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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior/interior) > Need help with side reflectors



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      10-02-2012, 11:12 PM   #1
rusn007
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Need help with side reflectors

My 2011 coupe just had its 1 year anniversary so I decided to make a couple small mods. My car is black on black and I want to get rid of those ugly orangle reflectors.

I seen a few smoke reflector replacements sell on eBay for $20 shipped. Not sure about their quality and fit. Lots of positive feedback for the seller.

My local tint shop also does car wrappings. I have seen some high end cars at their shop. They quoted me $40 to put a glossy black film over my reflectors. Their film is not vinyl, but very similar and with normal use it should stay on my car for 3 years. $40 is because that is the minim they charge to work on the car.

I seen some other sites charge $70/$80 for painted. That seems kind of steep for a small piece of plastic. What are my other choices? What others are doing? Is tint/vinyl my best alternative? I don't want to spend more than I need to but at the same time I want something that looks/fits great.


Thanks for the help.
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      10-03-2012, 01:24 AM   #2
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I had the same dilemma as you. Black on Black and tired of the orange reflectors.

I chose the cheaper ones, the smoked ones. (found mine on craigslist)
Didn't feel like spending 70-80 bucks on reflectors. I like the look of my car with the smoked one because they still KINDA reflect and do their job... doesnt look as clean as painted ones but it's fine for me.

If I run into some wad of cash, i might switch it up with painted ones but for now I love my smokies.
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      10-03-2012, 03:40 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rusn007 View Post
My 2011 coupe just had its 1 year anniversary so I decided to make a couple small mods. My car is black on black and I want to get rid of those ugly orangle reflectors.

I seen a few smoke reflector replacements sell on eBay for $20 shipped. Not sure about their quality and fit. Lots of positive feedback for the seller.

My local tint shop also does car wrappings. I have seen some high end cars at their shop. They quoted me $40 to put a glossy black film over my reflectors. Their film is not vinyl, but very similar and with normal use it should stay on my car for 3 years. $40 is because that is the minim they charge to work on the car.

I seen some other sites charge $70/$80 for painted. That seems kind of steep for a small piece of plastic. What are my other choices? What others are doing? Is tint/vinyl my best alternative? I don't want to spend more than I need to but at the same time I want something that looks/fits great.


Thanks for the help.
Look at this link, they work very well and are easy to install and are a good price! Sorry not a good picture.

http://www.bimmian.com/Smoked-Reflec...erlays-for-BMW
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      10-03-2012, 11:31 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedwagon View Post
Look at this link, they work very well and are easy to install and are a good price! Sorry not a good picture.

http://www.bimmian.com/Smoked-Reflec...erlays-for-BMW
Thanks for the info. was it easy to install? any cutting required?
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      10-03-2012, 11:52 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rusn007 View Post
Thanks for the info. was it easy to install? any cutting required?
Very easy, no cutting just install!
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      10-04-2012, 08:39 AM   #6
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The smoked overlays above are probably the easiest application. I got the Smoked replacement Reflectors to keep some effect for side reflection and like them a lot. A bit of a pain to get the old one out, but well worth the effort.

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      10-05-2012, 02:03 PM   #7
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I think the painted lenses give you the cleanest look. 20 bucks for tint wrap may seem like a better deal, but prob won't be 100% satisfied. For the painted lenses it cost about 65 bucks. And if you plan on keeping the car for a while it definetlely worth 65 bucks.
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      10-06-2012, 10:37 AM   #8
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Trust me. Pay 70-80 for OEM painted ones. I have a Jet Black E93 and unless they fit perfectly, they look way off as far as gaps between the lights and bumper. This happen with a cheap pair I bought on E-Bay. I got my OEM painted ones from E92-lighting.com and I couldn't be happier with them. Plus they offer an E90post discount code for online orders.
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      10-07-2012, 01:14 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan 330i View Post
Trust me. Pay 70-80 for OEM painted ones. I have a Jet Black E93 and unless they fit perfectly, they look way off as far as gaps between the lights and bumper. This happen with a cheap pair I bought on E-Bay. I got my OEM painted ones from E92-lighting.com and I couldn't be happier with them. Plus they offer an E90post discount code for online orders.
Thanks for the recommendation, do you know where I can find their discount code?
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      10-07-2012, 04:27 PM   #10
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Got these from mod bargains and totally love them. Put them on with wanlong at his buddy's shop. Piece of cake and great fitment:

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      10-07-2012, 07:12 PM   #11
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Buy OEM painted ones for best results.
If you don't want to spent that much go to your local sign shop and ask for gloss black vinyl. Should be like $10. All you need to do is trim it, very easy.
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      10-07-2012, 07:49 PM   #12
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Do you have a body shop you go to? Ask them to give you a quote to paint them.

I got mine painted (when I had the stock bumper) when I was getting other parts painted for pretty cheap.
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      10-09-2012, 08:01 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rusn007 View Post
Thanks for the recommendation, do you know where I can find their discount code?
I believe the code is E90post...
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      10-10-2012, 05:18 AM   #14
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I went with the smoke reflectors, got mine for like 10 bucks shipped from **********s.com, dont know if they have any left at that price, but i am happy with the look and like Amini9 said they still do their job.
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