Fog lights etc - new game
17 January 2000, 02:07 PM
#31
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Dave,
No this was a couple of weeks ago, on the M25 J22-23'ish, and it was definitely an M3 new shape EVO, and it was very quick, but he was driving like a, a, a sorry cant think of a word to describe him that i can type on here
No this was a couple of weeks ago, on the M25 J22-23'ish, and it was definitely an M3 new shape EVO, and it was very quick, but he was driving like a, a, a sorry cant think of a word to describe him that i can type on here
17 January 2000, 02:48 PM
#32
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Ian
Yeap that's the one and he was driving like a %&$£*/ until he saw me in his mirror. I was driving a dark blue Omega (company hire shed) . Very funny car everybody thinks your a police car
Yeap that's the one and he was driving like a %&$£*/ until he saw me in his mirror. I was driving a dark blue Omega (company hire shed) . Very funny car everybody thinks your a police car
17 January 2000, 03:15 PM
#34
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I think the fog light problem will only get worse as more and more cars get front fogs as standard. Unfortunately too many drivers do not seem to realise what they are for - and use them as driving lights (education program required). What would you rather have - driving lights or fogs? For the number of times I have been out in very poor visibility and needed fogs I think decent driving lights would be much more useful.
17 January 2000, 03:35 PM
#35
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I tried to test drive a BMW before I got the Scooby.
"You don't need a test drive sir its a BMW!"
You have to go fast. Its the only way to get the dealers ***** out of the tailpipe.
"You don't need a test drive sir its a BMW!"
You have to go fast. Its the only way to get the dealers ***** out of the tailpipe.
17 January 2000, 05:09 PM
#37
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Cheers JJones, i was too busy trying to negotitate the heavy traffic to take his reg number, one of the reasons i remember the car so vividly is the way he was driving it, total disregard for other road users, in almost stationary traffic, dodging in and out of lanes etc.I use that stretch of road quite a bit and will be keeping my eyes peeled for him next time though.
17 January 2000, 06:31 PM
#38
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..I think Mr Clarkson summed it up in his video `Head to Head`. BMW`s......Driven by tossers. Thats why I sold mine !!!!
On a more serious note if the rear windscreen de-mist de activates when the engine is switched off then why cant this be done to Fog lights????
On a more serious note if the rear windscreen de-mist de activates when the engine is switched off then why cant this be done to Fog lights????
17 January 2000, 10:25 PM
#39
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Mate of mine got pulled on Sunday by Herts Police (Legacy 4 cam), he had front fogs on in a 2am mist, they let him go but told him it is now a 3 point offence - is that true??
David
David
18 January 2000, 09:53 AM
#40
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I actually think that the Scoob looks very cool with only it's side and fog lights on.
So much so that I've put lesser power bulbs in mine.
I've had no trouble so far, and let's face it, it's not foggy that often, and when it was the fogs don't do much.
Stef.
[This message has been edited by Stef1 (edited 19-01-2000).]
So much so that I've put lesser power bulbs in mine.
I've had no trouble so far, and let's face it, it's not foggy that often, and when it was the fogs don't do much.
Stef.
[This message has been edited by Stef1 (edited 19-01-2000).]
18 January 2000, 10:31 PM
#42
I agree with Stef1 (is this a new Stef - or have you got married and changed your name ). I think the Scoob looks cool with the fogs on. I get the opportunity to use them as driving lights escaping from work in the dark down a country lane. I usually turn them off on the main road. I'm not sure how bright they are as standard for oncoming road users. - Any comments ?
Mick
). I think the Scoob looks cool with the fogs on. I get the opportunity to use them as driving lights escaping from work in the dark down a country lane. I usually turn them off on the main road. I'm not sure how bright they are as standard for oncoming road users. - Any comments ?Mick
18 January 2000, 11:58 PM
#44
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My impreza is the first car I have had with fogs on, I found the problem with having them on in the dark is that you have too much visibility.
Sounds odd, but if you think about it you do not want to know what is 5m in front of you or off to the sides as this is just distraction. You have all the information you need from your headlights, and anything shown up by your foglights has already shown up in your headlight beams.
