[BigVegas17]

Swapping out the front reflectors for painted Alpine White was a no-brainer. As for the rear reflectors, I am having trouble deciding whether I like painted body-colored reflectors or those painted to match the stock diffuser. I've seen discussion in other threads on the F30, but given the different styling of the F32 in the rear, it's not quite as clear-cut for me.

My 'shopping skills are elementary-level at best, so the mockups below are crude. Images below are stock, body-colored, and diffuser-colored.

Appreciate your thoughts.

[Neb3series]

I have an F30 and just finished my IND Alpine White front reflectors and opted to go with Dark Shadow Metallic (Diffuser color) on the back. The 4 series backend is a little different and I like your idea to do AW body-match, but there's something cool about making your rear bumper/diffuser look taller. I say match it to the dark diffuser.

[tboooe]

I agree...dark to match diffuser!

[USC2000]

Diffuser colored.

[tboooe]

I am going to change my vote...I say body colored or leave it red. I like how it makes the shape of the diffuser even more pronounced. In the case of Neb3series, going diffuser colored actually accentuated the shape of the diffuser since the bumper on the 3 is different than on the 4. Its reverse in shape. Getting diffuser color on the 4 would make the diffuser top edge look like its going just straight across which to me is kind of uninteresting.

[RW Carbon]

I vote white Gives the diffuser a more pronounced shape.

[jjc4scab]

mine are diffuser link

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1080752

[DocB]

red

[Neb3series]

Originally Posted by tboooe

I am going to change my vote...I say body colored or leave it red. I like how it makes the shape of the diffuser even more pronounced. In the case of Neb3series, going diffuser colored actually accentuated the shape of the diffuser since the bumper on the 3 is different than on the 4. Its reverse in shape. Getting diffuser color on the 4 would make the diffuser top edge look like its going just straight across which to me is kind of uninteresting.

This is a good point, actually. The body-match white reflectors would give it a cool shape as well, a reverse of the 335. You can't really go wrong either way –*it seems like a small, subtle change but knocking out the silly American-import required orange reflectors up front and changing the back red reflectors really gives the cars a unique look. I walk up to mine and it looks like it shouldn't be out on the street, like it's a track-only performance sedan.

Either way, taking out that orange up front and the red in the back will make your 4 series pop, especially to those who know BMW well.

[retiredmarine]

I had my rears painted body color and I like the way it looks.

[teaston]

When someone drives into the back of your car while it's parked at the side of the road at night you'll wish you left them red!

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by teaston

When someone drives into the back of your car while it's parked at the side of the road at night you'll wish you left them red!

Perhaps a silly question...why would the reflectors stop someone from hitting your car? I figure if they cant see a big stationary car, they wont be able to see two small reflectors.

[963mw]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Perhaps a silly question...why would the reflectors stop someone from hitting your car? I figure if they cant see a big stationary car, they wont be able to see two small reflectors.

+1

[BigVegas17]

Thanks to everyone for contributing thoughts. I've decided to go with body-colored given the "sculpted" bottom edge of the reflector and how it ties in to the associated body line. "Opposite if the F30" as was commented above. Appreciate all input.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Perhaps a silly question...why would the reflectors stop someone from hitting your car? I figure if they cant see a big stationary car, they wont be able to see two small reflectors.

Because they reflect!

Being realistic, it is unlikely to happen i know, but on roads with no lighting and/or in fog they might just make the difference, it is why they're fitted to car after all.

[greekcs]

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by teaston

Because they reflect!

Being realistic, it is unlikely to happen i know, but on roads with no lighting and/or in fog they might just make the difference, it is why they're fitted to car after all.

I do appreciate what you are saying about the safety aspect. However, I don't see all cars with reflectors on the all cars at least in California. I guess we are not very safety conscious out here.

Btw, I want that M4 spoiler for my F36! ^^^^^^

[twincam23]

how about $9 carbon fiber tape from PepBoys? Sorry if the picture isn't clear.

[BigVegas17]

"After" pic below. Went body-colored to take advantage of the bottom reflector edge's contour. Thanks to everyone for thoughts and opinions.

-B

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by BigVegas17

"After" pic below. Went body-colored to take advantage of the bottom reflector edge's contour. Thanks to everyone for thoughts and opinions.

-B

Nice! Any pointers on how to remove the reflectors?

[BigVegas17]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Nice! Any pointers on how to remove the reflectors?

Sure!

You can access the center clip of the reflector from underneath. No need to remove the diffuser or anything crazy like that. I scooted underneath on a creeper, and used a regular flathead screwdriver to push the center tab up so it's not "hooked" over the lip's edge. From there, I just pressed the tab relatively hard from the back side and the reflector popped out (May have needed to reach around with my other hand to pull from the outside as well; can't recall as they came out fairly easily).

Once you have the reflector out, you'll see a total of three tabs. One of them has a hooked face on the side. To pop the painted replacements in, I put the hooked face (vertical "tab") in first by angling the reflector a bit, then just popped it in.

The hardest part was maneuvering the creeper to get my hand through the tight spot to get to the center tab. All tolled, it took me 5 minutes - including time to find a screwdriver in my train-wreck of a garage. Hope that helps. If you run into trouble, feel free to PM me.

-B