here is what is needed to do the installation.

30-45 minutes time
5/16 socket??? (it fit pretty good didnt have the metric size)
1/4 socket wrench
1/4 extension
screw driver (flat)
plug remover (no neccesary, but good to have)
1 can of...

Were you yanking on the green triangle too hard maybe during the installation? That's the emergency trunk release if you're caught inside. Try pushing the slack back in.

Just a quick note of thanks to longtran for posting this EXCELLENT DIY guide. Just installed my Blacklines without a hitch on my two week old 335i. They look great!!

Just installed my blacklines yesterday.
Such an easy mod.
I do suggest that everyone use a plug remover though.
I didn't have one so just used a regular flathead screw drive and that was somewhat of a pain.
Great DIY though.

Actually, a set of wide-mouthed pliers works even better on the plugs.

Help! Like a jacka$$ I couldnt leave well enough alone...\

I installed my Blacklines Thursday with no problems (aside from the beer spilled in the trunk). I noticed yesterday the alignment was a little off on the right outside pice. After loosening the nuts and getting it lined up perfectly, I got overzealous with the outermost nut, overtightened and sheared it off entierly.

Is there anything I can do about this or is a whole new piece the only remedy?

TIA (and for the excellent DIY)

^
Damn. . . I was worried i would do it myself but read the "Do Not Over Tighten!"
so was hesitant.
Hopefully someone here can help you out.

good job....

First i couldn't understand the diy but after looking carefully in my trunk and read the diy twice it was all so clear!

can someone with blacklines and the Euro rear fog light switch please post a pic of what the blacklines look like with the rear fog lights on? thanks in advance!

edit: never mind, found it in the DIY rear fog light thread!

Just did this myself last night. Push pins were simple once you figure it out. Maje sure you pry the push pin out from the anchor as far as possible, then the base comes out no problem.

Another tip for the trunk install; after the outside clips are in place, push from the outside of the lens to keep it in place while installing the one screw and plastic anchor. It "catches" the trunk lip much easier this way.

Had some luck with some Epoxy glue before for some similar plastic repair. Since there parts are not normally high-loaded, those glue should be strong enough. Just leave enough time (~12 hours) to cure the mixture.

It turns out the screws actually thread out. So I was able to just use a wrench to twist out the broken screw and take one from the OEM lights and replace it. Took about 5 minutes and all is well now. Surprisingly, the light seemed perfectly snug for a week or so with just the 2 inside screws holding it in place.

I just finished installing my blackline led tails last night. Work fine, the tail lamp pieces on the body fit fine. Now the problem, the pieces on the trunklid! They clip in fine from the sides, sit fine overall, all aligned up, however on both L and R sides the inner corner (towards the liscence) sticks up (quite a bit!) allowing water to go in, and just looks plain stupid! Anyone else have this problem? Am i doing something wronggg

Thanks for the guide! I just installed mine and they're looking sweet. I wasn't sure I'd like the looks of them on Arctic Metallic, but they look excellent.

Great diy, thanks. I just did my E91 in less than an hour. Makes you wonder how a designer could stick those bright white triangles on the OEM taillights that really stand out on Black Sapphire. I kind of like just the blacklines on the hatch with original outside red, but decided the full blacklines are best. Too bad the car wasn't clean for these photos. Next I'll take off the 325xi badge.

The trunk portions of my blacklines do not to seem to want to seat properly in the opening. The wide edge with the tabs is securely attached to the trunk lid, just like in longtran's picture, but the inner edge of the taillight, even though the nut is fully tightened, still sticks out from the rest of the lid. This is on both the left and right units. What's wrong? Does it have something to do with the long white plastic piece that the nut screws on to? I couldn't figure out for the life of me what that piece is supposed to do. I don't see how it anchors the taillight to the inside of the trunk lid. It all just seems to be one self-contained assembly, held in place only by the wiring harness. Please help!! Thanks!

Just figured it out. After completely removing the trunk lid liner and getting up close and personal with the taillight cavity, I saw that the long white piece clamps over a metal lip holding the inner edge in place. Problem solved, and now everything looks great!!

Thanks alot, I did it myself in a hour more or less and the result is excellent. This guide is really well done. THANKS THANKS

Just installed my set. Great DIY.





From this photoshoot: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278622

Thanks for posting such easy to follow instructions. The lights look great and VERY easy to install. This is the perfect DIY mod!!!

Ok I followed the DIY instructions and for some reason I am running into a problem with the trunk lid lights. I seem to have a gap on the top, they don't seem to fit as snug as the OEM lights. I am fearful of water etc getting in. The nut is tight, not too tight for fear of cracking the light, the side guides are in place, and I have pushed in on the light while tighting it, however no luck. I called the BMW dealer where I got the lights from and they have doubled checked that I do have the correct lights for my pre-LCI E90 335i. Has anyone else encountered this, any suggestions? Thank-you!

dont wanna revive a slightly dead thread, but just got XpaulbaileyX's lights today (thanks bro!)_ and it took me less than 20 minutes to do both outside lights...I'm still at work so as soon as I get off in 3 minutes I'll do the inside parts, but they look great so far! will have to take photos tomorrow.

Installed mine today. Thanks LT for the great instructions. I advise taking extra time to perfectly align the grey/red line across the trunk to the body. Many photos in the threads have a misaligned blackline.

Thanks for the write-up. Installed mine today with ease.