NewBie Question

[sherdog]

Hey Guys,
this is driving me nuts and I have searched the forum and cannot find my answer.

I recently saw a 3-series (either an '03 or '04) and the tailights had what appeard to be multiple circular bulbs
Here is a picture...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-3...16QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6007QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And then there are other 3-series that do not have them..I am just wondering if this is an "option" that is selected or if it was specific to a particular year?


One without...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003...21QQihZ004QQcategoryZ6007QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Thanks All!

 

[Kirby]

In 2004 they introduced LED tail lights, that's what your first link shows. Prior to that, as in your second link, they were standard light bulbs.

 

[ThatOneGuy]

2003.5 model year change to LED tail lights.

 

[ts03m3]

The M3's converted to LED tails in the middle of 2003 model year.

 

[Kirby]

Keep in mind that BMW does not tightly couple Model Years, Build Dates and production changes the way US manufacturers do.

To fill in the details, the LED tail lights were phased into production during 2003. To my knowledge, the first cars that got them were the 2004 Model Year convertibles (which is what I own and why I stated 2004 above). They actually started production in March of 2003, mine was born that month. The M3 and the Coupe got them around that same time, I'm not sure if this was officially a 2003 or 2004 Model Year. It seems that it was probably first implemented at the Regensburg plant, which primarily builds the cabriolet, M3 and coupe, all of which share the same basic design.

It appears that sedan, most of which are supposedly built in Dingolfing & Munich, did not get the LED tail lights until around January 2004.

 

[Average Jae]

what everyone else said.
i guess you can call it .5 or middle of the year, but bmw opted to call it the 04.
for the e46, only the coupes got it, (or as Kirby said.. i could be wrong on that, i'll check on it.) and was a standard option starting 04 model.
i personally prefer the traditional tail lights.. (just not a fan of the facelift ^^; so much so, i opted for the sedan.. zhp option sure made the decision easier ^^

 

[Kirby]

Yup, and that's why it is REALLY important to have the build date or VIN, not the model year, when buying parts for our cars.

 

[Average Jae]

hehe, sure is helpful.
my serching skills suck, so i'm not able to verify the led lights on the sedan one way or another. we'll keep looking.. but in the mean time, i stumbled upon the 03 perfromance package review over at edmunds. ah that takes me back, must've read that article at least once a day in anticipation of my ride showing up..

 

[sherdog]

Thanks so much for your replies....I personally LOVE the look of the LED taillights.
Guys thanks again!!
Much appreciated!!

 

[Average Jae]

they are cool lights no doubt!
when you install them, put up the pics ^^

to each his own right? i'm the guy that opted to keep the amber lights instead of getting clears, so go fig. (if my car was any ohter color..)

 

[Xhippee]

speaking of those amber lenses. I just bought a 2002 325ci convertible. clear turn lenses. but looks like an amber bulb in there. whazzup?