[R12ax7]

I realize this may be both a stupid question and the wrong place to post it, but here goes:

Does anyone know where to order a new bulb for the inside portion of a blackline tail light? Part number? Will the bulb from my original light work? Lastly, is it easily replaced?

Thanks

[SG07]

Where can I get the plug remover? Is it a specialty tool or any hardware store should carry one? Is its official name called plug remover?

[GregL]

Originally Posted by SG07

Where can I get the plug remover? Is it a specialty tool or any hardware store should carry one? Is its official name called plug remover?

I found it just as easy to use 2 flat head screwdrivers, slip them under the head at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions and lift, it will pop off without bending in any awkward directions.

[rayygunn]

hey where did you get the taillights and how much were there?

[MBP0202]

Just an FYI: The only trouble I had was getting the trunk caps off, and I tried 2 flathead screwdrivers, but I found that if you use the screwdrivers to loosen it, and then PLIERS work well to pull them out. Great write-up, very clear! Thanks.

[bob.g]

for canadians looking for the tool to remove the plugs, canadian tire sells it, the Powerbuilt Trim Pad Remover, costs 8$.

[Blackbird]

BTW, BavAuto has a pretty complete set of trim tools. I think they're a bit spendy and that you can get something good and cheap at Harbor Freight. Always good to have around!

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?part=ST+9007K
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece...set-67021.html

[drew4392]

Great DYI. Simple mod regardless, but step-by-step helps you breeze through it. Love my Blacklines!

[gregm02]

Originally Posted by drew4392

Great DYI. Simple mod regardless, but step-by-step helps you breeze through it. Love my Blacklines!

+1

[Forcefed3]

The smaller light on the trunk keeps falling out even after everything is tightend, does anyone know what I am doing wrong? The side piece hook is around the trunk, so its not that.

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by Kamando

Easiest mod in the world until the nuts fall down underneath where the cd changer mounts and you have to pull back all the carpet on the driver side to undo the metal bracket that mounts the amplifier to get em out. But other than that I love em

I had that same problem. After wasting half an hour trying to fish a fastener out (I have a custom amp rack that's a PITA to remove) I realized I could go on a quick drive and make a hard left turn to use the lateral Gs to move the fastener from underneath the amp rack.

[ramirez330i]

I have some DEPO smoked blacklines for sale, PM me if anyone is interested! Excellent condition priced to move

[asuresh8]

Originally Posted by Forcefed3

The smaller light on the trunk keeps falling out even after everything is tightend, does anyone know what I am doing wrong? The side piece hook is around the trunk, so its not that.

I ran into the same problem. When you take the nut out, there should be a plastic piece that either comes out with it or is loosened. Remove that plastic piece. Put the light back in and position it, push that same plastic piece in, making sure it catches on the trunk (this is how the light stays in place). Then tighten the bolt.

[E90Mario]

Help please! The brake light won't tighten, it stays loose, anyone have the same problem?

[plus160]

A few months after my blackline install after heavy rain I had water in the trunk by the amplifier, It turns out that there are some rubber flaps on the taillights that have to be positioned properly or when water runs down the sides of the trunk the water goes in instead of out below the deck lid. When

[ynot335i]

Def my next mod, Like the look so much better!

[glider4]

A couple of notes on my 2008 e90 OEM black line install.

First, for you metric folks, the nuts on the lights need an 8 mm wrench or socket but the 5/16" size will work fine.

Also, I used this tool set from Amazon to pry out the gray plastic retention fasteners on the trunk lid. It was $7.03 for the set. I used them during an upgrade of the front door speakers in my HiFi equipped 328i as well. A useful set to have on hand and cheap to buy!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

Start with the trunk lights first. The only glitch I encountered was in getting the retention arm to connect with the metal trunk frame. The retention arm slides down over the bolt into a channel in the light frame. There's lots of flex within the channel and if the arm gets too close to the light frame it will slip on the inside of the metal trunk frame and not be secured. The trick is to get the arm, while in the channel, to stay away from the light structure so it makes contact with the trunk frame. Easiest way for me was to slide the arm down into position, test it to ensure it was contacting the metal, then putting the nut in place on the bolt.

