Just swapped to clears. Are my bulbs illegal now?

Snapasaurus · 12-25-2012, 01:53 PM

Just as the title states, I just swapped my ambers for clears and my bulbs are white. Is this illegal? Do my bulbs have to flash amber, or can I just leave them the way they are?

Thanks in advanced.

tock172 · 12-25-2012, 02:00 PM

Check your local laws. A lot of new cars flash red for turn signals and I see plenty of people on the road here with white turn signals. I think it's one of those things where they don't reallynenforcenit if it is in fact illegal. Get the genuine BMW or Philips chrome bulbs.

BeMyWhip · 12-25-2012, 02:02 PM

Omg, you are now a criminal.
Use your arm to signal if the fuzz is around.
Youre a sick bastard.... Running non ambers huh?!
lol, Im just breaking your balls.
I been running like that for years; dont sweat it.

Snapasaurus · 12-25-2012, 02:08 PM

Haha okay, thanks guys. Also, with installing new side markers, should I use silicone or some adhesive on the back? The new ones seem to wiggle around a bit.

dmax · 12-25-2012, 02:12 PM

Get yellow bulbs, and I'm sure you're running illegally. White is for reverse afaik. A signal needs to be red or amber so as not to blind the person watching you signal.

Solidjake · 12-25-2012, 02:16 PM

Get OEM side markers, trust me.

As for the bulbs I had them like that for two years, then I went to amber bulbs for some contrast.

Snapasaurus · 12-25-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmax

Get yellow bulbs, and I'm sure you're running illegally. White is for reverse afaik. A signal needs to be red or amber so as not to blind the person watching you signal.

I'm probably just going to end up changing them. I just checked some local laws.

tock172 · 12-25-2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Get OEM side markers, trust me.

As for the bulbs I had them like that for two years, then I went to amber bulbs for some contrast.

+1, DEPO side markers suck. I have their tail lamps and corners and they're satisfactory, but the side markers are junk.

Solidjake · 12-25-2012, 02:24 PM

Mine turned yellow and wouldn't hold into the fender for crap. OEM is perfection.

Snapasaurus · 12-25-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

+1, DEPO side markers suck. I have their tail lamps and corners and they're satisfactory, but the side markers are junk.

That's what I bought. Depo.

XKxRome0ox · 12-25-2012, 02:26 PM

Check your state dept of motor vehicle website for guideline
Rear turn signals can flash red or amber
Front turn signal can be amber
I think even the newer cars with led turn signals in front flash yellow

Only emergency vehicles (police, ambulance, etc.) can have a flashing red light in the front

[bimmer app/galaxy s3]

JT 330CI · 12-25-2012, 02:29 PM

I wanted to do this too, someone give me a link to the white bulbs for 03 330 please.

tock172 · 12-25-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapasaurus

That's what I bought. Depo.

Return and buy OE. I had to do the same when I initially bought the DEPO ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Mine turned yellow and wouldn't hold into the fender for crap. OEM is perfection.

Yup, there was a nice gap between the seal and the fender. Returned em.

Snapasaurus · 12-25-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

Return and buy OE. I had to do the same when I initially bought the DEPO ones.

Yup, there was a nice gap between the seal and the fender. Returned em.

Yup, big gap, but I got them in a package deal with corners for pretty cheap. I guess ill just swallow the 6$ or so that I paid extra.

tock172 · 12-25-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapasaurus

Yup, big gap, but I got them in a package deal with corners for pretty cheap. I guess ill just swallow the 6$ or so that I paid extra.

Yeah, you got a better deal than I did. I payed like $20 for mine and got hit with a restocking fee

Snapasaurus · 12-25-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

Yeah, you got a better deal than I did. I payed like $20 for mine and got hit with a restocking fee

Ouch. Do you know who has the OEM ones for a good deal?

Solidjake · 12-25-2012, 03:28 PM

I got mine from ecs

TerraPhantm · 12-25-2012, 03:33 PM

I think white is okay in the front in most states. Though I've always preferred amber.

OEM housings generally come with new bulbs anyway. I'd get them from Turner or ECS, whichever is cheaper

Zell · 12-25-2012, 03:55 PM

I've seen both white and red turn signals before. Hondas come to mind when I think of red turn signals.

