Who's running LEDs?

[STREETFIGHTER50]

Who's running LEDs here?
Any good looking facelift R/C/R LED tail lights that don't have any type of issues?
How about LEDs on the front of our cars? I haven't seen anything that looks good.

[cakM3]

I run LEDs on my tails but use Eagle Eyes. No issues in three years usage :) There are a few of us running on Eagle Eyes here...:thumbsup

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ZHP/CFDiffuser_zpse7bc584f.jpg

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ZHP/Rain01_zps3dab2165.jpg

[Avetiso]

DEPO makes LED RCRs, but they have two issues:

slighty delay when engaging brake
only the outer is LED, inner is halogen

Other than that, it's a decent option. If you are handy with circuitry, you could probably fix the delay...

[derbo]

The LED RCR looks weird imo..

[az3579]

DEPO makes LED RCRs, but they have two issues:

slighty delay when engaging brake
only the outer is LED, inner is halogen

Other than that, it's a decent option. If you are handy with circuitry, you could probably fix the delay...

Partially correct. I'm not sure how you meant it, but they are LED brake and running lights on both the outer housing and the trunk lights. The reverse and turn signals, however, are whatever bulbs you use with them.

I liked how they looked for the most part, but they weren't polished enough for me to keep them. The insides had no covers so you just saw a mess of wires just dangling about behind the taillight housings. Also, the pattern of how the LEDs were lit were not OEM looking (straight row of LEDs towards the inner edges).

Here are some pics:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Automotive/BMW%20E46%20330i%20ZHP/Exterior/2011-11-29153343.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Automotive/BMW%20E46%20330i%20ZHP/Exterior/2011-11-29152952.jpg

^ Note that in this pic, the LEDs were actually evenly lit on the bottom. The pic doesn't show that too well.

On top of the unusual placement of LEDs, I had to supply my own bulbs for turns and reverse lights. Most people just put halogen bulbs in there so it didn't look right (I used LED bulbs).


Now, I run Genuine BMW RCR lights with LED bulbs in all the right places. I use 25W CREE bulbs in the turn signal housings. I haven't gotten around to getting 25W ones for the brake light housings, but they are still as bright as halogen, so I'm not stressing it too much. I also have LED reverse lights. Running lights are halogen because those bulbs stand up to heat better than LEDs do, and I run my running lights most of the time. Since they don't change state 99% of the time (except for when braking hard, under Adaptive Brake Light mode), I leave them halogen as you wouldn't be able to tell much difference if they were LED. Since there are 3 per side to purchase, and LED bulbs are expensive, I leave them be.

Here are a few videos of my current setup, and is in my opinion, the best looking lighting solution for an E46 sedan because it looks the way it's supposed to from the factory.

Just turn signals, during full daytime:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvIQ3-Qtp5M

Turn signals with running lights for comparison, nighttime:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaFPeuOIOkQ

If you want to see the brake light portions, then watch my Adaptive Brake Light video here to compare brightness and response (they sync up with the top row of LED lights on the rear windscreen perfectly). In this video you'll also see my LED reverse lights, which are brighter than the video makes out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3z91w39cuM

[Avetiso]

Oh, my bad. I was recalling your discussion about it, but I made a mistake.

[az3579]

Oh, my bad. I was recalling your discussion about it, but I made a mistake.

Did you mean turn signals as being the "inner" parts? If so, you were right on the money.

[Avetiso]

Did you mean turn signals as being the "inner" parts? If so, you were right on the money.
No, I was referring to the trunk lights (not the reverse).

[Vas]

Eagle eyes if you want the led route.

[Newjack]

LED master race reporting in.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[cakM3]

Eagle eyes if you want the led route.

+1


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[STREETFIGHTER50]

Guess I'm keeping my current Eagle Eyes. I was hoping maybe there was a good R/C/R set by now. Eagle Eyes should make some :)

[JKO_ZHP]

I thought all 04+ E46s had LED rears...? Or is it only the coupes? I'm pretty sure mine are factory LED.....

As for other areas, I've got LED lights for the interior, inside the trunk, the rear license plate, and also for the turn signal in the headlights. Will try to get a pic next time at night - I smoked the lenses.

[Hermes]

Only coupes and verts

[deuce08s]

I looked on ECSTUning's site and it looks like the only option for the EE LED tails for an 05 sedan includes smoked turn signals?? The clear version is for up to 2001 it says. Does anyone know how the trunk is finished with the EE lights? I have the Depo RCR led set and don't like the mess of wires all over the place.

Can one buy the OEM version from the coupe and install it on the sedan??

[QC_ZHP]

http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46-led-tail-lights-eagleeye.html

[az3579]

Can one buy the OEM version from the coupe and install it on the sedan??



Logical answer: sure, with money anything's possible
Realistic answer: no

Requires bodywork to the quarter panels and trunk to make the shorter (height-wise) coupe/convertible lights fit.