[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

News Bulletin: new bmw software does not play well with USA tail lights. VIC can’t code them to work without it causing loss of communication between head unit and car.

No clock, can’t adjust settings, can’t set M mode. A real cluster fuck. No pun intended.

That sounds like my worst nightmare. Did Vic have any intel on Euro's with this new software?

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

That sounds like my worst nightmare. Did Vic have any intel on Euro's with this new software?

No. Not even sure what sw update it is or what it affects. Just know that since I got my head light switch installed I had muted exhaust and when Vic recoded my tail lights I lost comms between heat unit and car.
Had dealer recode car to factory. Everything worked. Even lights but had bunch of errors. So finally got firm with Vic this morning and he coded lights. And told me the cars DME had been remapped and some other firmware. Then I went to work and found my head unit no longer was communicating but my tail light errors were gone.

He thinks it’s the new bmw SW not behaving with coding needed for tail lifhts. Mine just happen to be US spec. Not sure if coding is similar for euro.

[Mike780]

How do I get a hold of Vic?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Mike780

How do I get a hold of Vic?

What’s App
+60 12-396 9654

[Mike780]

Joe-BMW33

Thank you. What does he charge usually?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Mike780

Joe-BMW33

Thank you. What does he charge usually?

Charged me $141 over a year ago.

[Mike780]

Hey everyone, sorry just wanted to ask. I got the euro spec lights and wanted to see if there is a video to install them on a Canadian bmw m5.. or instructions.

[Mike780]

I did the install on the tail lights and for some reason the power tailgate won’t automatically close now it’s like something is blocking it. Nothing is in the way it only works if I push on it to close. Anyone ever have any issues like that?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Mike780

I did the install on the tail lights and for some reason the power tailgate won’t automatically close now it’s like something is blocking it. Nothing is in the way it only works if I push on it to close. Anyone ever have any issues like that?

Does it open from the button on the drivers door or the kick to open?

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Mike780

I did the install on the tail lights and for some reason the power tailgate won’t automatically close now it’s like something is blocking it. Nothing is in the way it only works if I push on it to close. Anyone ever have any issues like that?

Check the drip trays. Sounds like it’s binding up where the tubes run between the plastic into the trunk body.

[Mike780]

I figured it out, you have to drive it and it worked after. Maybe it was low power.. not to sure .

[eZmoney Ed]

Originally Posted by eZmoney Ed

This is a very helpful thread. Thanks to all who have contributed!

After seeing so many pictures I decided to place an order from EuroPower for “Euro Spec” Genuine BMW lights. Will reach out to Vic when I get started on this.

FYI for those looking to do this in the future.

Do not order from EUROPOWER. I placed an order 3/21 when website said “in stock”. No shipping update received after 2 weeks so I called and was assured it would ship soon. Another week and another call and same story. Then another week and another call with the same story. That was the 3rd strike in my book, called my CC company and did a chargeback.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eZmoney Ed

FYI for those looking to do this in the future.

Do not order from EUROPOWER. I placed an order 3/21 when website said “in stock”. No shipping update received after 2 weeks so I called and was assured it would ship soon. Another week and another call and same story. Then another week and another call with the same story. That was the 3rd strike in my book, called my CC company and did a chargeback.

I also can no longer endorse Abdul and his ever changing name of his company. Too many stories like this. I do not understand why he can't just tell people what the real lead time is instead of lying about stock and then going dark on people when they want to know where they are. Plus, he is selling fakes now advertised as OEM.

[eZmoney Ed]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I also can no longer endorse Abdul and his ever changing name of his company. Too many stories like this. I do not understand why he can't just tell people what the real lead time is instead of lying about stock and then going dark on people when they want to know where they are. Plus, he is selling fakes now advertised as OEM.

I’m happy with the outcome of the situation since I placed my order prior to reading about the fakes, so I’m glad I got to avoid having that hanging over my head. I guess lesson learned to just order from OEM if I decide to look into this mod again.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eZmoney Ed

I’m happy with the outcome of the situation since I placed my order prior to reading about the fakes, so I’m glad I got to avoid having that hanging over my head. I guess lesson learned to just order from OEM if I decide to look into this mod again.

I got in early with him shortly after this thread was created. I did end up getting the real deal, but the process of ordering from him and waiting was not without some agita.

[Meteor]

Does Anyone know if the lights fitment are different on a touring model? and the install is that any different too or is it basically the same.

[itzryyster]

Thanks for taking the time to post all the information. Now you have the best of both worlds. I love the pre-LCI headlights and the LCI taillights. 👍🏼

[DoubleAA]

Originally Posted by euro*

In my guide I will be installing USA/Canadian spec Red Tail Lights on USA/Canadian spec car. North American spec cars have 4 pins on inner trunk lid tail lights, while the rest of the world has 5.

Due to North American cars operating on 4 pins, you will NOT need to run 2 extra wires to the passenger footwell BDC, as that's what you might have seen in other guides out of Europe, or Asia.
(Btw running to BDC is a proper OEM way, but you can just do a shortcut, by running a wire from the inner lights, and tapping to the outer lights).

Let's Begin:

Parts that you will need:
I've bought all my parts from an eBay seller Euroactive. Shipping was fast and they replied to msgs almost instantly. Do recommend!

