[Ryan@IND]

Painted reflectors are among the first additions made by any owner of a modern BMW. The unsightly orange reflectors installed in cars bound for North America instantly break the smooth lines of BMW bumpers.

IND provides painted reflectors as a cost effective solution. We use OE BMW reflectors for a factory fit, and the same paint process we would use to repaint an entire car. Each reflector is sanded, prepped for paint, primed, then painted.

Many enthusiasts enjoy installing their own painted reflectors, so we’ve created this installation DIY to help.

Tools needed:

• 8mm socket and ratchet

Step 1:
The first step is to gain access to the fender liner. This can be achieved by turning the wheel full lock toward the inside of the side you are working on. As a result of this action you have a clear view of the fender liner as well as the fasteners

Step 2:
Now that the fender liner is visible take the socket and remove 3-4 of the fasters so that you can safely access the reflector.



Step 3:
The F22 reflectors are not secured with double-sided tape, but rather snapped into place. There are two tabs on the backside of the reflector and the safest way to remove the factory piece is to depress the tab inward and simultaneously push the reflector. Once you have one end loosened you can repeat with the other tab.






Step 4:
Installation is as simple as push the reflectors into place. This is performed from the outside of the bumper







Step 5:
Now that your reflectors are installed it is time to button everything up. Simply replace the fasteners on the fender liner and repeat with the other side.

[GOLFFRR]

[h0pe]

looks super easy

[G8r3Series]

How about removing the rear reflectors? Will you have an installation procedure posted for that as well?

[Pray for Mojo]

Originally Posted by h0pe

looks super easy

It's not easy if you have the parking sensor there. I just tried to do it but it's difficult to pop the bottom tabs out. I'm going to remove the wheel and the fender liner completely to get proper access.

[pikcachu]

bottom clip is kind of a PITA but once you have the top out...you can yank it out

[MUFCbmwbear]

IND installed Glacier Silver

[eatsmeetswes]

Before and after! Total install was less than 10 minutes!

[Mantii]

I tried doing this myself yesterday. I can get to the top clip and may be able to get it to release with some force. But there is no way I can get to the bottom clip and to let it go. I'm afraid to pull on it and have it break the plastic that is actually holding the reflectors.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Mantii

I tried doing this myself yesterday. I can get to the top clip and may be able to get it to release with some force. But there is no way I can get to the bottom clip and to let it go. I'm afraid to pull on it and have it break the plastic that is actually holding the reflectors.

Just pull the tab on the front as far rearward as possible and pull down on the loose top. It will sort of wedge its way out. The bumper is rather flexible it will stretch. That worked for me anyway if you screw yours up I'm taking no blame

Worst case I was going to epoxy mine in bc you can't see what's behind it but it worked fine.

[ska///235i]

Yea ones the top is off, you use the top as a handle and pull the bottom off

Dont just yack it out but slowly pull it out

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Yea ones the top is off, you use the top as a handle and pull the bottom off

Dont just yack it out but slowly pull it out

Yeah that's a better way of saying it. Assuming you are on the passenger side, with the top out use left hand to pull the foremost tab on the bottom as far rearward as possible, then pull the top down with your right hand while rotating longitudinally towards the rear to wedge the depressed front tab out first. If that makes any sense at all. It's a little panic inducing but overall not that bad.

[ska///235i]

Oh and for the top, if you can get your hands behind the bumper...use a mini plier to release the clip

[five3three]

Has anyone who has the parking sensors done this? The parking sensor sits right next to the reflector where you are supposed to reach in from the wheel well. I ordered a set of the IND's but have yet to attempt.

[pikcachu]

I did it and had no issues

[five3three]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

I did it and had no issues

Thanks. I just did mine as well and it was straight forward.

Thanks to IND for a great color matched part! (MG for me)

[asn]

Dumb question - Do the reflectors still reflect if you paint them, or tint them?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by five3three

Thanks. I just did mine as well and it was straight forward.

Thanks to IND for a great color matched part! (MG for me)

Attachment 1050445

Looks good just need to lose the orange bulb now... Then we'll be twins.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by asn

Dumb question - Do the reflectors still reflect if you paint them, or tint them?

If you paint them they won't reflect anything i will just look like the bumper...
If you tint them it depends if the film is reflective or not but most likely won't reflect at all

[bimmerbuff]

This is probably a dumb question, but was there a law that mandated these reflectors be installed?

I was looking around yesterday at other cars and see more rear reflectors than front ones, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which cars have front reflectors.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by bimmerbuff

This is probably a dumb question, but was there a law that mandated these reflectors be installed?

I was looking around yesterday at other cars and see more rear reflectors than front ones, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which cars have front reflectors.

A lot of cars have them buried within the headlamp assembly. For those looking to remove we're very lucky that's not the case for ours.

[asn]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

If you paint them they won't reflect anything i will just look like the bumper...
If you tint them it depends if the film is reflective or not but most likely won't reflect at all

So, without knowing the laws, it would probably be safest to install clear or smoked reflectors in the front and back, assuming I can find them.