2017 M4 Convertible LCI LED Tail Light Upgrade DIY

[Dr. Who]

Hey!

I'd like to acknowledge Tom@EAS for his (somewhat misleadingly easy) DIY post:

-> http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1404489

that he did a few months back.

This is my take for the F83.

Take note: The convertibles trunk does not open as high.

Ok., first off you need -

A.) The correct parts:

_* 63218496523 LCI (Euro.) LED Outer Rear 1/4 panel (Lt.)
_* 63218496524 LCI (Euro.) LED Outer Rear 1/4 panel (Rt.)

_* 63217463139 [63217427139 - production #(?) indicated on part] - Rain Gutter/Drip Rail Trim (Lt.)**
_* 63217463140 - Rain Gutter/Drip Rail Trim (Rt.)**

_* 63217426051- LCI (Euro.) LED Inner Trunk (Lt.)
_* 63217426052 -LCI (Euro.) LED Inner Trunk (Rt.)

_ An appropriate Wiring Harness (ebay-Ian/Alex@Alpine/Ind./Turner)

B.) The correct tools:

_ * Plastic Trim Removal Tools
_ * Ratchet wrench
_ * 8mm Deep socket
_ * 10mm Deep socket
_ * Torx T20 head screwdriver (Emergency Triangle Brackets - if applicable)
_ * Torx T30 head screwdriver
_ * Microfiber/Terry Cloth towel
_ * Masking/painters tape
_ * Black Zip ties
_ * Headlamp (very useful!)
_ * Patience (...more so!)

&

C.) Coding

Initial impression: Aesthetically, my Pre LCI (Euro.) Tail Lights - both Outer & Inner - looked (not lit/activated)
a whole lot better on my car. Oh! And the LCI LED's are noticeably heavier and protrude just a bit more out
from the back of the car.

Photos (& Revisions) to follow...


Cheers!

[Dr. Who]

**I've included and detailed the Gutter Trim pieces because, In my case

- 2017 Comp. Pkg. Individual M4 Convertible -

these specific parts were not there and the trim pieces that were on my
(Stock/Pre LCI) build had only the following production #'s(?) indicated on them:

_* 63217308093 (Lt.)
_* 63217308094 (Rt.)

And, Do Not fit the LCI LED housings.

The Pin/Notch union, seen here on top, towards the back (front of car) of the Gutter Trim,
(needs to be) is much further back in order to fit on the LCI LEDs' housing properly as it is
on the correct Gutter Trim part (#63217463139).

[Dr. Who]

Ok.,

The easiest place to start (or you can do it in reverse order) is with the outer Tail Lights:

[Dr. Who]

On the top of the Tail Light housing is attached the Gutter Strip Trim. On the inward side of this piece
(facing the trunk), there is a small door/hatch.

It has two clips which need to be pressed in order to remove and to have access to the two 10mm nuts
which hold the housing onto the car.

[Dr. Who]

The Tail Light housings are further held into place by a ball & socket type pressure clip/joint/union(?).
The ball is on the back outside of the housing (towards the front of the car).

Once the 10mm nuts are removed, all that is needed to remove is a slight tug and the ball easily
comes out of the socket. Be careful not to pull too hard as there is still the snap in (power) connector
to unplug.

[Dr. Who]

Outer LCI LED Tail Lights - Done!

[Dr. Who]

Now for the Good part...

* 16 - Trim Rivets/fasteners!

[Dr. Who]

* 2 - T20 Torx Screws (if applicable)
* 1 - Unrelenting Emergency Release Cable

You can just see the surround (on top) of the interior pull handle pictured in the next post.

[Dr. Who]

* 2 - T30 Torx Screws (Tighter than a witches...)

[Dr. Who]

BMW was just a bit chintzy on the paint in here...

[Dr. Who]

Unplug the Inner Tail Light.

There is a plastic guide/clamp which holds the inner light in place. This is attached by an 8mm nut that is screwed onto a
bolt that protrudes from the lamps' housing. Remove this nut with an 8mm socket and hinge up and towards the outside
(reverse this motion to attach new inner light) to remove the inner light.

Note that the guide/clamp is notched to hold the 8mm nut. It may be easier to remove the nut and position the guide/clamp
and set it in its' place on its' own and only once this is done, screw down the 8mm nut onto the protruding bolt.

You will notice that the new LCI LEDs' have a smaller power connector. This is where the new Wiring Harness comes into play.

[Dr. Who]

Using the cable (zip) ties, start on the left and be sure to thread the new harness wiring over the following:

_ * Emergency Release cable
_ * Interior light wiring
_ * Center Stop light wiring

Notice that I've only connected the LCI LED inner lights to the new harness wiring (small connector) and have not actually connected
the new harness' connectors (large connector - other end) to the pre-existing (cars' harness) Tail Light wiring.

[Dr. Who]

This is my right side Battery compartment. Can you see it?

In the "etk", in the instruction manual, and in "RealOEM" a door or an access is shown. I have no such thing!
Just more trim rivets & lining to remove!!

I thought I could easily thread the wiring through at this point, towards the rear (front of car) of the trunk.

This turned out not to be the case.

[Dr. Who]

I had to activate the top mechanism several times in order to analyze its' sequence of motion.

You need to follow the final braided part of the harness and go back, up, around and through, towards the
front (back of the car) of the trunk lid to end up just below the pictured silver shock, where you can finally
crossover.

Use the black plastic trim and (remove) the rivet to guide the wiring as cleanly as possible.

Remove the felt liner trim.

[Dr. Who]

You are almost done!

Under that rectangular (seen at the top - on the inside wall of the Rear Right Quarter Panel) felt cutout..., Xanadu!

Please (Photos borrowed from) see: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...17&postcount=3

Once you unplug the white (middle) plug from the REM module, you need to remove its' white housing.
Inside, there are two black connectors sandwiched together. These need two be separated.

The new harness' wires go on each side of only one of these connectors. On one side is marked, "1-10" and also with a
"->", showing sequence direction, and the other side is marked, "11-17".

The Drivers' side Tail light wire gets slotted into the empty "Pin 5" & the Passengers' side wire, into the empty "Pin 13".

[Dr. Who]

Final impressions to follow...

[Dr. Who]

Hey,

Sorry for the (Holidays) delay in wrapping it up.

In the daytime, the look is a lot more stealth than my previous Tail light ("Euro."/Sakhir Orange) set up.

[Dr. Who]

That all changes at dusk.

[Dr. Who]

Ok., All in all it took me about 2 hrs. per day for about 3-4 days to complete but, then again, I'm a bit slow.

I was also missing a rain gutter, but I did finally get that in (Thanks to Jason @ "Tischer").

All Lit up, with the "Euro." amber turn signals, It does look quite... Awesome!


Cheers!

[alpina-527]

Nicely done. These lights look so good on Sakhir.

[daytonaviolet]

awesome do you also plan update the fronts

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

awesome do you also plan update the fronts

Think he was banned