Fitting '06 tail lights to an '03 X5

[Kev]

Having read the article in the link on the home page, I am left a little confused.

I just picked up a set or rear lights from an '06 x5 and would like to fit them to my '03 (sorry for the repeat of the post title).

The connectors are physically the same but the pinout is different. I can see from the article here http://www.xoutpost.com/pdf/X5_Rear_Light_Upgrade.pdf
that there is a wiring adapter for 2003 models but I can just move the pins to match the diagram - looks very easy.

The part that I'm confused about is the changing of the LCM.

There have been mentions on this site that the newer lights have an additional bulb in the brake light that comes on under hard braking but I can't see one, nor is there a special bulb as far as I can see. So it's just a case of different plastic as far as I can see.

Has anyone done this mod using secondhand parts (ie. just the light clusters), and did you run into problems with the LCM or check lights?

If not, then I'll stick them in tomorrow, looks like a nice easy mod for a sunday morning.

Thanks (if anyone replies).

Cheers. Kev

[Kev]

Oh well, getting used to no replies...

For anyone that is interested in doing this mod, the good news is,that it really is a half hour job

The Plugs are the same, there's no need to change the LCM, and a simple swap of one of the wires from pin 1 to pin 3 (left) 4 (right) is all thats needed either side.

Thankfully BMW have used plugs that allow you to move the pins around really easily (phew).

The plug looks like this



Unclip the white strip to reveal the pins...



Place a small screwdriver blade into the side of pin 1 to extract it...
Plug it into pin 4...
Put back the white strip..

And the rest is a doddle. Lights come out easier on the right side (3 8mm nuts). On the left side you may need to take out the CD changer to get to the nuts that side (2 minute job).

Fog/Reverse lights - even easier. Same plugs and pinout. Just three 8mm bolts and they are out too.

Whole job - honestly - half an hour.

I believe that the job may be a bit more involved on earler models as the PDF on the homepage indicates that you need to cut away at the bodywork... But then again, the same document says that I needed to change the LCM !!! Mines a June '03. Hope this is helpful to someone in the future...

Just need to figure out the front lights for myself now... I'll post the procedure up when its done...

Cheers. Kev

[UCrewX5]

thanks Kev!

[CGSTL]

Hey Kev, thanks for keeping us informed!

Why did you change out the tail lights?

[Kev]

Gonna sound a bit crazy, but - because I could

I found an entire facelift front end from an '06 3.0d Sport for $2000, and the lights were available for $100. I figured why update the front and leave the back? Admittedly, there's not much difference I don't think they are much brighter, but they look good, and "when you know - you know - right?" . I should be able to sell my old lights (they're in mint condition) and recover most of that $100.

Over here in the UK, with a private plate and a facelift, and you have (cosmetically at least), saved yourself about £3-5k, if you want a 'new-style' (read Bangle-style), beemer with all the toys.

I paid £18k for my '03 3.0d Sport with TV/NAV/Memory Seats/Saphire Black/Privacy Glass etc. Only two options that were missing were OEM Bluetooth and Folding Mirrors. I've now got the BT added for £200 (Gen 7 ULF), and folding, heated autodim mirrors for £250. So for 18.5k I got my dream car, but in the old look. But I love it !

When I was looking around, to get the same car in the new look I was looking at a minimum of £25 for a car just 6 months newer than mine. My '03 had already started to get some of the nice bits like Dakota leather and Titan trim so inside it looks mint. I know I should change the steering wheel but I much prefer mine (sport m/f with Titan trim). The new one is just damn ugly !

Anyway, It's gonna cost me £500 to paint and fit the facelift (which cost £1000), but when it's done the whole project will have cost me less than £20k and I'll have a mint condition front end which is where age usually starts to show with stone chips etc.

Crazy, maybe - happy, definately

Kev

[gunit29]

thanks bro i appreciate it i will try this out.

[Sudesh]

Good to see it worked for you! I dne this mode a little while back and done a quick post on it here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ight=Tailights