[euro*]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

Even if you can get one that is untested by you just link to it and add a disclaimer. In my case I have coded before with inpa/edibas but not bimmercode so it probably wouldn't be much different, just need to know the codes, process, and expected outputs

Yes ofc, that's what I meant

[emulajavi]

Thank you for this great DIY. Very informative!

[Poochie]

Nice mod..

Usually, I would opt for the Euro/ROW version of the taillights, so I could get a separate amber turn signals but in this case, the standard shared turn signal and brake lights looks way more noticeable and distinctive.

US Spec taillights FTW

[lporschef10m5]

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.

Thank you much... very informative

[vcx]

Originally Posted by leeadam

i know in uk we have the slim yellow indicator on ours rather than flashing brake light for turn signal, dunno if that is why i dont get any issues?? ps they dont pulse, its just video speed on bad camera

What is the color of your car? it's gorgeous!

[BeeMdblU]

Originally Posted by vcx

What is the color of your car? it's gorgeous!

it's donington grey

[JDiaz]

Thanks for the amazing write up.

I just purchased a set from M Power Motorsports. Abdul is my go to guy for huge savings on products. Got the entire kit for $1100.00. Can’t wait to install it.

[leeadam]

Originally Posted by vcx

What is the color of your car? it's gorgeous!

actually not Donnington grey its called Singapore Grey

[PARTS@STBMW]

Fantastic thread!

[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.

[euro*]

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.

Wow you got this done QUICK! I remember last week you were just ordering parts!

Looks great

[GTATX]

Originally Posted by euro*

Wow you got this done QUICK! I remember last week you were just ordering parts!

Looks great

Yes sir

[bmw.p]

Did this in late August last year, my welcome lights and everything works perfectly. We just needed to get rid of the random brake light malfunction errors. Other than that everything works perfectly.

[GTATX]

Originally Posted by bmw.p

Did this in late August last year, my welcome lights and everything works perfectly. We just needed to get rid of the random brake light malfunction errors. Other than that everything works perfectly.

Do u have euro or US lights? If US could u explain ur install and coder info. Thanks

[SG_E90]

Originally Posted by CarFreak

Have you tried this and have it working?

This is the proper coding to be done for the retrofit of LCI Tails.

If you'd like assistance coding the headlights reach out to Code My Euro.

[euro*]

Originally Posted by SG_E90

This is the proper coding to be done for the retrofit of LCI Tails.

If you'd like assistance coding the headlights reach out to Code My Euro.

Please show us a video of a successfully coded F90 LCI tail lights with everything working including welcome lights (USA lights coded with European sequence does not count).

If I'll see that, then I'll reach out to your coder ASAP.

[GTATX]

Originally Posted by SG_E90

This is the proper coding to be done for the retrofit of LCI Tails.

If you'd like assistance coding the headlights reach out to Code My Euro.

Same here need USA lights coded properly with welcome lights. Bunch of us with us specs light have them working flawlessly except welcome lights. If that can be done please let us know.

[CarFreak]

I reached out to the coder and he is confident about getting it to work. I'm supposed to do it around tomorrow.

[euro*]

Originally Posted by CarFreak

I reached out to the coder and he is confident about getting it to work. I'm supposed to do it around tomorrow.

Sounds good, please let us know how it all goes.

[mrsensei45]

Wow what color is this (blue-is) M5?

Originally Posted by leeadam

good detailed write up, i paid a coder to do mine...looked too complex lol, i however get zero issues with my welcome lights? but such a good mod on pre lci.

[renmar]

Thanks for the guide! Great help for others!

[G maniac]

Originally Posted by euro*

Sounds good, please let us know how it all goes.

Any luck on the coding of US rear taillights