- Outer Left tail light: 63218493813
- Outer Right tail light: 63218493814
- Inner Left tail light on the trunk: 63218493819
- Inner Right tail light on the trunk: 63218493820

- Trim panel water channel Drip rail Left: 63218493821
- Trim panel water channel Drip rail Right: 63218493822
- Tail light finisher, trunk lid, Left: 51499448943
- Tail light finisher, trunk lid, Right: 51499448944



Attachment 2541774

Attachment 2541775

Tools that you will need:
- Tack Lifter screwdriver
- Plastic panel removal tool
- Ratchet with 10mm socket
- 1.2mm flat head screwdriver

Attachment 2541779

Lets begin on inner trunk lid tail lights:

With trunk open start by removing 8 Expanding rivets:

Attachment 2541780

Unlock the bracket for Warning Triangle. Remove the bracket by unlocking 2 clips:

Attachment 2541785

With the panel removal tool, unclip and then disconnect the trunk lid opening/closing controls:

Attachment 2541793

Attachment 2541794

Remove the 2 hinge covers, they are held by 1 hidden clip, 1 visible Expanding rivet, and 2 locks:

Attachment 2541801

Pull the Felt liner towards you, and then there will be 4 more hidden clips towards the edge of the trunk:

Attachment 2541802

Remove the 2 covers on the side of the trunk (they cover the side of the lights. Start from the bottom, and work your way up to the clip:

Attachment 2541803

Unplug the inner tail lights, and remove the 3 10mm Hex nuts on each. Carefully replace with LCI tail lights:

Attachment 2541804

Now we need to re-arrange the pins on the inner tail light connectors.

Unlock the clip on the side of the connector:

Attachment 2541805

To release each one of the wires from the connector, insert the small screwdriver into the smaller hole to release the pin lock:

Attachment 2541811

Here is the way the connectors should look like:

Original Left connector:
Pin 1: Blue/red stripe
Pin2: Empty
Pin3: Brown
Pin4: Yellow/Black stripe
Pin5: Empty
Pin6: Yellow/Brown Stripe

Original Right connector:
Pin1: Blue/White stripe
Pin2: Empty
Pin3: Brown
Pin4: Yellow
Pin5: Empty
Pin6: Blue/Black Stripe

Re-arranged Left connector for LCI tail lights:

Pin 1: Empty
Pin2: Yellow/Brown Stripe
Pin3: Yellow/Black stripe
Pin4: Empty
Pin5: Blue/red stripe
Pin6: Brown

Re-arranged Right connector for LCI tail lights:

Pin1: Empty
Pin2: Blue/Black Stripe
Pin3: Yellow
Pin4: Empty
Pin5: Blue/White stripe
Pin6: Brown

Now let's get to the outer tail lights.

Pull back the weather stripping, and remove the drip rails on both sides. Start from the windshield and work your way down. The drip rails are held on 2 clips:

Attachment 2541812

Lift up the carpet and remove from the car:

Attachment 2541813

Remove 4 Expandable rivet clips from the Loading Sill cover:

Attachment 2541814

Pull back the weather stripping around the Sill cover and lift it up. It has another 4 hidden metal clips holding it:

Attachment 2541815

On each side of the trunk, remove 3 Expandable rivet clips:

Attachment 2541816

On each side, release the round clip around the hinges and lift it up and away:

Attachment 2541817

Attachment 2541818

Now you can carefully move the trunk trim to the side on both sides, to get to the outer tail light 10mm Hex nut and the connector. Remove the nut and unplug the connector:

Attachment 2541819

Remove 2 more 10mm Hex nuts on both outer tail lights:

Attachment 2541820

Now you can install LCI outer tail lights instead, and secure them with the same 10mm Hex nuts.

On outer tail lights, you do not need to do any rearrangements of the pins. They are plug-and-play.

CODING:

I didn't do coding myself. I used Vick from fb.com/bimmercoder or www.bimmercoder.com . His whatsup: +60 12-396 9654 I highly recommend him.

From my understanding nobody has reported on getting these USA red lights to work properly on USA cars before me. We spent hours and hours with different variations. My lights finally work 100% function wise, and no errors: Turn signals, brakes, running lights, hazards, LED reverse lights, all work.

What is NOT working, are the Welcome Lights (the lights that go ON for the first 15 seconds when you unlock your car). Those i had to turn off in my iDrive settings, otherwise they can cause issues if you start your car before they go off.

Hopefully somebody will figure out the Welcome Lights, and I will update this guide. So far from what I've seen, installers/coders in USA are all struggling to get those to work.

Here are the final results:

Attachment 2541825

Attachment 2541826

Here is also a video of how they are functioning:

I hope this guide will be helpful to others! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Awesome video looks great !!

Couple questions:

1) what years is your M5

2) just to confirm those tail lights look exactly like OEM, and have the same SKU and part number as BMW OEMs ??

3) and also where did you get your diffuser? Is it compatible with a 2020 M5

Thanks

DoubleAA

[DoubleAA]

Originally Posted by GTATX

Another retro done. Thanks to Euro and Vick. On the other hand my car somehow in USA had 5 wires vs 4 for inner tail lights. Could have ordered euro version as car was already wired for it.

Nice M ..
What year and is your diffuser compatible with the 2020 M5 ??

DoubleAA

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by DoubleAA

Nice M ..
What year and is your diffuser compatible with the 2020 M5 ??

DoubleAA

All diffusers are interchangeable.

[MikeHoncho47]

On an LCI car, is it possible to just swap in euro lights for the orange blinker or will it require similar coding and rewiring as on a pre Lci car?

[SeatownF90]

Bruh, I bought the plug and plays from Bimmerplug before I read about them and saw this thread. Wish I researched a little more