BMW X3 G45
Welcome to the ultimate G45 BMW X3 community
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03-06-2026LAST POST
02-06-2026
buze wrote
I know bizzare isnt it? They look nowhere near that yellow in person tho.
That’s not surprising—this photo has the white balance set incorrectly. You can tell by the high-beam headlights, which aren’t yellow in reality but appear yellow in the photo.
The grille is illuminated in white.
An image attached to this post, provided by the poster
02-06-2026
For me they're pretty much the same. Look at the second picture here, it's the exact opposite of what was said (here grill white, headlights yellow).
02-06-2026
On all the time for us. My wife and I are motorsports fans, and we love the glowing surrounds on the BMW M Hybrid V8 prototype that races in IMSA in the USA and WEC (including Le Mans) globally.

If you look at the styling of the G45 on the whole, IMO it is clear that BMW were going for a more futuristic look. The entire interior is far more modernist than the G01. Everything from the geometric shapes to the glowing interior elements.

I'm not going to lie, my wife was absolutely shook by the new interior at first, but the more we drive the car the more she likes it.

I loved it from day one. I grew up going to the Miami International Auto Show with my dad, and I was always infatuated with the concept cars. It's always been a bit of a disappointment to me that cars haven't really leapt ahead in terms of design like I wished they would. So I'm really happy that BMW have pushed ahead with the new X3. The iconic glow kidney grill really fits with the overall modernist ethos.
02-08-2026
Without Iconic Glow, or if you have it and turn it off, unbeknownst to you, iDrive will flash Morse code for "tool" in your DRLs when driving down the street.
02-28-2026
If I turn the Iconic Glow Grill settings to off, does it also turn off any other lights?

I could be wrong, but looking at the 3D view on the LCD screen, it appears there are some rear lights that turn on when the grill turns on. It’s hard to tell. Like I said, I could be wrong. I don’t know whether the front headlights being on or off has anything to do with it.
02-28-2026
The Iconic Glow Grill illumination is linked to the rear position lights.

When the Iconic Glow Grill is switched off, only the front daytime running lights operate during daytime driving.

When the Iconic Glow Grill is switched on, both the front daytime running lights and the rear position lights are active.
02-28-2026
Have anyone successfully installed the iconic glow and made it work? I asked last year for my dealer if they can install it, then can sell me the parts for $450, but installation they are not sure if it will work.
03-05-2026
Iconic Glow grill should be called THE INTIMIDATION BEAM

Drivers in the fast lane just meekly put on their turn signal and get the hell out of my way every time I creep up on them. I'm not being aggressive, I'm not riding their ass, I just start to get closer and BOOM, they move over.

And on local roads, drivers who would otherwise dart across the road and cut me off instead have second thoughts and in an instant stay put. They think, ATTENTION BMW DRIVER APPROACHING and they bow their heads and hit the brakes.

The thing is amazing. Any of you thinking of turning it off, don't. It's got a performance value you didn't realize.
03-05-2026
Where is the switch control for the iconic Glow light?
03-05-2026
pgw85706 wrote
Where is the switch control for the iconic Glow light?
You can turn off the Iconic Glow through the iDrive infotainment system by navigating to Exterior Lighting.
03-06-2026
toddwalton wrote
Iconic Glow grill should be called THE INTIMIDATION BEAM
I can’t tell if you’re joking, but some drivers probably see it as an A-HOLE BEAM. The sad truth is not all drivers look fondly upon BMW drivers. I can easily see a Porsche driver or Mercedes driver not moving over and doing a brake check when they see the iconic grill in their rear view mirror. Everybody thinks they’re the king of the road.
03-06-2026
JoeyO wrote
I can’t tell if you’re joking, but some drivers probably see it as an A-HOLE BEAM. The sad truth is not all drivers look fondly upon BMW drivers. I can easily see a Porsche driver or Mercedes driver not moving over and doing a brake check when they see the iconic grill in their rear view mirror. Everybody thinks they’re the king of the road.
Not joking, it’s a strange phenomenon I have noticed in the first few months of G45 ownership. I wouldn’t expect a brake check as I’m not one of those people trying to be annoying by moving them out of the way by tailgating. I just drive normally, come up slowly on someone who is in front of me in the fast lane, and they just get out of the way. Certainly it is the assumption that every BMW driver is an a-hole that is creating this, and I’m fine with that.
03-06-2026
I dare say that BMW and Tesla drivers have a notorious reputation as a-holes on the road... perhaps well deserved. Well, let's see what we G45 owners can do to change that perception. Happy motoring, mates.