So maybe I got a bit thorough on the tail light 'fix'

[PropellerHead]

While on our road trip to FL this year, I was getting the ill-timed 'check brake lights' errors. I came home, picked up some bulbs and that was that. Until a few weeks ago when the error surfaced again. I ignored it. Like so many little things, it's not that big of a deal. In fact, it may not even be *real* knowing how these things throw the errors around like candy.

But the other day, 'check rear lights' was added to the mix. Well dagnabbit. THAT set of gongs started to get annoying, so I looked at some LEDs... Not bad. I mean. They light. They're brighter when the brakes are applied, but much like the non-OE incandescent units, it just doesn't look OE to me. What can I say, it's a preference thing.

So today, just to keep any surprises down to zero, I ordered the set. Left and right OE tails, 4 of one socket, and 2 of another. ECS had the best price on the total and shipping was only $13. I'll update the thread when I rec and install.

Dagnabbit #2- I forgot to get all new bulbs.

[Ricky Bobby]

PropellerHead = always does mods TO THE COMPLETENESS.

Instead of just repairing the circuit boards, or using the benz hardwire kits for 30 bucks he goes and replaces the whole damn kitten caboodle!

Looking forward to updates man it will be nice to have fresh tails whether they are OE or LED, you have stealth bulbs for the turns, right? You really should get a Euro headlight switch and do the factory wiring/coding to enable the rear fog lights

[tmv]

I'll take the old ones if you have no storage for them

[SlickGT1]

Wow you crazy. lol.

I just took of that damn metal board, mixed up some epoxy and went to town. Fixed both in an hour. Has been perfect ever since.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Wow you crazy. lol.

I just took of that damn metal board, mixed up some epoxy and went to town. Fixed both in an hour. Has been perfect ever since.

I'm kinda hoping to do the fix on the old ones- for practice- and then maybe let 'em go for a song (plus maybe a dance). This kinda takes some of the anxiety out of screwing them up beyond repair. Even at 10 yrs old, they're not in bad shape after only 49k miles and a pretty consistent polish regimen. Might be worth something to someone.

I do have another lil thing I did today that I will share with the group when the time comes. I just couldn't help myself.

[jsoto]

Clap Clap. Glad you went the OE route.

I personally think the OE looks better - the LED bulbs IMO don't look right on the E53. Maybe it's just the size of the LEDS....and the spacing of them.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

the whole damn kitten caboodle!

This made me laugh. Nice turn of phrase.

[StephenVA]

Plus 1 on the "Go with OE"
I had a right rear pooping off "Bulb Out" failure light a couple of times this winter. When I pulled the socket the connection tabs had carbon arch marks from intermittent connections. Ordered up the sockets and guess what? BMW provided new bulbs inserted. I was all prepaired to say "expensive little XX@$%&" .

So far all is quiet from the tail lights.

BULB SOCKET (from 10/03) Tail Light PN 63216943036 $9.22 (Qty 2)

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I do have another lil thing I did today that I will share with the group when the time comes. I just couldn't help myself.

Photoshop will have to do for now.

[Ricky Bobby]

Are those Rial wheels?