[tom @ eas]

The M3 has been on the market for a little over a year and already we're seeing the LCI taillights on the MY12 models.

Unlike it's E90 predecessor which included changes to the trunk, the F30/F80 LCI Taillight upgrade is a simple taillight swap that can be accomplished by the DIY type.



The release of the 2016 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) introduced some minor improvements to the vehicle. On the exterior side, most noticeably with the taillights. This DIY will give a quick overview for those to update their lighting to update the rear of their 2012 3-Series (and 2015 M3) Sedan to appear like the 2016 models.



An LCI Upgrade from EAS consists of Inner/Outer taillamps, trunk lamps (4 total) and Plug and Play (PnP) harnesses.

History

EAS has been performing R&D on taillight retrofits for a number of years, leading back to the E46 M3 models. We were at the forefront of the E92 taillight swap back in early 2010, with open Q&A sessions to fully explain the steps and show a bit behind the scenes on R&D:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382162
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382162
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372215

Let's begin:

[tom @ eas]

Our kit will include 4 taillights (inner/outer) and Left/Right harnesses. Coding is required once installation is completed.

Pre-installation

Kit contents
- Left LCI Outer Taillight
- Left LCI InnerTaillight
- Right LCI Outer Taillight
- Right LCI Inner Taillight
- Left/Right Drip Rails
- Wiring Harness Kit

Tools required
- 3/8" Ratchet
- 10mm socket
- 8mm socket
- Phillips screwdriver
- Trim removal tool
- Pliers
- Wire Cutters/Strippers
- Terminal Crimpers

Installation

1. Open Trunk



2. Remove Left/Right Drip rails. These are secured in by a plastic screw and pull away.





3. Remove (2) 10mm nuts securing taillight.



4. Remove Left taillight. Repeat above steps on Right side.





5. Removing Trunk Liner: The Trunk Liner is held in by 8 plastic phillips screws and 2 compression rivets. The phillips screws are very easy to strip so extra care must be taken to remove.



6. Carefully unscrew the plastic screw about halfway.




7. Fully remove screw out of place with trim removal tool. Repeat steps for remaining plastic screws



8. Remove plastic compression rivets.



9. Remove Trunk Release handle.



10. Remove trunk bracket covers. They are held in by (2) plastic clips, which are pried free. Repeat steps for remaining cover.





11. Remove Trunk Liner out of place and set aside



12. Unplug connector from inner taillight, remove nut with 10mm socket and set aside from vehicle. Repeat steps for other side.



13. Halfway done. Step back and admire progress.

[tom @ eas]

Harness repinning

In the next series of steps, we will be repinning the Outer Taillight connectors. This is a basic procedure and only requires a few steps, and completely reversible.

Overview of steps being performed - LEFT TAILLIGHT
Remove Black/Yellow from Position #1 and insert into Position #2
Remove Black/White Wire from Position #2 and insert into position #1
Remove Grey/Violet wire from Position #5 and insert into position #4
ScotchLock clamped onto Black/White wire (POS1)

14. Start with LEFT Outer Taillight connector.



15. Remove the purple retaining clip by sliding sideways. This will allow the pins to be properly removed.



16. Remove the weatherproof plug in plug position #4 with a pick tool and set aside. We will be replacing this later.



17. Wire positions #1 (Black/Yellow) and #2 (Black/White) need to be swapped. Remove Black/Yellow wire from connector on position #1. This is a (2) step procedure with your pick tool on the retaining barb on the connector, while carefully pulling outward. Repeat same steps for Black/White wire on position #2.



18. Photo of completed wire swap. Note Black/White wire is now in position #1 and Black/Yellow wire is in now in position #2. We've also removed Grey/Violet wire from position #5 and relocated to position #4.



19. Reinsert weatherproof plug in plug position #5.



20. Clamp supplied ScotchLock onto Black/White wire (POS1).





21. Move onto RIGHT side taillight and repeat steps, noting colors are slightly different than left taillight.

Overview of steps being performed - RIGHT TAILLIGHT
Remove Black/Blue from Position #1 and insert into Position #2
Remove Black/Grey Wire from Position #2 and insert into position #1
Remove Grey/Yellow wire from Position #5 and insert into position #4
ScotchLock clamped onto Black/Grey wire (POS1)



22. Reinstall LCI inner Trunk Lamps, using steps outlined above. Starting from LEFT LCI trunk taillight, insert supplied harness into connector, paying attention to RIGHT and LEFT harness, as they are slightly different. LEFT harness will have a longer BLUE wire hanging from it.