All the above only applies in clear conditions of course.
p.s. I also reckon that a lot of the imprezas driving around with front fogs on are doing so by mistake as the switch is very easy to hit by mistake
Sounds odd, but if you think about it you do not want to know what is 5m in front of you or off to the sides as this is just distraction. You have all the information you need from your headlights, and anything shown up by your foglights has already shown up in your headlight beams.
All the above only applies in clear conditions of course.
p.s. I also reckon that a lot of the imprezas driving around with front fogs on are doing so by mistake as the switch is very easy to hit by mistake
19 January 2000, 10:59 AM
#46
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Sorry John, I'm dead serious.
May sound completely bonkers to some of you, but I really do like the look of the Scoob at night with just sidelights and fogs on.
Besides, it's my car so 'pluuuuuuuuuuuuup!'
Stef.
PS Mick. It's still me, but now I'm just 'Stef'!
[This message has been edited by Stef (edited 19-01-2000).]
May sound completely bonkers to some of you, but I really do like the look of the Scoob at night with just sidelights and fogs on.
Besides, it's my car so 'pluuuuuuuuuuuuup!'
Stef.
PS Mick. It's still me, but now I'm just 'Stef'!
[This message has been edited by Stef (edited 19-01-2000).]
19 January 2000, 11:35 AM
#47
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Stef,
You're right - it is your car. So you'll be happy to a) take the rap for driving illegally at night (and during the day with fog lights on when it's not foggy) and b) put up with people flashing you to say you have your fog lights on/no dip beam!
Dave
Oh, and not being able to see where you're going at night. I'm sure the parents on this list will be more than happy to agree that your car looks really cool with side lights and fogs as you mow down their kids because you haven't seen them!
You're right - it is your car. So you'll be happy to a) take the rap for driving illegally at night (and during the day with fog lights on when it's not foggy) and b) put up with people flashing you to say you have your fog lights on/no dip beam!
Dave
Oh, and not being able to see where you're going at night. I'm sure the parents on this list will be more than happy to agree that your car looks really cool with side lights and fogs as you mow down their kids because you haven't seen them!
19 January 2000, 01:46 PM
#48
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So why can't I turn the spot/fog lights off.
Full beamed my mate and he nearly hit me.
What is BMW a TLA for?
Brakes? Mine Work! For the M3 that nearly ran into me ...
He had his fogs on too!
Full beamed my mate and he nearly hit me.
What is BMW a TLA for?
Brakes? Mine Work! For the M3 that nearly ran into me ...
He had his fogs on too!
19 January 2000, 01:58 PM
#49
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Police were out recently stopping all "light offence" cars at the bottom of the A33 recently - great venue as this is the end of the M3. Also had a speed gun.
They were pulling all with fog light on and defective fronts.
No tickets though, just helping them find the switch.
Was waiting for a friend so watched this for a while. One copper had a visibility jacket on and the other just uniform.
Stopped about 10 light offenders in 10 minutes, mostly front fogs.
Stopped about 2 people for speeding.
2 speeding drivers failed to stop at all but then if you are speeding and a copper jumps out its all a bit late (80+ in a 40 you've got no chance).
Great to see the lights being turned off, but no tickets...
They were pulling all with fog light on and defective fronts.
No tickets though, just helping them find the switch.
Was waiting for a friend so watched this for a while. One copper had a visibility jacket on and the other just uniform.
Stopped about 10 light offenders in 10 minutes, mostly front fogs.
Stopped about 2 people for speeding.
2 speeding drivers failed to stop at all but then if you are speeding and a copper jumps out its all a bit late (80+ in a 40 you've got no chance).
Great to see the lights being turned off, but no tickets...
19 January 2000, 02:10 PM
#50
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Johnfelstead,
Think you may have misunderstood me, I HATE cars driving around with front fogs on. I have in fact now replaced mine with PIAA driving lights I was merely pointing out that as well as looking silly, they are also a distraction.
Think you may have misunderstood me, I HATE cars driving around with front fogs on. I have in fact now replaced mine with PIAA driving lights
I was merely pointing out that as well as looking silly, they are also a distraction.
