More powerful reversing lights?

thunderbirdsarego · 01-31-2006, 03:56 PM

Came a tad close to driving off a wee cliff while reversing down my (long steep gravel) driveway at 5-something AM this morning. It's pitch black where I live and the rain doesn't help (OK, so I was half asleep too!) and there were a few obstacles to be cleared.

Never had problems seeing behind me at night with other cars and I think the cause is that the headlights were putting out so much light as to prevent me seeing so well behind (when I turned the headlights off I could see behind me a lot better).

Anyway, my question is, does anyone know if one can add a more powerful reversing light to the E90? I believe some E90's in Europe have a rear fog light which I am sure would do the trick. If so then there might be a mounting point that I could use. It's either that or I guess I could re-install the very long length of driveway lights that I had before we dug up the area...

Of course I guess I could always reverse in at night. Hopefully xDrive doesn't behave differently in reverse as it can get slippery towards the top? - I used to enjoy taking a good run at it in the RX-7 on snowy days (never did quite make it but had lots of fun trying!).

longtran · 01-31-2006, 04:05 PM

maybe you can install post with reflective vinyl and you wont have that problem.

Chesmu · 01-31-2006, 04:15 PM

I guess reverse parking assist wouldn't help, huh?
Seriously though, I agree with Long...
Put up some reflective stuff around the edge of your driveway.

BMW_E90 · 01-31-2006, 04:24 PM

ive seen some 1 with reverse hids... it was blinding.. but itll cost u some money

AW330i · 01-31-2006, 07:03 PM

j levi used to sell hid reverse light kits but i cant seem to find one anymore... they do however still cary the LED reverse lights which are far less expensive and should be a pretty big improvement over stock...

thunderbirdsarego · 01-31-2006, 11:12 PM

I will definitely look into the LED and HID reverse lights, thanks for the tip.

My wife has been asking me to put in some ground lighting around the house and driveway of late so I will also do that and may add some reflector tape as people have suggested.

Alas, reflectors are not the total solution. It's not unusual to have branches on our driveway after an overnight windstorm and I don't usually have time to walk the driveway first thing, especially those rainy foggy mornings.

ksfrogman · 02-01-2006, 02:17 AM

Why not just install some motion sensing lights near your driveway or for that matter, some small garden lights (i.e., Toro) to illuminate the edges of yoru driveway?

mds82 · 02-01-2006, 12:03 PM

REVERSE XENON'S. that would be just too funny...

01-31-2006, 03:56 PM	#1
thunderbirdsarego Private 5 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	More powerful reversing lights? Came a tad close to driving off a wee cliff while reversing down my (long steep gravel) driveway at 5-something AM this morning. It's pitch black where I live and the rain doesn't help (OK, so I was half asleep too!) and there were a few obstacles to be cleared. Never had problems seeing behind me at night with other cars and I think the cause is that the headlights were putting out so much light as to prevent me seeing so well behind (when I turned the headlights off I could see behind me a lot better). Anyway, my question is, does anyone know if one can add a more powerful reversing light to the E90? I believe some E90's in Europe have a rear fog light which I am sure would do the trick. If so then there might be a mounting point that I could use. It's either that or I guess I could re-install the very long length of driveway lights that I had before we dug up the area... Of course I guess I could always reverse in at night. Hopefully xDrive doesn't behave differently in reverse as it can get slippery towards the top? - I used to enjoy taking a good run at it in the RX-7 on snowy days (never did quite make it but had lots of fun trying!).
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01-31-2006, 04:05 PM	#2
longtran Lieutenant General 1434 Rep 16,628 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (105) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	maybe you can install post with reflective vinyl and you wont have that problem.
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01-31-2006, 04:15 PM	#3
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I guess reverse parking assist wouldn't help, huh? Seriously though, I agree with Long... Put up some reflective stuff around the edge of your driveway. __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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01-31-2006, 04:24 PM	#4
BMW_E90 Major 57 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California iTrader: (11)	ive seen some 1 with reverse hids... it was blinding.. but itll cost u some money __________________
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01-31-2006, 07:03 PM	#5
AW330i Captain 79 Rep 876 Posts Drives: Alpine White 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0)	j levi used to sell hid reverse light kits but i cant seem to find one anymore... they do however still cary the LED reverse lights which are far less expensive and should be a pretty big improvement over stock... __________________
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01-31-2006, 11:12 PM	#6
thunderbirdsarego Private 5 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	I will definitely look into the LED and HID reverse lights, thanks for the tip. My wife has been asking me to put in some ground lighting around the house and driveway of late so I will also do that and may add some reflector tape as people have suggested. Alas, reflectors are not the total solution. It's not unusual to have branches on our driveway after an overnight windstorm and I don't usually have time to walk the driveway first thing, especially those rainy foggy mornings.
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02-01-2006, 02:17 AM	#7
ksfrogman Major General 576 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Why not just install some motion sensing lights near your driveway or for that matter, some small garden lights (i.e., Toro) to illuminate the edges of yoru driveway? __________________
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02-01-2006, 12:03 PM	#8
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	REVERSE XENON'S. that would be just too funny...
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