johnston_fraser Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) I was a bit fed up with the original rear lights on my car, so decided to update them with the facelift lights. I wanted to have the genuine BMW lights, but having read several forums it seems that this route would be problematic: I didn’t want to have to make new connectors/cut into the car’s wiring and/or run the risk of “light out” messages on the dashboard. I would always rather have genuine parts on my car, but it looked like it was going to get too expensive. In the end I opted for Depo brand rear lights which look identical to the BMW facelift lights but have the correct socket that allows them to plug straight into the 1998-2001 wiring loom. I bought these on www.ebay.de and paid only around £70, which included postage. Here’s what to do: Original lights (boring!): Pop the boot open, and let’s have a look at the driver’s side light. First thing you need to do is remove the existing bulb holder. Just push the tab (as shown at my fingertips) and pull it off: Now that you have the bulb holder released from the car, remove its connector. Simply push the tab (as shown) and pull the plug out. Next, the lens itself has to be removed. It is held in place by 3 nuts. This picture shows the location of these. Sorry, the top one (number 3) is just out of sight. On the inside of the car, just underneath where the bulb holder was, there is a small circular panel. Reach behind this, and pop it out. This will aid the removal of the nut number 1. Using a 10mm deep socked will be the easiest way to remove the nut: Next, we will remove nut number 2. Pull back the carpet at the edge of the boot: This reveals nut number 2. It will be difficult to fit a socket into this gap, so it is probably easier to just use the 10 mm spanner from the tool kit in your car. When removing nut number 3, remember to take note of how its white connector is located. The “fork” end of it fits over lip as shown. You will need to remember this when fitting the new light. New light (left) and old light (right.) As you can see, the new light has the bulb holder built in, it is not separate. You can also see the connector. Fit the new light by securing the 3 nuts. Take care though, the DEPO lights have plastic nuts and threads, so not too tight! Connect up the plug, put the carpet back in the correct place, and replace the black plastic cap that you removed to get to nut number 1. Next, the lights on the bootlid itself need to be replaced.This is very easy compared to the main lenses. First, pop off the 4 plastic rivets that run along the edge of the boot lining. This will allow you to pull down the lining and access the bulb holders. These have a similar tab to the main lights. Disconnect the plugs on these lights. (This is a 10 mm nut too.) These lights are secured with this nut, and they also hook over the edges of the bootlid. Make sure you hook the news ones on before securing the nut. Put everything back together, turn on the ignition and check that everything works. Stand back and admire the fresh new look of your facelift lights! (Sorry about the darkness): Any questions, please ask, I will try to help. Edited January 7, 2012 by johnston_fraser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee330 Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 That looks much better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 so do you lose the boot light doing this. As the boot light is incorporated in the trim you removed first. I fitted genuine ones to mine. bmw do a harness to fit later lights to earlier cars. although i never heard of this until id rewired mine by soldering new plugs on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnston_fraser Posted January 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Hi Marcus. No, the boot lighting is not lost. I see what you mean, the boot light is part of the original bulb holder, but Depo get around this by fitting it directly to their light: I was aware that there is a wiring harness for converting to genuine BMW lights, but I believe it costs around £40 (I think part no is 61120140223) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Might be useful to show how these light up and pre and post facelift lights work differently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_330CI Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hi Marcus. No, the boot lighting is not lost. I see what you mean, the boot light is part of the original bulb holder, but Depo get around this by fitting it directly to their light: 61120140223) I wondered WTF that was in your first picture lol. £70 for LED rears sounds awesomely cheap - were yours used? MStyle sell aftermarket LEDS for about £200! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 £70 for LED rears sounds awesomely cheap - were yours used? MStyle sell aftermarket LEDS for about £200! Facelift lights on the saloon aren't LED, they are just different lenses and use regular bulbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_330CI Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Facelift lights on the saloon aren't LED, they are just different lenses and use regular bulbs. Well, you learn something new every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mintimperial Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I've got these exact lights. Got them in the UK for a bargain £50 clearance. They look spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnston_fraser Posted January 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Yep, just normal bulbs for the facelift ones. Wasn't too bothered about getting LED lights, I just like the look of the facelifts :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 i like the look of facelifts too...why i fitted them . i paid 60 quid and they are oem..just a bit of soldering to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnston_fraser Posted January 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Did you get any "light out" warnings on the dash ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 I didnt no. nothing at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_D Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 facelift ones still use bulbs, so no errors, only LED's can give errors are they draw less power Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d4rlo Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 with these lights on the base car (face lift) the boot light light up too when the side lights are on, but on the pre face lift they dont is this still the case or is there a way around it ??? as i was thinking on doing these to mine but id like them all to light up as on the face lift car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhepple Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Hi, i have also bought these lights off ebay.de for my april 2001, 330d but i get the warning light up on the dashboard straight away when i install them. The only light that seems to work is the bulb for the boot. Im completely stumped as to why this is happening! Could anyone help me out? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Do you have the conversion harness etc ? Might be an LCM issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhepple Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Now the left hand side is working normally but the right hand side still doesnt work. Also both indicators flicker very fast. Could this be a faulty right hand side light causing this or faulty wiring? The lights just come ready to be clipped in to the existing harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Fast indicator means the car thinks an indicator is not working, this is pointing towards and LCM reflash needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhepple Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Thing is though, when i plug my normal bmw lights back in the indicators go back to normal. Its when i plug the depo lights in the indciators go fast. Basically my orig lights work fine and then when i plug the depo lights in the left hand side works ok... The indicators flicker fast and the right hand side light doesnt work at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Dodgy connector on the ones you've bought probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhepple Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Yeah think the connector is broken.. well i know it is! going to have to get a new light sent out. cheers for help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max M4X WW Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Anyone else done these? Anyone got the inner lights working with sidelights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanDoh Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 I'm just looking at doing the same, mines the 2002 facelift model but I ant to change the whole lot of the back lights inners too as they look shabby, so essentially I just want new ones, I'd prefer some after market types but I'm really struggling to find a set fro the facelift model, lots on ebay for the pre facelift but none after, can anyone advise? give me a few options or perhaps know a company that supply a variety. I just got the DEPO front indicators and pretty happy with them. Thanks Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
