Bought new LCI tail lights, the LEDs are a different color?

ef11 · 10-22-2013, 08:54 PM

I recently had the "Right rear tail light malfunction" come up and the LEDs on the right tail light are out. So I thought, no big deal I will just buy a new pair.

I found a good deal on a pair of BMW tail lights that were almost new and are marked 2011.

I plugged in the left one to test it and put the hazards on. The left one (old one that still worked) continued to blink red LEDs. The right one (the new ones with a 2011 date on them) blinked a much brighter yellow/orange.

Did I somehow get the wrong tail lights, or do the newer ones blink yellow/orange instead of red? I bought a pair so it's fine, I would just like to know why the color is different.

Thanks for any info!

kingofthedemo · 10-22-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericfox11

I recently had the "Right rear tail light malfunction" come up and the LEDs on the right tail light are out. So I thought, no big deal I will just buy a new pair.

I found a good deal on a pair of BMW tail lights that were almost new and are marked 2011.

I plugged in the left one to test it and put the hazards on. The left one (old one that still worked) continued to blink red LEDs. The right one (the new ones with a 2011 date on them) blinked a much brighter yellow/orange.

Did I somehow get the wrong tail lights, or do the newer ones blink yellow/orange instead of red? I bought a pair so it's fine, I would just like to know why the color is different.

Thanks for any info!

The euro ones blink yellow instead of red.

kdbryce · 10-22-2013, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofthedemo

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericfox11

I recently had the "Right rear tail light malfunction" come up and the LEDs on the right tail light are out. So I thought, no big deal I will just buy a new pair.

I found a good deal on a pair of BMW tail lights that were almost new and are marked 2011.

I plugged in the left one to test it and put the hazards on. The left one (old one that still worked) continued to blink red LEDs. The right one (the new ones with a 2011 date on them) blinked a much brighter yellow/orange.

Did I somehow get the wrong tail lights, or do the newer ones blink yellow/orange instead of red? I bought a pair so it's fine, I would just like to know why the color is different.

Thanks for any info!

The euro ones blink yellow instead of red.

+1

I actually like the euro version more.

JustinGTP · 10-22-2013, 09:22 PM

It could be that you bought a euro set which blink amber, not red. That would be awesome if you did because they are more expensive and harder to find than the red.

If the colour is slightly different, LEDs come in batches and have variances, so your new set is a different batch and therefore colour than your originals.

ef11 · 10-22-2013, 09:29 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-BMW-E90-...vip=true&rt=nc

This is the listing, got them for $225 with free shipping, so I guess I got a pretty good deal. I just wanted to make sure something wasn't wrong...

They came with original packaging which was all in German, so I guess they are the Euro versions

DC_Oldboy · 10-22-2013, 09:39 PM

Lol I have Euro tails and they're sexy. You should switch out the US version.

ef11 · 10-22-2013, 10:29 PM

I just kind of always liked the red because it goes more with the car I feel...Idk.

The amber ones do seem to be very bright, I just feel amber might make the car look older. I have the lights though and need to swap them out. I guess people do pay hundreds of dollars for this "upgrade" even when not needing them. In my case, I needed them so it worked out pretty well.

If I put them in and really don't like them after a day or two, I guess there will be a set for around $225 for sale on the forums ha

kingofthedemo · 10-22-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericfox11

I just kind of always liked the red because it goes more with the car I feel...Idk.

The amber ones do seem to be very bright, I just feel amber might make the car look older. I have the lights though and need to swap them out. I guess people do pay hundreds of dollars for this "upgrade" even when not needing them. In my case, I needed them so it worked out pretty well.

If I put them in and really don't like them after a day or two, I guess there will be a set for around $225 for sale on the forums ha

I have a set we can trade if you want...

ef11 · 10-23-2013, 10:20 AM

Well these are brand new lights, so I wouldn't really want to trade for lights that have been in operation for a while (not sure on yours). I normally wouldn't mind as they are tail lights, but I feel as they get older the same LED issue will continue to occur.

matty231 · 10-23-2013, 01:29 PM

Ahhhh everyones getting god damn LCI tail lights and in New Zealand no bastard has a wrecking LCI!!!

mastermayhm · 10-23-2013, 02:04 PM

ill trade if you want i just got a newish set off a 2011

kingofthedemo · 10-24-2013, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericfox11

Well these are brand new lights, so I wouldn't really want to trade for lights that have been in operation for a while (not sure on yours). I normally wouldn't mind as they are tail lights, but I feel as they get older the same LED issue will continue to occur.

