[QUiKSR20]

This is just something Ive often thought about and never could make sense out of it. I just made the topic to see what you guys
think, Its not a complaint just something ive often wondered. So when the E46 started you had halogen tail lights then moved to leds :



So why hell did the E90 start with Halogens again and then move to LED's??? You would think since a model moved to newer tech you
would start your new model with the same tech not go backwards to halogens again.

Now I see the F30 has non led blinkers in the headlights unless you have HID's

I duno maybe its me but if you have moved ahead why go backwards?

Another strange thing ive noticed is how come the LED light pipes in the E90 LCI are so dim compared to say the e92?

Just some weird things ive noticed and wanted to share.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Because some idiots will buy a whole new BMW just to get the new technology- think about it.
BMW has had LEDs in their tails since many years back and then went to halogens.

[N8N]

so they have something kept back for the LCI upgrade? *shrug*

[Amini77]

So they can make the LCI look better. They plan everything out, have you seen the f32's tail lights? They aren't LEDs because they're saving that for the lci. You can see it in every prelci bmw and see what they will do for the lci. For example e60: the led lines in the tail lights of the lci e39 weren't incorporated into the pre lci e60 but for the lci e60 they put those led lines in the tail lights. They always do it that's why who ever plans on getting a new generation bmw should just hold off for the lci. The general public doesn't really know that so just keep that in mind if you're trying to get a new bmw.

[N8N]

But sometimes they screw up, because the pre-LCI E92 taillights are still better looking than the LCI even if most of the functions are incandescent!

[smallseafishie]

How else would they market LCI models since they're mostly lighting / cosmetic changes.

[KidSupreme]

That's how it is, early models get cheap lighting, later models get better lighting. Helps them keep the car looking newer -_-

[QUiKSR20]

Those are all good answers, Just couldn't see why they would do it.. I mean you could make older tails with LEDs and still make an LCI a little diff in design.

I know certain things like non sport or sport seats have always been around, Or projector or halogen depending on the packages dating back all the to the E30.

[edirtaynine]

its not just BMW. almost every mainstream automotive brand does it too. (exotics and niche brands excluded)

generally speaking: halogen reflectors, halogen bulbs at model launch...then "refresh" comes with projectors and led's.

[mxa121]

Originally Posted by N8N

But sometimes they screw up, because the pre-LCI E92 taillights are still better looking than the LCI even if most of the functions are incandescent!

uhhhh, come on, really? I have pre lci, I like my tails but LOVE those new tail lights. Not only do the lights look nicer at night, the housing fits the character line better. just my opinion, but I think most would agree...

[ihc95]

Originally Posted by N8N

But sometimes they screw up, because the pre-LCI E92 taillights are still better looking than the LCI even if most of the functions are incandescent!

I sort of agree. The LCI e92 tails are just too much red for me. They may look more "sophisticated" but the pre-LCI tails just look plain mean at night.

[Meeni]

What is exactly all the rage with led taillights anyway? The advantage of leds is that they can take a variety of shapes etc. BMW integrates them in their (regular) taillight just as if you had a bulb, except it is with leds. Whatever. What Audi did with the underbrow(?) was using the technology to its full potential. What BMW do with its taillights is just so whatever. I'll keep my bulb, I can change it when it dies for $3, instead of replacing the full led array for $1k.

[VTECaddict]

The advantage of LEDs is quick on/off and low power usage. Being more flexible in terms of shapes and design is a side benefit.

I don't know what you're alluding at with Audi tails. They're actually copying lighting technology BMW has used for years. Same with Mercedes. Audi was the first to kick off the LED DRL trend though.

[bmw246]

Thanks OP for bringing this up... I think it makes the car look cheaper (as do a lot of other styling choices IMO). The rear LCI e9xs have such nice lights with the piping and LEDS yet the new 4 has no LEDs, just the piping... looks so cheap now

[thecurryman]

$$$$$$ for lci update

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by bmw246

Thanks OP for bringing this up... I think it makes the car look cheaper (as do a lot of other styling choices IMO). The rear LCI e9xs have such nice lights with the piping and LEDS yet the new 4 has no LEDs, just the piping... looks so cheap now

EXACTLY.. So if you did LED PIPING on the last gen why would you not bring it to the current gen?

