LED Tail Lights

[Sanj]

Many thanks go to forum member mccabema who sold these to me. I liked the fact they weren't full price and the resistor mod had been done to them (stops them flashing when in use). Had no idea how they lit up either but not bad.

When I got them, they were SUPER bright and I could see motorists behind me being dazzled. I wouldn't like it happening to me so I looked to reduce the huge light output. Short of fitting another resistor, the worry of where to put it, it melting/burning other parts of what is now a very tightly packed set of side compartments, I went with the spray option.

Some shots - no lights, with side lights and with brakes. Camera likes to ruin the shots but you get the idea - at night/low light levels they are a much better compromise, if not still a little bright but I didn't want the rear lens any darker...

[Raj]

I do really like those. Nice.....

[X5Sport]

Very nice. How do they work with the brake force display function? Or is that now non-functional?

[Sanj]

I wish! This is an E53 X5Sport - we don't have that luxury! Brakes on and brakes off is all we get!

They're simple/no fuss type, exactly how I like my mods. In this case, look twice and yuo still wouldn't know they were a mod, unless you're mad like me!

[X5Sport]

[quote=""Sanj""]I wish! This is an E53 X5Sport - we don't have that luxury![/quote]

Errrr, I got BFD on my E53. At least, that's what it says in the book. It brings on a second brake lamp above the normal one when you absolutely stand on the anchors. Could it be that's why the lamps you have were so bright? If the BFD had not been implemented properly then it would be all or nothing?

Richard

[Sanj]

Never thought I had them it to be honest - or thought it was an option. I'd never know unless the manual says so, will rtfm.

Trying to think, will the bulbs just get extra power delivered to them for additional brightness then? Speculation, of course...

Before, these would make a driver behind sh!t themselves before being blinded into a ditch, now they have time to close their eyes as they step on the brake and stop rapidly!

[pvr]

BFD on my M means additional lights coming on, no change to the existing bulbs. Not sure how it would have been done on the X5 E53 though.

[X5Sport]

On the E53 it brings a second pair of 21W bulbs into play with the second one in the upper red fltered area which gives four lamps where there were only two. Drivers behind are supposed to notice the increase in red light - note the 'supposed'!

On the E46 Convertible it adds a load more LEDs when BFD is activated - you can't miss em when they're all on! I wondered if your new lamps had too many LEDs under normal braking rather than pouring red light at following drivers under proper emergency braking.

The X6 again just adds an additional pair of 21W lamps (why they did not fit LEDs for brakes when it has them for tail lights is a surprise to me) above the standard brake lights, again just to throw more light behind.

[Sanj]

These ones are no more than 2 square patches of 3 by 3 LEDs one above the other. I have seen the light emitted through them as side lights and then a brake lights. Under braking they get 'brighter', no additional LED's.

My originals have only two bulbs and indicator. Are you saying under normal braking only one of those two bulbs would come on and BOTH under heavy braking? As side lights they both come on of course.

I have them in the loft, will check at some stage...

[X5Sport]

Yup, that sounds right. Both bulbs in the red zones should be twin filament with both low brightness filaments (4W or whatever, I can't remember) as tail lights, the lower 21W for normal braking and the upper 21W one only coming on under very heavy braking.

Foglights are inboard on the lower tail gate. I guess the idea was to keep fog and brake lamps well separated so following drivers don't miss the brakes and should not miss the additional light output in an emergency.

Richard

[Sanj]

In that case in these units both 9 LED squares light up under braking. Could explain the additional light.

[pvw10]

[quote="X5Sport"]Yup, that sounds right. Both bulbs in the red zones should be twin filament with both low brightness filaments (4W or whatever, I can't remember) as tail lights, the lower 21W for normal braking and the upper 21W one only coming on under very heavy braking.

Hi Richard, just posted a problem with my brake lights so just had them out, mine has twin filaments (side/brake) on the higher ones and single filaments on the lower ones so perhaps thats my problem ?

Thanks

Paul

[pvw10]

Just checked handbook.

Top brake lights 21/5w brake/side.
Bttm brake lights 21w

So mine are correct, bums.

[kkodal78]

would it be too much to use these replacement tail lights on a black X5?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-2006-BMW-X5- ... 5ae186ca75

[Sanj]

Personal choice - I prefer OEM, or as close to.

You have to think what they look like with your colour of car. Black, nope. Estoril Blue and it might work. Just helps break up the black...