Ask a Mafioso: Taillights (Poll)

[az3579]

Welcome to another edition of Ask a Mafioso! In this episode, we're talking about what YOU think I should do with my taillights. So, up is the poll, so poll away!

Option 1) - Keep the OEM taillights, halogen. Yes, amber is attractive, all you naysayers! It provides a lovely contrast with whatever the exterior color of the car is, depending on what that color is. It works beautifully with Imola. This is what these look like on my car now:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Automotive/BMW%20E46%20330i%20ZHP/Exterior/2011-01-15_15-30-14_494.jpg

Option 2) - Purchase R/S/R taillights, halogen. Red/Smoked/Red (not the whole light smoked, just the turn signal). Could provide an avenue of "theming", where I create a theme with the colors of the car, which in this case would be red and dark colors.
Here is a link to how they look:
http://www.eurosportdesign.com/p-2078-bmw-e46-4dr-redsmokered-tail-lights-4-piece-02-05.aspx

Option 3) - Purchase R/C/R LED taillights, smoke the turn signals (these aren't sold with smoked signals and come in clear only, unfortunately). Smoking would require some paintwork, which adds to the already high cost, but the LEDs make up for it!
http://luckysnafu.smugmug.com/photos/151494581-L.jpg

Option 4) - Buy Eagle Eyes with smoked turns. The conflict with this one would be that I do not like the pre-facelift style. I do not know if it'll ever grow on me, and would like to avoid this if at all possible. But, I'm told that these will not produce any lights out codes, which is a huge plus...
http://www.khoalty.com/media/custom/smoked-led-tails-beforeafter.jpg



Please note; clears are not an option, and for very good reason. Thanks for not pointing that out from here forward. :)

[Dotpage]

Imola+R/S/R=Win, although OEM is also very nice..

[az3579]

Imola+R/S/R=Win, although OEM is also very nice..

Ideally, I want R/S/R LED tails, but nobody sells them with anything other than clear turns. Me no likely, and don't want to pay through the nose for a set AND have to paint the turns. If I'm gonna shell out the money for an LED set of R/C/Rs, then I would consider smoking the turns myself, though I'm afraid of screwing up a very expensive set of lights...

Can you believe that I have to pay $80 more for a set of LED R/C/Rs just because my car is a facelift model (2002-2005) compared to the same light for the pre-facelift models? It's crazy!

[zhpnsnv]

I'd like to see what the r/s/r tails would look like.

If one of the options is led coupe tails, I'd vote heavily against that. Not a fan of the coupe tails on a sedan.


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[danewilson77]

Option 3

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Mtnman]

Go clears! Hahahah.

[az3579]

I'd like to see what the r/s/r tails would look like.

If one of the options is led coupe tails, I'd vote heavily against that. Not a fan of the coupe tails on a sedan.


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OP updated with links to pics, for Mafioso's convenience.

[mimalmo]

LOL, this thread cracks me up.

Option #2 Botond. Nobody else here has IR with smoked lights all around. I think it would look badass.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I went with option three, BP.

[az3579]

LOL, this thread cracks me up.

Option #2 Botond. Nobody else here has IR with smoked lights all around. I think it would look badass.


This is precisely why I want to do this. I have a number of things up my sleeve that I have very, very, very rarely seen on an E46.
My whole thing is individualization. I don't want the car down the street to look like mine; mine has to be mine.


Thank you all for your input... need moar!

[Dotpage]

mine has to be mine. I hear you!!

[static667]

I like the r/c/r but, I vote that you leave it clear all around. Don't smoke out the corners.

[az3579]

I like the r/c/r but, I vote that you leave it clear all around. Don't smoke out the corners.

Not an option. Sorry.
Of the 4, which would you choose if you had to choose from those?

[Mtnman]

For what its worth, Botond, I am an amber guy, and still run my amber lenses all around. My car is grey though, so everyone is different.

[az3579]

For what its worth, Botond, I am an amber guy, and still run my amber lenses all around. My car is grey though, so everyone is different.

I was thinking of the option of doing LED turn signal bulbs and keeping the ambers, but then the brake lights would be a mismatch, being halogen. To me, the halogen mixed with LED doesn't quite cut it. I'd love to have LED tails with amber, but I don't think that's ever going to be produced. :(

[mimalmo]

I like the r/c/r but, I vote that you leave it clear all around. Don't smoke out the corners.

That's also what I prefer (the way the E46 came in Europe). But I also know Botond is against RCR.

Too bad, it looks amazing against IR.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/Jszwed/DSC_0033.jpg

[Mtnman]

I agree eli.....if i had IR, i would probably do rcr

[Hornung418]

I voted option number two :)

What are your plans for the headlights? Specifically your DRL/ high beams.

