What do you say, BLACK or CLEAR?
 

I was kinda bored in the garage so I blacked out my side markers. I had the clear on but before i finalize it, i wanted t check whay you guys think. So any thoughts? Thanks:thumbup:

ACTUAL sides blacked out(updated) not yet permanent though.
http://www.xoutpost.com/members/tamb...-out-sides.jpg

Hmmm I say clear though if you have a pic of both from a little further out it would be easier to decide. And get the clear bra on the front--that's mandatory--I love mine.

black

Paint matched is the way to go, that's the #1 way I see customers do it at the shop, and the best looking way. What I did with my scratched mirror cover was have the body shop guys let me know when they were doing paint work on a saffire black BMW so I could bring him the cover then.... already had the paint mixed and in the gun = freebie + a 6 pack :thumbup:

I vote for the clear.

I like that detail.

SMART....:D

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/tamb...blackside2.jpg
I just saw that clear bra on a 650 at the dealer showroom...and it leaves a line across the hood its to visible for me. I'm sure it works but I'll pass.

I like the painted one. I considered the black or clear but the painted one looks so much better.

i vote for black. very nice.

I'm not a big fan of the blackouts so I'd go with the clears....

Ok I'm more 50/50 now--it's more consistent as clear with the side marker. But the all black front looks good, too. I sound like a woman choosing between 2 purses :dunno:.

The line on the clear guard is barely noticeable--everybody that has seen it on my e53 wants to get it on their car. It's just piece of mind--no rock chips. I have better things to do than sit there with a touch-up brush and attempt to fill in rock chips.

It'd be retarded to paint the reflector another color. If you're going to do anything, get rid of it.

Painting a reflector is much more cost effective then having a shop fill in the holes the reflector delete leaves behind and then having the bumper resprayed. Sorry I just don't see your reasoning.

I didn't paint my clear side markers, i tinted it. I could go either way but i like the invisible side markers look for now. I'll just peel it off if i get tred of it:thumbup:

:iagree:. Mine was way cost effective :D $4.00. and looks the same as painted.;)

if I had a chance to go all white (painted) or clear, I'd still go clear. I like the small detail as well.

I really think the reflector looks like an afterthought on BMW's part. Even clear sticks out like a sore thumb. Once again, definately black it out. I have seen many M3's with it body color matched and it looks much better than stock/clear.

It's not an afterthought but a safety requirement for US models. Euro models dont have side markers. BMW has comply with the stringent US regs if they want to export their cars to US market. :thumbup:

Yeah, that is actually what I meant to say. It just looks like they slapped it on to comply with the U.S. standards and that it wasn't really well designed into the vehicle in the first place. I know why they do it, it just looks out of place. That is why paint matching it looks so much better, IMO.

x2

Black out wins....
Now on permanently (somewhat):D
http://www.xoutpost.com/members/tamb...-044editsm.jpg

Looks very nice now.

Thanks, bro I'm glad you like it;)

Where can I buy the clear side markers?

Lovin' the black side markers. The E70 is coming along quiet nicely!

Pssst... your stealthauto link pulls up the home page of Xoutpost.

Here, try this one...

http://www.stealthauto.com/Products/...HT-SM-CLR.aspx

SWEEET....:thumbup: Are you sure you dont work for the post office?:thumbup:

I tried to loosen the front bumper (as described in a post in this forum) on my 35d and I just don't see how I can access the inside to remove or insert the new clear sidemarkers I just bought... Did anyone else give up on this?

I like both of them!

The tinted one looks Awesome on your X5 though and that's the set that I'd keep on! :thumbup:

Does the reflector still have any reflectivity with the tint on it? That was a Great idea and I might have to copy off of you on that one!

Thanks for sharing!

These are just clear reflectors without bulbs right? If so, they cost $35 shipped on ebay... that's where I got it from.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/...9e28d50d83.jpg

Was this the post you looked at for the instructions on how to swap out the side markers?