23. Repeat steps for RIGHT side, noting that RIGHT harness has longer ORANGE wire hanging.



24. Route BLUE wire down trunk bracket.



25. Route BLUE wire through trunk liner, near taillight area.



26. Route BLUE wire through locating pin hole behind taillight.



27. Strip BLUE wire and crimp supplied connector onto wire end and connect to Black/White wire on position #1.



28. Repeat steps on RIGHT side, plugging into Black/Grey wire.



29. Reinstall trunk Liner. Replace LEFT/RIGHT trunk bracket trim pieces, keeping wires neatly tucked underneath.



30. Reinstall Outer Taillights. Close trunk a few times to ensure enough slack is present in wiring and does not catch up on trunk tension springs.



31. Installation complete. Stand back and admire your handywork.

[tom @ eas]

Coding

Coding is necessary in order to keep errors from appearing when new taillights are installed.

REM Module
REM -> BFD_L_IS_LED: aktiv / Werte=01
REM -> BFD_R_IS_LED: aktiv / Werte=01

REM -> FRA_H_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> FRA_H_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> FRA_H_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> FRA_H_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> FRA_H_R_IS_LED: aktiv / Werte=01
REM -> FRA_H_L_IS_LED: aktiv / Werte=01

REM -> NSL_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> NSL_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> NSL_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> NSL_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00

REM -> RFS_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> RFS_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> RFS_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00
REM -> RFS_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_aktiv / Werte=00

REM -> RFS_L_IS_LED: aktiv / Werte=01
REM -> RFS_R_IS_LED: aktiv / Werte=01

Install is complete. Please comment if this guide helped you or if any of the steps need a bit more detailed explanation.

[tom @ eas]

[skoTner]

It says "US version" on your website. Is there a difference between Euro and US on these?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by skoTner

It says "US version" on your website. Is there a difference between Euro and US on these?

EU versions have an amber turn indicator, US flash red instead. We only offer the US versions at this time, and may look into stocking EU versions if there is enough interest.

[Adamr916]

I'm definitely interested in the Euro spec ones if you start stocking them

[akru88]

The plug and play harnesses is compatible with the euro spec lights ?

[F30_335]

Originally Posted by akru88

The plug and play harnesses is compatible with the euro spec lights ?

Just ordered from EAS. Will let you know in 1-2 week.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by akru88

The plug and play harnesses is compatible with the euro spec lights ?

Only difference between EU and US lamps are the color of the blinker indicator LEDs, DIY and harness kit will work on both as the pinout is the same.

[Bluesummer]

I like the Pre LCI taillights better, how do I convert back? Can I use the same harness?

[F30_335]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

27. Strip BLUE wire and crimp supplied connector onto wire end and connect to Black/White wire on position #1.

Today tried to instal LCI TailLight with your harness. Everything was great except this step. Left turn signal work well but right wire not have good contact with connector (white one on a photo). It work only if I push wire in to connector by hand. Look like this solution will be not good in the future.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by F30_335

Today tried to instal LCI TailLight with your harness. Everything was great except this step. Left turn signal work well but right wire not have good contact with connector (white one on a photo). It work only if I push wire in to connector by hand. Look like this solution will be not good in the future.

Make sure the connector is inserted fully into the supplied scotchlock, we're had 0 issues on installs performed here.

[ahero4eternity]

What's the price for parts and install if I drive up to you guys?

[F30_335]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Make sure the connector is inserted fully into the supplied scotchlock, we're had 0 issues on installs performed here.

Today tried one more time. Orange wire not have good contact with white connector. I cut off a little isolation on orange wire and now it work. How do you think, it will safe to use this conection without waterproof?

The finish look.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by F30_335

Today tried one more time. Orange wire not have good contact with white connector. I cut off a little isolation on orange wire and now it work. How do you think, it will safe to use this conection without waterproof?

The finish look.

Should be fine. End result looks fantastic!

[leasehackr]

What's the price for parts only?

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by abhiku

What's the price for parts only?

PM coming your way

[F30_335]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Should be fine. End result looks fantastic!

Just tried to code them. I found mistake in your instruction. There are two same line. Unfortunately after coding light still blinking . Maybe you forget about rear fog lamp? There was not any errors before coding.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by F30_335

Just tried to code them. I found mistake in your instruction. There are two same line. Unfortunately after coding light still blinking . Maybe you forget about rear fog lamp? There was not any errors before coding.

We don't normally code for rear fogs since the switch needs to be modified to use the feature on US cars.

▀▄ eas | DIY: Rear Foglamp Mod
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1023817

We have a DIY listed here which overviews the Rear Fog coding steps, but you should already have that enabled?

[F30_335]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

We don't normally code for rear fogs since the switch needs to be modified to use the feature on US cars.

▀▄ eas | DIY: Rear Foglamp Mod
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1023817

We have a DIY listed here which overviews the Rear Fog coding steps, but you should already have that enabled?

I have rear fog lamp button from factory.
I meant maybe if I have rear fog lamp, coding is different. Without coding, I have blinking in 3 place. Now only stop lamp blinking.