
.

New and exciting. If incandescent bulbs had just been invented, everyone would want them instead of LEDs.

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Originally Posted by johno

New and exciting. If incandescent bulbs had just been invented, everyone would want them instead of LEDs.

New and exciting...

High level brake lights in 1980's

Led Tail lights between 10 and 14 years old.


Unlike standard bulbs, led ones are more sensitive to heat etc.

So yeah can't wait for the LCI update, get this new technology,......

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by 330dMSXD

Exactly my thinking......orange lighting belongs in classic cars not modern ones....a bit like LED rear lights too!

I so wanted the white to look the best but with my coral red interior and coded to separate from the dash, the classic orange looks fantastic at night!

[JustChris]

I remember a version of the Rover 800 with a truly appalling rear light cluster(kcuf) / reflector bar, I used to walk past on the way to my mates house.

Sorry you can never unsee this....

Check that ride height and body control, ouch!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by ChesterM4

I remember a version of the Rover 800 with a truly appalling rear light cluster(kcuf) / reflector bar, I used to walk past on the way to my mates house.

Sorry you can never unsee this....

Check that ride height and body control, ouch!

Ghastly, no wonder they had to make them easy to over take.

Had to double check that number plate, it is a w lol.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Ghastly, no wonder they had to make them easy to over take.

Had to double check that number plate, it is a w lol.

Lol same here with the plate

[Tengocity]

There's no pleasing some folk!

BMW dashes have been backlit orange for many decades, so for some long time BMW drivers it's one if the things that makes a BMW feel like a BMW. The ambient lighting has been orange too for as far back as I can remember.

I think it's a good thing that should one be bothered about it they can choose the classic orange, or the modern white.

If there was no choice then someone would moan, give a choice then folk moan!

And if no one can tell a difference, then why moan?

I tried both, settled on classic orange... Seemed a touch warmer to me, and just matched what I think a BMW should be to me.

To those new to BMW I expect you cannot fathom why anyone would want anything but modern white!