Installing Pre-LCI taillights on an LCI M3

[F8X]

So I have a Pre-LCI M3 and have someone with an LCI M3 who likes the Pre-LCI taillights better and wants to trade up. I know this is a rare thing to do so does anybody know if it’s possible or what hardware and coding is needed to go from LCI to Pre-LCI? Worst case could we just have someone swap our harnesses or would that not work?

Thanks in advance

[tanzm4_]

It should be a direct swap with the corresponding harness. You and possibly the guy you're trading with will have to get the lights coded. Look up Alex @ Alpine and he can do it remotely. It'll cost $100 and you can code in 50+ other options in one session including the tail lights.

[jzhu625]

swap the harness as well, should be plug and play. both cars would need to be coded.

[F8X]

Update: We went to swap the harnesses and unfortunately ran into a little issue. My car has a backup camera and his car doesn't so his harness was missing the extra cable for the camera so we didn't swap it. I ordered EAS's wiring harness kit but we're not sure what to do for his car now because its nearly impossible to source a Pre-LCI harness. I'm wondering if he could get away with just repining the connector for the lights on the trunk (along with whatever coding is needed)?

[jzhu625]

Originally Posted by Parmo

Update: We went to swap the harnesses and unfortunately ran into a little issue. My car has a backup camera and his car doesn't so his harness was missing the extra cable for the camera so we didn't swap it. I ordered EAS's wiring harness kit but we're not sure what to do for his car now because its nearly impossible to source a Pre-LCI harness. I'm wondering if he could get away with just repining the connector for the lights on the trunk (along with whatever coding is needed)?

oh wow, that's horrible, i'm sure you were excited and now disappointed.

[F8X]

Originally Posted by jzhu625

oh wow, that's horrible, i'm sure you were excited and now disappointed.

I got a pretty good deal on the lights so I still saved money even though I had to buy a retrofit harness kit. So as long as everything works fine once I get it wired up I'll be satisfied haha

[jzhu625]

Originally Posted by Parmo

I got a pretty good deal on the lights so I still saved money even though I had to buy a retrofit harness kit. So as long as everything works fine once I get it wired up I'll be satisfied haha

if possible, keep us posted, wonder if both cars required programming

[F8X]

Originally Posted by jzhu625

if possible, keep us posted, wonder if both cars required programming

Will do! I don't think anyone's documented what's needed to go from LCI to Pre-LCI so maybe this thread can help someone out someday

[henrylee]

Is installing pre-LCI lights a thing now?

[jzhu625]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Is installing pre-LCI lights a thing now?

isn't a thing, it's your choice if you wish and like LCI lights more.