Dark Smoke Front Lights

Irishace · 06-02-2010, 08:43 PM

Folks, I really want to apply a dark smoke lens film to my front lighting but was curious if it was legal. I have done my tail lights but was wondering if I would have any issues with the fuzz for dark smoking the front lighting.

Dackelone · 06-02-2010, 08:52 PM

Won't that cut down your headlight's output by atleast 20% less? Why???

Looks are one thing but I want to see where I am going! Or... about to hit!

Irishace · 06-02-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Won't that cut down your headlight's output by atleast 20% less? Why???

Looks are one thing but I want to see where I am going! Or... about to hit!

It should have little to no impact on the lighting output.

Dackelone · 06-02-2010, 09:31 PM

The French use to have YELLOW tinted lights as OE. Until some smarty found out they cut down the light output by a whopping 20%! That is why (I think) they no longer require yellow tint in thier country.

mshahidz · 06-02-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The French use to have YELLOW tinted lights as OE. Until some smarty found out they cut down the light output by a whopping 20%! That is why (I think) they no longer require yellow tint in thier country.

Thats because its the colour yellow

I have never really read/heard about anything regarding headlight tinting...ive seen some SUPER dark ones in the past...i think you should go with something around 50%...i think thats approx what JRB135's car has...check it out

mshahidz · 06-02-2010, 10:47 PM

im feeling charitable today:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370642

edit: look slike he used the tinting sprays....but regardless, i would think thats close to 50%

M3Newbie88 · 06-03-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohammadz

im feeling charitable today:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370642

edit: look slike he used the tinting sprays....but regardless, i would think thats close to 50%

Correction he mentions grey tint from Modbargins.. just go to any tint shop and get it done.. even my amber gones are from a tint shop.. cheaper and better fit...

Irishace · 06-03-2010, 06:10 PM

TY as always guys!

ianc · 06-04-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

It should have little to no impact on the lighting output.

Can you explain your reasoning behind that?

ianc

CPI · 06-04-2010, 07:07 PM

I have done a light smoke on my lights, but its on an e92. Light output hasn't changed much.

Here are some links
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365291

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381793

ianc · 06-04-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Light output hasn't changed much

It's all relative to how you define 'much', isn't it?

If, for example, you used a 30% tint film on the headlights, then that means 30% of the light would be transmitted through the film, thus reducing light output by 70%. Granted, you probably won't use a 30% tint, but isn't reducing the output of your headlights the slightest bit just for looks rather a silly idea?

Engineers have a breakthrough and develop Xenon headlights with a much higher light output than Halogens to improve your night vision and safety, and you put a tint on it to look cool. To me, this immediately falls into the 'dumb human tricks' category, but hey... it's your car and your life. Unless you hit someone else at night because you can't see that is...

ianc

CPI · 06-04-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianc

It's all relative to how you define 'much', isn't it?

If, for example, you used a 30% tint film on the headlights, then that means 30% of the light would be transmitted through the film, thus reducing light output by 70%. Granted, you probably won't use a 30% tint, but isn't reducing the output of your headlights the slightest bit just for looks rather a silly idea?

Engineers have a breakthrough and develop Xenon headlights with a much higher light output than Halogens to improve your night vision and safety, and you put a tint on it to look cool. To me, this immediately falls into the 'dumb human tricks' category, but hey... it's your car and your life. Unless you hit someone else at night because you can't see that is...

ianc

Thanks for the lecture! Appreciate your 2 cents

ianc · 06-04-2010, 08:03 PM

Sorry man, not trying to be an ass; I just think it's a very bad idea is all.

Someone had to say something and make an intervention...

ianc

Irishace · 06-04-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianc

Sorry man, not trying to be an ass; I just think it's a very bad idea is all.

Someone had to say something and make an interention...

ianc

Not sure what an interention is but I am guessing it is meant to be helpful. I appreciate your concerns but I think I will take my chances on a light smoking to dull down the ambers or just dark smoking the amber area.

untouchableE82 · 06-08-2010, 01:03 AM

i wouldnt tint out the headlights completely . i have pictures on facebook i did it before. looks good but you can barely see anything. trying to see street names in the dark is really hard with the tint on the front headlights.

