Clear Tails (2005) & Side Markers
 

I've had these on for a couple weeks now, and I finally took a few pics. Thanks to Andaya for the info on retrofitting the tails.

I like it!!!!!!

Im a big fan of the cleared look on the tail lights and side markers over the orange. Makes the X look 10 times better. Good job...

Get the inner light piece too... Plus a painted trunk handle shouldn't cost too much, but give a great look...

where may I find the same lights for '02?

:iagree:
Complete the look with inner lights. Looks nice! I guess you were able to make all connections for the adaptive brake bulbs. Some members are having problem in the other thread.

I got mine on ebay there are lots of sets on there. Install is easy on an '02.

Yea i've been looking for used inner lights but haven't found any yet, it isn't very noticible in person but i definitely want them.

As far as wiring problems, for pre 10/2002 X5's they are plug and play, I just twisted in the bulb sockets form my old lights and plugged in the wiring harness on the light. The problem that I ran into (which Andaya helped me with) is that the sockets from my PRE-facelift Tail lights do not (as easily) fit as snug in the facelift Tail lights. You have to play with them until you get a secure connection otherwise they will jiggle free just enough so that you get the error message on the dash. The light also may appear dimmer or off altogether. Once you get the secure connection you're golden, I haven't had to touch them since ~1 month so far. I could try to make a write-up if others are having problems.

Looking good.

I probably will attempt this mod too on mine.

Pardon my ignorance, since I have 8/03 built X5, will like to clear up a few questions and see whether this Mod is for me ...

1) what is "inner light piece"???
2) what is the difference between the PRE-facelight tail-lights and POST-face-lift. I know the front is different BUT the rear???
3) Am I right to assume that the face-lift came about Model Year 2004 (just like the front)???

Also, are these OEM lights? I saw within BMW accessory catalog that there is a clear light kit which supposedly covers the front, side and rear. Is this the same as the BMW kit?

Thanks again for sharing

1. Inner Lights are the lights on the Tailgate (which i didn't replace). These house the reverse lights. I only replaced the "outer tail lights" the ones that house the brake lights and diirectional light. It has nothing to do with separating the actual lights just a way of talking about the four different lights on the back of your X5.
2. Facelift tail lights (2004+) are similar to Pre-facelift ('01-'03) SPORT Package Tail lights. They are both red and clear. The facelift ones however are more crystal looking with a silver turn signal area rather than a white. If you look closly you will also see that the facelift tail light lose the dots all over the tail lights, which you can still see on my inner lights and on your tail lights. They will make your X5 look newer guaranteed because of how the crystal shiny effect.
3. Mine are OEM from a 2005 X5. The kit you are referring to, since it is for pre-facelift X5's would give you the clear lights that are standard on a Model with sport package....so you would get red/clear tail lights but not the crystal Facelift ones as seen on my X5.

Honestly if you're going to get new tail lights get the facelift ones, they look 100 times better and can be had on ebay for about $100 for the set. Since you have a 2003 you will have to get an adapter from your dealer, but other than that its an easy install. General intructions are on the main page.

Thanks BostonBluX5

I wasn't aware there was a difference between the Pre-facelift and facelifted tail lights.

I guess I will be going to a stealership and try to see the taillight effects side by side.

I'm definitely interested in getting the clear sides indicators and I will have to change out my front Xenons too. This will be another expensive upgrade.

Thanks for your help

Does seem to add much to the overall look of your X but, they are nice.

Look closely at the first picture on this thread. You'll see that the plastics between the outer light and the inner light are different.

BMW in the early 00's made the design decision to emphasize horizontal looks in the rear of its cars (giving the impression of a wider stance). Hence the horizontal lines pattern (versus the dotted pre-refreshed pattern). Its from this design idea that BMW has come out with the CELIS LED's (three lines) that are present on the taillights of many new BMW's (E90, E63, E65, late E39).

YES .... I see it now ...

Also had the chance to observe the effect at the restaurant where there was face lifted X5 and I was able to compare side-by-side.

The bummer here is that it is too bad that BMW doesn't have the same layout for the pre-facelifted front lights. If I decided to have clear corners front and rear, and if I change my rears to this, my front will still be the same DOTTED version. Decisions ... decision ...

Thanks again for your insight

Part # for adapters
 

Will someone include the part # for the adapters. I have called my dealer twice and they tell me there is no such part.

clears
 

I thought about clears for my X. Did you install them or did a shop?

I fit the 04+ rear clears on my 03, i'm not sure if there is an adaptor but i just rewired the harness (switched the location of 1 wire in the harness), I wrote a thread you could check out describing which wires to switch.

yo IZZY, you a shqipe son???

I installed them. 3 bolts for each light, and trim a tiny piece of plastic for clearance (on 2004+ tails only). Takes about 15 mins total.