[MarkSCD]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Yup, most people do. It's path of the least resistance and you stay 100% in the trunk. I went with option 1, but that's because my installer preferred to "do it right". Their words not mine. They only charged me $300 for the entire install. It was worth it to me. I have no problem with wiring, but I didn't feel like ripping apart my trunk and breaking clips.

Hi Joe, where did you order your tail lights and who's your installer?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by MarkSCD

Hi Joe, where did you order your tail lights and who's your installer?

Got them here:
https://mpowermotorsports.org/produc...c-genuine-bmw/

My installer is a little far for you, but here it is:
https://www.bavarianperformancegroup.com/

Good luck, it's a very impactful modification.

[oilandgas]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Got them here:
https://mpowermotorsports.org/produc...c-genuine-bmw/

My installer is a little far for you, but here it is:
https://www.bavarianperformancegroup.com/

Good luck, it's a very impactful modification.

I ordered the euro spec lights today from the vendor suggested by Joe and will have coded by Vic (if he is still doing this). Finding a shop to do the install & run the extra wire is problematic. Anyone know anyone in the DC area? I'd rather not have to drive to Boston

[peteinpa]

I have a guy in the Philly area for the install if your interested.

[oilandgas]

Originally Posted by peteinpa

I have a guy in the Philly area for the install if your interested.

Sure, can he also run the additional wire?

[I3LaZeN]

Originally Posted by oilandgas

I ordered the euro spec lights today from the vendor suggested by Joe and will have coded by Vic (if he is still doing this). Finding a shop to do the install & run the extra wire is problematic. Anyone know anyone in the DC area? I'd rather not have to drive to Boston

Why didnt you just get the non-oem ones for a cheaper price and no coding needed?

[oilandgas]

Originally Posted by I3LaZeN

Why didnt you just get the non-oem ones for a cheaper price and no coding needed?

I worry about the quality and longevity of non-OEM parts

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by oilandgas

I worry about the quality and longevity of non-OEM parts

Same here, for a matter of $400 bucks, the BMW OEM bring peace of mind. The coding really isn't a huge issue. More and more coding tools are building in the coding. Re-pinning the wires at the connector is a one-time trivial process.

That said, I can see the attractiveness of the Chinese knock-offs to people.

[I3LaZeN]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Same here, for a matter of $400 bucks, the BMW OEM bring peace of mind. The coding really isn't a huge issue. More and more coding tools are building in the coding. Re-pinning the wires at the connector is a one-time trivial process.

That said, I can see the attractiveness of the Chinese knock-offs to people.

Yea I mean I purchased the USA OEM tails but this was prior to seeing any aftermarket versions of it.

You save on the install and coding and it all works (EU Version)

To each their own though, totally understandable on the reliability and longevity concerns. Be sure to dig this thread up in like 3 years to keep those posted, whoever has the aftermarket versions lol.

I guess if you plan on keeping the car, go OEM, but if you plan on selling/trading in within a few years, go aftermarket.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by I3LaZeN

Yea I mean I purchased the USA OEM tails but this was prior to seeing any aftermarket versions of it.

You save on the install and coding and it all works (EU Version)

To each their own though, totally understandable on the reliability and longevity concerns. Be sure to dig this thread up in like 3 years to keep those posted, whoever has the aftermarket versions lol.

I guess if you plan on keeping the car, go OEM, but if you plan on selling/trading in within a few years, go aftermarket.

Very valid points here. Let's talk in three years. I think we have three people here that have installed the knock-offs all in the last 10 days. I am dying to see them in person, but unlike you, even if they were available when I did mine, I would still go OEM. Been there and done that on aftermarket BMW lighting.

So they look like a great copy aesthetically, but the unknown is will they take on water AND how long will the they last? I light or strip of lights dies in these and $650 out the window.

I am not trying to be a Debbie downer or rationalizing my OEM purchase, I am genuinely rooting for these guys, because the look of the LCI tails transforms the car.

[I3LaZeN]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Very valid points here. Let's talk in three years. I think we have three people here that have installed the knock-offs all in the last 10 days. I am dying to see them in person, but unlike you, even if they were available when I did mine, I would still go OEM. Been there and done that on aftermarket BMW lighting.

So they look like a great copy aesthetically, but the unknown is will they take on water AND how long will the they last? I light or strip of lights dies in these and $650 out the window.

