My F15 X5 - M Performance Parts in Pictures

[MattBianco]

First post on this board. Please be patient if I don't know your acronyms, or those about cars.

Can you Kindly tell me where/how on the amber blinking, ECE spec taillights? I am in the SF Bay Area, and if you have local source and/or installer for the lights, I'd much appreciate the information.

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

First post on this board. Please be patient if I don't know your acronyms, or those about cars.

Can you Kindly tell me where/how on the amber blinking, ECE spec taillights? I am in the SF Bay Area, and if you have local source and/or installer for the lights, I'd much appreciate the information.

You need to buy tail lights from Europe. Wiring is significant and time consuming and requires advanced coding. I would not recommend this mod. I only followed through with it because I couldn't return the lights.

I did the work myself with a BMW master tech friend.

[MattBianco]

Thank you for the swift turn around.

I have to do the lights modification.

1) Red turn signals in the back are ugly
2) Red turn signals are not as safe

As I am ordering mine and not buying off the lot, I am trying to convince the dealer to have the factory install these as the US factory exports these globally.

"Wiring is significant and time consuming and requires advanced coding" is a huge deterrent. I can find people to wire, but the coding part will be challenge.

I have never had a car whose blinkers were red. I don't want this car I am ordering this weekend to change that.

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

Thank you for the swift turn around.

I have to do the lights modification.

1) Red turn signals in the back are ugly
2) Red turn signals are not as safe

As I am ordering mine and not buying off the lot, I am trying to convince the dealer to have the factory install these as the US factory exports these globally.

"Wiring is significant and time consuming and requires advanced coding" is a huge deterrent. I can find people to wire, but the coding part will be challenge.

I have never had a car whose blinkers were red. I don't want this car I am ordering this weekend to change that.

The factory won't do it as the RoW lighting isn't compliant with DOT FMVSS lighting regulations.

The wiring and coding would likely void your warranty. The coding could also reset when your car is updated during routine service, leaving you without some rear lighting functionality.

If red signals are an issue, don't buy the X5.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

The factory won't do it as the RoW lighting isn't compliant with DOT FMVSS lighting regulations.

The wiring and coding would likely void your warranty. The coding could also reset when your car is updated during routine service, leaving you without some rear lighting functionality.

If red signals are an issue, don't buy the X5.

You can install them yourself. It is a little tricky though for one of the sides due to the a large tank I believe? Read this thread for more details: http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...oduct_id%3D294

[MattBianco]

Well, she was just ordered, and should be delivered in 6-8 weeks.

I have to figure out a workaround as you have for the amber indicators/turn signals.

Sonnen BMW in San Rafael, CA made no mention of a warranty void, but said they have no one that can address the coding issue, but they could wire it. That is the bottle neck for now, coding.

They also recommended Canadian tail lights, which should be easier to source. Not sure if anyone has experience with this.

They warned from a quality standpoint against eBay sourced lights that are made in China.

If anyone has access to a coding specialist, would much appreciate it. I am willing to spend the time/effort to learn it if I have to periodically tamper with the firmware.

@Opasha....unless I missed it, I think your thread link was just for bumper install.

Thank you.

[MattBianco]

Cries of desperation....

Since you have opened up and seen all the guts of the rear lighting housing, wiring and fixtures, can one theoretically put yellow film over the LEDs in the inside? That would be yellow+red=orange.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

Well, she was just ordered, and should be delivered in 6-8 weeks.

I have to figure out a workaround as you have for the amber indicators/turn signals.

Sonnen BMW in San Rafael, CA made no mention of a warranty void, but said they have no one that can address the coding issue, but they could wire it. That is the bottle neck for now, coding.

They also recommended Canadian tail lights, which should be easier to source. Not sure if anyone has experience with this.

They warned from a quality standpoint against eBay sourced lights that are made in China.

If anyone has access to a coding specialist, would much appreciate it. I am willing to spend the time/effort to learn it if I have to periodically tamper with the firmware.

@Opasha....unless I missed it, I think your thread link was just for bumper install.

Thank you.

Oh wow (face palm)!! Somehow my quote got put in the wrong thread! I must have copied and pasted into the wrong thread when replying to help. My apologies. I replied this for someone asking for the bumper splitter installs.

[wdimagineer]

Canadian lights are the same as those in the US.

Yellow film would likely have a negligible impact. It would also make your brake lights orange as well since turn and brake indicators are combined.

The F15 is the first BMW I've seen that has different lamp behavior in various markets. It's been my experience that they've typically been plug and play. Had I known what was involved in the retrofit I would've skipped it.

I was just at Sonnen earlier. I'm quite surprised they'd offer to do the wiring that could void your warranty. During my install we bricked the BDC ECU. We were able to recover it but if the same thing were to happen to you warranty wouldn't cover it.

