OLED Tail Lights for F80 M3

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by White340

What about the Oled can't you replicate with leds though? Forgive my ignorance. Going back to the tv example you can't really tell in a lot of cases between a good led tv and an oled unless you compare the blacks. Is it something else like how you can arrange an oled that you can't do with an led? Thanks

Probably not much but for us mere mortals, here’s a decent explanation of LED vs OLED.
https://www.build.com/oled-vs-led-lighting/a21684

My main takeaway is that
1. It’s cool new tech that BMW probably wanted to do to differentiate models. Probably some new tech to pilot before making elements more mainstream.
2. The way that OLED could be bent and shaped vs LED variants as the OE OLED lights would have a much different appearance/glow as well as the way the OLED panels are manufactured and shaped within the housing.

I’m assuming the BMW OLED’s are like small screen like panels whereas the LED variants would just be backlit panels thru reflective means?

[espressoo]

It's laughable to compare $9,000 GTS OLED to $300 LED replicas. There's going to be some compromises along the way.

[eff80m3]

Originally Posted by espressoo

It's laughable to compare $9,000 GTS OLED to $300 LED replicas. There's going to be some compromises along the way.

There's most likely going to be many downsides to these vs OEM obviously by looking at just the price. But quite frankly for 600-700 bucks a pop, I think it's worth giving it a shot. I doubt anyone here is looking to run these permanently and neither do I. Just for shits and giggles to see how they are.

[Capone13]

Originally Posted by White340

What about the Oled can't you replicate with leds though? Forgive my ignorance. Going back to the tv example you can't really tell in a lot of cases between a good led tv and an oled unless you compare the blacks. Is it something else like how you can arrange an oled that you can't do with an led? Thanks

To me the quality of the lights don't seem to look as good as the oled cause the tiles the lights are on almost seem visible where the oled ones for the gts almost look like floating lights

[Alexander13.]

Following for results.

[espressoo]

Originally Posted by Laguna01///M3

A new CA based company dropped a near OEM set due to be released in 2021.

I personally know the owner of the car in the pics, and these are in fact legit.

If this above post is a real photo vs rendering it looks to be the best replica so far. Like the real GTS lights each OLED has the vein running across it. It sort of resembles a feather. Subtle detail but it’s the best representation of the real thing. Here’s the real GTS OLED for comparison.

[erik-f80]

Originally Posted by espressoo

It's laughable to compare $9,000 GTS OLED to $300 LED replicas. There's going to be some compromises along the way.

This monster price is only related to keep the oled tail lights rare. If they would cost $1000 then i asume almost everybody would have them in his M4 and this is something what BMW dont want. As simple as that.

[E92inSG]

at this junction, everything is heresay and opinions based on assumptions.

in a couple of weeks, once the china products start arriving, we will be able to draw a far more accurate conclusion as to the value and quality of the parts in question.

and the 2nd stage is when the Solas product is finally released for retail. Then there will be actual examples to compare with.

But it does look like Solas product mimicks the actual GTS OLED tail lights more accurately. however we don't have any idea of pricing for the Solas product. I expect it to be MUCH HIGHER than the Alibaba's offering

[Capone13]

Originally Posted by E92inSG

at this junction, everything is heresay and opinions based on assumptions.

in a couple of weeks, once the china products start arriving, we will be able to draw a far more accurate conclusion as to the value and quality of the parts in question.

and the 2nd stage is when the Solas product is finally released for retail. Then there will be actual examples to compare with.

But it does look like Solas product mimicks the actual GTS OLED tail lights more accurately. however we don't have any idea of pricing for the Solas product. I expect it to be MUCH HIGHER than the Alibaba's offering

Agreed. As soon as I seen the first sets from @ hung_m4 I started looking all over and found this thread and shortly after noticed Dubsessed post the solas. The Solas look like they're a high quality product with a good amount of r&d to get them right. I feel as if the Ali ones will look kinda cheesy like the black line tail lights that have been out for a while now. I can't see the solas going for anything under $2k if they actually come out looking like an exact replica of the real gts oled tail lights. Way too excited for the outcome of these!

[nioh_lbbm2]

Originally Posted by White340

What about the Oled can't you replicate with leds though? Forgive my ignorance. Going back to the tv example you can't really tell in a lot of cases between a good led tv and an oled unless you compare the blacks. Is it something else like how you can arrange an oled that you can't do with an led? Thanks

To understand the difference in the tail lights you need to understand the difference in the technologies.

