[chicagofan00]

Has anyone replaced the front reflectors on the LCI models yet? I’ve got my IND-Distribution painted ones sitting here ready to go but wondering how much of a pain this is going to be. I was watching the install video for the F95 and didn’t realize how much was involved just for this. 😂 Are the LCI reflectors for the M60i just as involved?

https://youtu.be/63equRFlGsY?si=lmSaF6vjE47ty9iE

[aug0211]

Haven’t done it yet but also have the parts for when mine comes in. Seems like a trim tool and heat gun, is that right? Don’t have time this second to watch this video but the one I watched was admittedly more than a 2 second job but also not too terrible. Just patience needed it seemed like.

What I’m more nervous about is switching back at lease end turn in if I lease…

I’ll follow along here and hope to have mine on sometime before Christmas if it comes 🤞

Edit: found the video I had watched and it was not on an X5. The difference is the exposure of the reflectors (inside fender liner or not).

I think your video is more accurate for us (no surprise)… and looks like more of a PITA.

Strongly considering just writing off the IND loss and using a black tint or vinyl to wrap over the reflectors after watching the video you shared.

It’s not that it’s an incredibly difficult job but I’m not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze compared to a basic black tint.

Especially since mine gets wrapped with stealth PPF anyway 🤔

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by aug0211

Haven’t done it yet but also have the parts for when mine comes in. Seems like a trim tool and heat gun, is that right? Don’t have time this second to watch this video but the one I watched was admittedly more than a 2 second job but also not too terrible. Just patience needed it seemed like.

What I’m more nervous about is switching back at lease end turn in if I lease…

I’ll follow along here and hope to have mine on sometime before Christmas if it comes 🤞

The video is a bit more involved than just the heat gun and trim tool, as that is what I was initially expecting as well. IND is showing the removal of the wheel well liner in order to get to all the necessary parts to effectively remove the reflectors. Just not sure if this is specific to the X5M since their bumpers are a bit different or if this is also necessary for the M60i and LCI versions. Guess I might find out soon enough on my own. 😂

[aug0211]

Agree! I was editing my post right as you posted this, to say basically the same.

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by aug0211

Agree! I was editing my post right as you posted this, to say basically the same.

I agree that the juice may not be worth the squeeze on this one. I can’t stand the front reflectors but at the same time I’m not too terribly bothered by them paired with the Java Green. I did swap out the rear reflectors but those are a breeze and had them both done in 5 minutes.

[aug0211]

Are the rear reflectors exposed/easier to get to?

Also - I forgot you have the Java Green. It’s absurdly awesome. Fantastic pick.

I wonder if you can find a vinyl color matched to cover the fronts with?

Otherwise if you’re doing suspension or lowering links or anything, maybe that’s the time to tackle the fronts…

I don’t know what that rivet gun is in the video, I’ve always done the large black plastic trim rivets by hand. Is that what those are? Or are they real rivets requiring a gun?

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by aug0211

Are the rear reflectors exposed/easier to get to?

Also - I forgot you have the Java Green. It’s absurdly awesome. Fantastic pick.

I wonder if you can find a vinyl color matched to cover the fronts with?

Otherwise if you’re doing suspension or lowering links or anything, maybe that’s the time to tackle the fronts…

I don’t know what that rivet gun is in the video, I’ve always done the large black plastic trim rivets by hand. Is that what those are? Or are they real rivets requiring a gun?

Yeah, rear reflectors just pop right off with a trim removal tool. Open the tail gate and the gap to pop them off is exposed and readily accessible.

I think a vinyl covering would be pretty hard to match with Java Green, but I suppose a good wrap shop might be able to find a pretty close match.

That rivet gun is just one of the readily available ones on Amazon for the plastic rivets. It just help popping the rivet in securely and then breaking off the long plastic piece that remains sticking out. Not a necessity but when you have to do a bunch of the rivets it makes it a lot easier.

[aug0211]

Worst case, smoking them might be better than leaving orange.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30391745711...mis&media=COPY

I saw elsewhere that you’re already doing a PPF though, I’d totally call them up and see if they can get a color matched vinyl (not PPF, just vinyl wrap material) to go over your fronts - then the PPF on top of that (going to ask my shop about this as well).

[bagd0003]

Originally Posted by aug0211

Worst case, smoking them might be better than leaving orange.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30391745711...mis&media=COPY

I saw elsewhere that you’re already doing a PPF though, I’d totally call them up and see if they can get a color matched vinyl (not PPF, just vinyl wrap material) to go over your fronts - then the PPF on top of that (going to ask my shop about this as well).

