Red Rear Lights

[JDM]

Well I did the mod over the weekend as previosuly done by christurbo. Im undecided whether to take off the grey piece of trim that seperates the main light cluster from the reversing lights and fogs, what do you guys think?

I think this cheap simple mod makes the back end look so much cleaner and a bit more modern. A cheap alternative to changing the lights / rear bumper / wiring etc for the facelift version.

Just need to get some orange bulbs for the indicators now, anyone know where to get these from?

Cheers

 

[easty027]

yeah, i like it. remove the trim (known as the french fry) as it looks so much cleaner and simpler, which the rear of the z4 does benefit from as there is way too much going on in terms of design.

You will no doubt get some responses shortly about it being a crucial part of the overall design, its 2 pieces of cheap naff plastic to add to the rear end clutter, so i will leave you to make your own mind up on that one.

rant over.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Not sure about the bulbs. I just get them off ebay (silvered, clear that flash yellow, etc.)

Interesting if this will ever get through and MOT.

Regards the french fries. I believe the are an integral part of the design and shoudl be kept. Others prefer them removed. Your call really.

 

[gannet]

Looks good - I would keep the French Fries

 

[nicko]

I think I preferred the look of christurbo's without the trim

I think making the 3rd brake light red would be even better though oke:

 

[Popey]

I like it

 

[paddy wright]

Long live the French fry!

 

[AlanJ]

Not sure about the bulbs. I just get them off ebay (silvered, clear that flash yellow, etc.)

Interesting if this will ever get through and MOT.

Regards the french fries. I believe the are an integral part of the design and shoudl be kept. Others prefer them removed. Your call really.

Looks OK for the MOT:

http://www.ukmot.com/1-1.asp

 

[cj10jeeper]

I woudl think that Section 4 gives enough for a question if the tester decides so:

A side lamp or rear lamp a. incomplete, not in good working order or not clean, ie damaged or deteriorated, or not visible from a reasonable distance Note: An effective proprietary repair {eg lens repair tape, etc) must be assessed on its merits, considering security, colour, light output and durability.

To me the key would be how red and yellow the respective lights are.

 

[gannet]

yup, whole different section for indicators

d. that every direction indicator emits amber light, except vehicles first used before 1 September 1965 where both front indicators may be white and both rear indicators red

can we argue that it was first used in the before 1965 ?? anyone got a time machine

 

[cj10jeeper]

That would be cool, not sure about having a semaphore arm on a Zed though

 

[chris]

It depends on what film you used, some it will shine red, which is illegal. And only apparently green bulbs will help. The stuff i first used was the red tape from Halfords, for repairing lights. And that shone through orange! But the stuff i oredered from canada shines red. Lamin-x is supposed to let the natural colour of the light come through, so that should shine red too.

Keep the bits on the rear lights imo, sparates them a bit better

This is them with the Halfords tape on. Looks ok but bit a tad orangy ish :lol:

 

[JDM]

Thanks for your replies guys. The jurys still out on the 'french fry'. think Im a bit reluctant to take it off as the smaller section of the light cluster seems to step up from the larger section and not sure what this would look like having two different levels with nothing to break it up if you get me. Suppose I could always stick them back on if i didnt like it!

Ill search ebay for the green bulbs see what I can find.

With regards the MOT I just had 12 months MOT put on last week, before I fitted the film so I need not worry for another year. Hopefully I wont have the car this time next year if Ive saved up enough wonga for an ///M

Nicko, I replaced the third brake light last year as the original had cracked, thought I would have clear as it was different and cheaper from the Dealers. Wish Id got red now but dont facy spending another £60 for the privilage :headbang:

 

[m44rrt]

Just to keep up with the fashion I have done my rear lights red :roll:
I cut a slightly smaller red circle for the reversing light as I did not want any potential claims about cars not seeing me reversing





I have also put green bulbs in so that it shows proper orange when indicating, it shows more orange than in photo





It is a real pain to get the film flat

 

[chris]

Did you do the whole light or just the inner circle of the indicator? And what film did you use? And whats the bit in the keyhole? Come on its question time

 

[m44rrt]

I just did the inner circle of orange, using tracing paper
I bought the film off ebay via a prev posted link
The tip about 2 bits of selotape to split it from the backing was useful
The keyhole cover is a broken screw cover from my centre console which has the ribs removed, sprayed and held by double sided 3m tape, fits perfectly

 

[chris]

That is a good idea, will have a look at the interior and start braking things Much neater :wink:

 

[seanodwyer]

I chickened out over the week end and took my red lights off. The indicator was just not orange enough. Might keep a look out for the Halfords one though as that looks like it might not redden the indicators to much.

 

[chris]

If you go to halfords, its the lense repairing tape, you get 3 rolls, clear, orange and red. And did still look good, and shone through amber. Although on lamin-x website they say the light shines through the same colour. So that would be my next call

 

[seanodwyer]

Wow, great find chris! Although the .com site has pre-cut and the .co.uk site only has sheets, strange. I wonder if they are the same company. Think I'll get the red for the back and the tint for the front. Or maybe the tint all round! Mmmmm, need to get a photoshop guru as I wonder what the tint would look like of my shade of blue.