Garduna · 06-08-2010, 01:44 PM

I was thinking of doing it myself but you know what, safety comes first.

Irishace · 06-08-2010, 07:49 PM

Yep, I will just be smoking out the amber corners only. Thanks for the help everyone.

06-02-2010, 08:43 PM	#1
Irishace ElevenPointFive 326 Rep 2,450 Posts Drives: E90 335 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Dark Smoke Front Lights Folks, I really want to apply a dark smoke lens film to my front lighting but was curious if it was legal. I have done my tail lights but was wondering if I would have any issues with the fuzz for dark smoking the front lighting. __________________ 2008 E90 335xi - N54 Daily Driver MHD Stage 2+ ~ CPE DPs ~ BMS Intake ~ AMS FMIC
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06-02-2010, 08:52 PM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Won't that cut down your headlight's output by atleast 20% less? Why??? Looks are one thing but I want to see where I am going! Or... about to hit!
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06-02-2010, 09:31 PM	#4
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	The French use to have YELLOW tinted lights as OE. Until some smarty found out they cut down the light output by a whopping 20%! That is why (I think) they no longer require yellow tint in thier country.
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06-02-2010, 10:47 PM	#6
mshahidz Major 129 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: M4, 991 GT3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	im feeling charitable today: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370642 edit: look slike he used the tinting sprays....but regardless, i would think thats close to 50% __________________ JRZ RS2 \| Capristo \| Eisenmann \| Volk Racing TE37SL \| Endless Brakes \|
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06-03-2010, 06:10 PM	#8
Irishace ElevenPointFive 326 Rep 2,450 Posts Drives: E90 335 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	TY as always guys! __________________ 2008 E90 335xi - N54 Daily Driver MHD Stage 2+ ~ CPE DPs ~ BMS Intake ~ AMS FMIC
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06-04-2010, 07:07 PM	#10
CPI 403_e39 137 Rep 1,809 Posts Drives: 2003 ///M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 E92 335 [0.00]	I have done a light smoke on my lights, but its on an e92. Light output hasn't changed much. Here are some links http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365291 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381793 __________________ \|\|KWVI Coilovers\|\|Matte Black Grille\|\|28% Tint\|\|Iforged Daytona\|\|19X8 19X10\|\|H&S Exhaust\|\|Exotics Tuning Lip\|\|Slimmbones Rear Diffuser II\|\|AngelIBright V3 Angel Eyes\|\| Fog light covers\|\|UUC RK6 Shift Knob\|\|
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06-04-2010, 08:03 PM	#13
ianc Ex '87 Carrera 246 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Redwood Shores, California iTrader: (0)	Sorry man, not trying to be an ass; I just think it's a very bad idea is all. Someone had to say something and make an intervention... ianc __________________ "I will tell you there is a big difference between driving money and driving blood, sweat and tears." - PorscheGuy79 "I got 328 loaner and was impressed with performance. It feels much faster than my 135i." - MOCKBA Last edited by ianc; 06-04-2010 at 09:01 PM..
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06-08-2010, 01:03 AM	#15
untouchableE82 1Addict, and Proud 88 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 2008 modified 135i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	i wouldnt tint out the headlights completely . i have pictures on facebook i did it before. looks good but you can barely see anything. trying to see street names in the dark is really hard with the tint on the front headlights. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] the old look: bmw performance http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299703 the new look: Widebody 135i http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...98#post7686798
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06-08-2010, 01:44 PM	#16
Garduna Brigadier General 160 Rep 4,013 Posts Drives: Sedona 1er\|Yellow S3\|NardoTTRS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	I was thinking of doing it myself but you know what, safety comes first.
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06-08-2010, 07:49 PM	#17
Irishace ElevenPointFive 326 Rep 2,450 Posts Drives: E90 335 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Yep, I will just be smoking out the amber corners only. Thanks for the help everyone. __________________ 2008 E90 335xi - N54 Daily Driver MHD Stage 2+ ~ CPE DPs ~ BMS Intake ~ AMS FMIC
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