[jdr78569]

Installation Date : 02 September 2017

I know people have already retrofitted LCI's in F30's and F31's. I just haven't seen a DIY for the F31, so id like to contribute to the forum.


NOTE: Like any DIY project, proceed at your own risk. I am not responsible for anything that happens to your vehicle as a result of attempting this retrofit. This information is simply posted as a reference to help others who may wish to do this project on their own.







Parts -
LCI Tail light set (inner and outer)
F31 retrofit cable

Tools-
plastic trim removal tool
phillips screw driver
flat head screw driver
small flat head screw driver
Ratchet - 10mm & 8 mm (deep socket preferred)
T bits- T20 T27 (lost my T25 but T27 worked)
wire hanger
tape
OEM wire tape



Time - Took about 2.5 hours (to include pictures and info for DIY) + coding time


**Ensure all doors/windows are unlocked prior to disconnecting battery
Remove panels and covers.
-Use trim tool to remove plastic rivets.
-Use 10mm to remove plastic bolts






Remove tray over battery
- Disconnect negative


Remove light trims and bolts
Disconnect inner light connection







Remove outside tail lights by pulling straight out



Disconnect connection from outer light


Remove clip


Use small screw driver and remove pins


Reroute pins and repeat on other side






Remove inner lights



Remove pins and reroute



Use a hanger ( I wrapped end with tape to avoid scratching) to route cable to passenger side




*Might have to connect battery to open/close window and tailgate

Remove T screw


Pop out plastic (3 clips) and remove rubber at top


Use hanger to route up the wires up



Route wires through rubber sleeve and inside



Route wires with harness to REM




Tap LCI wires into REM 12B & 14B
Driver Side REM A174*12B - Tap into 17
Passenger Side REM A174*14B - Tap into 12


Test lights prior to reassembling

Coding is preferred to avoid bulb warm up test. I activated rear fogs and got a warning on the idrive. After coding it was cleared. :thump:



Hope this helps other and motivates them for a great upgrade.

Used Imgur for uploading pictures.

[jdr78569]

Just cuz my GoPro took random shots.

[Johnny250]

wow.. bravo!

[jdr78569]

Originally Posted by Johnny250

wow.. bravo!

Thanks bro!

[jkwhar]

Damn bro, you're making wanna do mine lol.

[jdr78569]

Originally Posted by jkwhar

Damn bro, you're making wanna do mine lol.

Do it! No balls before u start up with the X3 lol

[LiquidMercury]

Nicely put together, bud.

[jkwhar]

Originally Posted by jdr78569

Do it! No balls before u start up with the X3 lol

x5* and already started tearing apart yesterday to install a 2ch dashcam haha.

[SQUARETIP]

Its an F31. Ive ordered some Posi tap connectors so I can slice into the OEM wires without causing much damage. Can I get away without having to remove the pins on the wires Ill connect to the outers or will I have to cut them off?

Originally Posted by jdr78569

Just cuz my GoPro took random shots.

[LongRuf]

jdr78569 - When you take the purple piece off the connector and say, “reroute pins,” how are you rerouting them? Do you match them to the harness/adapter you buy with the lights? Thanks!

[jdr78569]

Originally Posted by LongRuf

jdr78569 - When you take the purple piece off the connector and say, “reroute pins,” how are you rerouting them? Do you match them to the harness/adapter you buy with the lights? Thanks!

Yes i repined or re routed them according to the new LCI wiring diagram to match the lci harness. I believe I said that in the DIY I'll have to double check

[LongRuf]

Apologies if I missed that. Seriously considering this DIY and appreciate all the info I can get!

[jdr78569]

Originally Posted by LongRuf

Apologies if I missed that. Seriously considering this DIY and appreciate all the info I can get!

No problem! It's a game changer I recommend it

[rlmesq]

Originally Posted by jdr78569

I activated rear fogs and got a warning on the idrive. After coding it was cleared.

Sorry to revive an old thread...

But what values did you use code the rear fogs? Several of us with LCI cars in the USA have tried to get them to work, with no luck. I did the switch hack for my car, which did not come with rear fogs. The indicator on the instrument panel lights up, but the rear fogs don't work.

I ran across this thread on a search and was amazed at your thorough writeup and detailed photos. It's great work... even if it doesn't apply to my car.

[Viper901]

Great DIY, thank you for the contribution.

[brtttt]

Thank you for this Guide really helpful as it was the only real guide I could find for the f31

I ended up using this to retrofit my shadowline rears over the weekend, made the harness up myself.

Wire tapped into wires near REM and coded all to LED and warm up/down cycles out with bimmercode.
All working as it should just need to update my reverse bulbs to LED now.

[RJF92]

Thank you! This was really helpful when installing my tail lights.

I created a PDF guide including pin-outs which I printed out so that I could follow it through without needing to keep looking at my phone (attached).

Hopefully this will help someone out when completing the same task.

[BBri89]

Originally Posted by RJF92

Thank you! This was really helpful when installing my tail lights.

I created a PDF guide including pin-outs which I printed out so that I could follow it through without needing to keep looking at my phone (attached).

Hopefully this will help someone out when completing the same task.

Did you tap the wires into REM connectors A174*12B and A174*14B (wire 17 & wire 12) as per your guide?
The official BMW retrofit guide which you linked says to tap into A174*13B (pin 5 & pin 13) instead.


Also how do you know which wire it is you want to tap into? Do you need to remove the connector from the REM module?

[Ale2105]

wow, great job!

[Beygan]

Nice!

[sashak82]

nice!

[jdr78569]

Originally Posted by brtttt

Thank you for this Guide really helpful as it was the only real guide I could find for the f31

I ended up using this to retrofit my shadowline rears over the weekend, made the harness up myself.

Wire tapped into wires near REM and coded all to LED and warm up/down cycles out with bimmercode.
All working as it should just need to update my reverse bulbs to LED now.

Nice! Also while your at it code the rear fog! I did that. Under the front fog is the rear fog button. U have to take the front cover off and break the tabs. Then you can push it like a button! Easy peasy!