E87 tail light change

[arthurtwp]

Hey guys, so sorry. But I looked for yonks and could not find an answer.

Have an E87 130i pre LCI.

Picked up a plug and play LED tail light from Mars Performance. Was hoping to do the swap myself as have spent a reasonable amount recently doing a SSK install.

Anyone knows where I could find a guide?

[Curare86]

Originally Posted by arthurtwp

Hey guys, so sorry. But I looked for yonks and could not find an answer.

Have an E87 130i pre LCI.

Picked up a plug and play LED tail light from Mars Performance. Was hoping to do the swap myself as have spent a reasonable amount recently doing a SSK install.

Anyone knows where I could find a guide?

I will be back next weekend if you want a hand

[arthurtwp]

Haha Simon, sent you a msg on Facebook.

[flinchy]

i'm sure i found a guide last time i did it, can't seem to now

it's super straight forwards

basically:

open the boot

remove the black lip trim piece that's directly in the middle

lay the seats flat

remove the false floor tray thing

undo everything attached to the trim (the black plastic trim around the baby seat mount etc.)

pull the trim off

then the tail light has 3 bolts, 8mm socket IIRC.

[arthurtwp]

Whoa Flinchy, cheers man. Gotta go see I need to get the interior removal tool then I guess? and the 8mm socket tool thing, jus raided the toolbox.. don't have it. haha

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by arthurtwp

Whoa Flinchy, cheers man. Gotta go see I need to get the interior removal tool then I guess? and the 8mm socket tool thing, jus raided the toolbox.. don't have it. haha

interior removal tool?

.. hands? :P.. (i take it you mean the plug remover? something slim and flat, or good fingernails, work well unless you have one easy and cheap to purchase)

oh, yeah, and um... hold on i'll go check..

the black plastic bit that goes with the seat mount requires a T40 torx bit/tool of some sort (supercheap should have them, or any reasonable hardware store)

once that's out though, the trim just pulls out (sorta.. wedged in)

you CAN do it without fully removing the trim.. but it's (for the E87) a bit harder... i've done it, not worth the twisting and swearing and you'll lose one of the nuts and have to take it off anyway.

and **important** if you don't make sure the surface the rubber gasket bit is going back on is perfectly clean, and all the nuts are done up completely.. water willl leak in to the drivers side wheel well

if you have PDC, this will make it stop working... (note: happened just before i got the car, PDC died first rain..)

ED: it's similar to http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4660

except without all the push in clips for the side trims, and without quite as easy access.

if you stick your head in the back and look around a bit with some light, you should be able to see most of what needs doing

[arthurtwp]

Haha noted the PDC warning.

:S

Will take extra care. Come tomorrow sunrise will have a look at the regional anatomy and see if I can sort it out.. And get that tool. haha

[JHS130]

Hi Arthur, here is how I did mine (there is a link to a guide too but in German)

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=730693

Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to help you out! But be warned: putting the boot lining back in may just make you go crazy

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by JHS130

Hi Arthur, here is how I did mine (there is a link to a guide too but in German)

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=730693

Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to help you out! But be warned: putting the boot lining back in may just make you go crazy

did you actually find out what CODING has to be done?

the whole swap confuses me.. you have to tap a wire off the number plate lights to light up the LED strips?

but you also have to code it for... something??

[arthurtwp]

Haha. Thanks eh. I saw that guide earlier and the whole wiring thing confuses me too.

Actually copped out and bought a direct plug and play. Dont think its as pretty as the LCI ones but at least its not halogen.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=151116654658

[arthurtwp]

Originally Posted by flinchy

i'm sure i found a guide last time i did it, can't seem to now

it's super straight forwards

basically:

open the boot

remove the black lip trim piece that's directly in the middle

lay the seats flat

remove the false floor tray thing

undo everything attached to the trim (the black plastic trim around the baby seat mount etc.)

pull the trim off

then the tail light has 3 bolts, 8mm socket IIRC.

By the way. Love you first step there flinchy

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by arthurtwp

By the way. Love you first step there flinchy

can never be too thorough hah

it was more to keep the frame of reference direct :P