US rear lights on a UK car

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parabolica

Member
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?
 
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.
 
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'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.
 
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! 😂😂😂
 
Big Andra said:
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.
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I paid $90 per light plus shipping/import. Think it was about $260 all in, so £220ish?
 
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.
 
Worcester_spoon said:
Big Andra said:
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.
Click to expand...
I paid $90 per light plus shipping/import. Think it was about $260 all in, so £220ish?
Click to expand...

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....
 
parabolica said:
Worcester_spoon said:
Big Andra said:
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.
Click to expand...
I paid $90 per light plus shipping/import. Think it was about $260 all in, so £220ish?
Click to expand...

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....
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Just a standard red bulb for me. As ErrErrminator says, you don’t really notice it.
 
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.
 
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
 
MACK said:
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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This thought had also crossed my mind. I went a bit mental on amazon last night and ordered a huge amount of stuff (mostly non-car related) but got silver indicator bulbs, a new red bulb and the best rated LED replacement lamp and I'll see which works the best.
 
Well they've turned up - proof of the pudding will be later tonight when I fit them. Certainly straight out of the box they look identical; even came with chrome-bulbs already installed!
 
parabolica said:
Well they've turned up - proof of the pudding will be later tonight when I fit them. Certainly straight out of the box they look identical; even came with chrome-bulbs already installed!
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All good?
 
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