10
2001 model year changes
Head and Tail Lights
The head and tail lights of the 2001 E39 have received a new look, utilizing optical wave
guide technology. The wave guides are an innovation that are not only aesthetically
pleasing, but also enhance safety.
Head Lights
The front headlights have been completely redesigned, however they fit into the existing
body without any sheet metal changes. The high and low beam headlights are free-form
reflectors and no longer use the glass lenses. The turn signal has been given its own
circular lens next to the low beam.
12
2001 model year changes
Tail lights
The rear light housings have also been modi-
fied for 2001. No body changes were neces-
sary.
The LED illuminated tail lights provide an excit-
ing fresh look to the part of a 5 Series most dri-
vers on the road are familiar with.
Each tail light housing contains 4 wave guide
assemblies. At either end of the wave guides
is a printed circuit board with 4 LEDs. The
LEDs provide the illumination for the tail light
only. US models use an additional 4 LEDs in
the corner of the housing as a side marker.
On Sport Wagon models, the tail light assem-
bly is two pieces. In this case there continue
to be only two sets of LEDs; one supplying
light for each half of the housing. US models
also have two LEDs for the side marker.
The advantage to using LEDs is the longer life
span as well as lower power consumption.
The function of the LCM III remains unchanged from the previous year with the exception
that because of the LED illuminated tail lights, there is no tail light monitoring function. The
LCM III module has been updated for the new lighting features of the 2001 E39. All
replacement LCM modules will supercede to this version in the parts system and it can be
used on earlier vehicles.
1. Turn Signal
2. Wave Guide Tail light
3. Side Marker
4. Brake light
5. Reversing Light
6. Rear Fog light (Not used for US)
Four wave guides illuminated by 8 LEDs
3
1
5
2
64
Sedan left tail light housing
