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      03-15-2019, 02:47 PM   #1
MichalM240i
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VIDEO: Give your pre-LCI tail lights new life! LED bulb swap

Hey guys,

for about a year I was toying with an idea of swapping my pre-LCI tail lights for LCI ones. I didn't like the shape but loved that instant LED response.
I ended up giving my pre-LCI tail lights new life with full LED bulb swap. It looks stunning and I like it way more than LCI lights (but that's of course subjectiv).


Last edited by MichalM240i; 03-15-2019 at 02:54 PM..
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      03-21-2019, 12:48 PM   #2
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What steps did you have to follow for coding?

Looks great!
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      03-22-2019, 12:39 AM   #3
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What steps did you have to follow for coding?

Looks great!
I've used Bimmercode. So actually just buying OBD2 dongle and downloading the app
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      03-22-2019, 08:51 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichalM240i View Post
Hey guys,

for about a year I was toying with an idea of swapping my pre-LCI tail lights for LCI ones. I didn't like the shape but loved that instant LED response.
I ended up giving my pre-LCI tail lights new life with full LED bulb swap. It looks stunning and I like it way more than LCI lights (but that's of course subjectiv).

Nice video
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      03-22-2019, 03:29 PM   #5
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(Subscribed for later review)
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      03-22-2019, 04:03 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Climate Changer View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichalM240i View Post
Hey guys,

for about a year I was toying with an idea of swapping my pre-LCI tail lights for LCI ones. I didn't like the shape but loved that instant LED response.
I ended up giving my pre-LCI tail lights new life with full LED bulb swap. It looks stunning and I like it way more than LCI lights (but that's of course subjectiv).

Nice video
Thanks!
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      03-22-2019, 09:27 PM   #7
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Looks good. Nice work!
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      03-24-2019, 01:56 AM   #8
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Looks good. Nice work!
Thanks!
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      03-27-2019, 09:15 PM   #9
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Can you post pictures of the specific bulbs you used.
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      03-29-2019, 09:14 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matrixhunter View Post
Can you post pictures of the specific bulbs you used.
Don't have picture, but here are specs of bubls I bought:

Rear turn signal: two pieces, 1156, 7506, BA15s (amber)
Rear Brake lights: six pieces, 1156, 7506, BA15S, (red)
Rear Backup lights: two pieces,1156, 7506, BA15s (white)
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      07-22-2019, 09:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichalM240i View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by matrixhunter View Post
Can you post pictures of the specific bulbs you used.
Don't have picture, but here are specs of bubls I bought:

Rear turn signal: two pieces, 1156, 7506, BA15s (amber)
Rear Brake lights: six pieces, 1156, 7506, BA15S, (red)
Rear Backup lights: two pieces,1156, 7506, BA15s (white)
What modules/options did you need to code for support of those bulbs?
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      10-29-2019, 09:04 PM   #12
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      12-05-2019, 06:12 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sisyrx View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichalM240i View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by matrixhunter View Post
Can you post pictures of the specific bulbs you used.
Don't have picture, but here are specs of bubls I bought:

Rear turn signal: two pieces, 1156, 7506, BA15s (amber)
Rear Brake lights: six pieces, 1156, 7506, BA15S, (red)
Rear Backup lights: two pieces,1156, 7506, BA15s (white)
What modules/options did you need to code for support of those bulbs?
Not 100% sure, I used cheat sheet from F30 forum where somebody posted exact modules for coding out cold light check etc. Bimmercode has, I believe, option for "LED bulbs". That should code out everything you need
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      01-27-2020, 01:09 PM   #14
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I'm about to order. I love how the amber LED rears look more amber thru the red lens. I hate having red turn signals.

I thought for the brakes I would get white LEDs since the white thru the red lens would be brighter. But now that I see your video you're using red LEDs and they look like they match the color of the OEM filament white bulbs. Anyone have a comment on RED led brake bulbs vs WHITE led brake bulbs effecting brightness and color?
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      01-27-2020, 01:26 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrboMike View Post
I'm about to order. I love how the amber LED rears look more amber thru the red lens. I hate having red turn signals.