To me that would be like buying an iPhone 4s that had LTE than the iPhone 5 was back to 3G but the iPhone 6 had LTE again makes no sense.

If the tech is here or should stay going fwd in the newer models esp with LEDS being more efficient lasting longer etc etc

Who knows then again a 40k + car that doesnt come with HID's standard blows my mind when it was standard on a Jetta GLI in like 2005 and its 2013

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

The advantage of LEDs is quick on/off and low power usage. Being more flexible in terms of shapes and design is a side benefit.

I don't know what you're alluding at with Audi tails. They're actually copying lighting technology BMW has used for years. Same with Mercedes. Audi was the first to kick off the LED DRL trend though.

I was talking about the headlights, sorry for being unclear. My point being that Audi has been creative with the new tech, doing something that was not possible with bulbs before. BMW did the angel eye, with halogen, so they can be creative too. But they never used the leds in a way that's creative (yet?).

I politely disagree with you that the main advantages of leds are low power and instant on-off (on that particular application, at least). Regular bulbs take like 4w, so who cares if led array takes 0.5w. On-off cycle on regular bulb is good enough. So really the main advantage is the variety of shapes that can be achieved.

Having a led array inside a regular shaped tail lens is not using the possibilities of the tech. I could not care less if the tail light is led or bulb, if they look just the same anyway. Some could even argue that they look disgracious with all these dots.

Now, if they do again the F10 tail light, that's something else now.
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325064

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by Meeni

I was talking about the headlights, sorry for being unclear. My point being that Audi has been creative with the new tech, doing something that was not possible with bulbs before. BMW did the angel eye, with halogen, so they can be creative too. But they never used the leds in a way that's creative (yet?).

I politely disagree with you that the main advantages of leds are low power and instant on-off (on that particular application, at least). Regular bulbs take like 4w, so who cares if led array takes 0.5w. On-off cycle on regular bulb is good enough. So really the main advantage is the variety of shapes that can be achieved.

Having a led array inside a regular shaped tail lens is not using the possibilities of the tech. I could not care less if the tail light is led or bulb, if they look just the same anyway. Some could even argue that they look disgracious with all these dots.

Now, if they do again the F10 tail light, that's something else now.
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325064

Low power isn't the only reason, the LEDs are usually brighter and tests have been done proving that drivers usually can see and react to LED brake lights faster than halogen lights, part of that has to do with the quicker on/off cycle as well.

[VTECaddict]

How exactly is Audi being creative? Are you just talking about how they make curvy rows of LEDs in their light housings instead of just a bunched LED cluster?

[E902009]

Originally Posted by Meeni

What is exactly all the rage with led taillights anyway? The advantage of leds is that they can take a variety of shapes etc. BMW integrates them in their (regular) taillight just as if you had a bulb, except it is with leds. Whatever. What Audi did with the underbrow(?) was using the technology to its full potential. What BMW do with its taillights is just so whatever. I'll keep my bulb, I can change it when it dies for $3, instead of replacing the full led array for $1k.

Thank you! I hear all the rave about LCI and how it's much coveted over the pre-LCI lights, and I don't get it. Tail lights are one of those things on a car that very seldom become the main highlight of the car's design. They're usually complemented by other design elements, with the exception of cars like the new Mustang and the LED sequentials (obnoxious, IMO). I actually prefer the pre-LCI tail lights, as you get ambers for signals. I have a LCI E90 with that ugly-ass red LEDs for turn signals.

And sure, LEDs are, in theory a lot more reliable. But wait until it breaks and you have to shell out the money for the replacement parts.

[yarviinn]

marketing strategy bro.

[JustinGTP]

I think the rear end now of the F30 and F32 look cheap in comparison to the nicer LCI tailights of the E9X versions. Oh well, waiting for the LCI.