[rennwerkes]

Thinking about doing a LCI tail light upgrade on my 2014 335i. Have seen the DIY's for OEM and Depo.
From everyone's experience what's the verdict? OEM or Depo? The Depo is marketed as PNP and the OEM seems like it needs a wiring harness. But with the harness does that make the OEM PNP?
Thanks!

[EDWYER]

You'll get more info for both options here:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...375733&page=21

[rennwerkes]

Thanks

[Solidjake]

For lights I always go OEM

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by Solidjake

For lights I always go OEM

+1

There was a thread here before BMW 3 series caught on fire.... according to the photo posted and by account of the owner/poster, the fire started on the headlights(aftermarket).

I was going change few light bulbs for some LEDs but not anymore.

[The0pportunist]

Good question - i was thinking the exact same.

Is there any difference in design when comparing depo & OEM ? Anyone have a side by side shot?

[rennwerkes]

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

Good question - i was thinking the exact same.

Is there any difference in design when comparing depo & OEM ? Anyone have a side by side shot?

From the searches I've done looks like the Depo's have issues with leaking or fogging up. So it seems as though OEM is the way to go. But I'm trying to get advice on whether error codes come up. If not, then I don't really care about the flickering on start up caused by the self test.

[Solidjake]

Originally Posted by rennwerkes

From the searches I've done looks like the Depo's have issues with leaking or fogging up. So it seems as though OEM is the way to go. But I'm trying to get advice on whether error codes come up. If not, then I don't really care about the flickering on start up caused by the self test.

I have no error codes after installing with a wire harness and coding to LED with bimmercode

[upsidedownfunnel]

I did OEM in January and would definitely do it again. You have to code, though. You also have to be comfortable with very minor wiring and modifying the harnesses that go in the lights as well as one large harness that connects to the body module in the trunk. The BMW retrofit kit that you buy comes with everything you need to do the wiring. Make sure to get an OEM one as the first one I bought was some cheap aftermarket version with wrong cable lengths and cheap connectors.

If you're not comfortable coding and minor rewiring, then you shouldn't do OEM. You have to do DEPO if you just want pure plug and play.

[Solidjake]

Here is my video to install OEM ones. Just read the video description on the youtube page as I ended up tapping the outer tail light wires to get the inner turn signals to light up

[rennwerkes]

Thanks!

[cameronmccormick]

I purchased Depo tail lights two months ago. I can confirm I've found fogging. It was only on one occasion but still has me concerned about longevity. I've got headlights from Depo too and have yet to notice any fogging and no issues after about a year.

[paidnfull]

Installed the DEPOs over the spring and haven't noticed any fogging so far. I'm gonna change the drip rails to the LCI versions to match the contours of the new lights and hopefully help keep moisture out

[rennwerkes]

Just a follow up to this thread.
I went with OEM blackline's and the install went perfectly. However, I'm getting fogging whenever it rains. The main reason I went with the OEM was to avoid the fogging everyone mentioned about the Depo's. Seems as though the genuine ones fog up as well.
Has anyone figured out a way to prevent the fogging?

[upsidedownfunnel]

You're in Hawaii so we're worlds apart in terms of humidity, but my OEM blacklines have never fogged up on me. I don't think tail lights should have condensation on the inside, only headlights. Do you get fogging on both sides or just one? If it's just one, there may be a problem with the seal on one of them. Headlight condensation is normal since they're made to be vented to the air.

[rennwerkes]

I'm getting condensation on both sides.
Quick question, did you really tighten down the two bolts that hold the lens in place?
The top one is pretty snug but the bottom one I didn't tighten down full tight for fear of cracking the plastic tab.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by rennwerkes

I'm getting condensation on both sides.
Quick question, did you really tighten down the two bolts that hold the lens in place?
The top one is pretty snug but the bottom one I didn't tighten down full tight for fear of cracking the plastic tab.

I tightened it with a bit of force. You're correct to worry about cracking, but the outer tail light tabs are flat so it take a bit of torque to break them. Same for the inner tail lights. I just tightened until they felt tight but not too tight. Lol, sorry can't describe it much better. I'd say about as tight as if I had used a screwdriver and tightened it with some force. Definitely don't want to use a 10" ratchet and torque it down tight.

Is there condensation on all four segments? Just the outers? Just the inners?

[rennwerkes]

Thanks, I'll probably take them off then reinstall them. Might clean up the seals and use a little vinyl conditioner on the seal to help better with the sealing.
The condensation is only happening on the outer lenses.

[mcintoshf30]

Originally Posted by rennwerkes

Thanks, I'll probably take them off then reinstall them. Might clean up the seals and use a little vinyl conditioner on the seal to help better with the sealing.
The condensation is only happening on the outer lenses.

Make sure the little weather strip trim piece is installed nice and flush and correctly; that's where all the water is getting in.

[rennwerkes]

Just double checked my weather strips and they're seated properly. They are also the correct ones for these lenses.
Thanks

[upsidedownfunnel]

The weather strips don't "seal" the tail lights. They just prevent water from running into the seam directly under the tail lights.

Now that I think about it though, I bet the tail lights are vented to some degree. I know headlights definitely are made to be vented. I bet the same is true for the tail lights. If the condensation is really light and goes away right away and doesn't form large drops, it's probably nothing to be too concerned about. Try remounting them to see how it goes.

[rennwerkes]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

The weather strips don't "seal" the tail lights. They just prevent water from running into the seam directly under the tail lights.

Now that I think about it though, I bet the tail lights are vented to some degree. I know headlights definitely are made to be vented. I bet the same is true for the tail lights. If the condensation is really light and goes away right away and doesn't form large drops, it's probably nothing to be too concerned about. Try remounting them to see how it goes.

It was more just condensation than droplets forming a "puddle" inside. But I'll probably take off when I get a chance and carefully use a blow dryer to dry it out as best as I can and reinstall.

Appreciate everyone's advice.