Angel eyes (or crown rings as BMW calls them) are a very distinguishable feature on 21st century BMWs. Angel eyes are simply an optical fiber that surrounds the headlight projector or reflector housing that receives power from a light at the start of the system. This revolutionary type of lightweight style was unheard of at the time and completely changed the game for the better. While these lights were originally used as nighttime running lights with the headlamps, they became the standard daytime running lights on newer BMW models. These crown rings not only serve a functional purpose, but are also visually appealing and give BMW vehicles their unmistakable appearance.
Angel eyes were first introduced on the BMW 5-series platform starting with the E39 in 2001. Early variants weren’t nearly as bright by today’s standards, but when they were first introduced, it was quite the feat. incredible. The original lights were powered by an incandescent halogen bulb. Due to the success of the E39, BMW began including its angel eyes on all of its newer BMW models; this includes E82/E87 1 Series, E90/E91/E92/E93 3 Series, E60/F10 5 Series, E63/E64/F12/F13 6 Series, E38/E65/E66/E67/E68/F01/F02 7 Series and much more. The original function of the angel eyes was used as parking lights or city lights, so they were only on when the headlights were on at night. However, starting with the LCI facelift of many of the BMW models, the rings were also standard daytime running lights.
The original method of light production used an incandescent filament halogen bulb, but on newer BMW 3 Series models, the crown rings are illuminated with LED lights. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are noticeably brighter than their incandescent counterparts. They are also much more reliable and can potentially outlast the car in terms of operational use. Brighter lights equal better safety because they allow you to be seen more easily by other drivers on the road during less-than-pleasant lighting and weather conditions. LED angel eyes are also better at producing fewer emissions thanks to their low power consumption, making it a greener technology as well as being bright. As lighting technology advances, BMW may even start using laser technology to illuminate the rings more brightly, but for now this is the current and latest trend in automotive lighting.
It’s only been 12 years since the introduction of BMW crown rings, but progress has been made within that time frame and continues today. Technology in general has been growing at an exponential rate and there are no signs of slowing down in the future, so only time will tell what the newest lighting technology will be. BMW definitely found its signature look in these crown rings and it has definitely stuck with them because when you envision a BMW driving towards you, all you see are those infamous rings of light.