In general, the trunk lights are pretty easy and this will give you a false sense of confidence when moving on to the side lights.

Now on to the side lights!

1. Those three damn nuts on the side lights are about as slippery as snot. It helps to have one of those magnets on a pole to retrieve them when they drop. And you will drop them! And the colder it is, the more times you will drop them!

2. BMW deliberately placed the passenger side top nut in a place where you can't easily get to it. All the other five nuts are either easy or pretty easy to reach. But see #1.

3. I think I understand why some installers have had water leaks. There is a rubber flap on the top of the side light assembly that needs to go on the outside of the metal trunk lip. You actually can install the light and tighten all the nuts correctly with this rubber flap tucked inside that trunk lip. If you do that you will notice the light isn't exactly aligned correctly even with the nuts tightened all the way. And you will probably have a leak into your trunk. See picture for how the top rubber flap is suppose to be positioned to avoid leaks.

http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=IMG_0974.jpg

With all my trials and errors it took me about 90 minutes to finally get it right. The black lines do look fantastic! Now, would someone would please buy my old tail light set!

** Smart people can do stupid things - I know - I've watched me do them! **

[crod06]

nice! doing this soon

[sn0pea]

Originally Posted by glider4

A couple of notes on my 2008 e90 OEM black line install.

First, for you metric folks, the nuts on the lights need an 8 mm wrench or socket but the 5/16" size will work fine.

Also, I used this tool set from Amazon to pry out the gray plastic retention fasteners on the trunk lid. It was $7.03 for the set. I used them during an upgrade of the front door speakers in my HiFi equipped 328i as well. A useful set to have on hand and cheap to buy!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

Start with the trunk lights first. The only glitch I encountered was in getting the retention arm to connect with the metal trunk frame. The retention arm slides down over the bolt into a channel in the light frame. There's lots of flex within the channel and if the arm gets too close to the light frame it will slip on the inside of the metal trunk frame and not be secured. The trick is to get the arm, while in the channel, to stay away from the light structure so it makes contact with the trunk frame. Easiest way for me was to slide the arm down into position, test it to ensure it was contacting the metal, then putting the nut in place on the bolt.

In general, the trunk lights are pretty easy and this will give you a false sense of confidence when moving on to the side lights.

Now on to the side lights!

1. Those three damn nuts on the side lights are about as slippery as snot. It helps to have one of those magnets on a pole to retrieve them when they drop. And you will drop them! And the colder it is, the more times you will drop them!

2. BMW deliberately placed the passenger side top nut in a place where you can't easily get to it. All the other five nuts are either easy or pretty easy to reach. But see #1.

3. I think I understand why some installers have had water leaks. There is a rubber flap on the top of the side light assembly that needs to go on the outside of the metal trunk lip. You actually can install the light and tighten all the nuts correctly with this rubber flap tucked inside that trunk lip. If you do that you will notice the light isn't exactly aligned correctly even with the nuts tightened all the way. And you will probably have a leak into your trunk. See picture for how the top rubber flap is suppose to be positioned to avoid leaks.

http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=IMG_0974.jpg

With all my trials and errors it took me about 90 minutes to finally get it right. The black lines do look fantastic! Now, would someone would please buy my old tail light set!

** Smart people can do stupid things - I know - I've watched me do them! **

I'm having an insanly difficult time getting those darn tabs off. I ended up breaking two of them so now they will be even harder to get off. I bought those tools off amazon though, hopefully that will help. I'm actually just following this guide to replace my light bulb but I'm stuck at those plugs...

[glider4]

The gray plugs on the trunk lid are stocked by most dealers and are pretty cheap so don't worry too much about breaking them. Now the black plugs in the rest of the trunk holding the sideliners in place don't even have a part number! I broke one of the black ones before buying the tools at Amazon and can't find anyone who stocks a replacement.

[hybrid_e90]

subscribed!

[6urj]

Picking up and replacing my tail lights tomorrow!!! Can't wait this topic helped loads!