Why doesn't BMW use LED's on their mirrors?

[PHYBENZ]

It seems like all car companies have adopted this except for BMW and some exotics. I wonder why? Is it because MB set the trend and they don't necessarily want to copy? Anyone have any idea or guess?

 

[LaArtist]

maybe cause MB started the trend with lights in the mirrors..
and now BMW dont want to do it..
cause they HATE MB

 

[Zafiro]

why would I want it in my bimmer when Volvo already has it

Seriosly, this is nothing that crossed my mind why BMW dont have it. I guess I havent missed this function

 

[Centurion]

maybe cause MB started the trend with lights in the mirrors..
and now BMW dont want to do it..
cause they HATE MB

Exactly. It's a pride thing and BMW simply don't want to copy MB since they would get taunted for it. MB is their biggest enemy after all and BMW would rather take a bullet than do a copy paste of anything MB has created.

 

[EnI]

"Enemies"??? "Hating each other"???Are we in primary school or what? Or in a video game?


What a BS! Luw, it seems you've been spanding to much time in The States lately.


If MB & BMW were such "enemies" they wouldn't cooperate. And we know they do cooperate, and the cooperation will be even expanded.

I guess BMW do not use side-mirror turn signals since there is no reasonable need for that. I guess they can successfully incorporate traditional flank turn-signals in their designs. And I guess side mirrors without lighting elements are less expensive to produce.

Yet with new EU-complaint bigger side mirrors BMW will reconsider using some new design elements in side mirrors - to make them to appear smaller: eg. using LEDs, reflectors etc.

 

[coolraoul]

These mirror LEDs are a safety feature.
At night, when the lights are on, you don't see the blinkers integrated in the front lights, and you don't see the side blinkers because you are in front of the car.
If there are LEDs in the mirrors you see them because they are clearly separated from the front lights.

For me it is not only a gimmick, and it is also for that that everybody took this feature.

 

[Centurion]

What a BS!

"Enemies"??? "Hating each other"???Are we in primary school or what? Or in a video game?

Yes we are. BMW and MB are each others biggest competitors and two of Germany's biggest car manufacturers and it would be a lie to say that they aren't in a war against each other. They compete for the same customers on the premium market. On their test mules they even flirt with fake orange turn signals on the side mirror. Like I said, it's a pride thing, they want to be innovative rather than copy and innovator. Nothing wrong with that, MB would probably have done the same if they were BMW.

 

[EnI]

These mirror LEDs are a safety feature.
At night, when the lights are on, you don't see the blinkers integrated in the front lights, and you don't see the side blinkers because you are in front of the car.
If there are LEDs in the mirrors you see them because they are clearly separated from the front lights.

For me it is not only a gimmick, and it is also for that that everybody took this feature.

Yes, it is an advantage in the case headlight cluster is badly designed - like eg. in Golf V, and turn-signal is not seen clearly.

The problem with side-mirror LEDs is (just like with all LEDs) they are not well seen from all angels. In some cases of bad design (not MB!) side turn signals mounted in side mirrors are useless.

It's not a better solution per se.

 

[Nikos120i]

Why ad additional, useless weight when the side-panels turn indicators do their job just right. How would that work correctly for example in the M3, M5 and M6 which have carbon mirror covers?

 

[siko]

These mirror LEDs are a safety feature.
At night, when the lights are on, you don't see the blinkers integrated in the front lights, and you don't see the side blinkers because you are in front of the car.
If there are LEDs in the mirrors you see them because they are clearly separated from the front lights.

For me it is not only a gimmick, and it is also for that that everybody took this feature.

First off, it doesnt replace the blinker in the front of the car, but the side blinkers.

Second, you're forgetting the down-side of having it on the mirror: having light on mirrors tends to get them dirty faster (due to placement direction) and can block the luminosity of the blinker.

This is a non-issue in places like California, but trust me, it's an issue in northern place like upper US/Canada where winter slushy salted roads dirty your car instantaneously when following another car.

So it’s safer in good conditions, but less safe in winter carnage scenarios.



I think this is why MB now provides both the mirror blinker, and the side blinker (unlike before)

Old C, without side blinker


New C, with side blinker

 

[coolraoul]

This is not a side blinker, this is the Elegance or AVG little sign.


Sure it does replace the side blinkers, but for me the big advantage is that they also replace the front blinkers at night.

However, you may be right with the dirty issue...But you have to wash your car regularly, if you want your lights to be visible!

I like how BMW integrated the side blinker in the Z4, though. Not very useful I think, as you can't see it from the side, but soo cute and clever...

 

[LaArtist]

Yes, it is an advantage in the case headlight cluster is badly designed - like eg. in Golf V, and turn-signal is not seen clearly.

The problem with side-mirror LEDs is (just like with all LEDs) they are not well seen from all angels. In some cases of bad design (not MB!) side turn signals mounted in side mirrors are useless.

It's not a better solution per se.

you can go with normal bulbs instead of led´s..