I purchased a set of DEPO clear tail lights to replace my OE Hellas. (Ignore the clear side markers and reflectors)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8694.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8695.jpg


DEPO Clear tail light retrofit

Difficulty - easy

This DIY will vary depending on the brand and type of lights you have purchased.

1. Open the trunk (boot) and pop out the compartment cover of the side you are going to replace first.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8696.jpg

2. Looking at the center of the back of the light assembly (bulb carrier), you will see a thumb screw. Unscrew and remove the carrier.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8697.jpg

Here is the bulb carrier after removal.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8698.jpg

3. Next, you may need to unplug the wiring harness depending on the installation. (The DEPO non-LED installation does not require this step)
Note:The harness may be difficult to unplug but will come apart with some wiggling).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/harness.jpg

4. Using a 8mm socket wrench, remove the four hexnuts. Be careful to support the tail light housing from the exterior or the entire housing may fall out! Also take care not to drop the hexnuts because they will be difficult to recover from that area.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8699.jpg

5. Remove the OE tail lights.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8700.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8704.jpg

Here are pictures of the empty tail light socket. (This would be an excellent time to clean the area of dirt and debris.)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8702.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8703.jpg

Installation is reverse of removal. Before fully tightening the hexnuts, check the alignment to be sure the lights line up properly with the body. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN HEXNUTS!

Here's a comparison photo.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8706.jpg

The finished product.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_8707.jpg

Enjoy

Finished product + high wattage bulbs in them = :D

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/DSC05102.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/DSC05103.jpg

Finished product + high wattage bulbs in them = :D

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/DSC05102.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/DSC05103.jpg
Nice.
Why do the lines in the middle parking light portion look wavey like that? Maybe the high wattage bulbs are melting the lens.:dunno Notice how the distortion is happening where the bulbs are?

Nice. Why do the lines in the middle parking light portion look wavey like that. Mine are not like that.:dunno

r u serious? :eyecrazy wow, u got ripped off :mad...who did u buy it from??? :eek:

r u serious? :eyecrazy wow, u got ripped off :mad...who did u buy it from??? :eek:
:rofl

I got mine from Umnitza.

:rofl

k, just for the new people - we're kidding. His tails are correct, I melted mine by putting high-wattage bulbs in there (sounds like I did it on purpose - I DIDN'T lol) :D

I'm trying to locate some bulb replacements. I'd like to put in silver bulbs that blink amber when illuminated.
My stock bulb numbers are as follows.

Rear Tail Light turn signals = 7506

Side Marker = 194

I'm having difficulty finding the replacement bulbs using these numbers.

:help

Check your other post, mookish linked a good site for them. $30 each pair tho:eek:

Yeah. I read that. Thanks.

Tail light turn signals replacement...

http://www.stealthauto.com/Products/...SBCA-7506.aspx (http://www.stealthauto.com/Products/Stealth-Bulb-7506__ALT-SBCA-7506.aspx)

...and the side markers...

http://www.stealthauto.com/Products/...SBCA-0194.aspx (http://www.stealthauto.com/Products/Stealth-Bulb-194__ALT-SBCA-0194.aspx)

Here is a more affordable alternative...

http://www.bimmian.com/SOL/39

I can recommend the Philips Silvervision bulbs. Don't get those cheap bulbs from Ebay..they are crap. The amber light does not shine through when lit.

I can recommend the Philips Silvervision bulbs. Don't get those cheap bulbs from Ebay..they are crap. The amber light does not shine through when lit.
I don't have a problem with those, but some members have given them a thumbs down because they have a bluish tint when not lit.
I actually put regular ambers in because they are not so expensive.

i cant ignore the reflectors!
i see em on lots of tail light posts/auctions on eBay, whatever-so-have-you

what are they intended for?

i cant ignore the reflectors!
i see em on lots of tail light posts/auctions on eBay, whatever-so-have-you

what are they intended for?
I still haven't figure it out yet. Some of the three series have the reflectors on the bumper around where the backup detection sensors are mounted. Maybe that is where they belong. Double sided tape was included. Anyone have any ideas. Umnitza???:dunno

Technically, all US Spec cars have to have passive reflectors on the back of them. That way if you're parked in the dark people can see you easier.

Depo's DO NOT have ANY reflectors in them. Personally, I'd feel a bit unsafe without them, but I can't imagine anywhere I'd be willing to tack on reflectors, either. I guess I'd go w/o, but my replacement tails have Hella-style reflectors along the bottom edge.

Technically, all US Spec cars have to have passive reflectors on the back of them. That way if you're parked in the dark people can see you easier.

Depo's DO NOT have ANY reflectors in them. Personally, I'd feel a bit unsafe without them, but I can't imagine anywhere I'd be willing to tack on reflectors, either. I guess I'd go w/o, but my replacement tails have Hella-style reflectors along the bottom edge.

maybe you can fit them into the rear fog-light somehow someway....
maybe they just include them for legality.

maybe you can fit them into the rear fog-light somehow someway....
maybe they just include them for legality.
I don't know, but if I find a place for them that doesn't look horrible, I will post pics.
BTW, for anyone that wants to know, I wasn't asked to resign as a moderator. I quit because of personal reasons. If you want to be sure about it, ask Kevlar (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/private.php?do=newpm&u=12).:)

some more depo shots for anyone considering...

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/redstargsr/B59600-RCT.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/redstargsr/rear2.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/redstargsr/rear-4.jpg