Its a Hella patent. A lighted optical fibre horizontal strip as shown in pic below. Its in the new X5 as well.

CELIS® Light Guide Technology
Offering new and versatile design possibilities, CELIS® (Central Lighting Systems) fibre optic lighting technology is highly sought after by European car manufacturers and the distinct CELIS light guides were previously reserved for original equipment lighting products in luxury passenger cars such as BMW.
http://www.hella.com/produktion/Hell...P008272821.jpg

You are welcome, MD. Those wheels are supposed to be top-of-line 19" wheels and will fit E70 as well. Are you planning to move to X3 with 132s?

Thanks LeMans - very cool indeed!

I really like that little piece of trim on the steering wheel - amazing what a difference such a small change can make. I also see in one of the bottom pics that the pedals also have some new metal trim on them - I like that too. Overall - I like the changes...:thumbup: One thing I forgot to note - They still fall short on the exhaust - the tail pipes should be one each side, not both together on one side. That makes a HUGE diff. in appearance IMHO...

It's growing on me. The interior is about the same, the added trim on the dashboard does make it more of a luxury car.

As for the bumpers, I'm don't like the plastic trim in on the sides of the back bumper. The front bumper needs to be more aggressive. Better than the all black bumpers (which are not bad) but I still prefer the 06 'sports kit' bumpers or the optional aero kit.

The LEDs look cool. I don't know how to react to the all white on top red at the bottom design of the taillights. I think it looks okay.

The current 3.0 225hp engine is plenty of power, I wonder what the new engine will feel like. I read mixed reviews about it.

Change is good, IMO BMW doesn't have the X3 quite polished yet but they're getting there.

edit: The front bumper has grown on me, I like it.

Jes'wondering about the offset of 132 staggereds on an X3...I have seen some style 87s, so I know they will "go on", but my offset site shows them to be a tad on the edge vis a vis, fitting/sitting well on an X3.

I kick the X3 idea around regularly...but,theCEO likes DaFridge for a gopher/local car and I can't disagree. If/when my '01 X5 is gonzo, I just
suspect that a $60G+ replacement is out of the budget and/or hard to
justify. A loaded X3 is no bargain, either.

Jes' thinking out loud.

Thanks for the Celis def.; I searched the web and knew it was lights, as in brighter/LED style lights, though the Wik gave up this def, for beer, :rofl: :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celis

BR,mD

Maybe you can get together with Juan and try the 132 on his X3.

More official info and pics, video at BMW Internantional website.

And if some body knows german they can decipher this pdf

Regarding the interior, one of the changes that you can't really see from these pics is that they have (supposedly) upgraded the quality of materials used. I have a much larger version of that interior pic, and in it you can see what looks like a higher quality, softer textured finish on the dash and center console. Also, the door panels have leather with stitching on them, unlike the current model with hard plastic. The wood and aluminum trim options also look to be higher quality (better grain on the wood, and the aluminum is no longer the "polka-dot" stuff that they currently have).

And some more 'Official pics'
http://www.bmw.de/bmw_aktuell/innova...006_700_03.jpg
http://www.bmw.de/bmw_aktuell/innova...006_700_02.jpg
http://www.bmw.de/bmw_aktuell/galeri...ci_2006_11.jpghttp://www.bmw.de/bmw_aktuell/innova...006_700_01.jpg

To add some more info...
 

Originally Posted by BMWNA Press Release: 2007 X3 3.0si
I have received the BMWNA Press Release and Dealer Bulletin on the 2007 X3 3.0si. Here are the highlights:

-Available early this fall (SOP August 2006)
-3.0L engine with 260hp @ 6600rpm, 225lb/ft @ 2500rpm
-6-speed manual standard, 6-speed auto a no cost option
-0-60mph 6.9 seconds for manual, 7.1 for auto

-Upgraded xDrive/DSC system including Dynamic Traction Control, Brake Drying, Brake Fade Compensation, Brake Standby

-New front bumper, new grille
-DOT reflectors move to the fenders
-"Corona Rings" on the optional Xenon headlights
-retractable headlight washers with CWP
-Adaptive Brake Lights, LED taillights
-new wheel designs available

-more luxurious dashboard materials
-more wood (or aluminum) trim on the dash
-newly designed door panels with solid door pockets
-premium leather stitching on the door panels
-new steering wheel
-standard aux input
-16 way comfort seats available

-Premium package upgraded to include rear-view compass mirror, Homelink garage door opener, power folding exterior mirrors
-BMW Assist now includes 4 years of service
-Cold Weather Package now includes heated rear seats
-Sport Package still available, newly available 19" performance wheel/tire package as option


New Colors:
-Crimson Red (non metallic, similar to Imola) replaced Flamenco Red
-Montego Blue (bright, slightly darker than Estoril) replaced Bluewater
-Monaco Blue (a la E60, E90) replaces Mystic
-Platinum Bronze (champagne color)

New Interiors:
-Black, Sand Beige, and Grey continue
-New Sand Beige/Black two-tone (similar to how the Terracotta looks today)
-New Tobacco/Black as a "Priority One" option (sold orders only)--- dark chocolate color
-Terracotta/Black becomes a "Priority One" sold order only option
-Dark Ash wood replaces Maple Sycamore
-Light Poplar replaces Light Birch
-Grey Poplar replaces aluminum (similar in color to the "anthracite" wood in the 5-series, but with a traditional wood grain)
-traditional aluminum trim is available as a "Priority One" sold order option