Get stealth bulbs if you want the white look but amber color.

eneka · 12-25-2012, 04:53 PM

I wouldn't reccomend chrome bulbs with depo corners. They WILL melt. Even regular orange bulbs will melt them. If you really want to preserve them you can always code your car to have the side markers to not come on when your headlights are on to minimize heat...but of course it's illegal in the US.

12-25-2012, 01:53 PM	#1
Snapasaurus Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Vancouver, wa Posts: 224 My Ride: 2005 325i SULEV View My Garage	Just swapped to clears. Are my bulbs illegal now? Just as the title states, I just swapped my ambers for clears and my bulbs are white. Is this illegal? Do my bulbs have to flash amber, or can I just leave them the way they are? Thanks in advanced. __________________

12-25-2012, 02:00 PM	#2
tock172 100% star stuff Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,432 My Ride: 2004 330i View My Garage	Check your local laws. A lot of new cars flash red for turn signals and I see plenty of people on the road here with white turn signals. I think it's one of those things where they don't reallynenforcenit if it is in fact illegal. Get the genuine BMW or Philips chrome bulbs. __________________ Bilstein/Eibach B12 Pro-Plus Suspension System \| DICE Mediabridge \| Valentine One

12-25-2012, 02:02 PM	#3
BeMyWhip Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Big Apple USA Posts: 2,674 My Ride: 01 BMW 330ci View My Garage	Omg, you are now a criminal. Use your arm to signal if the fuzz is around. Youre a sick bastard.... Running non ambers huh?! lol, Im just breaking your balls. I been running like that for years; dont sweat it. __________________ Always Mod!!! Founder: 330Ci The 3 litre coupe

12-25-2012, 02:08 PM	#4
Snapasaurus Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Vancouver, wa Posts: 224 My Ride: 2005 325i SULEV View My Garage	Haha okay, thanks guys. Also, with installing new side markers, should I use silicone or some adhesive on the back? The new ones seem to wiggle around a bit. __________________

12-25-2012, 02:12 PM	#5
dmax Stay stock my friends! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Unit I Posts: 21,157 My Ride: '99 328i 1.03809 mu View My Garage	Get yellow bulbs, and I'm sure you're running illegally. White is for reverse afaik. A signal needs to be red or amber so as not to blind the person watching you signal. __________________ This huge woman, like 400 pounds comes up to me and says, "Doug, I would rock your world." I replied, "but I need to breathe." The girl in my sig:http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...highlight=dmax

12-25-2012, 02:16 PM	#6
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19,908 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	Get OEM side markers, trust me. As for the bulbs I had them like that for two years, then I went to amber bulbs for some contrast. __________________ Follow my cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=987217 Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide

12-25-2012, 02:24 PM	#9
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19,908 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	Mine turned yellow and wouldn't hold into the fender for crap. OEM is perfection. __________________ Follow my cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=987217 Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide

12-25-2012, 02:29 PM	#12
JT 330CI Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 14 My Ride: BMW 2003 330CI View My Garage	I wanted to do this too, someone give me a link to the white bulbs for 03 330 please.

12-25-2012, 03:28 PM	#17
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19,908 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	I got mine from ecs __________________ Follow my cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=987217 Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide

12-25-2012, 03:33 PM	#18
TerraPhantm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mountain Top Posts: 4,841 My Ride: 2005 M3 Coupe View My Garage	I think white is okay in the front in most states. Though I've always preferred amber. OEM housings generally come with new bulbs anyway. I'd get them from Turner or ECS, whichever is cheaper

12-25-2012, 03:55 PM	#19
Zell Wears carbon fiber boxers Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 3,694 My Ride: 330Ci ZHP 6sp View My Garage	I've seen both white and red turn signals before. Hondas come to mind when I think of red turn signals. Get stealth bulbs if you want the white look but amber color. __________________ E46Fanatic's resident mathemagician

12-25-2012, 04:53 PM	#20
eneka Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,364 My Ride: 2003 325i View My Garage	I wouldn't reccomend chrome bulbs with depo corners. They WILL melt. Even regular orange bulbs will melt them. If you really want to preserve them you can always code your car to have the side markers to not come on when your headlights are on to minimize heat...but of course it's illegal in the US. __________________

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