19 January 2000, 04:43 PM
#51
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Hey, no fair BM owner bashing when there's no one to defend them. We all know that it's quite common for owners to suffer from some inferiority complex , but has anyone considered that the lights on the 3 series are crap ? Hence the need to switch the fogs on ?
Not just restricted to 3 series either. The idiot who road tested my car at the last service left them switched on (on a clear day), so I got plenty of angry drivers flashing their lights on the way home. Anyone find the fog light switches obscured by the steering wheel so they can't see the lights ?
Or am I the only short scooby owner ?
Not just restricted to 3 series either. The idiot who road tested my car at the last service left them switched on (on a clear day), so I got plenty of angry drivers flashing their lights on the way home. Anyone find the fog light switches obscured by the steering wheel so they can't see the lights ?
Or am I the only short scooby owner ?
19 January 2000, 05:22 PM
#52
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I always thought that the sidelight + foglight craze was started by kids parading up & down high streets. They have the foglights on to attract attention (& look vaguely legal) but the headlights off so that it's easier for people to see into the car to see who's driving.
But I could be wrong...
But I could be wrong...
19 January 2000, 06:10 PM
#53
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Errrr......Dave & co.
Why would I get stopped for illegal use of fog-lights when they are no brighter than my headlights on dip?
I always have my lights on unless it's sunny, as it is safer in my opinion, and as I've said they serve no real purpose in fog anyway.
I've never been flashed, and they are never on at the same time as my headlights (unless there are no cars around). It's mainly through town, when headlihghts are not legally required anyway, only sidelights are.
I agree with everything you say about other users (BM's, etc) and it is annoying.
I just think the Scoob looks nice with ONLY sides and spots on, which is why I put lower wattage bulbs in.
Stef.
Why would I get stopped for illegal use of fog-lights when they are no brighter than my headlights on dip?
I always have my lights on unless it's sunny, as it is safer in my opinion, and as I've said they serve no real purpose in fog anyway.
I've never been flashed, and they are never on at the same time as my headlights (unless there are no cars around). It's mainly through town, when headlihghts are not legally required anyway, only sidelights are.
I agree with everything you say about other users (BM's, etc) and it is annoying.
I just think the Scoob looks nice with ONLY sides and spots on, which is why I put lower wattage bulbs in.
Stef.
20 January 2000, 04:00 AM
#55
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I read with wry amusement the technique for dealing with contemptuous BMW drivers - summarised as "draft 'em at 5 feet, then switch on the PIAAs and burn their f*ckin' retinas out." Amused mainly because if you tried that in the States - California, specifically - you'd probably get a bullet in the head (if not the PIAAs). Imprezas make you invincible, but not *that* invincible .
Having once owned a BMW, and disliking the association with people who drive the same make of car selfishly with foglights on, I can appreciate the hate. The opprobrium and generalisations were factors in deciding not to replace the BMW with another, even though I was perfectly happy with its engineering integrity - about the only thing it shares with a Subaru. (Though perhaps I should have had enough strength of character not to worry about what other people - often very dull people who don't know me from Adam - thought of me.) Similarly though, now I drive a Subaru I don't want to be thought of as a passive-aggressive individual who, from the safety of his chariot, drafts at 5 feet and then tries to blind anyone who doesn't measure up to their own exacting standards. I would maybe try a flash of the front fogs or rear fogs as I passed to indicate the problem.
A common behaviour is that many people who switch foglights as soon as fog appears forget to switch them off again. VW (I believe) has a system that mechanically switches off all foglights when you switch the lights off. Perhaps this ought to be copied more (starting with BMW) ?
Andy T
.Having once owned a BMW, and disliking the association with people who drive the same make of car selfishly with foglights on, I can appreciate the hate. The opprobrium and generalisations were factors in deciding not to replace the BMW with another, even though I was perfectly happy with its engineering integrity - about the only thing it shares with a Subaru. (Though perhaps I should have had enough strength of character not to worry about what other people - often very dull people who don't know me from Adam - thought of me.) Similarly though, now I drive a Subaru I don't want to be thought of as a passive-aggressive individual who, from the safety of his chariot, drafts at 5 feet and then tries to blind anyone who doesn't measure up to their own exacting standards. I would maybe try a flash of the front fogs or rear fogs as I passed to indicate the problem.
