US rear lights on a UK car

parabolica · Post by **parabolica** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 10:36 pm

Just bought a set of de-tango'd rear lights for the E85 from the US for a really good price, but it just occurred to me the wiring might be different for UK cars. I'm sure the connectors etc will be fine, but I'm wondering if there might be any coding issues - anyone know if US lights are a straight plug and play on UK cars?

Jl-c · Post by **Jl-c** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 11:21 pm

I think maybe…… consider yourself a guinea pig

parabolica · Post by **parabolica** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 11:51 pm

Oh I'm feeling that way! I recall someone else here buying a set from the US a few months ago; hoping they see the post...

Was watching a US youtuber who has a z4 and noticed his rear lights reacted differently to ours when braking... I guess we'll see.

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 1:14 am

I bought some from the US, seem to work ok!

Worcester_spoon · Post by **Worcester_spoon** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:49 am

I’ve got detangoed US lights, just plug and play for me.

Big Andra · Post by **Big Andra** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:55 am

What sort of price would you say was reasonable for a set of these? I've seen pairs at £450!! Which I'm not prepared to pay.

parabolica · Post by **parabolica** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:16 am

I've picked up a set for $220 inc shipping and import charges - by far the best price I had come across. Been on the lookout for a while and typically they were going for, as you say, around £450 etc which was also too much for me. Managed to find these through a breaker on ebay.

skelters · Post by **skelters** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:23 am

Would think the lights will be a straight swap as the cars all came out the same factory.

Isn't the difference in the lights when braking purely a coding issue?

If this works it opens up a whole new market for car parts!

Worcester_spoon · Post by **Worcester_spoon** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:26 am

Big Andra wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:55 am What sort of price would you say was reasonable for a set of these? I've seen pairs at £450!! Which I'm not prepared to pay.

I paid $90 per light plus shipping/import. Think it was about $260 all in, so £220ish?

Big Andra · Post by **Big Andra** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 12:09 pm

Just got a pair along with clear middle brake and clear side repeaters all made by hella for £192 posted so I'm happy with that. Middle brake is handy as mine is starting to crack.

parabolica · Post by **parabolica** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:23 pm

Worcester_spoon wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:26 am
Big Andra wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:55 am What sort of price would you say was reasonable for a set of these? I've seen pairs at £450!! Which I'm not prepared to pay.
I paid $90 per light plus shipping/import. Think it was about $260 all in, so £220ish?

Hey Spoon, what did you do RE the fog light? Have you used a standard red-tinted bulb or gone the LED replacement route? I thought you'd be able to get chromed red bulbs like you get for indicator bulbs, but it appears not. So now looking at having a red bulb (urgh) or taking a chance of a LED bulb which may or may not work depending on canbus....

ErrErrminator · Post by **ErrErrminator** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:53 pm

I’ve got a standard red tinted bulb in my fog light. Don’t think you notice it too much.

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Worcester_spoon · Post by **Worcester_spoon** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 10:35 pm

parabolica wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:23 pm
Worcester_spoon wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:26 am
Big Andra wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:55 am What sort of price would you say was reasonable for a set of these? I've seen pairs at £450!! Which I'm not prepared to pay.
I paid $90 per light plus shipping/import. Think it was about $260 all in, so £220ish?
Hey Spoon, what did you do RE the fog light? Have you used a standard red-tinted bulb or gone the LED replacement route? I thought you'd be able to get chromed red bulbs like you get for indicator bulbs, but it appears not. So now looking at having a red bulb (urgh) or taking a chance of a LED bulb which may or may not work depending on canbus....

Just a standard red bulb for me. As ErrErrminator says, you don’t really notice it.

Big Andra · Post by **Big Andra** » Sun Jul 07, 2019 3:03 am

https://youtu.be/iLU3hqqT-0o

Led's used here albeit the indicators but it gives you an idea. I'm also thinking of going down the led route.

MACK · Post by **MACK** » Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:00 am

Or alternatively you could do what I do. I have a pair of super bright led white bulbs in both and use the fog light as a secondary reverse light. Its a very useful addition when reversing in unlit areas.
I do have a silvered red bulb for mot time but I have a friendly Mot tester who knows what I do and has never actually made me fit it.
Its not like I ever really drive it in fog, certainly not fog bad enough to require the fog light

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