[zhpnsnv]

That's also what I prefer (the way the E46 came in Europe). But I also know Botond is against RCR.

Too bad, it looks amazing against IR.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/Jszwed/DSC_0033.jpg

This picture makes me want RCR, tint, and lowering springs. 2 of the 3 will probably happen sooner rather than later.

I like option 3, Botond, but it might make sense to go with option 2 first to see if you like it, then you can put the time/$ into the smoked LEDs.

[pleasecorrupt]

At least someone agreed with me, besides AE, i love stock lights.

[pleasecorrupt]

That's also what I prefer (the way the E46 came in Europe). But I also know Botond is against RCR.

Too bad, it looks amazing against IR.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/Jszwed/DSC_0033.jpg

although if i was imola, id go with this.

[Johnmadd]

I like to go a little off the normal path also so the smoked look is what I would go for on your car, I had some random guy at the gas station tell me I should murder mine out in black but I need some contrast, I would suggest these but not sure about murdered in red

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/e46redOutSmall.jpg

This is somebodys car on here but I don't remember who but I like the all reds.

[Dotpage]

all red is interesting on the TiAg..

[Hornung418]

That is Ryan Kokesh's Xi. I'm going to try that look soon. I have smoked fronts and sides courtesy of Mr. Wilson and I need to rid the amber tails...

[spencers]

LEDs do not look good on a sedan.

My vote is amber.

[M0nk3y]

I loved my LEDs.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/BMW%20Meet%2042311/DSC_0008.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/BMW%20Meet%2042311/DSC_0011.jpg

[Mike V]

I really like the RCR on an Imola car. That car in Eli's post looks amazing.

[johnrando]

I voted Option 2, but I haven't studied the look enough to comment on coupe vs sedan. John

[kayger12]

LEDs do not look good on a sedan.


Opinions are not absolutes.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[danewilson77]

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/DSC04258-1.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/DSC04244-2.jpg

[09mageec]

I love the red clear red on our color Botand, but something is telling me the red smoked red will look nice with the set up you have already, with your charcoal rims and blacked out grill and all.

[az3579]

Thank you all for the responses!

Horny,
To answer you question, I plan on matching the front turns and side markers with whatever option I choose.

All reds and clears are not options. Sorry to upset the clears mafia, but I do not like clears as much as I dislike the Toyota Prius.

I can't check the poll on my phone atm but will check when I get home.

So far I'm leaning towards option 2; it's the cheapest price overall, and gets the job done. We'll see if I change my mind between now and purchase time; still on the fence.

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[az3579]

The decision has been made to get R/S/R Halogen taillights, which just happens to coincide with what the pollers thought. It's the cheaper option and I think would look more in place on the car.

Thanks to all those who responded.

[danewilson77]

The decision has been made to get R/S/R Halogen taillights, which just happens to coincide with what the pollers thought. It's the cheaper option and I think would look more in place on the car.

Thanks to all those who responded.

If you're happy....I'm happy.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[az3579]

If you're happy....I'm happy.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

Happy is a relative term. lol

[lilcdkey]

Option 3. Never seen LED R/C/R's before.. I personally would leave them clear :)

[az3579]

Option 3. Never seen LED R/C/R's before.. I personally would leave them clear :)

That was a close second, though I would have spent the money on getting them smoked as they do not sell them that way.
Problem is, the facelift LED tails are far too expensive. Apparently, they cost a lot more if you have a facelift car, as they make the facelift style for both pre- and post-facelift models, and there is a surcharge if you have a facelift model. Not fair, if you ask me. Plus, I could get an entire set of R/S/R tails, front corners, and sidemarkers for less than an LED tail set.

In the end, the want to mod compromised with the wallet. In a few weeks, I hope to be ordering my lights.

[pyreguy]

I can't wait to see pictures of how this turns out! Should be pretty badass

[TURTUL]

OEM!

[cakM3]

Botond,

Everyone have their preference as you know mine....:biggrin Do what makes you happy brutha!!!

[Hornung418]

Just thought I'd inform everyone that has recently posted in this thread, that BP had purchased the smoked lights and ran them for about a month. They are now for sale in the appropriate section and he is currently running Ambers.

[az3579]

This thread is pretty old. lol
I've actually moved on from the smokes since, though I may or may not go back to them. I don't know yet...

[danewilson77]

This thread is pretty old. lol
I've actually moved on from the smokes since, though I may or may not go back to them. I don't know yet...

I thought you were selling them?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[az3579]

I thought you were selling them?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

At the moment they're still for sale.