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-swap-diy.html

It's really a pain in the butt to get to the side markers. Mainly going through the removed air ducts (pretty sure 35d are the same set-up) and jamming your hand in there with a screw driver to pry it off is what you need to do. Pry and apply pressure from the outside pushing in on the side markers. They are stuck on with VERY adhesive tape. Just make sure your screwdriver isn't too sharp, you won't want to make any marks from the inside to the outside of the car.

Don't give up. It's a worthwhile mod.

Black. Here's my car with the black ones.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...Resolution.jpg

Tamb

Like the blacked out markers, but I am not sure about those wheels...:D

I'm getting the Aero Kit installed this weekend. Unfortunately, I have not done the side marker mod yet. Does anyone know if the front side skirts of the aero kit make it more difficult to remove the front bumper area to get at the side marker on one side? (I know one side is accessible without removing the front section of the bumper.)

You're WELCOME bro'. No more useful reflectivity.

No Bulbs, just reflectors:thumbup:

I know, its just unfair;)

The Right side is no problem, however I recommend for you to do the side marker mod first before the aero kit if your gonna do it eventually down the road. The Left side is pretty tight and i had to loosen the bumper to install it properly.:thumbup:

Those are the replica 215's, right? You can tell they're replica's by their finish.

Damn. I was afraid of that. The car goes to the dealer tonight and I have not yet placed the order for the reflectors....

clear gives it more detail.

What side markers did you have in mind? Body paint match, clear, black? theres a lot of options...you can still do this after the aero install. Let me know when your ready and i'll help you out.;)

It's not that bad. It just requires the truck to be on a lift, so you can access the underbelly. Once you pull the underbelly plate, both sides are easily accessible. Sure, the radiator is on one side, but you just need to yank the old ones out (they're held on by double sided tape), clean the area where the new ones are going to mount (I used some acetone) and then reapply the new ones.

One other thought is to have the reflectors custom painted to match the exact color of your car. If I had any other color but black, I would have done that. :thumbup:

Thanks. I was going to get the Space Grey painted reflectors online and just swap them out. I thought about having them painted to match, but on a cost basis, the $80 for reflectors would be a lot cheaper than multiple coats of paint, labor, etc...

I have a shop at my company, so putting it on a lift is ok to get access. I was unaware of that access point. I thought you had to go through the front bumper only.

Thanks guys! :thumbup:

Another access point for the Left side is through the wheelwell(arch). Just turn your front wheels all the way to the right.;)

You can purchase the side marker delete online ALREADY color matched to your X for the same price. Just pick your color.;)

Go with the Clears.They are supposed to be "reflectors" and were put there for a reason. http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...ckx5/x5555.jpg

He's right. Keep everything stock. It's there for a reason.

Bahahahahahahaha! :bustingup

And?? Problem with that??

I had help installing mine after my Areo Kit was already on. Having the Aero Kit doesn't make it any more difficult. Just take a couple of the Aero Kit screws (on the ends) off.

A friend and another forum member that lives right near me (LI-X5) just got these reps. You can't beat the price, but the first thing he said to me was how poor the silver finish was, compared to the OEM finish.

I will agree with the finish (8 out of 10), but it is not noticeable unless you get close up and I figured with as cheap as I bought them for I will just repaint them once they get banged up a little.:beerchug:

Thats why people get the whole hood covered these days.

Theres a great idea, no waxing either:thumbup:

:confused: I like waxing the hood. In fact, I usually give the hood a second coat :)

I like the replicas and for the price compared to new, you can't beat them!

I'm lucky enough to have gotten the 20's on ours, but if I didn't, I'd buy some replicas. I think that they look Great! :thumbup:

If I did the replicas, I'd probably have them powdercoated before putting on the tires. Then they'd be pretty much rock resistant and have a nice smooth finish too. You'd still be ALOT of money ahead! Just a thought!