You can get a small roll of generic smoked film, will be cheaper too. I did this on my other BMW this summer, X5 is next.

[evanseric21]

I'll probably just have the detail shop smoke out the front and rear reflectors while it's in for the PPF and ceramic coating. The IND front reflectors require more work than I think it's worth. I'll probably also smoke out the taillights, wrap the door handles and roof in a gloss black wrap.

[bagd0003]

Originally Posted by evanseric21

I'll probably just have the detail shop smoke out the front and rear reflectors while it's in for the PPF and ceramic coating. The IND front reflectors require more work than I think it's worth. I'll probably also smoke out the taillights, wrap the door handles and roof in a gloss black wrap.

They do indeed require quite a bit of work. That's why I also opted not to touch them. When I got my X5 this summer, the right front reflector was a bit pushed in at the top. It was no longer taped flush. I had to partially take off the wheel arch trim to get to it and just prop it up with some hard foam and it's staying in place now. But the area behind it was very tight.

[gtfalve]

Would this method not work for our cars? Might be a pain, but seems much less labor intensive than removing the wheels and fender liners.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1560241

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by gtfalve

Would this method not work for our cars? Might be a pain, but seems much less labor intensive than removing the wheels and fender liners.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1560241

Nice find. Definitely should work…but still seems like a massive pain in the ass overall. I’ll give it a go on Friday when I’m off work though.

[evanseric21]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Nice find. Definitely should work…but still seems like a massive pain in the ass overall. I’ll give it a go on Friday when I’m off work though.

You're better than me Chicago. That's still a hard pass lol.

[aug0211]

Chicago let us know and take photos or even video if you’re up for it! I’d really like to do it but not sure if I fully understand those rivets that everyone’s saying to drill out.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Nice find. Definitely should work…but still seems like a massive pain in the ass overall. I’ll give it a go on Friday when I’m off work though.

I have some interest in changing the front reflectors but I’ve waaay outgrown a rather complex DIY at age 75. Will likely opt for some tinted film in smoke color to complement Skyscraper. Best of luck to all who take on this mod.
I did film on my Cayenne which had much smaller reflectors. Turned out great imo. Easy and cheap.

[nZtiZia]

Procedure is the same on pre LCI X5: about 30 minutes first side then 20 minutes other side since it becomes familiar. after changing them twice (once to put on then another to take off for annual state inspection), I decided to leave them off and just keep the OEM ones on cuz they’re such a hassle to change out even only twice a year.

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by aug0211

Worst case, smoking them might be better than leaving orange.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30391745711...mis&media=COPY

Actually, I don't consider this worst case, this is actually my favorite look, even better than color matched in my opinion. Thanks!

[chicagofan00]

Got the reflectors installed this morning. Not sure why I was so worried about this. It was an absolute breeze and I was done in under 30 minutes with both sides. It does help immensely with being less than a month old from the build date as the adhesive came off all in one piece on the reflector and I didn’t have to remove any from inside the bumper.

The room to work with is pretty tight though and it really makes it difficult to line up the new reflector perfectly. I was able to adjust slightly from these photos but there is still a slight gap around it compared to factory. I’m ok with that though and much prefer this look versus the orange.

[aug0211]

Very nice! Unfortunately, I opened mine up for the first time last night (Christmas gift to me from my son, and I was helping wrap for myself lol) - and had two major issues:

1. Only 2 of the total 4 needed reflector replacements were shipped

2. 1 of the 2 I did receive had a shoddy paint job

Vehicle goes in to wrap next week and this would need to be done ahead of time of course. Looks like I’ll be doing a return/refund and having the shop use vinyl then the stealth PPF over top.

Disappointed.

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by aug0211

Very nice! Unfortunately, I opened mine up for the first time last night (Christmas gift to me from my son, and I was helping wrap for myself lol) - and had two major issues:

1. Only 2 of the total 4 needed reflector replacements were shipped

2. 1 of the 2 I did receive had a shoddy paint job

Vehicle goes in to wrap next week and this would need to be done ahead of time of course. Looks like I’ll be doing a return/refund and having the shop use vinyl then the stealth PPF over top.

Disappointed.

Wow, that’s strange! Definitely reach out to IND-Distribution customer service when they are back in the office next week. The paint guys at IND have done an amazing job on all the various painted pieces I’ve had done over the years.

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Wow, that’s strange! Definitely reach out to IND-Distribution customer service when they are back in the office next week. The paint guys at IND have done an amazing job on all the various painted pieces I’ve had done over the years.

Thank you sir!

aug0211 If you have any issues with your order, please email our support staff with your IND order number.
Support@IND-Distribution.com