I just had to run because a late model BMW (smaller SUV style) turned unexpectedly into the side street I was crossing.
I was on the verge of giving him the finger for making an un-indicated turn and expecting everyone to get out of the way. when I saw that his indicator was indeed flashing.
It just had a ridiculous design for the front indicators that makes them basically useless as a signal to anyone else on the road.
Just a tiny dull strip of an indicator light, about 1cm high x maybe 6 or 7cm long, VERY dull, and hidden in the lumps and bumps of the main headlamp case.
Bizarre design, as I thought it was in everyone's interests that indicators are as bright as possible, and as easy to see as possible? But no doubt the car has Driver Brain Override and eight safety stars.
gph1961,
Sep 2, 5:17pm
Yes. I find the design not meeting my expectation as fit for purpose.
tamarillo,
Sep 2, 5:19pm
Had to look twice to see them on quite a few new cars and SUVs. On the bike it’s extra scary
saxman99,
Sep 2, 5:27pm
Did you get the plate? As a BMW driver there is no excuse for using the indicator, I am duty-bound to report him to the committee so that he can be re-issued with a Toyota immediately.
bellbird01,
Sep 2, 5:43pm
BMW drivers huh, internationally renowned for lack of indicator use ability. Looks like your eyesight let you down in this instance richardmayes.
slarty45,
Sep 2, 6:32pm
The Break My Wallet light cluster designer might have been on permanent night shift.
marte,
Sep 2, 6:57pm
The indicators are on the left hand side of the steering wheel. It makes them bloody difficult to use.
I think all Euros & cars comming into NZ should have the indicators on the right hand side of the steering wheel stalk.
poppy62,
Sep 2, 7:51pm
I have the same issue with Japanese cars, having the indicator switch on the right side of the column, I think they should all be on the left side.
skiff1,
Sep 2, 8:51pm
so every jap car with the windshield wipers in the same place? Are they difficult to use too?
dublo,
Sep 2, 10:31pm
I too have encountered cars with front indicators which are difficult to find, let alone see flashing (when their drivers can be bothered to use them), because of their small size, being almost hidden or otherwise lost amongst the ugly front styling of many current vehicles.
rbd,
Sep 3, 1:08am
If you can't cope with the indicators on the other side you should not be driving.
marte,
Sep 3, 4:01am
Its a bit difficult negotiating a round about & indicating while changing gears & pushing the clutch & using the accelerator all at the same time without looking like Ginger Baker.
That's why primarily right hand drive cars have their indicator stalk on the right hand side of the steering wheel. & Euros on the left.
gblack,
Sep 3, 7:23am
I noticed some newer models also turn off one side of the front white LED running lights when turning, which looks a bit strange; like the car is winking.
My pet hate though is not BMWs, which just don't indicate, but US vehicles which don't have separate indicators on the rear; they just blink one tail-light/brake light. When following one, takes me a few seconds to work out that they are actually indicating a turn rather than just a dodgy brake light.
pauldw,
Sep 3, 7:41am
All well and good turning off the DRL but that doesn't help when it's the headlight that is masking the indicator.
If you see the highstop flashing that's more likely to be heavy braking than the vehicle is going to turn straight up😊
dublo,
Sep 3, 9:50am
My pet hate though is not BMWs, which just don't indicate, but US vehicles which don't have separate indicators on the rear; they just blink one tail-light/brake light. When following one, takes me a few seconds to work out that they are actually indicating a turn rather than just a dodgy brake light.[/quote] Why the Americans did that when they introduced flashing indicators in the 1950s (or was it 1960s?) beats me - I guess it saved 2 light bulbs at the back of each car but added complexity to the wiring circuitry. I can't recall what happened at the front of their cars, did they use the parking lights?
tgray,
Sep 3, 12:32pm
Jeremy Clarkson once said "BMW have an image problem - when was the last time you smiled at a BMW driver?
tamarillo,
Sep 3, 3:22pm
Yeah but how long ago. Didn’t he change his mind as image changed and then reserve his disdain for Audi instead? Bmw more common than fords now in Uk.
fast4motion,
Sep 3, 3:49pm
Yeah, because only c0cks drove BMW's, but five or ten years ago they all shifted to Audi. No idea where they've gone since then. But he's also often said that Fords (specifically Focus and Mondeo from memory) were superior to the equivalent, more expensive BMW. BMW's only outsell them due to image, and many would be the cheapest models bought as company cars (also due to image).
gph1961,
Nov 26, 9:03am
gone to VW
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