Fender side marker replacement (smoked) opinions...

[Ricky Bobby]

When I bought my X 2 years ago I installed these Depo smoked sidemarkers with amber chrome bulbs:



I like the smoked because it blends in with the rubstrips on the doors, keeping a continuous line. These were Depo brand, if anyone cares to know. Long story short I have some moisture accumulating in one of the side markers so I'm guessing just a byproduct of cheaper plastic, etc. I put silicone around the seal when I installed them as well so its not the seal on the fender. So I'm looking for a replacement set.

Now, going on ebay there are a few newer choices, all about 30 bucks each.

1)

These look pretty high quality and definitely an OE look, ships from Germany too!


2)

The popular LED version with 3 amber LED's, does anyone have these and are they truly error free? Do they come with a new rubber seal for the back?

Or option 3) Get another set of smoked Depo markers, use some silicone on the back seal again and hope for another 2 years or more of problem free operation.

Fire away with thoughts and opinions, I'll be ordering one of these sets this week.

[TerminatorX5]

The MTS with the "waffle" pattern should match the pattern on OE tails of the pre facelift... the ones that you have right now, with lines, should match with pattern of OE facelift tails... the LEDs for the turn signals - i like the incandescent lights ability to "fade in and fade out" as opposed to LEDs' instantaneous "on-off"... I think, it is easier on the eyes...

but, those are personal choices, and you choose whatever tickles your pickle!!!

[pezho405]

I llike the last ones. But on mine what i did was just remove it and use some window tint fil i had left over, still looks fine to date.

[X5SND]

The biggest beef I have with the LED versions is the brightness level during the day. The ones I had for a while were ok....but definitely not as bright as the old school bulbs. The do look great at night though....

I'd be in for Option #1 for being the best "functionality" as those reverse dimples on the lens should catch the light and focus it to the exterior and as such should be the most even in terms of hotspots.

[Ricky Bobby]

S, did you have those led markers or a different brand? I thought bc of the 3 led's they might be decently bright, admittedly the smoked depo versions I have now, combined with the chrome amber 194 bulb aren't the brightest.

And T, you are correct, the first version matches the waffle pattern of the OE tails, however I haven't had those in almost 2 years since I replaced with the aftermarket led tails, which have a crystal turn signal more in the facelift style.

[e30cabrio]

How do you replace the bulbs? The markers seem firmly attached.

[bcredliner]

The unit pops out it if you pull out from either end. I use a 90 degree pick. Once it pops out turn it vertically to pull it through the fender and access the bulb.

[bcredliner]

Ricky Bobby, the moisture is coming from the bulb seal unless the frame is split.

[X5SND]

Ricky, they were the generic ebay/amazon led units for 30 bucks....not sure they actually had a "brand"...if that makes sense? I think in most of the LED side markers the 3 led's are aimed in progressive angles from 90 degrees to the fender face to nearly parallel (straight back) in an effort to make them more conspicuous. Unless you catch the light at the "correct" angle the normal incandescent bulbs will definitely have the edge in terms of brightness. I can definitely see a smoked lens with a chrome bulb having an effect on the output.....quite honestly that's the reasoning behind going with the standard white housings & chrome bulbs. I know it doesn't blend as well as a smoked lens, but at the end of the day, it should be the combination that produces the best look for output balance.

[Cadesto]

I (again) am going to vouch for my weisslicht side markers.. I hadnt updated the post on my wheel topic.. But will get some pics tomorrow during the day.. Love how they disappear and matche with the rubber molding..