LED Bulb swap for NON-LCI Tails

425M2 · 06-30-2018, 12:08 AM

Great thread, thank you. Ordered the LED lights off Amazon. Looking forward to installing them!

Update: Installed! Super easy to do, inexpensive, and look great! My kind of mod. Thanks again ChrisK!

lamh · 11-03-2019, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewc89

I own these and they work great:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Don't think they require any coding to work. I coded them in anyway just to avoid hyperflash and error messages.

Has anyone tried the BA15S of the same brand (Tuincyn) for the tails?
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0725VQZS3/..._zvQVDbV0VS6C0

I'm in Canada and they're easier to get so wondering if anyone has had any luck with them, with or without coding.

AndrewC1989 · 11-03-2019, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamh

Has anyone tried the BA15S of the same brand (Tuincyn) for the tails?
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0725VQZS3/..._zvQVDbV0VS6C0

I'm in Canada and they're easier to get so wondering if anyone has had any luck with them, with or without coding.

No, but I've had the P21W's as front indicators in both my M2 and my 328 for over a year now and have had 0 issues. For $20 I would just give them a try and see. If the front indicators are solid quality I don't see why the same brand wouldn't make a good tail light bulb.

mssVT98 · 11-05-2019, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewc89

No, but I've had the P21W's as front indicators in both my M2 and my 328 for over a year now and have had 0 issues. For $20 I would just give them a try and see. If the front indicators are solid quality I don't see why the same brand wouldn't make a good tail light bulb.

Which P21W did you use for your fronts? It looks like there are 2 variations of Amber/yellow in the amazon listing - 1156BA and 1156BAU:

https://www.amazon.com/TUINCYN-Repla...ve&sr=1-2&th=1

tenkies · 11-13-2019, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssVT98

Which P21W did you use for your fronts? It looks like there are 2 variations of Amber/yellow in the amazon listing - 1156BA and 1156BAU:

https://www.amazon.com/TUINCYN-Repla...ve&sr=1-2&th=1

You want the 1156BAU. The posts on the stock bulb are not 180 across from each other. They are offset at 150

mssVT98 · 11-13-2019, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenkies

You want the 1156BAU. The posts on the stock bulb are not 180 across from each other. They are offset at 150

Thanks! I guessed correctly.

tenkies · 11-18-2019, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssVT98

Thanks! I guessed correctly.

Glad you got the right ones. Not to make things confusing but the rear tail bulbs are not the same a the fronts. I'm pretty sure the prongs are 180 version if you're looking to change those. Also make sure to change the bulb type to LED if you have bimmercode

3t3p · 11-19-2019, 05:36 AM

my rear lights are pretty dim when reversing, I usually upgrade my cars to LED just for more light when reversing in the dark.

Is this easy to achieve/get to the rear light cluster?

tenkies · 11-19-2019, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3t3p

my rear lights are pretty dim when reversing, I usually upgrade my cars to LED just for more light when reversing in the dark.

Is this easy to achieve/get to the rear light cluster?

It's not that bad. You could probably replace them in 30 min.

mssVT98 · 11-19-2019, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenkies

Glad you got the right ones. Not to make things confusing but the rear tail bulbs are not the same a the fronts. I'm pretty sure the prongs are 180 version if you're looking to change those. Also make sure to change the bulb type to LED if you have bimmercode

Yeah, for the tails I just got the ones listed by the OP of this thread, and then the 1156BAU for the fronts. Swapped everything, coded it to LED, all good. Hardest part was probably getting the back of the taillight off, since some of the clips were a little finicky and I didn't want to break any of them.

mssVT98 · 11-19-2019, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3t3p

my rear lights are pretty dim when reversing, I usually upgrade my cars to LED just for more light when reversing in the dark.

Is this easy to achieve/get to the rear light cluster?

Yeah, getting the light cluster out was easy - just remove the two nuts, wiggle a bit to loosen it, then pull it straight out. Like I said above, the hardest part was probably getting the back of the taillight off, since some of the clips were a little finicky and I didn't want to break any of them. Ultimately I probably didn't need to worry - they don't have to move very far to unclip. I didn't even pull the wiring harness off, just swapped the bulbs and put everything back in.

lamh · 11-23-2019, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewc89

No, but I've had the P21W's as front indicators in both my M2 and my 328 for over a year now and have had 0 issues. For $20 I would just give them a try and see. If the front indicators are solid quality I don't see why the same brand wouldn't make a good tail light bulb.

thanks. I went ahead with replacing both fronts and tails and looks great. is coding necessary if I'm not getting any errors or hyperflashing or anything?

MZWIE · 12-12-2019, 09:41 AM

The issue with this is the cost. Each LED is $20.

heimbo · 03-01-2020, 07:20 PM

Just did the bulb upgrade and coded via bimmercode, but still getting a brake light malfunction for both sides. All lights seem to be working just fine. Any suggestions are appreciated.

