DIY installing LCI tail lights (Blacklines)...

[Acheron83]

Got my hands on a set of Blackline tails

Old on the right, new on the left:


Lights off:


Lights on:

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Acheron83

Got my hands on a set of Blackline tails...

The Blacklines really makes your car "pop".

[ray-ray89]

Do you still have your old ones? I need a pair one my led is out

[Acheron83]

Originally Posted by ray-ray89

Do you still have your old ones? I need a pair one my led is out

I do, but unfortunately I'm little far away from you

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ray-ray89

Do you still have your old ones? I need a pair one my led is out

You should go to a bmw dealer... while they were not recalled, there was a "service action" and you might be able to have bmw replace them for free. Its worth asking.

Or... just upgrade to the Blacklines.

[m_thompson]

I installed Blacklines from Schmiedmann on my '09 Black Sapphire Metallic 128i. Total time was about 30 minutes. Looks very nice.

[sonicbimmer19]

I just installed mine tonight, thanks David for the DIY.
Just a quick questions, how tight should the three screws be or does it even matter? I know for the third light, it matters but I just want to make sure, I wouldn't want to find my taillights cracked.
In addition, can someone further explain how to make the fitting of the taillights near perfect? Do you just kind of have to hold it as you screw the bolts on?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19

I just installed mine tonight, thanks David for the DIY.
Just a quick questions, how tight should the three screws be or does it even matter? I know for the third light, it matters but I just want to make sure, I wouldn't want to find my taillights cracked.
In addition, I noticed the fitting of the lights are not perfect, that's normal, right? What I'm talking about is gaps between the car body and the light.
Thanks guys, these lights absolutely rock.

Not too tight, bc you can damage the lights. Just snug enough to compress the rubber gasket and make sure to water test those seals.

We are probably talking like ~8 ft/lbs tightness.

[sonicbimmer19]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Not too tight, bc you can damage the lights. Just snug enough to compress the rubber gasket and make sure to water test those seals.

We are probably talking like ~8 ft/lbs tightness.

Thank you David.
I think I'll try to readjust the fitting; have my friend hold the lights for me while I screw it in or something.
weeeeeeeeeeeeee

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19

I think I'll try to readjust the fitting; have my friend hold the lights for me while I screw it in or something.

I used some pieces of a cereal box between the lights and the bumper to hold the lights in position until the nuts were tightened. Worked nicely.

[Acheron83]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I used some pieces of a cereal box between the lights and the bumper to hold the lights in position until the nuts were tightened. Worked nicely.

+1. Exactly what I did

[sonicbimmer19]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I used some pieces of a cereal box between the lights and the bumper to hold the lights in position until the nuts were tightened. Worked nicely.

Thank you for the tip, I really appreciate it. I shall try that method right now..

edit: the fitting is not perfect, but much better than before. Brilliant idea, I didn't think pieces of cargo box would hold it up haha.

On a side note, I noticed the far side wires on each side of the lights face opposite of each other. For example, the wire on the left taillight faces down and the wire on the right taillight faces up. If someone is bored, you can check this and let me know if that's normal. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter but just found it odd

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19

On a side note, I noticed the far side wires on each side of the lights face opposite of each other. For example, the wire on the left taillight faces down and the wire on the right taillight faces up. If someone is bored, you can check this and let me know if that's normal. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter but just found it odd

On mine the left one was the same as the original, the right one was upside down from the original.

[sonicbimmer19]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

On mine the left one was the same as the original, the right one was upside down from the original.

Cool, thanks for letting me/us know! seems like that's normal.

[Venom]

Thanks for the DIY! Just finished this install myself! Woo-hoo!

[sparkyblue]

I agree!

Thanks for the DIY. Just did this install myself. Probably the easiest mod yet haha.

[johngrossi]

I can't wait for my blacklines!

[new2the3]

Which seals are you referring to check for water proofness?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by new2the3

Which seals are you referring to check for water proofness?

The black foam seal that seals the tail lights to the car body. If the tail light is not tight enough... water can leak into the car. Also make sure the rubber flap/seal of the tail light is routed correctly to "deflect" water around the trunk seal.

[new2the3]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The black foam seal that seals the tail lights to the car body. If the tail light is not tight enough... water can leak into the car. Also make sure the rubber flap/seal of the tail light is routed correctly to "deflect" water around the trunk seal.

Thank you Dack,

Do you have an up close picture of this area - the rubber flap/seal of the tail light is routed correctly to "deflect" water around the trunk seal.

I just got my blacklines installed today and I think they are good to go but I just want to make sure the water will be deflected before I go for a car wash!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by new2the3

Thank you Dack,

Do you have an up close picture of this area - the rubber flap/seal of the tail light is routed correctly to "deflect" water around the trunk seal.

I just got my blacklines installed today and I think they are good to go but I just want to make sure the water will be deflected before I go for a car wash!

Page 1 of this thread...

[new2the3]

From the very top of the tail light rubber/plastic mine doesn't sit very "molded to the surface." They are positioned right but it can be pulled up / not perfectly flat. I guess that is normal.