Map/Reading Lights
 

I was listening to bimmerfile podcast #10 and there was some brief mention of plastic lenses being removed for cost savings but no details of exactly what they were referring to. I always thought the lack of lenses on my 2010 E70 was odd but confirmed the E71 is exactly the same. Does anyone with an older E70 have any kind of plastic lens over the map/reading lights?

Here's a picture of the rear lights, front upper center console are the same.

Thx

Tim

July 2007 build. No cover over lights - same as my two front reading lights.

Case closed, thanks.

Tim

Tim, but you are right, it does look really odd. That was one of the things I noticed when I picked up my '10, and even wrote a post on that.

Is there something wrong with my build ? I dont even seem to have a switch to turn on the back lights.....They only come on when I turn the front dome lights on.

Pic please. That seems odd.

Yeah, it does seem a bit strange.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/2606/piccc.jpg

Yet another cost reduction no doubt...

Absolutely. How do I go about just turning the back light on for the kids ? Ahh makes no sense at all.

Considering what the X5 is suppose to be, a luxury SAV, it's mildly irritating that one must go to some trouble and cost to put things back in that they have cost reduced after purchasing it. Do I really need a gas cylinder to keep the rear floor lid raised? No, but on a $60,000 vehicle it is not an unreasonable expectation.

Do I really need the emergency roof closing tool/handle? Probably not, but for $9 I'm going to order one just to have handy if the roof won't close and it starts to rain.

Again, minor points, but I'm not sure the little bit of money BMW is saving is worth it, considering the irritation it causes some small portion of their customers. I'm pretty sure that the emergency roof crank, gas cylinder, and read switchable reading lights can't amount to more than $75 or so of extra cost to BMW NA. I don't think an extra $75 would have made a difference in my purchase decision, but these minor irritations might dampen my enthusiasm a little bit when talking to other people about how much I like my new BMW.

Again, minor items, but is it really worth the few bucks of cost savings?

P.S. Yes, I've been in some of those cost reduction meetings many years ago when I worked for a auto company for five years out of college. I remember discussions about taking a small plastic chrome emblem off the inside door trim to save 50 cents per vehicle, taking one screw out of the windshield chrome trim, so that it was held in place with 7 screws instead of 8, etc. But I'd like to think BMW is a bit different when it comes to those decisions.

OK, I have to correct my own post.

I went out and checked my 2010 Diesel, and the rear lights are switchable and do have the reading lights. Two possibilities:

(1) The "deluxe" lights with the switch and reading lamps comes with the lighting package of the Premium option, i.e., if you did not order the Premium Package, perhaps you get the non-switchable rear lights, or

(2) Perhaps it has something to do with having, or not having, the third-seat. I do not have the third seat, and I have no idea if they add any lights for the third seat or not.

I suspect it is most likely (1), not (2).

It's probably that. It was like that on the E53s. You get rear reading lamps only (and extra under bench lights) when you order premium package and auto-dimming mirrors.

I did not get the premium pkg and do not have the switchable rear lights.Unfortunately the list of what comes with the pkg does not explain well what you will be missing if you do not get the option. I ordered leather and Bluetooth, so for the extra $ I could have just ordered the rest. Should have!

My X3 doesn't have a cover over the front reading lights and I don't see any problem with that. As long as it does not cause glare, it does not matter.

Odd are they do no use a different wiring harness for Premium and non-premium, e.g., the connector for the switchable lights is probably there, and you could perhaps upgrade it by simply buying the two light assemblies and replacing the ones you've got.

Not 100% sure about this so you need to check it out in more detail before trying it.

It's all about extra PROFIT. They won't pass the cost savings on to the consumer - it's passed along to the stockholders.

As I said, if they raised the price $75 to cover the cost of these items I would not have changed my purchase decision, e.g., if you need an extra $75 of profit, I'd prefer they raise the price $75, not take-out features.

I think such decisions are often "Penny wise and Pound Foolish" in the longer term.

You are probably right. Just like when I replaced my light switch to control the rear fogs on the E90. Funny thing is I didn't even realize that I didn't have reading lights in the back since my E90 had them. I just assumed that for 60K you might get them. I really looked like an idiot on a road trip to NY when my rear passengers wanted to look at something after dark and none of us could figure out how to turn on just the rear left/right.

Also had the rear lights without the reading light. Just ordered i - costs about $60 for both from dealership. not too bad considering the upgrade. :thumbup:

Thanks for the info