Which taillights to get?

flex_318 · 04-17-2006, 10:07 PM

I have been wondering as to what type of taillights i should buy. I have been leaning towards the O.E. clear tails although i might buy the crystal clear ones becausethey are about half the price. Im not sure so i was wondering if you guys could help me out.

**thinair** · 04-17-2006, 10:24 PM

Get OE and save yourself from all the OBC 'taillight failure' messages.

Furious · 04-17-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinair

Get OE and save yourself from all the OBC 'taillight failure' messages.

+1 Oe is the way to go

M3ti Compact · 04-17-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinair

Get OE and save yourself from all the OBC 'taillight failure' messages.

I don't think 318ti's have OBCs...and even the optional ones are to crappy to tell you that the lights have burned out.

And about the taillights...it's tough decision, depends on the colour of your car. I don't think clear tails and signals match a white car but they look HOT on a dark colour car. If your car is white, go OEM.

Justin e36 · 04-17-2006, 11:06 PM

I've had 4 different tail light styles in my car... and I settled on the crystal tails. One of the main reasons for me was how they were designed. The OEM design had those (stupid design) light bulb holders, where you plug the bulb in the holder, then twist the holder into the tail light housing.. which constantly gave me problems with bad contacts. The other reason was the fitament issues, the crystal tails were just built a whole lot better... no worries about water leaking in, or of the tail light not fitting like OEM. The third reason for me, was that I've been wanting to do the rear foglight conversion for a while, I bought the foglight switch already too.. and the crystal tails I picked up from Germany is already prewired and ready to go for this.

Crystal tails won't throw the OBC message, as the holders are hardwired unlike the knockoff OE style white/red tails, which try to follow the OE design. TI's don't have brake light circuit OBC's anyway.

With that said, it comes down to the look you're going for really. Knockoff white/red tails are usually just headaches waiting to happen... they're usually cheaply manufacturered, with only one lens (not double lensed.) The OEM red/white tails from the dealership, though they follow BMW's horrible design, are still going to present the least amount of problems for the OE look. The least chance of contacts going, burnt holders, and water leaks.

With that said, I think it depends on what other mods your car has on it... most people just do the usual e36 M3 upgrades.. in which case, I think the red/white classic look tails look better.

jboy_328 · 04-18-2006, 01:48 PM

I'm interested in getting a set like these too. Did the conclusion we came across say get the stock OEM taillights from the dealer? Are they hella expensive?

Is getting the knockoff's really that bad?

Justin e36 · 04-18-2006, 02:03 PM

Yes, stock from the dealer... but they're expensive.

And yes, knockoffs really are that bad. You're constantly babysitting them, resolving problems and what not... plus some people have fitament issues with them, where they stick out a bit and stuff.

JNSchnitzer · 04-18-2006, 03:45 PM

I just ordered smoked all around because my car is black. I ordered them from Umnitza but I'm not sure about the quality.

jboy_328 · 04-18-2006, 04:00 PM

oic then...

I'm getting clear corners and tail lights quoted from the dealer right now, man i should have just got an M3...haha lol

Corners would be the same story? just go stock?

flex_318 · 04-18-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin e36

With that said, I think it depends on what other mods your car has on it... most people just do the usual e36 M3 upgrades.. in which case, I think the red/white classic look tails look better.

You guys might have seen my Ti. It was the project Eurostyle was working on. Ill try and get some pictures to show u guys the car even though i havent finished it yet.

Justin e36 · 04-18-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNSchnitzer

I just ordered smoked all around because my car is black. I ordered them from Umnitza but I'm not sure about the quality.

Let us know about the quality.. would like to see some pics of the back before you install them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jboy_328

oic then...

I'm getting clear corners and tail lights quoted from the dealer right now, man i should have just got an M3...haha lol

Corners would be the same story? just go stock?

Actually red/white tails are not "M3 tails"... M3's came with the same yellow signals as the rest of us, but the "white lights" as the dealer calls it, was an option. It still is on newer BMW's too.

Corners I've found them all to be pretty much the same thing. Sometimes the pin on them breaks easily, but it's not really a big deal.

jboy_328 · 04-26-2006, 01:51 PM

yea i just noticed that too, I called the dealer here in london, and they are about 250 a piece. That seems pretty expensive. Has anyone seen any DIY's where u can change the amber film to clear or anything like that on the net? I figure it'd be worth trying for a 500 dollar savings.

JNSchnitzer · 05-08-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin e36

Let us know about the quality.. would like to see some pics of the back before you install them.

So after days and days of waiting, I finally just received my Umnitza smoked corners, sides and tails.

My initial thought is that they are great quality for the price.

Justin, I'll post pics of the tails later on tonight.

Joe