DIY installing LCI tail lights (Blacklines)...

[Noeone]

So I just read through all 7 pages after doing my install on my 07/09 128i and they do not work..... Only when I press the brake pedal they light up but as running lights I get nothing. Not even an error on my dash. These came off a 135i Idk what year but regardless should be a plug and play from what I've seen. So I'm guessing I need to get it coded right?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Noeone

So I just read through all 7 pages after doing my install on my 07/09 128i and they do not work..... Only when I press the brake pedal they light up but as running lights I get nothing. Not even an error on my dash. These came off a 135i Idk what year but regardless should be a plug and play from what I've seen. So I'm guessing I need to get it coded right?

What is the part number to the lights you have? I bet they are for a halogen headlight car and not a Xenon. Halogen units do not have the led light tube. The tube is there and all... it just does not light up.

[Noeone]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

What is the part number to the lights you have? I bet they are for a halogen headlight car and not a Xenon. Halogen units do not have the led light tube. The tube is there and all... it just does not light up.

Yes i realized they were for the e82 with the halogen headlights. The thing is when i bought my e82 from a dealership it came with halogen headlights. But it came with led taillights just not the lci style that everyone on this thread has. So now i figured out i got robbed twice once with not having the xenon headlights from the start, and now buying these off halogen tails off craigslist. This sucks because i even bought depos for the headlights to have the xenon look but i am not happy with them, and at the moment i dont have money to buy the oem xenons lol.

[SamiiDz]

New lights ordered!

[Initial Z32]

Subscribed, this might be my very first mod...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Initial Z32

Subscribed, this might be my very first mod...

Just go ahead and order the BMW p/n 63212225282 blackline kit. Schmiedmann or ECS both stock them. It really is a subtle but great mod. Check out page one of this thread for all the info.

[Usufruct]

So when I got my '08 135 last month, I learned here about the tail light issue I was having. I thought about haggling the dealership for replacements, but I happened upon this thread and I was sold on these beautiful tails. I ordered from Schmiedmann, and spoke with a nice guy named Peter. They shipped via Fedex on Monday, I received the package on Wednesday. Today I grabbed an 8mm socket and installed them on my lunch break.

The reason I'm posting is to thank everyone who chipped in useful info in this thread, particularly Dackelone. You folks gave me tons of confidence to order the tails and do this swap myself. Cheers!

[Dackelone]

^^looking very nice! You are quite welcome @Usufruct

You can repay me with some Vermont maple syrup! <jk> of course.

[gemini.m3]

edit: figured it out

for starters, don't try to install at night with iphone light!

[Walter K]

Here's me trying to be fancy but not working out so well. Haha. Too much glare and reflection. I'll post some better ones later. Thanks for your install guide Dack.

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

What is the part number to the lights you have? I bet they are for a halogen headlight car and not a Xenon. Halogen units do not have the led light tube. The tube is there and all... it just does not light up.

So I always wondered if I had the Blackline tails that everybody has, apparently I have them but since I drive a '12 128 with Halogens for headlights, then the LED tube of my "blacklines" do not even light up then. I always wanted to ask this here but I guess I got my answer. So has anybody here done a full swap for Xenons on a '12 or later 128? I'm talking about headlights, I know the LED blacklines can be retrofitted to a Halogen 128...

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

So I always wondered if I had the Blackline tails that everybody has, apparently I have them but since I drive a '12 128 with Halogens for headlights, then the LED tube of my "blacklines" do not even light up then. I always wanted to ask this here but I guess I got my answer. So has anybody here done a full swap for Xenons on a '12 or later 128? I'm talking about headlights, I know the LED blacklines can be retrofitted to a Halogen 128...

Yes, search in the cosmetic section. You need a new module, wiring modifications, and coding but it's been done.

[swagon]

Yes, it's been done many times. Headlights, taillights, retrofit kit and coding stuff.

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by swagon

Yes, it's been done many times. Headlights, taillights, retrofit kit and coding stuff.

Thank you for the guidance. I didn't even know that was under the Cosmetic section...
But anyway, so I now know that on a car like the one I have (2012 128), all I need are the lights themselves (headlight and taillight) and not the module to do this retrofit, is that right? Just wanted to make sure I got that correct. Will coding also be required for a car that's a 2012?

It's going to be an expensive route though, unless someone can guide me where to get slightly cheaper ones (OEM only if possible)

[$iriu$black]

Can anybody confirm that these P/N's work like a Blackline/non-blackline tail light (with the LED strip)? I am planning to get these for a 2012 BMW 128 and just want to make sure they're not the one I already have. Thanks I just can't seem to find the answer. Even ECS can't tell me...

63217273427
63217273428

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Can anybody confirm that these P/N's work like a Blackline/non-blackline tail light (with the LED strip)? I am planning to get these for a 2012 BMW 128 and just want to make sure they're not the one I already have. Thanks I just can't seem to find the answer. Even ECS can't tell me...

63217273427
63217273428

^^yes, those are the LCI (non-blackline) tail lights for xenon headlight equipped. So ya, the rear LED tubes will light up.


IF you want Blacklines... order the #282 kit, which comes as a pair of smoked tail lights. p/n 63212225282

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

^^yes, those are the LCI (non-blackline) tail lights for xenon headlight equipped. So ya, the rear LED tubes will light up.


IF you want Blacklines... order the #282 kit, which comes as a pair of smoked tail lights. p/n 63212225282

Thanks Dack! So I guess I can go this route and it will be a "bit" cheaper as they retail for $171.92 per side so a bit cheaper than the blacklines. I have a black car and not really into the blacked out look.

Now are these plug and play or does the car have to be coded?

[Sirschwag]

Just received mine from Schmiedmann now that they are back in stock...these look even better in person as you can really see the depth / 3D effect! These are a steal for a little over $300 for the set! I paid 3X this amount for Porsche LED tails and these are the same quality!

One thing I noticed is that the foam gasket wasn't fully stuck onto the light in a couple of spots (one was sticking to the plastic washer and had to be repositioned by gently lifting a section).., so be sure to examine carefully and make sure the gasket is stuck & positioned property as this could cause some leakage!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Thanks Dack! So I guess I can go this route and it will be a "bit" cheaper as they retail for $171.92 per side so a bit cheaper than the blacklines. I have a black car and not really into the blacked out look.

Now are these plug and play or does the car have to be coded?

ALL the lci lights(for xenon cars) are totally PnP and work even on US cars with halogens. The blacklines are really teh way to go though. Its hard to desribe how subtle of a difference they are... but they really make the car "pop". As Sirschwag just posted above... the Blacklines really make a difference!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

the Blacklines really make a difference!

I think the blacklines look like 3D black art in your taillights. Subtle, but somehow still awesome!

[TJ710]

Just installed today. It was a breeze thanks to the first page of the thread. Thank you!

[MaC-N54-E82]

I finally broke down and installed a set of black lines. They are as advertised subtle but very attractive. I also like the way they modernize my 2008.