Picture comparison's of OEM R/C/R tail lights to "something aftermarket' idk really.

[Whitexi]

So I got around to fixing the ground wire issue on my car and installed my OEM Red/ Clear/ red tail lights that I got a week or so ago. I took some comparison pictures of what they look like next to my old aftermarket lights. IDK what they were maybe Depo there were no markings. This is for the people who may be looking into the OEM R/C/R tail lights for an upgrade.

Aftermarket left and OEM right, Note the OEM has the reflector on the bottom which I like a lot.
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/whitexi/DSCN0650.jpg

Aftermarket left OEM right.
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/whitexi/DSCN0652.jpg


After market lkeft OEM right
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/whitexi/DSCN0655.jpg


Why this gets done to the lights when there sold over here in the states boggles my mind still.
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/whitexi/DSCN0653.jpg

OEM on the left this time and the aftermarket on the right
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/whitexi/DSCN0656.jpg


Keep in mind the aftermarket set is 6 years old now and were installed by my cousin when he owned the car before me. So there really weathered and I did spray them with a translucent red paint and clear them last year to brighten them up. Im not sure if Depo made R/C/R tails back then so not sure who made these.

[az3579]

What is that in pic 4?

[bullfrogs_M3]

I have a ground wire issue too. Where did you find yours?

[Dotpage]

big difference!

[Whitexi]

What is that in pic 4?

That is what BMW I guess over in Europe does to the part number or something ( not sure what they covered ) with a perminate marker it looks like befre they get shipped ouy of the country.


I have a ground wire issue too. Where did you find yours?

I used the same plugs and did this.

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=533309

[ryankokesh]

I thought it was a waste of money when I read the thread title, but wow it really looks much better! Good call on the upgrade!

[Dotpage]

where did u get the OEMs? Also, r u selling the other ones?

[Whitexi]

I thought it was a waste of money when I read the thread title, but wow it really looks much better! Good call on the upgrade!

me to but I got a lucky find.


where did u get the OEMs? Also, r u selling the other ones?

I found them on craigslist from a former ZHP owner. He sold the car and I got oem clears all around for $150. Also an intake and cf strut bar.

He bought them from here though. http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=euro3kit8&Category_Code=beklight3e46

[mimalmo]

I went with OEM corners, sides and tails based on a similar comparison I saw on E46Fanatics a couple years ago. The difference in red was what sold me on the OEM tails.

[danewilson77]

Thanks for doing that Whitey. You are a true BMW hero.

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Whitexi]

Im glad I went and looked at them. Does anyone know why they paint that one part over?

[adb1028]

What brand are the aftermarket tails? The ones I got from Khoa look waaaaaaaay better than those

[danewilson77]

Depo

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[trancenation]

Bump.. How's everyone's depos coming along? I'm debating between DEPO or OEM.. $193 vs $430..

[BavarianZHP]

Beginning of the year Turner was selling the complete OEM light set for a little less than $350, they've probably raised prices since then. Couldn't be happier with mine though. "Go for quality and you only cry once."

[mimalmo]

Buy nice or buy it twice.

I bet the OEM light package I put on my old car still looks great today.

[trancenation]

Buy nice or buy it twice.

I bet the OEM light package I put on my old car still looks great today.

Good words of wisdom!


Beginning of the year Turner was selling the complete OEM light set for a little less than $350, they've probably raised prices since then. Couldn't be happier with mine though. "Go for quality and you only cry once."

$350!! I'm about to cry..since I missed out on that price.

[TomTomTuning]

Bump.. How's everyone's depos coming along? I'm debating between DEPO or OEM.. $193 vs $430..
I just got Depo's from khoalty, they look exactly like OEM. Not like the old version the OP shows in this thread...

They're $130.00 and use your OEM bulb holder.

http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46-sedan-clear-tails.html

I posted a photo in my thread: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?10430-Tom-s-Black-Sapphire-ZHP-Maintenance-amp-Mod-Ledger&p=289255#post289255

[az3579]

The only problem I can see with Depo is that they have a piece of branding on the outside that says Depo on it, effectively advertising the fact that it's Chinese made. That is why I'm done with aftermarket lights. I always had quality issues with Depo, even if they were fully functional. The fit and finish is never as good as OEM.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4

[trancenation]

I just got Depo's from khoalty, they look exactly like OEM. Not like the old version the OP shows in this thread...

They're $130.00 and use your OEM bulb holder.

http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46-sedan-clear-tails.html

I posted a photo in my thread: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?10430-Tom-s-Black-Sapphire-ZHP-Maintenance-amp-Mod-Ledger&p=289255#post289255

Thanks for the pics Tom. It really allows me to gauge the DEPO Tails.



The only problem I can see with Depo is that they have a piece of branding on the outside that says Depo on it, effectively advertising the fact that it's Chinese made. That is why I'm done with aftermarket lights. I always had quality issues with Depo, even if they were fully functional. The fit and finish is never as good as OEM.

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That's a good point, I recall having the stamp on some of the DEPOs I have had on previous cars. If I can get a coupon code for turnermotorsport then I would be more than happy to continue on with the OEMs.

[Dave_B]

Thanks for the OP and Tom.

I'm on this same boat debating what I'm going with. Tom, you may have sealed it up for me. Those IMO, look close enough to OEM that I'll likely go that route. I don't plan on keeping my current car forever anyway.

[az3579]

Do note, the Depo RCR clears look fine. I haven't heard of quality issues with them mainly because there aren't any electronics in them. I can't really comment on the fit and finish on the regular ones, but I did have the LED ones and can say that they fit fine.

They are ever so slightly off compared to OEM, but the seals were garbage. Personally, the Depo markings bothered me, but if you don't care then the regular RCR halogen tails could prove to be a decent set to buy if you use OEM seals.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4

[TomTomTuning]

Thanks for the OP and Tom.

I'm on this same boat debating what I'm going with. Tom, you may have sealed it up for me. Those IMO, look close enough to OEM that I'll likely go that route. I don't plan on keeping my current car forever anyway.
I was very impressed with the quality and fit. Highly recommend it.

[Avetiso]

I had DEPO. They were fine in terms of quality, but I sold them to Sean because I didn't like the inner trunk pieces being a slightly darker shade of red than the outer pieces.

[Dave_B]

Thanks for the seal tid bit. I'll make sure to look into that when I'm ready.

I was going Halogen personally so the LED thing I read about previously shouldn't apply.