Why No Fog Lamps On M5?

[AT LAW]

I am curious why the M5 does not have fog lights?

Does anyone have any idea why this is?

[Bönz]

BMW wants to maximize airflow to all the radiators. Even small LEDS fog lights offer some restriction. IMO, they could have squeezed them in. But Ms haven't had fog lights in many generations.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by Bönz

BMW wants to maximize airflow to all the radiators. Even small LEDS fog lights offer some restriction. IMO, they could have squeezed them in. But Ms haven't had fog lights in many generations.

^^ This

[Ex_Stig]

Honestly, living in AZ where it is never foggy, I am glad they don't put fog lights on M cars anymore.

Too many damn people drive around with them on when they don't need to be. Especially when they switch them out for the yellow dog bulbs.

Don't even get me started of the rear fog light...

[AT LAW]

Originally Posted by Bönz

BMW wants to maximize airflow to all the radiators. Even small LEDS fog lights offer some restriction. IMO, they could have squeezed them in. But Ms haven't had fog lights in many generations.

Thanks, Bonz. That sounds logical.

However, my 2015 750 M Sport also did not have fog lights. An oddity based on the luxury oriented persona of the 7 Series.

[JtheW]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

Honestly, living in AZ where it is never foggy, I am glad they don't put fog lights on M cars anymore.

Too many damn people drive around with them on when they don't need to be. Especially when they switch them out for the yellow dog bulbs.

Don't even get me started of the rear fog light...

I agree and I'm in Phoenix as well. But I must admit sometimes I do wish I had fogs just to make my car a little more visible to the idiot drivers at night.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by Bnz

BMW wants to maximize airflow to all the radiators. Even small LEDS fog lights offer some restriction. IMO, they could have squeezed them in. But Ms haven't had fog lights in many generations.

That and a design language for M models (possibly more important than airflow...). Without the fog lights the front end looks more aggressive, what the Germans call "uberhol prestige" (or "move over and let me past").

Even the M235i, M550d etc get fog lights deleted but has no extra coolers. Audi and MB does the same on their RS and AMG models.

[Bönz]

Personally, I like them. Not for fog, but their short wide throw on dark Michigan mornings help me see the road, immediately in front of my car, better. This helps me avoid pot holes and cracks that would otherwise "sneak up" on me. Especially this time of year.

And they do help out in the fog. I'll miss them a bit when I switch from the 650 to the M5, but then I'll just hit the gas and forget.

[///M5ForWin]

I vote for the more aggressive look theory. I prefer that Ms not have fog lights because nearly every other car has them. It sets us apart.

[URBAN LEGEND]

X5M has them.

[TazOjla]

Pfft, weight reduction bro

[Bönz]

Originally Posted by TazOjla

Pfft, weight reduction bro

From BMW's technical manual:

"The bumper has been designed specifically for the M5. The lower area of the bumper reduces lift at the front axle. The PDC sensors are painted in the vehicle color. No fog lights are installed due to the large air inlets."

It's about aggressive appearance and airflow, not weight reduction. A set of LED fog lights and their supporting wires and electronics would weigh 4lbs at most.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by Bönz

It's about aggressive appearance and airflow, not weight reduction. A set of LED fog lights and their supporting wires and electronics would weigh 4lbs at most.

4lbs is a lot.... 4lbs weight saving makes car at least 0.1 second faster...(M3/M4 forum analogy ) LOL

[Ex_Stig]

Pretty sure he was being sarcastic with his comments about weight savings.

[TazOjla]

Sourced from the owners manual guys

[VR000M5]

i think the last time I had fogs on any of ///M was my e46 m3...

i find them useful on my x5 though...

[greentrbo95gst]

M's never had fog lights. Sometimes they could be useful, but i could definitely live without them. Headlights nowadays are very bright.

[ImpetuousRacer]

I'm in AZ as well. I have rear fog lights. Works great for people tailgating.

[Blackraven]

As mentioned by others, it's related to airflow and in some cases is a design implementation (at least for this car)

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

X5M has them.

Yup new X5M/X6M has them



These are LED front fog lamps and I think they look cool and they're very functional.

However, some think it's ugly because they say it sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyways to each is his/her own.


P.S.
Okay I have a semi-related question:
How come USA and Canada versions of the M5/M6 don't have rear foglamps? (yet Europe/Rest of the World has them)

US/CANADA




EUROPE/ROW/INTERNATIONAL

[steveM5-UK]

Originally Posted by Blackraven

As mentioned by others, it's related to airflow and in some cases is a design implementation (at least for this car)



Yup new X5M/X6M has them



These are LED front fog lamps and I think they look cool and they're very functional.

However, some think it's ugly because they say it sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyways to each is his/her own.


P.S.
Okay I have a semi-related question:
How come USA and Canada versions of the M5/M6 don't have rear foglamps? (yet Europe/Rest of the World has them)

US/CANADA




EUROPE/ROW/INTERNATIONAL

Man in BMW design cupboard reckons you don't get fog!

[bronch]

Originally Posted by Blackraven

...However, some think it's ugly because they say it sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyways to each is his/her own.

P.S.
Okay I have a semi-related question:
How come USA and Canada versions of the M5/M6 don't have rear foglamps? (yet Europe/Rest of the World has them)

I'm in that camp, I don't think they're necessary with todays headlight tech and the front of that thing is busy enough with yet another shape stuck in there. But, whatever. You're other question though I'm curious about, but wondering why would rear facing fog lamps be necessary at all? Other than blinding tailgaters of course.

[Bönz]

Originally Posted by bronch

why would rear facing fog lamps be necessary at all? Other than blinding tailgaters of course.

So others don't rear end you in dense fog. Probably not necessary in the US and certainly not common, but I lived in the UK for 2.5 years. Trust me, the need them.

One day the fog rolled in and it didn't roll out for three friggin days. Visibility was about 10 feet.