AndrewC1989 · 03-01-2020, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heimbo

Just did the bulb upgrade and coded via bimmercode, but still getting a brake light malfunction for both sides. All lights seem to be working just fine. Any suggestions are appreciated.

The lights will work regardless of coding, the coding is just for the bulb errors. I would recode everything you changed in the tail light back to bulb and then back to LED to see if that fixes it.

heimbo · 03-01-2020, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewc89

The lights will work regardless of coding, the coding is just for the bulb errors. I would recode everything you changed in the tail light back to bulb and then back to LED to see if that fixes it.

I tried your suggestion and still getting the error. I ended up buying a set from Sirius that says it has "built in resistors" because the others were out of stock. I wonder if that could be causing this issue.

AndrewC1989 · 03-01-2020, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heimbo

I tried your suggestion and still getting the error. I ended up buying a set from Sirius that says it has "built in resistors" because the others were out of stock. I wonder if that could be causing this issue.

Definitely could be. I would try a different set.

AlpsRider · 03-02-2020, 12:08 PM

I'm not trying to be a salesman but I have 2 sets of LEDs from my M235i. I spent quite a bit of time selecting the best ones. I'd be happy to pass them on for a minimal price. They are just sitting in my garage in baggies.

heimbo · 03-05-2020, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewc89

Definitely could be. I would try a different set.

I switched to a different set by sirius and so far so good. For others, don't bother with their "anti-hyper flash" version as it's more expensive and was throwing a MIL even with proper coding.

McGary911 · 03-07-2020, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heimbo

I switched to a different set by sirius and so far so good. For others, don't bother with their "anti-hyper flash" version as it's more expensive and was throwing a MIL even with proper coding.

I went with the Sirius ones out of the gate back in 2017

and they've been perfect ever since. Super bright too. When I tap the brakes on a dark road I can see everything light up behind me.

Joaco135 · 04-14-2020, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

I'm not trying to be a salesman but I have 2 sets of LEDs from my M235i. I spent quite a bit of time selecting the best ones. I'd be happy to pass them on for a minimal price. They are just sitting in my garage in baggies.

Still have this sets? Very interested..

asciimike · 08-02-2020, 04:42 PM

Looks like Sirius no longer makes the LEDs in the link provided, and we're stuck with a choice: white + lenses (CK/EK series: https://www.siriusledlights.com/coll...ght-1156-white) or red + no lenses (KG series: https://www.siriusledlights.com/coll...light-1156-red).

What have people who have done this mod recently been using? The picture in OPs first post has me a bit scared to try the KG bulbs (no lenses), since it seems to be too diffuse and light up the interior.

The Tuincyn ones recommended wouldn't be here until sometime in October, so looking for something a little faster...

06-30-2018, 12:08 AM	#67
425M2 Private First Class 71 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M2 - Mineral Gray Join Date: May 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00]	Great thread, thank you. Ordered the LED lights off Amazon. Looking forward to installing them! Update: Installed! Super easy to do, inexpensive, and look great! My kind of mod. Thanks again ChrisK! Last edited by 425M2; 07-02-2018 at 09:00 PM..
	Appreciate 1 ChrisK4476.00 Quote

11-19-2019, 05:36 AM	#74
3t3p Major 540 Rep 1,531 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: May 2018 Location: NZ iTrader: (0)	my rear lights are pretty dim when reversing, I usually upgrade my cars to LED just for more light when reversing in the dark. Is this easy to achieve/get to the rear light cluster?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-12-2019, 09:41 AM	#79
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 406 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	The issue with this is the cost. Each LED is $20.
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03-01-2020, 07:20 PM	#80
heimbo Enlisted Member 22 Rep 40 Posts Drives: m2 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1)	Just did the bulb upgrade and coded via bimmercode, but still getting a brake light malfunction for both sides. All lights seem to be working just fine. Any suggestions are appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2020, 12:08 PM	#84
AlpsRider Brigadier General 2880 Rep 3,838 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, LBB, 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	I'm not trying to be a salesman but I have 2 sets of LEDs from my M235i. I spent quite a bit of time selecting the best ones. I'd be happy to pass them on for a minimal price. They are just sitting in my garage in baggies.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2020, 04:42 PM	#88
asciimike Private First Class 163 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	Looks like Sirius no longer makes the LEDs in the link provided, and we're stuck with a choice: white + lenses (CK/EK series: https://www.siriusledlights.com/coll...ght-1156-white) or red + no lenses (KG series: https://www.siriusledlights.com/coll...light-1156-red). What have people who have done this mod recently been using? The picture in OPs first post has me a bit scared to try the KG bulbs (no lenses), since it seems to be too diffuse and light up the interior. The Tuincyn ones recommended wouldn't be here until sometime in October, so looking for something a little faster...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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