[JBizzle]

I have seen many pics of the tail lamp on the new (2009) E90 328i. Does anyone know if the US-spec model will have amber turn signals? The ones I have seen so far are all Euro-spec.

[Seminole]

Most likely red. That's how it is now, the Euro taillights blink amber and ours are red.

[noro]

Originally Posted by Seminole

Most likely red. That's how it is now, the Euro taillights blink amber and ours are red.

Really, is it kind of like the Jetta, the tail light is red, but there is a yellow backing in it?

[stickypaws]

"Until the early 1960s, most front turn signals worldwide emitted white light and most rear turn signals emitted red. Amber front turn signals were voluntarily adopted by the auto industry in the USA for most vehicles beginning in the 1963 model year, though front turn signals were still permitted to emit white light until FMVSS 108 took effect for the 1968 model year, whereupon amber became the only permissible color for front turn signals.

Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals, and US studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to brake lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red. US regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals claim there is no proven lifesaving benefit to amber signals."

And obviously the US mfgs had influence on not requiring amber, even though studies demonstrated amber might be safer.....

[noro]

I can only speak personally, but amber blinkers in the back are always better. When I see a red light blink i never know if the turn signal is on or the person is just applying brakes repetitively. I have to look at the other side to realize that only one side is blinking.

[Zadjali]

Originally Posted by noro

I can only speak personally, but amber blinkers in the back are always better. When I see a red light blink i never know if the turn signal is on or the person is just applying brakes repetitively. I have to look at the other side to realize that only one side is blinking.

+1

[drwtsn32]

+1 for amber!

[shaddai]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

"Until the early 1960s, most front turn signals worldwide emitted white light and most rear turn signals emitted red. Amber front turn signals were voluntarily adopted by the auto industry in the USA for most vehicles beginning in the 1963 model year, though front turn signals were still permitted to emit white light until FMVSS 108 took effect for the 1968 model year, whereupon amber became the only permissible color for front turn signals.

Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals, and US studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to brake lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red. US regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals claim there is no proven lifesaving benefit to amber signals."

And obviously the US mfgs had influence on not requiring amber, even though studies demonstrated amber might be safer.....

Link?

+1 to amber blinkers. I hate red blinkers for exactly those reasons. Stupid US regulators.

[Inzane]

Originally Posted by shaddai

Link?

+1 to amber blinkers. I hate red blinkers for exactly those reasons. Stupid US regulators.

x2.

I'm not sure what canadian regs say but I think we're similar to the US.

[methodtim]

I'll let y'all know in about three weeks when my car arrives.

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by shaddai

Link?

Here's the link: http://www.answers.com/topic/turn-signal
(scroll down to signal lamp color)

All the info there is referenced so you can go to the original source....

[rickston69]

I never have liked the look of amber turn signals in the rear. Besides, you cannot rely solely on turn signals and brake lights; you need to look for other signs such as speed and if the other driver is on a cell phone (or not). Too many drivers around here (Richmond, VA) don't even use their signals - unless maybe that feature was optional on the car they purchased. Hell, a lot of them don't even like stopping either!

[noro]

Originally Posted by rickston69

I never have liked the look of amber turn signals in the rear. Besides, you cannot rely solely on turn signals and brake lights; you need to look for other signs such as speed and if the other driver is on a cell phone (or not). Too many drivers around here (Richmond, VA) don't even use their signals - unless maybe that feature was optional on the car they purchased. Hell, a lot of them don't even like stopping either!

Yeah but what I do like about my coupe is that the turn signal cover is white, but the LED lights up yellow... that's the way to go... either that or euro lights with silvervision bulbs like I had on my E46

[BK]

Amber turn signals FTW. I hate red rear turn signals.

[Remonster]

Let's not even bring safety into this, yellow turn signals look much nicer than red ones.

[zot09]

Amber rear turn signals are the way to go.

The turn signals I hate the most are the ones that use the brake lights to indicate turning (Mustang, 'Vette, etc).

[shaddai]

Originally Posted by zot09

Amber rear turn signals are the way to go.

The turn signals I hate the most are the ones that use the brake lights to indicate turning (Mustang, 'Vette, etc).

Especially when the ONE BULB burns out...

[visor]

The nicest looking turn signal and brake lights, I think, are the LED ones on the E46 coupe when it was updated in 2003(?).

Beautifully bright, red brake LEDs and amber turn signal LEDs that are clear when unlit. As it should be.

[iheartsole]

sick!

[bsd107]

Originally Posted by visor

The nicest looking turn signal and brake lights, I think, are the LED ones on the E46 coupe when it was updated in 2003(?).

Beautifully bright, red brake LEDs and amber turn signal LEDs that are clear when unlit. As it should be.

I'm still pissed that the E90 LCI did not get LED brake lights. Of all the rear lights to be LED, it's the brake lights that are most important to have as LED for safety. LED lights do react more quickly - just pay attention to any car that has halogen brake lights on the side but a LED center brake light. You can clearly see the LED brake light firing up sooner.

BMW used to actually tout the safety benefits of LED rear brake lights about ten years ago (that's the only reason I thought to start looking for the faster lightup - which I could then later clearly observe on my VW B5.5 Passat). Which is why I cannot understand why the E90 LCI get's LED's only for market lights and turn signals. Too bad the sole purpose of LEDs on the E90 LCI is for fashion/style and not safety...

BTW, I totally agree that the turn blinkers should flash AMBER!

[akhter]

Originally Posted by visor

The nicest looking turn signal and brake lights, I think, are the LED ones on the E46 coupe when it was updated in 2003(?).

Beautifully bright, red brake LEDs and amber turn signal LEDs that are clear when unlit. As it should be.

+1