To break it down simply, think of each LED as a mini light bulb. There is only so much you can do with light bulbs in terms of design and and illumination. For example if you wanted to create the squares of the GTS tail light but with LEDs only, you would need layer of material on top of an arrangement of LEDs to diffuse the light and create the shape you perceive as a square. The square you see in itself does not actually light up on its own. Following so far?

Think of OLED as a display. An OLED has a single organic layer that in itself is the source of light. Therefore it opens up an entire new realm of possibilities. It does not depend on a external source of backlight.


To relate to your example with TVs, LED TVs have LEDs that illuminate and light up the pixels on the scren.
On the other hand, OLED TVs have each pixel also serve as their own source of light.

[apar]

Originally Posted by erik-f80

This monster price is only related to keep the oled tail lights rare. If they would cost $1000 then i asume almost everybody would have them in his M4 and this is something what BMW dont want. As simple as that.

yes and no, in order to purchase GTS parts from BMW, you need to prove that you own a GTS and need the part, that's how they keep it rare.

[Djdnav]

Originally Posted by apar

yes and no, in order to purchase GTS parts from BMW, you need to prove that you own a GTS and need the part, that's how they keep it rare.

If true, just purchase them from someone else.

Example : https://ind-distribution.com/product...tail-light-set

[eff80m3]

Just an update for everyone following this thread. My first set of the tail lights were supposed to be here today but seems like it's currently still stuck at customs waiting for clearance. There is no updated delivery date according to the FedEx tracking but will keep everyone posted.

[smashgordon123]

Originally Posted by eff80m3

Just an update for everyone following this thread. My first set of the tail lights were supposed to be here today but seems like it's currently still stuck at customs waiting for clearance. There is no updated delivery date according to the FedEx tracking but will keep everyone posted.

thanks man were all standing by eating popcorn...

[erik-f80]

Originally Posted by apar

yes and no, in order to purchase GTS parts from BMW, you need to prove that you own a GTS and need the part, that's how they keep it rare.

That is also a reason. So basically both points create this high price.

[CruzM3]

Originally Posted by apar

yes and no, in order to purchase GTS parts from BMW, you need to prove that you own a GTS and need the part, that's how they keep it rare.

Maybe in the U.S. but in Germany I can go in and order from any dealer without proof of owning a GTS.

[DaytonaVioletM3]

I also have a set of Alibaba lights on the way. (They look pretty amazing in my opinion) Should be here in a week or so. I was also told by the supplier that OLED's are being made now in China. I am guessing this is where Solas will be sourcing theirs but who knows at this point. Will keep everyone posted.

[JonD]

The brake light section looks very aftermarket from what I’ve seen. Be interesting to see what it’s like when people actually receive them.

[eff80m3]

Got some good news folks, finally cleared customs and estimated delivery date is Friday.

[E92inSG]

Originally Posted by eff80m3

Got some good news folks, finally cleared customs and estimated delivery date is Friday.

W00t w00t!!!!

[david51]

Originally Posted by eff80m3

Got some good news folks, finally cleared customs and estimated delivery date is Friday.

Cool
or did you buy them?
Me not yet received

[AlterZgo]

Originally Posted by White340

What about the Oled can't you replicate with leds though? Forgive my ignorance. Going back to the tv example you can't really tell in a lot of cases between a good led tv and an oled unless you compare the blacks. Is it something else like how you can arrange an oled that you can't do with an led? Thanks

There's a huge difference btw LED and OLED tech. LED tech is based on individual LED bulbs which are not very small at all. You can see the size of the LED bulbs in virtually all LED products. LED lightbulbs are made up of a series of LED bulbs, etc. LED taillights will have a plastic colored reflector on top of the LED bulb that reflects the light from the LED.

OLED on the other hand are basically pixel sized. For example, an OLED 4K TV has literally 8 million plus tiny OLEDs that can light up individually.

So if you are creating taillights using LED vs OLED tech, the LED version would be cruder and you can see the individual LED bulbs. The OLED version can be whatever you want it to be because it's like painting with hundreds of thousands of pixels. The animation of the lights would be much smoother on the OLED version b/c you are not turning on 20 LEDs, but more like thousands of individual OLEDs to create a smooth animation as the turn signals move from left to right.