[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Silverstone would definitely be my color of choice. The denim stains are overblown. I have a close family member with a g80 with silverstone merino- leather cleaner once every month is more than enough to keep it looking good as new, same as my ivory nappa.

Thanks, good to know! I'm an OCD detailer. I pretty much treat the drivers seat now once a week, more so to keep is "lubed" so you slide in and out and minimize the abrasive sand paper effect on the side bolsters.

[Joe-BMW33]

Just got this email from my sales guy in reply to confirming Sunday. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be. Back to the love of the M550 and the Dinan Exhaust and Spring install in March (hopefully!).

It's all good. You all know how much I and We love our M550's! There is a part of me that wants to keep this car forever, keep the miles low and see it as a rare collectible on BaT some day! I know myself too well though. I'm going to set my expectations on the new 5-Series in 2024 and then maybe pick up an M5 CPO a few years after, which we all know will most likely be a 2025 car in 2027. They never release the M5 the first MY.

[Sam_M550i]

All, can we get back to the knock-off tails topic?

[Sxs1687]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Just got this email from my sales guy in reply to confirming Sunday. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be. Back to the love of the M550 and the Dinan Exhaust and Spring install in March (hopefully!).

It's all good. You all know how much I and We love our M550's! There is a part of me that wants to keep this car forever, keep the miles low and see it as a rare collectible on BaT some day! I know myself too well though. I'm going to set my expectations on the new 5-Series in 2024 and then maybe pick up an M5 CPO a few years after, which we all know will most likely be a 2025 car in 2027. They never release the M5 the first MY.

Wasn't meant to be! Next time!

Originally Posted by Sam_M550i

All, can we get back to the knock-off tails topic?

Haha, just get em Sam! You won't be disappointed!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Sam_M550i

All, can we get back to the knock-off tails topic?

Sorry Sam!! Didn't mean to hijack. I'm super interested in the eBay tail topic! Just taking a break and waiting for the next patient to order and install. YOU!!

[Sam_M550i]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Sorry Sam!! Didn't mean to hijack. I'm super interested in the eBay tail topic! Just taking a break and waiting for the next patient to order and install. YOU!!

No worries. I enjoy reading the M5 thread no doubt.

[MarkSCD]

Originally Posted by Sam_M550i

All, can we get back to the knock-off tails topic?

I'm 100% getting the LCI tail. I'm 90% leaning towards the OEM Euro spec and 10% knock-offs for the PnP aspect.
I went to my dealership to inquire about install and coding of the OEM. They asked me to send them the link to the seller/source of the OEM.

The OEM are $918.80 CAD$ and $117 shipping.
The knock-offs are $944.84 and $122.83 for import fees.

If the knock-offs cost were 50-60% of the OEM then I'd probably lean that way considering I'm getting an I4 M50.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Keep throwing money at depreciating assets?

My car goes in on Monday for the Dinan mid exhaust install so hopefully they'll have an answer for me regarding install and coding.

[Sxs1687]

Originally Posted by MarkSCD

I'm 100% getting the LCI tail. I'm 90% leaning towards the OEM Euro spec and 10% knock-offs for the PnP aspect.
I went to my dealership to inquire about install and coding of the OEM. They asked me to send them the link to the seller/source of the OEM.

The OEM are $918.80 CAD$ and $117 shipping.
The knock-offs are $944.84 and $122.83 for import fees.

If the knock-offs cost were 50-60% of the OEM then I'd probably lean that way considering I'm getting an I4 M50.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Keep throwing money at depreciating assets?

My car goes in on Monday for the Dinan mid exhaust install so hopefully they'll have an answer for me regarding install and coding.

Wait what? Why are the knock offs that much? They cost me $689 total.

[Joe-BMW33]

As promised for a reference point, some close ups of Euro OEM. A little dusty for me. Last two pics are comparisons. Top OEM, bottom knock off.

[RonronEG]

So the Amazon product is the exact same kit everyone has received so far from eBay- that's the good news. Bad news is that there are definitely quality control issues with these lights. I'll keep it brief:

1. Water gaskets were all over the place- poor placement, rolled over itself, not adhered, etc. Easily rectified but you really do need to take notice.

2. I got three pristine lights but the passenger inner had a couple defects I would not live with. At one of the injection sites there was a white spackling in the black portion of the light that was within the plastic molding not at surface. This same defect appeared on the light elsewhere.

3. One of the drip rails did not line up perfectly on the inner light. I compared with the other side which fit perfect.

4. These things may scratch extremely easy. Almost like the black gloss portion of the PS5. Makes me a touch nervous.

I'm sure plenty of people will order and get perfect kits. I'm going to get an exchange and try one more time before abandoning the aftermarket product and going OEM. Do your due diligence examining your product before getting started. My silver lining is I noticed the issues on the first side and decided to stop. Had I started in the other side it would've been extremely annoying.

Any questions, ask away.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by RonronEG

So the Amazon product is the exact same kit everyone has received so far from eBay- that's the good news. Bad news is that there are definitely quality control issues with these lights. I'll keep it brief:

1. Water gaskets were all over the place- poor placement, rolled over itself, not adhered, etc. Easily rectified but you really do need to take notice.

2. I got three pristine lights but the passenger inner had a couple defects I would not live with. At one of the injection sites there was a white spackling in the black portion of the light that was within the plastic molding not at surface. This same defect appeared on the light elsewhere.

