Changing the look of my pre-facelift rear lights

[gadgetJunky72]

Does anyone know how I'd go about getting this look for my rear lights?

8603246595_3cf4f13960_c.jpg (61.85 KiB) Viewed 921 times

The alternative is to start gathering parts to fit the facelift rear lights, but I can imagine that's going to get really pricey.

Thanks

Pav

[Mau]

What is your starting situation? If it is the standard pre-fl setup with orange indicators and smaller white circle for the reverse light and one red circle for the fog light, you could:

- if symmetry is not important: just place foil / laser the two outer orange circles. This is your cheapest option;

- For sake of symmetry replace the unit with the inner red circle by one with an inner white circle (in essence: a European or US one) and replace the white bulb with a red one (all plug and play) and then tint the outer circles (either with foil, by getting them lasered, etc.). Will look roughly like this (photo taken during winter times,; car is very, very, very dirty)



- As your most expensive option: replace both units by units with 2x2 clear circles, as such (please note that the change of color in the left inner circle is my reflection, has nothing to do with the bulb):



If you already have white outer circles, everything will be cheaper of course!

[gadgetJunky72]

hi. thanks for the response. my starting point is this (not my car but lights are the same).

Z4 rear.jpg (86.15 KiB) Viewed 889 times

in your first photo did the lights originally have an orange centre?

I found these on eBay, which will give me the look of your second picture, but at this price it can't be much more to covert to facelift lights:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Z4-BMW-E85-N ... %7Ciid%3A1

what do you mean by "get the lights layered"?

[Mau]

It says "lasered", not "layered"

The Ebay kit is with complete white outer circles (inside and outside). That is another variety, which for whatever reason was considered fashionable by BMW in the early 2000s.

For camparision purposes, again on a silver car, that will result in this look:



Not my cup of tea, but each to their own of course.

In terms of upgrading to facelift light clusters; that is not just the lights, but also rewiring / coding and the slightly different shape of the lights will result in a bumper gap you may want to address ...

[parabolica]

I was able to get US-spec lights (so #2 pic in Mau’s post) for £180 + £50 shipping from the US but that was after searching long and hard and jumping on a great deal on EBay. The issue with self tinting or spraying is they start to fade after a while unless you go heavy on the UV sealant.

[gadgetJunky72]

oops. what does "get the lights lasered" mean? is that a permanent tint instead of using film?

[gadgetJunky72]

I've just bought this as I think it will be a better starting point than the clear set (and much cheaper):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/03-05-BMW-E85- ... 3047311742

[blunderthumbs]

hi. thanks for the response. my starting point is this (not my car but lights are the same).
Z4 rear.jpg

in your first photo did the lights originally have an orange centre?

I found these on eBay, which will give me the look of your second picture, but at this price it can't be much more to covert to facelift lights:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Z4-BMW-E85-N ... %7Ciid%3A1

what do you mean by "get the lights layered"?

Hey....That's my car. Flattered.

[Mau]

oops. what does "get the lights lasered" mean? is that a permanent tint instead of using film?

Yes, indeed!

To carve out the orange, you could either use a spray film, use a wrap (you can order pre-cut ones via Ebay US), or have them lasered by a professional. The spray film and the wrap will require some maintenance as per Parabolica's above post. However, unless parked permanently in the full sun, that will not be that often actually. I do not know - as I have never done it myself - ho much follow up maintenance lasering requires.

[firebobby]

Personally, I prefer the look they came out of the factory as.
It's the best looking rear end for the Z4 family..IMHO

[Mau]

^ All of the above variations - except for the ones with teint or film - are how they came out of the factory.

Orange indicators with red / white inner circle: EU and UK standard spec
Orange indicators with two white inner circles: US standard spec
White indicators with red / white inner circle: OEM option I for EU and UK
White indicators and two white inner circles: OEM option I for US
Complete white outer circles: OEM option II for EU and UK if with white / red inner circles, or for US if with two white inner circles.

[gadgetJunky72]

I've not quite managed the look I was going for but getting there. I managed to get the right light from the US.

Before:

IMG_0097.jpeg (259.76 KiB) Viewed 739 times

After:

IMG_0104.jpeg (273.81 KiB) Viewed 739 times

[kis]

I’ve gone the facelift route myself. I think I picked up lights for about £200 and then facelift bumper for around £100. Well worth it in my opinion. Lifts a few years off the rear and gives it a even more “timeless” look. Would never have guessed it’s almost 20 years old!

[Sidewaze Samm]

I've just bought this as I think it will be a better starting point than the clear set (and much cheaper):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/03-05-BMW-E85- ... 3047311742

hmm... decribed as passenger side, but looking at the photo it's a LHD passenger side that's pictured upside down

[Mau]

I've not quite managed the look I was going for but getting there. I managed to get the right light from the US.

Well, at least you are one step closer!