Are all early e30 tail lights the same?

[CMG]

Are the 5 bulb backs euro only and/or rare? I don't plan on wiring up in the m3.

[CMG]

The startecs look great btw. I got em for $400 so that seems lime a good price.

[reelizmpro]

The original Startec supplied bulb holders use that socket as an extra brake light...that's all. They soldered in a jumper wire to accomplish this. It is supposed to be a rear fog light on the euro spec cars though.

[CMG]

I'll post pics both backs i have apoear to be oem. I switched them around in the car and both seemed to work. I'll see about posting pics

[Mo Brighta]

Light bulb carriers, early version tails

I have seen three versions of Early E30 backs. One, they 'spiderweb' the contacts through space kind of like on an E28 fiver; two, they set all bulbs in a ground plate in a single row (most common); three, same setup as two, but with the smallish thin plastic sheet behind the tail bulbs that passes light into the trunk (the 'el cheapo trunk light' is actually a nice feature).

Or send me a pair of US backs, I will wire it up so that you have two brake lights and two tail lights per side, using the empty socket designed for Euros.

Or if you have a Euro with working rear fogs, I can wire it so they still work when switched on, AND light as secondary brake lights when off. Best of both worlds!

I designed this so that US cars can use all five sockets, and it gives double the lens area lighting up for brakes and for tails, with triple the output, and they're far more reliable. With two lamps per circuit, there's practically no chance of losing either tails OR brakes, even when one bulb fails. Helps avoid that sickening crunch when your rear end gets molested by some 'distracted driver.'

More info, pics if you are interested in my design:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=190578

[CMG]

Yeah i plan to get junkyard lights to send in exchange so i can keep the stock ones as spares. That would be cool to modify the 5 bulb one to have extra running and brake lights. I wouldn't mess with the wiring for rear fogs but plug n play 5 bulbs sounds cool i'll check it out

[CMG]

Mobrighta has a good idea for modding the tails. I think i'm just gonna diy adding the 5th bulb as a brake light. I'm also gonna look for little lenses to install behind running lights for trunk lighting

[CMG]

Was there such thing as oem 5 bulb with lens or did only 4 bulb come with lens?