I needed new tails for my 93 touring to replace the ugly ebay clears that were on it when I bought it. I bought a pair of late model US tails and punched out the rear foglight bulb holders only to find that the tails themselves don't fit quite right around the sides (on the quarter panels) and the bulb holders don't fit the connectors. Do I need euro or touring-specific tails? I assumed that there were only early and late tails and that euro and us tails were the same except for the rear fog holes. What am I missing here?
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For all things 24v, check out Markert Motorworks!Originally posted by mbonanni -
The lights should fit as long as they are late models units. I swapped the
tails on my car earlier this year for US units and all I had to do is to punch
out the fog light blank. The fit was perfect. The only difference was that
the euro set was tagged E-code and that the lights finish looked dull
compared to the US set but I'm pretty sure they were not dull from factory.
The set at the bottom is the Euro set
E code
Charley
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Thanks, Charlie. I got the lights in there fitting fairly well, but the bulb holders are not right for the backing on the tail lights. Is there supposed to be a connector that goes before the individual wiring that goes to each bulb? I think the ebay lights came with a different harness there or the PO hacked it up and put new lights there to suit the tails?For all things 24v, check out Markert Motorworks!Originally posted by mbonanniComment
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I'm not entirely sure that I understand your question, but on the taillight harness in the car, is the plug round with a square base that snaps into the taillight housing? The back plate should have a round pattern of bullet connectors with a knob on the back that holds it into the light... Pics are always good, if this doesn't help.Comment
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I found my problem. The aftermarket tails used individual bulb holders and a harness that plugs into where the stock bulb holder should be. I checked against my buddies late model car.
I'd never owned a late model car until this one so I thought maybe the bulb holder was specific to the early models... Now to search realoem to see the difference between early/late and US/euro bulb holders. I'm not sure if the US cars are wired for rear fogs on the bulb holders, but I seem to remember reading they aren't.For all things 24v, check out Markert Motorworks!Originally posted by mbonanniComment
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Rewiring for Euro rear lights
Correct, they are not. US regulators didn't thing US drivers were smart enough to understand rear fogs back then, so they were illegal so BMW did not install the wiring or bulb contacts or allow a bulb to be installed there at all. I see several current vehicles (Audi, Volvo, etc) are sporting rear fogs, so maybe there was a change in the regs.Originally posted by Roysneon View Post
Still, it is possible to add bulbs and wiring to get light where no light was before, I posted on 'High Performance rear lights' (early and late tails) recently.
You can add another tail light, another brake light, or both, by slightly changing the US or Euro 'rear cover' (the grey part that carries the bulbs). As you seem to have already punched out the blanking covers over the fifth opening, you can make this upgrade easily. Saturday I did this for a nice black vert, what a difference! Very happy guy, Brent, and you can 'SEE' why.
Wanna do this yourself? Or, do you need help to make this improvement in visibility, reliability, and safety? With Euro lights, I can make you a super discount deal on top of the 'Holiday Special' I am running until Jan 2.
AndyAndy says "Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
Lighting Upgrades front and back for 2002, E3, E9, E10, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39, and more.
Tail Light Improvements keep them off your tail.
Headlight protection saves headlights from breakage.Comment
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My car is a euro import so I only need the proper euro bulb holders for it. Thanks for the offer, though.For all things 24v, check out Markert Motorworks!Originally posted by mbonanniComment
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