Smoke Lenses??

ChrisK · Oct 2, 2003

Anyone have some opinions on the bavauto smoke lenses? I have a 2000 steel grey 323i and I was trying to decide between smoke or clears. I can't find any good pictures of the smoked lenses. Everyone seems to have the clears.. which may be a good reason to go with the smoke lenses. anyway.. let me know what yall think.

thanks

chris

MrElussive · Oct 2, 2003

Clear lenses are classier and more European.

PuShAkOv · Oct 3, 2003

Why would you want the smoked headlight ones?
Smoke lenses were used lifetimes back when they couldn't make the clear ones strong enough. On a 2000 car it will only make it look 1980 and will reduce visibility at night. I heard people wanting to switch to clears, but you are the first driver who wants to go opposite. Think about it.

ChrisK · Oct 4, 2003

well, im trying to decide. The smoke lenses will give the car an overall dark look. I don't think they would look too bad. I just dont know. I would prefer crystal clear corners.. but I haven't realy seen ones I like. Anyone have pics of the smoked lenses on a e46? and if most people want clear, why do they still make smoke?

PuShAkOv · Oct 4, 2003

I think if you want to have smoked lenses you would have to do it custom yourself. Another drawback in this is that they do not sell headlight lenses seperately from the headlight unit... meaning that if you screw up it would be illegal for any business to sell you the lense seperately. I think this rule came about of how beam of light must match the lense in order not to blind or something... but I will promise you will not find any free lenses to experiment on. However, corners is another story. Best of lucks!

ChrisK · Oct 6, 2003

sorry, i dont want smoke lenses, just corners, side markers, and taillights from bavauto.. i just want to know what it looks like, I'm probably going to go clear, just because I'm starting to like it more, and I have yet to see an e46 with smoked corners and tailights. I dont want to buy them and then decide I dont like them.
the smoke corners are supposed to match the headlight lenses. instead of looking so bright.. i dont know.. i still can't decide. [?|]

MrElussive · Oct 6, 2003

CLEAR BOY CLEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait, what color is your car?

ChrisK · Oct 6, 2003

steel grey metallic

DzrtRdr · Oct 25, 2003

Chris,

Maybe we are the only ones that don't get it. I too am looking for smoked tails, corners, and sides for the same reason as you. It would give my Orient Blue 328i a darker look, but I do agree with PuShAkOv in that it would lower the visibility at night. Take a look at these guys in Canada at http://www.amimotorsports.com, they have quite a few different options in both clear and smoke, particularly the tails that don't have any red (all clear or all smoke).

Good luck. [driving]

ChrisK · Oct 25, 2003

i dont think the smoke will really noticeably affect the visibility. have you seen any pics of the smoked lenses on a 3 series? thats the only thing keeping me from just doing it. but its great to actually have some support.. lol
thanks

chris

bmw4life13 · Oct 26, 2003

smoked clear corners and smoked sidemarkers with regular euro tail lights on e46's look GREAT!!! i've seen several e46's with them and i was very impressed. [:D]

smokedE46 · Oct 27, 2003

chrisK, Ive been to the Bavarian auto store here in NH, and both clears and smoked are on the shelf to view...there is no comparison, in my opinion...i, too will be installing the smoked taillamps and corners in the spring...my car is black, so it should have a nice effect. plus the wheels we installed (Mille Miglia MM11-2 18 inch) from tire rack really complete the look with the smoked style rim...really looks good on E46

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_gar...BMW&autoModel=323i&autoYear=1999&autoModClar=

bimmer328I · Feb 17, 2005

ChrisK said:

Hi Chris. I just recently purchased a set of smoke lenses from bavauto and they look really nice. I have a saphire black 328i. It really looks good. I think they would look good on your steel grey 323i.

aNoodle · Feb 17, 2005

bimmer328I said:

Nice car! Have any pics?

Section_8 · Feb 17, 2005

This thread is old enough to grow a beard.. [:)]

Smokes can be cool depending on the car color. Darker colors, where the owner is doing the 'black-out' effect, smokes can really look good (especially any of the shades of black, orient blue, avus, sienna red, etc).

I'm sorta liking the blackened projectors these days. That whole 'lit corner' deal kinda seems 'old' to me (insofar as old 'style').

I wonder if the original poster will ever read this?

frolf · Feb 17, 2005

Section_8 said:

haha, my thoughts exactly.

Big Daddy · Feb 17, 2005

I can tell you from experience that with smoked taillight lenses you are taking a risk. I have personal knowledge of a motorcycle rider who rearended a car in bright sunlight. The M/C rider was seriously injured and later sued the car owner, stating he could not see the brake lights of the car due to the smoked lenses. When the lenses were tested they did not meet DOT specs and the M/C rider won big dollars. Notice on Bav Auto's site, "For off-road use only", liability issues! Just some thoughts.

drkeng · Feb 18, 2005

I was reading this thread and saw Pushakov's name---whoaaaaaaaaa! Is he back? Then I noticed the date.

Anyway, I have noticed that MB SL 55's seem to have smoke lenses for the rear turn signals and thought it looked pretty good. It was probably on a darker grey or black car. For blue, I'd probably go with clear. I'm thinking about it, but then I think that to about 99.999% of the world it doesn't matter. It does seem to give the car a red/white/blue theme, without amber. That's one of the changes for '05--that all coupes/cabrios get clears, sport pkg or not.

theBMWenthusiast · Feb 20, 2005

wow...one old thread

bimmer328I · Feb 22, 2005

Yes I do have some pics of my car. I just haven't put them on my computer yet. I will post them as soon as I do. I am going for the 'black-out' effect. It has chrome trim along with the wheels.I am hoping my car will look good once I am done.

Does anyone have any comments on angel eyes??
I just purchased a set. I am waiting for them to arrive. I have seen pics of them but never heard any response from someone who actually hasa set of their own.

Smoke Lenses??

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