Street Legal?

[scabbronumber1]

I am tired of my amber corner lights....and I don't like the way some of the crystal corner lights look...I do like these and I was wondering if they were street legal...or any other opinions...

[blkongry]

I do believe those are the "Euro" look corners. They are legal, but they are still supposed to run amber colored bulbs in them. White bulbs are illegal... that is what the driving lights are for.

[scabbronumber1]

so does the stock 1994 BMW E36 325i coem with amber bulbs....if so I can buy that I guess...

[blkongry]

No, the stock lenses are amber colored plastic, and the bulbs are white/clear. When you switch over to clear corners, you need to get amber colored bulbs, which are readily available at any auto parts store. I have a variation of the diamond clear corners with clear side markers... it gives the car a very clean and refined look. I debated between the euro style and the diamond style. I looked at several pictures of cars with both and decided on the diamond style.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Check with your local police department or DMV to find out the legality of these lenses. The laws tend to change all the time.

[supertack]

I've got those on my 328is. They look even better on the car. I haven’t gotten any crap from the local cops in the Chicago area over them; however, I did do the silver paint on my amber bulb trick to make sure they illuminated the right color.

[scabbronumber1]

where did you get the bulbs for them?....do they still blink amber?...

[stupenal]

you can get the bulbs from any auto parts store

i've seen these in person and it makes you look twice. i'm still not sure which looks better - these or normal clears or crystal clears. I decided just to stick with my OEM clears because from the side - it matches the rear clears perfectly (you cant see the dark housing of the headlight from the side). Also - if people give you crap about them "clear corners" its easier to just say its OEM in europe. However - I'll gladly admit that white lenses next to dark housing headlights DOES look very odd. I sorta like the contrast sometimes - sometimes I hate it.

[blkongry]

Supe... silver paint on amber bulb? What does that do?

As a rule of thumb, the law states that no white light can be emitted from side markers or turn signals. If you have amber bulbs, the shape/style of the housing doesn't really matter. This is the law for most states that I know of... there may be some anomolies though.

The amber bulbs you want to get are dual filament, since they both work as your front running/parking lights and as your turn signals.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The silver paint keeps the light from appearing to be amber when the bulb is not shining. If you just have amber bulbs, the lens will appear somewhat amber even without the light on. A very very light coating of silver paint gets rid of that look but still lets the amber light out.

--DD

[blkongry]

Interesting...

[supertack]

It's one of the coolest tricks I've seen. As you can see from my previously posted pic, my corners are completely clear, so you can see every detail behind the lens. An amber bulb would look a little cheesy. This made it blend right into the chrome 'spot' inside the black housing. I like the trick so much, I did it to my OEM clear rears & side markers. Gotta love sweet little improvements that cost little to no cash.

[scabbronumber1]

so where can I pick up those amber bulbs that are painted silver?...I really like those corner lights and they're cheap!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

It's a multi-step process.

Step 1, buy amber bulbs. Step 2, paint the outside with a very thin layer of silver paint.

--DD

[scabbronumber1]

I am sure you can just buy them silver.... we'll see what more people say!

[BMR BOY]

Yup, you can buy those bulbs you need that come pre-painted with a silver coating. But for the 5-minute paint job (and 10 cents worth of paint) you con do it yourself for much less. The pair of painted bulbs is about $20. HOWEVER!, I put the clear corners in with PIAA super white platinums ($15) and my corner markers are so bright, I can seriously drive with only the parking lights on. Yes, this is illegal, but I have talked to many people who have them, and they never were ticketed. I've also spoke to local police officers, and they say it's not worth their time to pull people over for dumb stuff like that. 6 white lights from the front of the car makes a car look 10 times better-amber is the ugliest DAMN color ever, and is a waste of time. There's none on my car! Front, back, or sides, and there's never been a problem! Anyway, do what you want, I'm just telling you as far as I've ever known!

BMR BOY

1993 325i Laguna Green Metallic 4dr/5spd
19" concept five- 5 spokes with toyos
H & R 3" drop in rear
Dinan from the manifold as far as the eye can see!
50% reduced throw short shifter.
Momo shift knob
94% privacy glass
Cold air intake
Momo anti-sway(s)
Clear corner lights all around
HID upgrade with plasma bulbs

[blkongry]

I've never had much luck painting bulbs... they all seem to get too hot and blister... is there is a special kind of paint?

I saw a car with the super bright white side markers about a month ago at the corner of Division and 82nd (it might have even been you BMR, but it was early (still dark out), I was tired, and can't remember what make it was on). I do remember the lights being freakin' bright!... brighter than the headlights, especially when the turn signals flashed. It was kind of an interesting look, but also kind of leaning toward the 'uni-brow' look of the Mercury Sable and some of those other cars that have a continuous white light bar across the front. I actually like the amber colored lights (with Diamond corners though)... especially on a black car... they just accent the lines and give it a weird 'balance'. Plus, in general for driving, I wish every make had amber turn signals... they give instant recognition for when someone has their turn signal on. I loathe the blinking red tail light turn signals... especially when only one of the array of tail lights blink.

[supertack]

You guys are thinkin this thing over too much. Its three steps, all very cheap, reliable, & idiot proff. Trust me, I speak from experience.

1. Buy the amber bulb. Got mine from Autozone, Sylvainia (2) pack, not sure of the product #, but if you bring in your exsisting bulb & ask for it in amber, there's not much room for error.

2. Light coating of silver spray paint. Got mine from Wal-Mart, their cheap house brand, 'Color-Place' I think it's called, should be around .89 cents a can, obviously you only need one. Score an 'x' in a small box with a utility knife, & screw the bulbs into the hole until only the bulb shows, then lightly spray with paint.

3. Put back on car.

Wow, that was complicated & way less than twenty bucks for a set of bulbs.

[scabbronumber1]

yeah I'll have to do that....thanks guys!

[stupenal]

and should htis process prove to be VERY difficult - here's 2 DIY articles with pictures and instructions

http://www.apexcone.com/JimPowellHomepage/TechProcedures/SilverLamps/SilverLamps.html

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~smithm3/mods/silver/index.htm

hope this helps