04-02-2020, 08:13 PM | #1 |
New Member
10
Rep 5
Posts |
Amber Rear Turn Signals
I’ve noticed that the European and Australian X5’s turn signals are amber as opposed to the red turn signals in the US. I read recently that rear end accidents occur up to 28% less when amber turn signals are utilized.
So, can we buy the amber turn signals for the X5 here in the US? Data Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.do...ts/811_037.pdf |
04-02-2020, 08:27 PM | #2 |
Major
1647
Rep 1,457
Posts
Drives: 2023 iX xDrive50
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle
|
I'm not aware of a source for the US parts in the US. However, I've purchased parts from shops like these guys. https://www.schmiedmann.com
You just need the part number from realoem.com for the EU model (not the US part number). Last edited by Pictor; 04-02-2020 at 08:28 PM.. Reason: clarification |
Appreciate
0
|
04-02-2020, 08:44 PM | #3 |
Major General
6290
Rep 5,324
Posts |
How do they determine amber is the reason as there is so many other variables in play??
|
Appreciate
1
maxim38rus11.00 |
04-03-2020, 12:04 AM | #4 |
456bhp for breakfast
425
Rep 913
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 08:43 AM | #5 |
Lieutenant
285
Rep 441
Posts
Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: in my bimmer
|
on realoem there are 2 part numbers for the outer tail light but only 1 for the inner(trunk) tail light. perhaps the US x5 has amber already?
i need those amber lights!! |
Appreciate
1
Beemertj18.50 |
04-03-2020, 09:46 AM | #6 |
Brigadier General
4540
Rep 3,507
Posts |
Wouldn't red mean stop though, how would a brake light cause an accident? Flashing red light to me is just as visible as flashing orange. Maybe I'm just to simple to understand the difference
__________________
2022 M8 Comp Convertible
2023 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 2019 718 Cayman Base 2015 M235 Manual On the list for the M2 CS |
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 09:49 AM | #7 |
Brigadier General
4540
Rep 3,507
Posts |
The article was to long for me to read but found this to be a great graph to show the wife!
__________________
2022 M8 Comp Convertible
2023 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 2019 718 Cayman Base 2015 M235 Manual On the list for the M2 CS |
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 10:48 AM | #8 |
Major
1647
Rep 1,457
Posts
Drives: 2023 iX xDrive50
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle
|
I read the PDF itself some time ago and based on memory the hypothesis which was supported by looking at various car model changes that included models that switched tail lights. The hypothesis was that the red brake lights blend more with red turn signals while red brake lights was more easily distinguished from yellow turn signals. The data supports the hypothesis.
I looked at swapping out the tail lights for my F10 and it was possible but not cheap. I haven't looked at doing it with the G05 or G30. I want rear fog lights and amber turn signals (like a proper BMW) but I don't want to pay $1200 for that swap. Side note, the F10 rear fog lights was just a matter or swapping the switch on the dash. That's not the case with newer cars. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 11:13 AM | #9 |
Brigadier General
4362
Rep 4,246
Posts |
USA X5s have had red rear turn signals for quite some time and the foreseeable future.
__________________
Current BMWs - '20 X5 xDrive40i M Sport, '20 BMW M550i | Past BMWs - '03 E39 540iT M Sport, '06 E53 4.8is, '11 E70 M Sport LCI
Last edited by Auricom; 04-03-2020 at 04:45 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 11:46 AM | #10 |
Major General
4448
Rep 7,489
Posts |
For the G05 X5:
__________________
2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha)
Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral. Last edited by Qsilver7; 04-03-2020 at 02:53 PM.. |
Appreciate
2
Ftpohyeah285.00 Flying Ace4984.50 |
04-03-2020, 11:52 AM | #11 |
Banned
766
Rep 554
Posts
Drives: 2020 F82 M4 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
|
Happy to see this thread exist! I did the same for my F82 M4 and if I ever got a G05 X5, this would be the first "mod" I would do to it.
Can't stand red turn signals, amber is safer and way more visible to everyone! |
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 01:09 PM | #13 |
Major
1647
Rep 1,457
Posts
Drives: 2023 iX xDrive50
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle
|
From realoem.com ...
|
Appreciate
1
puckybadger356.00 |
04-03-2020, 01:49 PM | #14 |
Major General
5453
Rep 8,815
Posts |
According to Schmiedmann its about $1200 total for all 4 pieces of the euro taillights.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 02:29 PM | #15 |
Second Lieutenant
179
Rep 202
Posts
Drives: BMW X5
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Charlotte NC
|
Found this: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/d...ave-to-be-red/
It basically says Amber is permitted in the US, but is rarely offered. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 07:10 PM | #16 | |
Major
838
Rep 1,236
Posts |
Quote:
We should complain to BMW as to why they would compromise safety for the sake of cost saving. Amber turn signal is definitely safer. For red turn signal, it takes a second or two to distinguish a hazard light, or someone press/release brake peddle. The worst type of rear lights design is using the same light cluster for brake/signal/hazard, like current X5. They should at least separate the brake and signal light, or use Audi's sequential light. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 10:37 PM | #18 |
First Lieutenant
210
Rep 323
Posts
Drives: BMW X5 G05 30d/BMW M5 F90 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Melbourne, Australia
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-04-2020, 06:07 AM | #20 |
Major
838
Rep 1,236
Posts |
In the old days, you can just switch out the bulb or the lens cover.
Nowadays, it is difficult as the LED cluster powered on during braking/signaling is completely different between US and European cars. In Europe, LEDs used for braking and signaling are separate, the former is red, the latter is amber. In US, they used both sets of LEDs simultaneously for both braking and signaling - so if you switch for European parts, you would get both red and amber LEDs lighting up in both braking and signaling. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-04-2020, 02:58 PM | #21 | |
New Member
10
Rep 5
Posts |
Great Point!
So is the solution to recode? Reprogramming? To me, this makes a huge difference and I want to do this when I get my X5!
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
Dr. Jekyll209.50 |
04-04-2020, 03:06 PM | #22 | |
Major
1647
Rep 1,457
Posts
Drives: 2023 iX xDrive50
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle
|
Quote:
In the early 2000's, people started complaining about the amber lenses and I think BMW responded by going all red. This also helped reduce cost as they transitioned to LED. The problem is that you can have amber turn signals without the big amber lenses that some people didn't like. Personally, I was never bothered by the amber lenses and though the all-red look was very cheap even if BMW uses different bulbs for brakes and turn signals unlike the crappy US cars that use the same lamp for both functions. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|