I am not trying to be a Debbie downer or rationalizing my OEM purchase, I am genuinely rooting for these guys, because the look of the LCI tails transforms the car.

Yea I have no issues with what i paid. Im good with mine. I personally dont like the amber strip which is why i went with the US version. Like keeping it all looking uniform. Also good with my entire tail along with the strip flashing.

[540iSUP]

I too wonder about the aftermarket lights. When I was working on my E36, about 10 years ago, I had sourced some OEM Euro tails and front side markers. I think one of the tabs was broke on one of the front side markers so I went on eBay and picked up a replacement. The replacement wasn't stamped by BMW, but they were DOT legal and the quality was comparable to OEM. You could tell the difference, but it was very miniscule.

[oilandgas]

What's the operational difference between running another wire or doing the jumper method for the Euro LCI tail light retrofit? Do you lose any functionality by going with 1 method versus the other?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by oilandgas

What's the operational difference between running another wire or doing the jumper method for the Euro LCI tail light retrofit? Do you lose any functionality by going with 1 method versus the other?

No difference, both methods accomplish the same thing. Jumper is easier, you stay in the trunk 100%.

[oilandgas]

Does anyone have a picture (or diagram) on the correct wiring configuration using the jumper method?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by oilandgas

Does anyone have a picture (or diagram) on the correct wiring configuration using the jumper method?

It's pretty straight forward. After rearranging the pin assignments on the inner connectors, pin 4 inner will be empty. Run the jumper wire from Pin 4 inner to pin 1 outer which is not empty, so you have to splice in. Most people use a T splice to tap in.

[m7mad]

I have noticed something weird after installing these LCI lights, whenever I wash the car with engine off when i try to start it up it doesnt start, only i hear something clicks in engine bay and screen flashes but doesnt start, I get "battery very low" and "rain closure not possible" messages. tried to charge the batteries still didnt work, it only starts with a jump starter. Anyone have this issue?

[oilandgas]

Thanks Joe !

[oilandgas]

I had the Euro LCI tails lights installed on my 2020 M550 today. I purchased them from Abdul and had them installed at the local BMW dealer. I gave the dealer instructions from 1 of the other threads in this forum that showed the re-wiring of the pins. I had the car coded by Vic for the LCI tail lights.

The dealer technician told me he did not need to do any wire jumping as noted in some of the other posts (nor did he run a new wire in the car).

I don't have any errors and everything 'seems' to work fine but I just have 1 question - is the amber turn signal strip supposed to also go all the way across the lighting strip (above the reverse light)? If yes, does the jumper wiring (or lack there of in my case) have something to do with why it isn't working all the way across for me?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by oilandgas

I had the Euro LCI tails lights installed on my 2020 M550 today. I purchased them from Abdul and had them installed at the local BMW dealer. I gave the dealer instructions from 1 of the other threads in this forum that showed the re-wiring of the pins. I had the car coded by Vic for the LCI tail lights.

The dealer technician told me he did not need to do any wire jumping as noted in some of the other posts (nor did he run a new wire in the car).

I don't have any errors and everything 'seems' to work fine but I just have 1 question - is the amber turn signal strip supposed to also go all the way across the lighting strip (above the reverse light)? If yes, does the jumper wiring (or lack there of in my case) have something to do with why it isn't working all the way across for me?

Yes! It's supposed to light up on both. That's why you need the jumper or a wire from the BDC. See my post above to you (#126), the jumper on Pin 4 outer is the turn signal and is specifically run to pin 4 inner to cause it to blink when the outer does. I am not quite sure how your guy missed this. It's a bitch to take it all apart again.

[oilandgas]

Thanks Joe. As the jumper needs to go from the outer plug all the way to the inner plug, what length and gauge wire would you suggest? I'm going to go buy it and just have it for him.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by oilandgas

Thanks Joe. As the jumper needs to go from the outer plug all the way to the inner plug, what length and gauge wire would you suggest? I'm going to go buy it and just have it for him.

18-20 gauge should be fine. 20ft I think will be fine, but measure from your outer tail to the bottom of the back window times 4 (up and back left, up and back right). You will need two terminals for the inner plug and two T-Splice taps for the outer to tap into the existing wire on pin #1.

This thread is long, but this is well covered if you scroll back. You should find part numbers for the terminals (dealer will have these) and the T-splices people bought off amazon and the wire.