I thought for the brakes I would get white LEDs since the white thru the red lens would be brighter. But now that I see your video you're using red LEDs and they look like they match the color of the OEM filament white bulbs. Anyone have a comment on RED led brake bulbs vs WHITE led brake bulbs effecting brightness and color?
Well, I don't have personal experience, but white LED's under red plastic will defenitelly give you more pink-ish color than using red ones. But give it a try, it's not hard to swap those bulbs and actually from Aliexpress they don't cost a fortune. Actually I got myself new turn signals from aliexpress since I didn't like how "flat" these were. So I got ones to match my front turn signals which are amber LED's.
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      01-27-2020, 03:53 PM   #16
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What does flat mean? Not fill up the whole lens?
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      01-27-2020, 09:27 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichalM240i View Post
Well, I don't have personal experience, but white LED's under red plastic will defenitelly give you more pink-ish color than using red ones. But give it a try, it's not hard to swap those bulbs and actually from Aliexpress they don't cost a fortune. Actually I got myself new turn signals from aliexpress since I didn't like how "flat" these were. So I got ones to match my front turn signals which are amber LED's.
I am looking to do this mod too. Would you mind telling me which model you got for the front signals? I think they're 1157 but I'm just not sure. Thanks in advanced.
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      02-10-2020, 02:37 PM   #18
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I just all my bulbs on 2017 M240 (pre LCI):

Front size you want PY21W (also called BAU15S). These are the same as 7507 except the two pins are 150 degrees apart instead of 180degrees.

This is the exact bulb I bought for the front:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are 3 brake bulbs and one emergency/secondary brake bulb(used as fog in euro cars), one turn signal, and one reverse PER SIDE. The 3 brake bulbs, the turn signal, and reverse are all 1156. The secondary brake bulbs is H21W. I used red for the brake bulbs because I was told the brighter white LED will make the brakes look pink that you need red to keep them a dark red. I tried using amber for the rear turn hoping it would look for yellow (I hate red turn signals) but it looks red anyway so I should have just put red in there. So you will need FOUR red 1156 (3 brake, one turn), one white 1156 (reverse) and one red H21W (secondary brake) per side.

Here are the exact red 1156 I bought (two per order):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is the red H21W:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is the white 1156:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Before you order, remember I have a 2017 so make sure yours are not different. Also I have bimmercode so did not care about the cold or warm flashing checks. Some of these bulbs are listed as "cambus friendly" so without coding they might or might not flash, I dont know.
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      02-11-2020, 09:27 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrboMike View Post
I just all my bulbs on 2017 M240 (pre LCI):

Front size you want PY21W (also called BAU15S). These are the same as 7507 except the two pins are 150 degrees apart instead of 180degrees.

This is the exact bulb I bought for the front:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are 3 brake bulbs and one emergency/secondary brake bulb(used as fog in euro cars), one turn signal, and one reverse PER SIDE. The 3 brake bulbs, the turn signal, and reverse are all 1156. The secondary brake bulbs is H21W. I used red for the brake bulbs because I was told the brighter white LED will make the brakes look pink that you need red to keep them a dark red. I tried using amber for the rear turn hoping it would look for yellow (I hate red turn signals) but it looks red anyway so I should have just put red in there. So you will need FOUR red 1156 (3 brake, one turn), one white 1156 (reverse) and one red H21W (secondary brake) per side.

Here are the exact red 1156 I bought (two per order):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is the red H21W:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is the white 1156:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Before you order, remember I have a 2017 so make sure yours are not different. Also I have bimmercode so did not care about the cold or warm flashing checks. Some of these bulbs are listed as "cambus friendly" so without coding they might or might not flash, I dont know.
Thank you TrboMike!

This makes it a whole lot easier to decide which ones to order! Awesome!

I have BimmerCode so I will be coding them all out and not worry if they're Canbus or not.

I have a 2016 (June 2016 build) so I don't see it really being that big of a difference from 2017 considering the LCI was 2018+
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      02-12-2020, 09:48 AM   #20
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Mine have now been in 5 days and zero issues, but did you see this post:
https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1693641

This guy bought the same front LEDs that I did, and he's having flickering issues. So maybe see if he resolves his problem before you order?
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      03-26-2020, 07:08 PM   #21
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thanks for sharing. what instructions did you use?
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      03-27-2020, 12:33 AM   #22
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Quote:
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thanks for sharing. what instructions did you use?
Hope it came useful. Actualy, the only thing I used was on board manual since you can find bulb type as well as instructions for changing them.
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