A common behaviour is that many people who switch foglights as soon as fog appears forget to switch them off again. VW (I believe) has a system that mechanically switches off all foglights when you switch the lights off. Perhaps this ought to be copied more (starting with BMW) ?
Andy T
20 January 2000, 06:24 AM
#56
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Oh, as for hutton_d's game... 1-0-0. The car was a purple BMW M3 convertible, sitting in rush-hour traffic in the blazing sunshine (Sydney). You'll be happy to know I acted in the civic interest by pointing this out to the driver in front of as many pedestrians as I could orchestrate .
Andy T
.Andy T
20 January 2000, 09:45 AM
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Please make a distinction between BMW drivers and the cars themselves.
I own an E30 M3 and a have a Subaru Impreza Turbo on order and like them both because of the racing/rallye history.
Driving with fog lights has nothing to do with the car itself.
Just my opinion,
Adwo
I own an E30 M3 and a have a Subaru Impreza Turbo on order and like them both because of the racing/rallye history.
Driving with fog lights has nothing to do with the car itself.
Just my opinion,
Adwo
21 January 2000, 12:59 AM
#58
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STEF old boy.. You are committing a construction and use offence whilst driving with your fog lights on and it isnt foggy. It doesnt matter that you have lower power bulbs in,you still commit the offence. The reason being is that the fog light lens is not constructed to deflect the light away from oncoming drivers eyes ( like your headlights) and hence you run the risk of being stopped and given a ticket. If you have lowered the power of the bulbs sufficiently to stop `dazzle` to oncoming car drivers, what is the point of having them on in the first place ?
Still its your choice but it gives Mr Plod a reason to stop you when normally they my not have done.
Kris
Still its your choice but it gives Mr Plod a reason to stop you when normally they my not have done.
Kris
21 January 2000, 10:23 AM
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Well, last night, I saw the ultimate extension of the fog/driving lights debate. Pulling out of a petrol station (again ) a silver 5 door Scooby went past with its fog/driving lights on, but no headlights and <I>no sidelights</I>!!
At first, I couldn't even tell the make of the car as it looked so odd with just the fogs on. After pulling out behind him, I deliberately took a detour just to get ahead again and take another look. Sure enough, just the fogs/driving lights.
Not bad looking, quite menacing, especially as I think that the Scooby sidelights look somewhat old-fashioned up against modern single-unit headlights.
) a silver 5 door Scooby went past with its fog/driving lights on, but no headlights and <I>no sidelights</I>!! At first, I couldn't even tell the make of the car as it looked so odd with just the fogs on. After pulling out behind him, I deliberately took a detour just to get ahead again and take another look. Sure enough, just the fogs/driving lights.
Not bad looking, quite menacing, especially as I think that the Scooby sidelights look somewhat old-fashioned up against modern single-unit headlights.
21 January 2000, 01:58 PM
#60
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KRIS.
The point, as I've clearly stated, is that in MY opinion the Scoob looks good with just sidelights and spots (not fogs 'cos they're not bright) on.
They do not dazzle, so why would the Police stop me?
Fog lights are not compulsory on the front anyway, and whilst I take your point about the light deflection, they are still not as bright as my main headlights on dip.
As I've said, it's mainly for looks, you know, the same reason why people put clear indicators on, or larger exhausts on, or larger spoilers on, or...............
Stef.
The point, as I've clearly stated, is that in MY opinion the Scoob looks good with just sidelights and spots (not fogs 'cos they're not bright) on.
They do not dazzle, so why would the Police stop me?
Fog lights are not compulsory on the front anyway, and whilst I take your point about the light deflection, they are still not as bright as my main headlights on dip.
As I've said, it's mainly for looks, you know, the same reason why people put clear indicators on, or larger exhausts on, or larger spoilers on, or...............
Stef.