[Thud]

Originally Posted by DannyITR

Am I the only idiot that is bothered by this downgrade in technology? Why does BMW do this? Do they think that the shiny new model design is enough to make us forget they screwed us on the on the LED lights which are brighter, safer, more efficient and just plain look better?

Because then they would have less stuff to add on the LCI ("facelift") in a few years.

That's been the case for the previous 2 generations.

The E46 had no LED's (I don't think any car did back then, either).
Then the E46 refresh had LED's all over the rear end.

E90? No LED's.
E90 refresh? LED's, LED's everywhere! Except for the halo lights of course.

F30: No LED's, except for the halo lights, because white LED running lights are all the rage now
F30 refresh: OK, you'll get all your other LED's back


LED's are great in that you likely won't ever have to replace the bulbs. I can't say I'm a fan of all the LED "bling" that many cars are adding to the front now. The original Audi light strips looked cool, but some newer cars like recent Land Rover and Mercedes vehicles look like a Lite Brite.

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by metrathon

So that when you get the LEDs on the the LCI you feel like it's added value

It's been pretty much the same story with adding LEDs to LCI and then remove them with the E39 and E60. So it looks to me this is a strategy.

+1

[hav2flynow]

I was thinking they did not want it to look too much like an F10 from behind.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by Thud

Because then they would have less stuff to add on the LCI ("facelift") in a few years.

That's been the case for the previous 2 generations.

The E46 had no LED's (I don't think any car did back then, either).
Then the E46 refresh had LED's all over the rear end.

E90? No LED's.
E90 refresh? LED's, LED's everywhere! Except for the halo lights of course.

F30: No LED's, except for the halo lights, because white LED running lights are all the rage now
F30 refresh: OK, you'll get all your other LED's back


LED's are great in that you likely won't ever have to replace the bulbs. I can't say I'm a fan of all the LED "bling" that many cars are adding to the front now. The original Audi light strips looked cool, but some newer cars like recent Land Rover and Mercedes vehicles look like a Lite Brite.

I don't like any of the Audi LEDs. The Angel Eyes or Halos (as they're now mostly referred as) are very cool.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by hav2flynow

I was thinking they did not want it to look too much like an F10 from behind.

I was following a f30 and couldn't tell if it was a f30 or e90 because the brake lights looked old.. its really bad of them not to give full LED brake and signals for all f30 because it really does look out of place on such a new car

[hav2flynow]

I predict.... the F10 (5 series) will be ready for its total redesign about the time the F30 is ready for a mid cycle refresh..Since now they look so much a like from the back side (many neighbors commented they thought i got a 5 series) The F30 will keep the same tail lights and add LEDs (like F10 now has) and the F10 will get totally different style so as not to resemble the F30 anymore.

[willibn]

Reliability... Standard bulbs are much less costly to replace if burned out than LED units.

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by hav2flynow

I predict.... the F10 (5 series) will be ready for its total redesign about the time the F30 is ready for a mid cycle refresh..Since now they look so much a like from the back side (many neighbors commented they thought i got a 5 series) The F30 will keep the same tail lights and add LEDs (like F10 now has) and the F10 will get totally different style so as not to resemble the F30 anymore.

5 series lci is around the corner, go to their forum and see...

Can't we retrofit the brake light assembly in from an lci f30?!

[SamS]

Originally Posted by hav2flynow

I predict.... the F10 (5 series) will be ready for its total redesign about the time the F30 is ready for a mid cycle refresh..Since now they look so much a like from the back side (many neighbors commented they thought i got a 5 series) The F30 will keep the same tail lights and add LEDs (like F10 now has) and the F10 will get totally different style so as not to resemble the F30 anymore.

F10 LCI won't receive any tail light updates, or maybe just a slightly darker color a la F01 LCI.

[r3dbimmer89]

I think the F32 will have all around LEDs including turn signals with the LED headlight option. I can't see them offering that option with regular incandescent bulbs for turn signals and LEDs for headlights. Nonetheless, the F30 rear end looks weird without LEDs and the graphic bars at night are hardly noticeable when compared to the E92/F01/F10 etc. The graphic bars on those are soo much brighter at night. You could see it from a mile away.

[grimlock]

^I am surprised the F32 will get LED headlights as an option so soon, but if they made it only available to the M3/4 that would make "BMW sense" to get people to buy the top model especially now the engine differences are minimal.
Haven't seen a F30 at night but maybe I have and didn't notice it, but you can definitely tell when there is a F01/10.

[Rse1]

Originally Posted by r3dbimmer89

I think the F32 will have all around LEDs including turn signals with the LED headlight option. I can't see them offering that option with regular incandescent bulbs for turn signals and LEDs for headlights. Nonetheless, the F30 rear end looks weird without LEDs and the graphic bars at night are hardly noticeable when compared to the E92/F01/F10 etc. The graphic bars on those are soo much brighter at night. You could see it from a mile away.

So true I hate bmw for that, they downgraded the f30 on purpose. Even kia has better tail leds than the 3er and the incandescent turn lightss.. Callin them self premium they should be ashamed!

[dreamspeed]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

YES YES YES!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you said this. I was starting to think I was the only one. I'm very happy that I DON'T have LED turn signals.

personally i think dotted LEDs where you can see each individual LED looks horrible. The LED lighting on the new Audis are much cleaner where it's just looks like a straight line of light


That and LEDs are like the new euro/altezza tail lights of the 90s. Everyone and their mom is putting it on everything from civics to F150s to chrysler 300s

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

That and LEDs are like the new euro/altezza tail lights of the 90s. Everyone and their mom is putting it on everything from civics to F150s to chrysler 300s

Yep, those and aftermarket "Angel Eyes". I saw a Chrysler 200 AKA 'Sebring' yesterday with led halos. It looked horrible.

[snowghost]

I don't care so much about LED tails.