Ambers vs. Clears

Rachel9731 · 07-12-2006, 08:05 PM

I just wanted to ask, why is there such animosity towards ambers? I just got my '04 sedan a month ago and it came with the original amber lights. I don't think it looks bad. Is it taboo among E46 enthusiasts to not want clears?

mfanatic325 · 07-12-2006, 08:10 PM

not taboo...everyone has their own opinion. It just so happens that most people like clears that's all =P...I don't think my ambers look that bad either

it's your car, do whatever you wish

no need to conform with society.

BMW Loe · 07-12-2006, 08:14 PM

I like my ambers

sl0ppyshat · 07-12-2006, 08:18 PM

i like my ambers too!

bluecougar · 07-12-2006, 08:19 PM

see...there are some amber fans

bmwstephen · 07-12-2006, 08:19 PM

moi too! plus my theory is that i think it keeps the cops away

WGScales · 07-12-2006, 08:22 PM

I've got clears on my black 325i, but my wife's white car looks much better with amber. To each their own.

SD 328I · 07-12-2006, 08:27 PM

I like my ambers as well. I just don't like the way clears look on pre-facelift E46s, they look too "plastic/cheap" to me. But they do look good on the facelifted cars.

As for the tails, they look better clear on all E46 models.

IxNay · 07-12-2006, 08:30 PM

I upgraded my wheels to type 68 staggered 17 inch (from the standard 16 inch wheels). But I have kept my ambers. If the car had clears, I would keep them. For me lens are just not worth messing with unless you have to.

How about an E46AmberFanatics.com site?

MixFlame · 07-12-2006, 08:32 PM

i like my ambers...i also like my clears

Rachel9731 · 07-12-2006, 08:50 PM

I'm glad there are more of you out there. I like how my ambers look on my car. Mine is Mystic Blue Metallic.

blp88 · 07-12-2006, 08:54 PM

On my jet black I think the ambers look best....

downtoearth · 07-12-2006, 08:55 PM

drive up to one with clear. compare them side by side and see if you like it. i didn't clear is a big deal before but it does make a big difference on mine (black).

james2538 · 07-12-2006, 09:10 PM

Wooo! Ambersssss Wooo! Clearsssss

It really doesn't matter whatever floats your boat! I prefer clears, I think they look cleaner/sportier. It can depend on the color though. Ex: White- clears are essential, Black- either way. Can't really think of an amber only

e46-alias · 07-12-2006, 09:12 PM

I liked my ambers, but I love my oem clears. (Jet Black)

bmorrell · 07-12-2006, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james2538

Wooo! Ambersssss Wooo! Clearsssss

It really doesn't matter whatever floats your boat! I prefer clears, I think they look cleaner/sportier. It can depend on the color though. Ex: White- clears are essential, Black- either way. Can't really think of an amber only.

Your sig. is hilarious.

Navin323i · 07-12-2006, 09:22 PM

I personally went a different route. My car originally came with amber lenses from the factory but prior to purchasing my car in 7/2000 I had the dealership take out the amber lenses and replaced with clear lenses, but eventually went with smoked lenses.

I was happy with the clear front corner lenses until I chose to go with a black carbon fiber theme for my car, therefore since my headlight trim, kidney grilles, hood roundel, and license plate frame are all black carbon fiber (plus my RDSport R35 front bumper has a black grid mesh), I decided that my OEM front clear corner lenses no longer went with my car's theme, therefore I replaced the OEM front clear corner lenses with smoked clear corners which look MUCH better with my black carbon fiber theme.

Here's a link to some pics (my old clear corner lenses are in my sig pic):

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=381720

Marlin311 · 07-12-2006, 09:23 PM

What about smoked?

Lugnut2683 · 07-12-2006, 09:24 PM

Haha james, hilarious sig.

I think people prefer clears because it gives the car a cleaner look. Orange tends to stick out like a sore thumb, whereas clear (white) blends in better and is less "noticeable".

It's interesting though, because the Euro rear tail lenses for Corvettes are a popular mod, and they include an orange turn signal within the red taillights. Maybe we just all want to be European?

Ethioboy69 · 07-12-2006, 09:29 PM

i like my ambers too.

07-12-2006, 08:05 PM	#1
Rachel9731 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CA Posts: 91 My Ride: 2004 325i View My Garage	Ambers vs. Clears I just wanted to ask, why is there such animosity towards ambers? I just got my '04 sedan a month ago and it came with the original amber lights. I don't think it looks bad. Is it taboo among E46 enthusiasts to not want clears?

07-12-2006, 08:10 PM	#2
mfanatic325 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cupertino, CA. Posts: 4,028 My Ride: Z4MC, 325Ci View My Garage	not taboo...everyone has their own opinion. It just so happens that most people like clears that's all =P...I don't think my ambers look that bad either it's your car, do whatever you wish no need to conform with society. __________________ VF570 S/C\|TIAL BOV\|SetRabCooler\|Brembo GT 6/4\|TE37s\|NT05s\|3.91 Gearing\|TCK D/A\|RPi Induction\|SS Race Mufflers/X-pipe\|JVT Headers\|AS SSK\|Sparco Pro2000/6pt.Harness\|MS FloorMounts\|SE Custom Harness Bar\|Tekarbon Angels\|M-Tech Pedals\|OE Strut Bar\|RE RSMs\|8000K D2S\|CDV DEL\|CF Roof Wrap\|MB Grills\|UUC TrannyMounts/ClutchStop\|V1 Mount\|P3C Gauge

