Colour of rear flasher bulbs

Sharbotcom · 11-29-2011, 08:09 AM

Last night I was driving on the freeway and a 550 F10 was in the lane next to mine but just ahead. He signaled to change lanes and low and behold his flasher shined amber. His lens was red as is mine but it lit up amber. Mine lights up red. I'm sure it is simply the colour of the bulb and I doubt he would have changed it himself as a mod because the rest of the car appeared stock. Is it that it might have been an ED? I must admit I've always preferred amber flashers as they are much more noticable. Is there anyone else whose rear flasher lights up amber? Specifically in North America.

Jon D · 11-29-2011, 08:16 AM

I think this is governed by country legislation - here in the UK and, I think, Europe, the lens is red but it has an amber bulb, whereas in the US both are red.

Sharbotcom · 11-29-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon D

I think this is governed by country legislation - here in the UK and, I think, Europe, the lens is red but it has an amber bulb, whereas in the US both are red.

Jon: That is also my suspecion. What I am curious about is why did this person's 550 have the amber and mine doesn't? I ahdn't noticed other F10s over here with the amber.

Thanks
Bill

Jon D · 11-29-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharbotcom

Jon: That is also my suspecion. What I am curious about is why did this person's 550 have the amber and mine doesn't? I ahdn't noticed other F10s over here with the amber.

Thanks
Bill

They probably just changed the bulbs, but if you decide to do likewise, you should check your country legislation first.

bobblehead · 11-29-2011, 10:34 AM

That is the Euro spec version. I asked my local BMW dealer to quote me the parts. They wanted $500 change on each side. Actually, the 7 series has this exact type (factory installed)

thomasgs · 11-30-2011, 03:05 PM

There is no US legislation that prohibits amber rear turn signals. In fact, many current imports and a few US mfgs. still use them (BMW 7, Acura RL, Ford Taurus, to name just a few).

Unfortunately, the recent trend in imports is to abandon traditional amber flashers (Mercedes, Toyota, Audi and many others) in favor of red in a misguided attempt thinking US buyers prefer red. The sacrifice in safety is shameful.

While most imports that now use red have merely changed lense colors (BMW), making European OEM parts easily attainable and changeable, some (Audi) have completely recoded the entire use and sequence of the rear taillight assembly making a change to amber extremely difficult.

Only by telling the manufacturers that red turn signals are unaceptable, will any change occur!

gatoman39 · 11-30-2011, 04:29 PM

yeah they're 600 bucks you can install them yourself. I care, but I don't care that much. No thanks.
BMW F10 5 Series 2011+ LED Euro OEM Taillight Pair

http://alekshop.com/products/bmw_5_s...ed_tail_lights

Euro versions.

[/QUOTE]

11-29-2011, 08:09 AM	#1
Sharbotcom First Lieutenant 28 Rep 396 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sharbot Lake, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Colour of rear flasher bulbs Last night I was driving on the freeway and a 550 F10 was in the lane next to mine but just ahead. He signaled to change lanes and low and behold his flasher shined amber. His lens was red as is mine but it lit up amber. Mine lights up red. I'm sure it is simply the colour of the bulb and I doubt he would have changed it himself as a mod because the rest of the car appeared stock. Is it that it might have been an ED? I must admit I've always preferred amber flashers as they are much more noticable. Is there anyone else whose rear flasher lights up amber? Specifically in North America. __________________ 2011 535i xDrive, Dark Graphite Metallic, Veneto Beige Dakota Leather, Technology Package, M Sport Package, Executive Package delivered Christmas Eve '10, Mods - quad tips, 20% tint, JB4.
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11-29-2011, 08:16 AM	#2
Jon D Brigadier General 224 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: 2022 840d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I think this is governed by country legislation - here in the UK and, I think, Europe, the lens is red but it has an amber bulb, whereas in the US both are red.
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11-29-2011, 10:34 AM	#5
bobblehead Brigadier General 256 Rep 4,721 Posts Drives: warp speed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, On iTrader: (0)	That is the Euro spec version. I asked my local BMW dealer to quote me the parts. They wanted $500 change on each side. Actually, the 7 series has this exact type (factory installed)
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11-30-2011, 03:05 PM	#6
thomasgs Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2012 F10 535i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Princeton, NJ iTrader: (0)	There is no US legislation that prohibits amber rear turn signals. In fact, many current imports and a few US mfgs. still use them (BMW 7, Acura RL, Ford Taurus, to name just a few). Unfortunately, the recent trend in imports is to abandon traditional amber flashers (Mercedes, Toyota, Audi and many others) in favor of red in a misguided attempt thinking US buyers prefer red. The sacrifice in safety is shameful. While most imports that now use red have merely changed lense colors (BMW), making European OEM parts easily attainable and changeable, some (Audi) have completely recoded the entire use and sequence of the rear taillight assembly making a change to amber extremely difficult. Only by telling the manufacturers that red turn signals are unaceptable, will any change occur!
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11-30-2011, 04:29 PM	#7
gatoman39 Major 116 Rep 1,346 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335 M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E92 335i M Sport [1.00]	yeah they're 600 bucks you can install them yourself. I care, but I don't care that much. No thanks. BMW F10 5 Series 2011+ LED Euro OEM Taillight Pair http://alekshop.com/products/bmw_5_s...ed_tail_lights Euro versions. [/QUOTE] __________________
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