I still haven't installed them yet, I bought them for a lci conversion

ef11 · 10-24-2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofthedemo

I still haven't installed them yet, I bought them for a lci conversion

Oh ok gotcha, well I put them on last night and I think I'm going to enjoy them alright..after all they are lights that you can rarely ever see while in the car ha

wdeerfield · 10-24-2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdbryce

+1

I actually like the euro version more.

lol

10-22-2013, 08:54 PM	#1
ef11 Captain 50 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan M-Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tyler, Texas iTrader: (0)	Bought new LCI tail lights, the LEDs are a different color? I recently had the "Right rear tail light malfunction" come up and the LEDs on the right tail light are out. So I thought, no big deal I will just buy a new pair. I found a good deal on a pair of BMW tail lights that were almost new and are marked 2011. I plugged in the left one to test it and put the hazards on. The left one (old one that still worked) continued to blink red LEDs. The right one (the new ones with a 2011 date on them) blinked a much brighter yellow/orange. Did I somehow get the wrong tail lights, or do the newer ones blink yellow/orange instead of red? I bought a pair so it's fine, I would just like to know why the color is different. Thanks for any info!
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10-22-2013, 09:22 PM	#4
JustinGTP Captain 58 Rep 602 Posts Drives: '13 MINI Paceman JCW Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta iTrader: (0)	It could be that you bought a euro set which blink amber, not red. That would be awesome if you did because they are more expensive and harder to find than the red. If the colour is slightly different, LEDs come in batches and have variances, so your new set is a different batch and therefore colour than your originals. __________________ '09 LCI 335i E90 in BSM over Oyster Dakota Leather, Manual, Sport, Navigation, Individual Audiophile, Executive, Active Steering, JB4 + MHD BEF, 335is Exhaust w/AWE Tuning Tips, AFE DCI, Euro Tails/Fog Light Switch, various painted and other OEM + mods, 19" M5 reps summer '13 MINI Cooper S Paceman JCW R61in Light White & Black Roof/Mirror Caps/Sport Stripes, Loaded + Rare
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10-22-2013, 09:29 PM	#5
ef11 Captain 50 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan M-Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tyler, Texas iTrader: (0)	http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-BMW-E90-...vip=true&rt=nc This is the listing, got them for $225 with free shipping, so I guess I got a pretty good deal. I just wanted to make sure something wasn't wrong... They came with original packaging which was all in German, so I guess they are the Euro versions
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10-22-2013, 09:39 PM	#6
DC_Oldboy Q(.)-D Q-(^.~Q) 214 Rep 5,378 Posts Drives: like an old person. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bothell, WA iTrader: (39) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.48]	Lol I have Euro tails and they're sexy. You should switch out the US version. __________________
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10-22-2013, 10:29 PM	#7
ef11 Captain 50 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan M-Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tyler, Texas iTrader: (0)	I just kind of always liked the red because it goes more with the car I feel...Idk. The amber ones do seem to be very bright, I just feel amber might make the car look older. I have the lights though and need to swap them out. I guess people do pay hundreds of dollars for this "upgrade" even when not needing them. In my case, I needed them so it worked out pretty well. If I put them in and really don't like them after a day or two, I guess there will be a set for around $225 for sale on the forums ha
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10-23-2013, 10:20 AM	#9
ef11 Captain 50 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan M-Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tyler, Texas iTrader: (0)	Well these are brand new lights, so I wouldn't really want to trade for lights that have been in operation for a while (not sure on yours). I normally wouldn't mind as they are tail lights, but I feel as they get older the same LED issue will continue to occur.
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10-23-2013, 01:29 PM	#10
matty231 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 243 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i M Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kiwi Land! iTrader: (0)	Ahhhh everyones getting god damn LCI tail lights and in New Zealand no bastard has a wrecking LCI!!! __________________ 2008 BMW 335i M-Sport Black Saph w/ Dakato Black \| M-Sport \| Sunroof \| iDrive \| 6SP Steptronic \| Comfort Access \| Lights Package \| JDM Spec
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10-23-2013, 02:04 PM	#11
mastermayhm Brigadier General 270 Rep 4,773 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: INPLS, IN iTrader: (13)	ill trade if you want i just got a newish set off a 2011 __________________ e90 330 > e90 LCI N54 > e70 x5 50i > f12 M6 GC > f15 x5 50i > f90 M5
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