The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[ZHPizza]

Did E46 Sedans ever come with factory LED tail lights? I can see that at some point M3 coupes did come with LED Tail lights but i never see any mention of NON M3 coupes or Sedans.

Sedans - no. Facelifted coupes got the LED tails that you're seeing on the M3's, though.

My 2005 coupe:

[das boots]

I did a TL (aftermarket) conversion to LED to my Sedan. Waste of $$$. I shit canned and sold them. They did not look right on a Sedan. So I went the RCR route. They look fantastic on Sedans.

[nextelbuddy]

Sedans - no. Facelifted coupes got the LED tails that you're seeing on the M3's, though.

My 2005 coupe:

those do look really nice. bummer that sedans didnt get it. weird also.

I did a TL (aftermarket) conversion to LED to my Sedan. Waste of $$$. I shit canned and sold them. They did not look right on a Sedan. So I went the RCR route. They look fantastic on Sedans.

what is the RCR route?

[az3579]

Did E46 Sedans ever come with factory LED tail lights? I can see that at some point M3 coupes did come with LED Tail lights but i never see any mention of NON M3 coupes or Sedans.

I did a TL (aftermarket) conversion to LED to my Sedan. Waste of $$$. I shit canned and sold them. They did not look right on a Sedan. So I went the RCR route. They look fantastic on Sedans.

I did OE RCR tails in mine, with LED bulbs. You get all the functionality and looks without going with the "aftermarket" look.

I put in LED brake light bulbs (red), turn signals front and back (amber), sidemarkers (amber), flash-to-pass H7 LEDs, and have a set of extra bulbs I'm going to put in for the running lights in the back. Love LED lighting while retaining an OE look.

what is the RCR route?

RCRs are the euro factory tail lights. Instead of RAR (Red/Amber/Red), the lenses are RCR (Red/Clear/Red), like this:

20140825-007 by botond.pal, on Flickr

Another shot:

IMG_20150905_190518993 by botond.pal, on Flickr

[nextelbuddy]

sweet, thanks for all of the info!

[Sockethead]

They look really good in Imola.... never noticed before...

[das boots]

I put in LED brake light bulbs (red), turn signals front and back (amber), sidemarkers (amber), flash-to-pass H7 LEDs, and have a set of extra bulbs I'm going to put in for the running lights in the back. Love LED lighting while retaining an OE look.

BP. I have LED on Reverse. Where did you purchase the LED Brake, Running and Turn bulbs from?

[ZHPizza]

I do love the RCRs on the sedans. I wish the coupe LEDs were formatted the same way. They look somewhat disjointed between trunk/fender.

[derbo]

I do love the RCRs on the sedans. I wish the coupe LEDs were formatted the same way. They look somewhat disjointed between trunk/fender.

[img]http://www.germanspecparts.com/uploads/carparts/big_e46-coupe-m3-csl-style-carbon-fiber-rear-lip-1999-2006_9cc6f4300c07f8b73888ff14376e17b6.jpg/img]

I wish BMW made an LED version for the sedan instead of just RCR. The aftermarket RCR LEDs look horrendous.


RCR are sure pretty.



Rear fogs makes it even more fun :D

[az3579]

BP. I have LED on Reverse. Where did you purchase the LED Brake, Running and Turn bulbs from?

The brake and running lights are the same bulb. I bought the brake and turn signal bulbs from eBay.
I keep waiting for a more reputable manufacturer to make proper LED bulbs that come in Red so I can replace my brake and turn bulbs. They interfere with my radio reception whenever they're on, for some reason. But, then again, my rear glass is totally hosed so my reception is dreadful to begin with even with no lights on, so I'm not sure if the issue is isolated to my car or if it's the bulbs - haven't been able to swap with anyone to test.

Good thing I don't listen to my radio at all.

The bulbs are labeled "1156 CANBUS 25W". Those are plenty bright and if they are CANBUS, do not require resistors and do not hyperflash.
The only thing needed is to code out the hot and cold checks so they don't flicker when the car does its bulb tests.