3. One of the drip rails did not line up perfectly on the inner light. I compared with the other side which fit perfect.

I'm sure plenty of people will order and get perfect kits. I'm going to get an exchange and try one more time before abandoning the aftermarket product and going OEM. Do your due diligence examining your product before getting started. My silver lining is I noticed the issues on the first side and decided to stop. Had I started in the other side it would've been extremely annoying.

4. These things may scratch extremely easy. Almost like the black gloss portion of the PS5. Makes me a touch nervous.

Any questions, ask away.

If you haven't boxed them up yet, can you take some quality pictures similar to the ones I posted above of mine? I think the knockoffs are a pretty damn good copy, but I can see some differences in quality of the materials and the clearness of the lenses. The thin black border around the edge is also not a sharp cut or transition. Can you include a picture of the imperfections you referenced?

Glad you went Amazon Prime. A lot easier than eBay.

[MarkSCD]

Originally Posted by Sxs1687

Wait what? Why are the knock offs that much? They cost me $689 total.

Those prices are in Canadian dollars from Amazon

[Sxs1687]

Originally Posted by MarkSCD

Those prices are in Canadian dollars from Amazon

Ahh ok totally missed that you said CAD.

[oilandgas]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

We will agree to disagree and as someone who has full Anti Dazzle and VLD coding enabled, I am very familiar with the law. So, in the case that you are actually right, all the better for choosing Euro tails the dealer won't retrofit in the US for some strange reason that is not associated with legalities that also come with DOT unapproved rear fogs.

Here is the link to the CFR for lighting. Amber turn signals are allowed per Table III. I also had anti-dazzle coded in my M550.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...sec571-108.xml

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by oilandgas

Here is the link to the CFR for lighting. Amber turn signals are allowed per Table III. I also had anti-dazzle coded in my M550.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...sec571-108.xml

Exciting stuff, breath taking read! This documented is a bear, so I will trust you are right and I stand corrected. However, my comments were more about the Euro OEM tails not being "legal" in the US and I am pretty sure they are not. Maybe the small size of the blinker. I have no concerns about getting an annual inspection sticker, but I do know they should not be giving me one.

Anyway, thanks.

[ResidualJinx]

Just to add to the discussion, I made an offer on the eBay lights for $575 (which are exactly the same pictures as the Amazon listing) and it was accepted outright. $610 out the door with tax.

I too preferred Amazon but couldn't justify paying an extra $120 for the same exact knock off lights. eBay does a decent job of protecting a buyer as long as refunds are allowed per the listing.

I'll try to do my part of submitting my experience and pics once they're installed. Thanks for all the early adopters on here that took all the risk giving these a shot.

[Sxs1687]

Originally Posted by ResidualJinx

Just to add to the discussion, I made an offer on the eBay lights for $575 (which are exactly the same pictures as the Amazon listing) and it was accepted outright. $610 out the door with tax.

I too preferred Amazon but couldn't justify paying an extra $120 for the same exact knock off lights. eBay does a decent job of protecting a buyer as long as refunds are allowed per the listing.

I'll try to do my part of submitting my experience and pics once they're installed. Thanks for all the early adopters on here that took all the risk giving these a shot.

Damn really? Good for you! Saved yourself some money. The guy I kept haggling with wouldn't go below 650 for me.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ResidualJinx

Just to add to the discussion, I made an offer on the eBay lights for $575 (which are exactly the same pictures as the Amazon listing) and it was accepted outright. $610 out the door with tax.

I too preferred Amazon but couldn't justify paying an extra $120 for the same exact knock off lights. eBay does a decent job of protecting a buyer as long as refunds are allowed per the listing.

I'll try to do my part of submitting my experience and pics once they're installed. Thanks for all the early adopters on here that took all the risk giving these a shot.

Nice deal! The savings you got make it even easier to take the plunge! Looking forward to your experiences.

[RonronEG]

Originally Posted by ResidualJinx

Just to add to the discussion, I made an offer on the eBay lights for $575 (which are exactly the same pictures as the Amazon listing) and it was accepted outright. $610 out the door with tax.

I too preferred Amazon but couldn't justify paying an extra $120 for the same exact knock off lights. eBay does a decent job of protecting a buyer as long as refunds are allowed per the listing.

I'll try to do my part of submitting my experience and pics once they're installed. Thanks for all the early adopters on here that took all the risk giving these a shot.

Really look the lights over for defects as well as the rails, gutters, etc. My set had some injection molding issues but the Amazon seller is so far being very reasonable getting me taken care of.

[ResidualJinx]

Tails came in, wifey thinks they look great and she took some quick pics. I'll give them a good look once I'm home from traveling and provide an update once they're installed!

[I3LaZeN]

Originally Posted by ResidualJinx

Tails came in, wifey thinks they look great and she took some quick pics. I'll give them a good look once I'm home from traveling and provide an update once they're installed!

They look amazing!
Just shared with a friend who just ordered them thru amazon as well!

[TEF]

Just curious about the tail lights from ebay and Amazon. They're described as "EU spec", so if that's the case they include red rear fog lights. If so, how does one turn these fog lights on and off? My previous F10 also had fog lights, but could be be activated with US version of lighting controls. One had to purchase a switch intended for EU cars costing over $200. The same was true for my F25 X3.