To clear or not to clear

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Well turn signals on E53 are dual filament bulbs which light up in dimmed brightness in parking light function and brighter filament when turns are activated.

That's true of the US OE lights (with amber lenses), but it is *not* true of the euro clear Hella lights that are on my E39. Let's be clear: The E39 was face lifted in the 2001 MY for the US to include 'angel eyes' and the different signals. The clears offered from 1996-2000 in Europe- and indeed the ones I had for a time on mine before I updated to >'01 'halo' or 'angel eye' lights- actually DID light with dual filament bulbs.

Confused?

Thus the question to the audience of E53 Hella clear lens users.

You can actually see it here- Note the angel eyes are illuminated as the parking lights are active, but the amber bulbs are not. They do not until activated by a turn signal or hazards.

[Ricky Bobby]

I get what you're saying, I guess we'll have to message one of our friends with a facelift E53 in Europe then? Off the top of my head I am trying to remember screen names lol.

That would be pretty cool if the Euro clear facelift lights were wired like your E39 lights were from the factory, headlight switch in position 1 - angel eyes only, position 2 - angel eyes and low beams.

Corner lights only light up when hazards or turn signal is on, that is the most desirable way IMO to have the angel eye lights function.

EDIT: Searching RealOEM European database, looks like it is a single filament bulb on the Euro clear lights, 21w. I would bet my bottom dollar that you are right and in Europe they are supposed to operate like that.

18Longlife bulb12V 21W263217160790$2.38

Now the caveat here, is that I think if you just put the Euro lights on your X, you would have to disable the "turn signals as parking lights" line in the LKM, as I think this is a US coded item. Otherwise, the Euro lights would light up their turn signals with the key in position 2, its just the way the module is coded on this side of the pond.

Make sense?

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Make sense?

It does.

I have rec'd some PMs ab the function of these lights in the US. For the person who wrote to me, they act just the same as the OE amber corners with a dual filament bulb. He had the amber 'parking lights' coded off to accomplish the look of my E39. I really don't have a preference between the two. I think a lot of folks are passionate one way or the other, but I have never been bothered by the function before I upgraded my E39, and I was not terribly infatuated with the function after.

One thing is for sure, it's a bridge I'll cross when the time comes.

[bcredliner]

Seems to me this is mixing what is OK in different countries?

Since I am in the US and assuming I am interpreting this properly, if the E53 headlights are updated or modified to eliminate the amber portion of the lens, the vehicle is technically illegal since there is no reflective amber at the front of the vehicle?

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Seems to me this is mixing what is OK in different countries?

Since I am in the US and assuming I am interpreting this properly, if the E53 headlights are updated or modified to eliminate the amber portion of the lens, the vehicle is technically illegal since there is no reflective amber at the front of the vehicle?

You have it right with one exception. Individual states are responsible for enforcing their own laws. A DOT regulation for manufacturers is not a law per set, and could not be enforced at the local level. It would be up to the state, but more likely, the municipality to enforce a law theyve put on their books.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

You have it right with one exception. Individual states are responsible for enforcing their own laws. A DOT regulation for manufacturers is not a law per set, and could not be enforced at the local level. It would be up to the state, but more likely, the municipality to enforce a law theyve put on their books.

Bingo. I know in NJ you cannot be cited for "not having reflective amber" as there is no statute tied to it on our books. You would have to check your state to see if such a statute exists, in my opinion in the Free Republic of Texas, there is nothing illegal about it.

The People's Democratic Republic of California? I'm sure it's probably illegal to have all clear up front lol.

Years back, you could have failed inspection for "safety" in NJ if you did not have an amber reflector on the front as that is DOT mandated, similar to having DOT markings on your headlights, but since NJ made their inspections "emissions only" back in 2011 that no longer applies.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

You have it right with one exception. Individual states are responsible for enforcing their own laws. A DOT regulation for manufacturers is not a law per set, and could not be enforced at the local level. It would be up to the state, but more likely, the municipality to enforce a law theyve put on their books.

Certainly agree with the exception, that's why I used the work technically.

I doubt there is a law in Texas but I suspect even if there is it would not be the primary reason for being stopped. It might be one of those piled on tickets if I asked a Texas Ranger where he got that hat or where his horse is.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by X5SND

^^ Rockauto actually had them at one point for $900 a side..not sure if they still do but IIRC ECS lists the pair for $2400ish. Look, they're a bargain now!

$900 ??? I bet those not adaptive xenon unit..