07-12-2006, 08:14 PM	#3
BMW Loe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: FL Posts: 1,369 My Ride: is dirty View My Garage	I like my ambers __________________ E92 335i 6spd BMS JB4 stg 3, BMS DCI, CM methanol injection 04 M3 sold 03 330Ci sold

07-12-2006, 08:19 PM	#5
bluecougar A bimmer chick moderator :) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 53,926 My Ride: MB & LR3 View My Garage	see...there are some amber fans __________________ \|\|Just another ///M Female Driver\|\|Sold: E46 328ci\|\|E92 335i\|\|E60 M5\|\|

07-12-2006, 08:27 PM	#8
SD 328I Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,814 My Ride: S197, E90, and 1125R View My Garage	I like my ambers as well. I just don't like the way clears look on pre-facelift E46s, they look too "plastic/cheap" to me. But they do look good on the facelifted cars. As for the tails, they look better clear on all E46 models. __________________

07-12-2006, 08:18 PM	#4
sl0ppyshat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 124 My Ride: 2004 330i ZHP View My Garage	i like my ambers too!

07-12-2006, 08:19 PM	#6
bmwstephen Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newark, CA Posts: 2,067 My Ride: e46 325xi, e30 325is View My Garage	moi too! plus my theory is that i think it keeps the cops away

07-12-2006, 08:22 PM	#7
WGScales Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 22 My Ride: 2011 128i View My Garage	I've got clears on my black 325i, but my wife's white car looks much better with amber. To each their own.

07-12-2006, 08:30 PM	#9
IxNay Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New England //M Posts: 56,959 Posts: 1,219 My Ride: 2000 328Ci 5sp SP View My Garage	I upgraded my wheels to type 68 staggered 17 inch (from the standard 16 inch wheels). But I have kept my ambers. If the car had clears, I would keep them. For me lens are just not worth messing with unless you have to. How about an E46AmberFanatics.com site?

07-12-2006, 08:32 PM	#10
MixFlame Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Jersey Posts: 4,850 My Ride: 2004 330i View My Garage	i like my ambers...i also like my clears

07-12-2006, 08:50 PM	#11
Rachel9731 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CA Posts: 91 My Ride: 2004 325i View My Garage	I'm glad there are more of you out there. I like how my ambers look on my car. Mine is Mystic Blue Metallic.

07-12-2006, 08:54 PM	#12
blp88 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 930 My Ride: 325i View My Garage	On my jet black I think the ambers look best.... __________________ O MY 3-JB zsp Mtech~19's & 17's~two-tone interior~tint~lip spoiler~sat radio~perf. zhp steering wheel~euro plate~h&r~debadged~clears~more less important things :)

07-12-2006, 08:55 PM	#13
downtoearth Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 240 My Ride: 2003 330i View My Garage	drive up to one with clear. compare them side by side and see if you like it. i didn't clear is a big deal before but it does make a big difference on mine (black).

07-12-2006, 09:10 PM	#14
james2538 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,446 My Ride: Sold View My Garage	Wooo! Ambersssss Wooo! Clearsssss It really doesn't matter whatever floats your boat! I prefer clears, I think they look cleaner/sportier. It can depend on the color though. Ex: White- clears are essential, Black- either way. Can't really think of an amber only Last edited by james2538; 07-12-2006 at 09:12 PM.

07-12-2006, 09:12 PM	#15
e46-alias Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles' Miracle Mile Posts: 120 My Ride: '05 330i ZHP 6MT View My Garage	I liked my ambers, but I love my oem clears. (Jet Black)

07-12-2006, 09:22 PM	#17
Navin323i Europrojektz East Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: DC Metro Area Posts: 7,305 My Ride: See Sig View My Garage	I personally went a different route. My car originally came with amber lenses from the factory but prior to purchasing my car in 7/2000 I had the dealership take out the amber lenses and replaced with clear lenses, but eventually went with smoked lenses. I was happy with the clear front corner lenses until I chose to go with a black carbon fiber theme for my car, therefore since my headlight trim, kidney grilles, hood roundel, and license plate frame are all black carbon fiber (plus my RDSport R35 front bumper has a black grid mesh), I decided that my OEM front clear corner lenses no longer went with my car's theme, therefore I replaced the OEM front clear corner lenses with smoked clear corners which look MUCH better with my black carbon fiber theme. Here's a link to some pics (my old clear corner lenses are in my sig pic): http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=381720 __________________ My 2 Little Girls... the REAL carbon fiber keeping my mechanical heart alive BMW Individual Atlantis Metallic Twin Screw S/C'ed 2000 323i SPONSORED BY: BBS \| Modbargains \| Toyo Tires \| DPE \| WheelSTO \| Vorsteiner \| European Auto Source \| Bimmertools \| GetBMWParts.com \| Race Apeel Last edited by Navin323i; 07-12-2006 at 09:40 PM.

07-12-2006, 09:23 PM	#18
Marlin311 Modded ///Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CoCo County Posts: 10,469 My Ride: 328ci View My Garage	What about smoked? __________________ -M4RC PLX KIWI WiFi

07-12-2006, 09:24 PM	#19
Lugnut2683 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 2,290 My Ride: Lotus Elise View My Garage	Haha james, hilarious sig. I think people prefer clears because it gives the car a cleaner look. Orange tends to stick out like a sore thumb, whereas clear (white) blends in better and is less "noticeable". It's interesting though, because the Euro rear tail lenses for Corvettes are a popular mod, and they include an orange turn signal within the red taillights. Maybe we just all want to be European? __________________ - Justin DIY Garage Build (Updated November 18, 2009): http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=297607

07-12-2006, 09:29 PM	#20
Ethioboy69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 23 My Ride: 00' 323i View My Garage	i like my ambers too. __________________

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