DIY LCI tail-light retrofit (cheaper method)
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From: Hong Kong
My Ride: 530i
Mods: M5 sporty package, M5 Steering wheel, Sprint Booster
I am not encourage members don't use the ?250 cable and just to provide the alternative cheaper method as reference. 
LEFT hand side - Special brake light effect; RIGHT hand side - original LCI brake light effect
Just the 5 LED tube light on only, no back light anymore from brake bulb.
This method need to suffer from the strobing of the turn signals at start up. No need re-program; no error code. Have a special brake light effect which I like it more than original BMW LCI design.
The total cost around USD 500 only.
2 pcs Hella OEM LCI taillight - USD 435.00
1 set BMW LCI cable - USD 40.00
2 resisitor - USD 7.00
BMW LCI cable:
Connect the LED to brake wiring and add resistor to turn signal as below:
Cut the connector REAL and BRAKE light positive pin:
Route out bigger size on that backside:
Sand the surface for easy soldering:
Solder the wire connected back the positive with the bulb:
Install back the socket back to taillight:
Special brake light effect have:
Turn off the light and just press the brake:
Turn on the light only: (no brake light and real light expose anymore)
Turn on the light and press brake also: (5 led brighter than light on only and no back light anymore from brake bulb.)
LEFT hand side - Special brake light effect; RIGHT hand side - original LCI brake light effect
Just the 5 LED tube light on only, no back light anymore from brake bulb.
This method need to suffer from the strobing of the turn signals at start up. No need re-program; no error code. Have a special brake light effect which I like it more than original BMW LCI design.
The total cost around USD 500 only.
2 pcs Hella OEM LCI taillight - USD 435.00
1 set BMW LCI cable - USD 40.00
2 resisitor - USD 7.00
BMW LCI cable:
Connect the LED to brake wiring and add resistor to turn signal as below:
Cut the connector REAL and BRAKE light positive pin:
Route out bigger size on that backside:
Sand the surface for easy soldering:
Solder the wire connected back the positive with the bulb:
Install back the socket back to taillight:
Special brake light effect have:
Turn off the light and just press the brake:
Turn on the light only: (no brake light and real light expose anymore)
Turn on the light and press brake also: (5 led brighter than light on only and no back light anymore from brake bulb.)
Impressive .. 
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,212
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From: Miami
My Ride: 05 545/6
Originally Posted by ricky1329' post='980300' date='Aug 18 2009, 12:50 AM
I am not encourage members don't use the ?250 cable and just to provide the alternative cheaper method as reference.
Turn on the light and press brake also: (5 led brighter than light on only and no back light anymore from brake bulb.)
Attachment 87312
Turn on the light and press brake also: (5 led brighter than light on only and no back light anymore from brake bulb.)
Attachment 87312
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 21,274
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From: Hong Kong
My Ride: Mini Cooper
Originally Posted by 545felix' post='980562' date='Aug 18 2009, 09:08 PM
but how much brighter are they when you press the brake at night? is it enough for the person behind you to really be able to tell you're braking?
The work much better than the LCI which I love.
maybe next time when we have the HK meet-up I will do a vid and post it on utube for all you guys to look at.
saying it on the forum is hard to explain
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,719
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From: London, UK
My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
Great idea.
But don't want to sound negative or anything but this method will not avoid the Strobing on the Turn lights which does NOT only happen at Start-up but also happens once every 5 mins or so. So while you are driving your Turn lights are still Strobing which is not good.
Also those bulbs turned backwards spell like an accident waiting to happen. The amount of heat those bulbs will generate is not good when turned inwards. You are far better replacing those bulbs with some resistors and connecting them to the body of the car to dissipate the heat.
Also the 5 LED rods are Strobing all the time when you do not have the Brake on - don't believe me look at them through your camera.
But this is definately a lot cheaper than those darn cables.
But don't want to sound negative or anything but this method will not avoid the Strobing on the Turn lights which does NOT only happen at Start-up but also happens once every 5 mins or so. So while you are driving your Turn lights are still Strobing which is not good.
Also those bulbs turned backwards spell like an accident waiting to happen. The amount of heat those bulbs will generate is not good when turned inwards. You are far better replacing those bulbs with some resistors and connecting them to the body of the car to dissipate the heat.
Also the 5 LED rods are Strobing all the time when you do not have the Brake on - don't believe me look at them through your camera.
But this is definately a lot cheaper than those darn cables.
