What're those reflector strips?

[Duncodin]

All, well most, pictures of z3 here on the forum have reflector strips on the corners of the front bumper.

Mine doesn't have those. Should it? Was it a specific year/s thing?

Are they just stuck on?

 

[andyglym]

All, well most, pictures of z3 here on the forum have reflector strips on the corners of the front bumper.

Mine doesn't have those. Should it? Was it a specific year/s thing?

Are they just stuck on?

Mine are wired in lights (September 97 build). Not sure why some do and some don't

 

[Duncodin]

Mine are wired in lights (September 97 build). Not sure why some do and some don't

I see some cars have white ones and others yellow?

 

[t-tony]

I added some Orange LEDs in the ones in my Z3 bumper. So I had sidelights and indicators in the same unit.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqUxE90Tacg


Apologies for the wind noise.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

If you have side lights in the corner of the bumper do you still have sidelights in the headlamp assembly?

 

[t-tony]

If you have side lights in the corner of the bumper do you still have sidelights in the headlamp assembly?

The headlights I fitted had Angel Eye rings in them.

You can have as many sidelights as you wish as long as they're in pairs and fitted in roughly the same position on each side of the car.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

Those angel eyes. Do they act like daytime running lights? What does that look like. (In the dark)

I was wondering though why some (most?) Z3's have those light strips in the bumper while mine doesn't.

 

[Althulas]

Just the model spec. You can always buy another front bumper if you want a change.

 

[t-tony]

Yes, exactly that. They are DRLs but if I'm honest not very bright and that's why I fitted some proper DRLs in the front grille. One of the first on here to fit them, but they have caught on and many people fitted have them in various shapes and positions.
The lights in the bumper was a "year change" thing IIRC. My car was a 2000 model.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

Just the model spec. You can always buy another front bumper if you want a change.

"Buy" a front bumper. Probably cost more than my car's worth.

I'm sure I could cut them in if I really wanted. But. To be honest. I prefer the bumper as it is. I was just wondering why mine doesn't have them.

 

[Ianmc]

Early cars have the sidelights in the main housing. Corner lights were installed across the range from around mid 1997. My car as below is April 97 build (with sidelights on).

 

[Duncodin]

Early cars have the sidelights in the main housing. Corner lights were installed across the range from around mid 1997. My car as below is April 97 build (with sidelights on).View attachment 203115

Mine is early 99. No side strips.

 

[Ianmc]

Mine is early 99. No side strips.

You have either an earlier bumper fitted or the lights have been removed and holes filled - this has been a popular enhancement in the past to obtain the "cleaner" look.

 

[ktnez99]

Early cars have the sidelights in the main housing. Corner lights were installed across the range from around mid 1997. My car as below is April 97 build (with sidelights on).View attachment 203115

My Z is like this and it’s newer so not sure when any changes happened.

 

[Paul Rice]

Wide bodied have them but not pre face lift slim body 1.9

 

[colb]

Mine was built December 1999 and has the bumper sidelights. Had to replace both of mine as the edges were all nibbled from previous owners levering them out with screwdrivers and breaking the edges. The slide in one way after putting the plain end in first so they lock in at that end then feed the other end with the spring retainer in till it clicks in place when the unit is fully in the hole. Removal is reverse slide to one side so the spring can be seen as yo pull that end out, you may need to depress the spring a little further with a thin blade screwdriver then pull it out.

 

[Paul H]

Where is best to buy the side lights? Both of mine have small holes in.

 

[Duncodin]

As far as I know, a side light, seen directly head-on, (and tail lights) must be within a certain distance of the widest point of the vehicle's body. In total darkness with just the side lights on it's supposed to indicate the width of the vehicle body/frame.

Looking at that picture from @Ianmc the 'side' lights are actually quite close to the centre of the car. Not much use at indicating the width of the vehicle in the dark. But maybe they're just within the distance.

Maybe face lift were just a gnat's doodah and/or wide body versions exceed the limit calling for side lights on the bumper.

Or something like that.

 

[Lee]

As far as I know, a side light, seen directly head-on, (and tail lights) must be within a certain distance of the widest point of the vehicle's body. In total darkness with just the side lights on it's supposed to indicate the width of the vehicle body/frame.

Looking at that picture from @Ianmc the 'side' lights are actually quite close to the centre of the car. Not much use at indicating the width of the vehicle in the dark. But maybe they're just within the distance.

Maybe face lift were just a gnat's doodah and/or wide body versions exceed the limit calling for side lights on the bumper.

Or something like that.

Exactly that, the pre facelift 4 cyl models didn't get those bumper side lights, it was a 6 cyl thing at the time. If you wanted to change your front bumper @spurs fan in a coupe normally has plenty laying around, your after a prefacelift wide mouth bumper.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Or you could just live with the smooth look. Niiiiice.