[MattBianco]

You have been very helpful. Dream-shattering, but helpful. Thank you.

At minimum, I had hoped that the indicators would be a separate set of LEDs than the break LEDs, even if red, (ala benz, cayenne, audi). To hear that they were so cheap with the US release as to use the same LED set to double up as both break and indicator, like a 70s Oldsmobile, is really disappointing after $75k.

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

You have been very helpful. Dream-shattering, but helpful. Thank you.

At minimum, I had hoped that the indicators would be a separate set of LEDs than the break LEDs, even if red, (ala benz, cayenne, audi). To hear that they were so cheap with the US release as to use the same LED set to double up as both break and indicator, like a 70s Oldsmobile, is really disappointing after $75k.

Actually, no. Everybody is doing it. Audi and Porsche have combined turn and brake indicators on most of their cars. Look at an A4 or A6. The entire lamp lights up or flashes. It looks dumb.

Mercedes typically is separate but they've gone red, too.

Blame our outdated rules and not BMW. A certain percentage or surface area of a lamp has to illuminate in braking conditions. Tail lights would be gigantic if the manufacturers didn't combine multiple functions into a single lens.

Example:

[MattBianco]

I thought GL class was separate, but the video link you sent clears it all about the direction at large. What a sad state of affairs.

I finally also understand the reason for the additional wiring.

My guess is DoT are just too scared to change rules, fearing backlash, and fearing liability as no one has done a $20mn study to show it would be an improvement over their 70 year old rules.

Would love to see a video of your taillights in action so I can stare enviously.

...that said, I have not given up. Sent an email to Nor Cal BMW Coding to see if they could do this.

Meanwhile, if you have a source for the lights themselves, would much appreciate posting it.

[Sassafras2]

Holy cow, look great. How do you think the carbon fiber mods would look on a darker car, like Carbon Black?

[Rob@StrasseWheels]

Wow it looks amazing!!

[wdimagineer]

Parm, quick pic for you. More coming soon after they're edited.

[loumckay]

Hi everyone:

I'm a newbie to this site and to BMW. I just purchased a 2014 X35i Sapphire Black X5 M Sport, and love it.

I'm looking to increase my horse power, through I believe it's called "Dinan". The few inquiries I have made, indicates there would be nothing until the end of the year for this model, has anyone heard anything different?.

Also, the "M" Performance Brakes. The stock ones are great, but love the look of the "M" Blue, as well as the disc's. Its sounds pretty goofy to most, to purchase brakes based on the color and size, but my wife and I love the car. I think we are becoming car, better yet BMW enthusiasts.

Also, would like to upgrade the sound system, currently have the Harmon Kardon, but really like the other sound system that has the speakers come up through the dash.

Any thoughts, or advice?

[opasha]

First of all, welcome and congratulations on your new X5!

1) To my knowledge, your info seems correct. Dinan seems like the best tune with warranty. You can try others, but I'd wait.

2) The brake upgrade is solid. I will be doing this soon. You can buy them here: http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

3) I've inquired about upgrading the sound system. You are stuck with what you have ordered from the factory because the sound system cannot be changed from BMW; I've asked around regarding this and even checked with my service rep. So far, BAVSOUND (http://www.bavsound.com/) is the only company that can swap out the current sound system (plug and play) with a nicer system while maintaining warranty. They're exclusive to BMW and have really solid reviews. I have the standard HIFI 9 speaker system and will be upgrading when it becomes available. I'm almost 99% sure that the Bang&Olufsen (http://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/car-a...s/bmw/BMW,-,X5) can't be upgraded to from the Harmon Kardon, but since they are both 16 speaker systems, you might be able to see if they can do an install depending on the sizing of the speakers. Ask your service rep or PM wdimagineer for more info.

Good luck!

[Armen383]

Actually don't believe your BMW stealerships re: upgrades and retrofits. I am pretty sure there are a lot of good BMW tuners in the US that can retrofit B&O even from the 6 speaker system (it'll cost though because the trim would also be changed). Upgrading from 16HK to 16B&O solution is very easy for any professional installer. So if you're lucky to live in an advanced country/city and have the $ - it's not a problem whatsoever.

However at the price point BMW charges for B&O I'd strongly suggest you upgrade to an aftermarket custom system (Focals, etc.) - would probably end up paying less for more.

[Ninpo21]

Was you on the triboro on Saturday night I think I was chasing a similar X5

[wdimagineer]

BavSound will likely have an upgrade soon. They're great. I highly recommend them.

[CaliE90]

would you mind posting a video or some pics of how the European taillights blink? I'm curious as to see what the differences are

[Ibiza]

Love the mods!

Would you mind measuring the width from the side panel/height above the side air curtain that the M badge is placed at? I will installing on my CB X5 50 M Sport soon.

Thanx