[Poochie]

I'm sure some of you guys are aware of this but much like many BMWs, there are two slightly different versions of the G42 taillights.

A US version; where the brake light and turn signal are shared as one (red) light output. Steady burning for braking and flashing for each side respective turn signal indicator.

This is due to an archaic U.S. automotive lighting rule where the brake lights and turn signal has to meet a photometric size requirement of at least 50 square centimeters of surface area. This rule pre-dates modern day LEDs but was never revised to take into account intensity of a newer light output or the way we respond to them with our human eyeballs, rending larger brake/turn signals unnecessary.

The rest of the world doesn't have this photometric size requirement for the brake light or turn signal and does take LED light intensity into account, thus, with the advent of bright LEDs, the brake light (red) and turn signal (amber) can be made smaller and more compact, yet achieve the same result but cannot be shared together, as the US version does.

As a result, BMW engineered two slightly different taillights to meet each regulations; one, with the shared but larger brake light and turn signal indicator for the US market and other version for the rest of the world, with a slightly smaller brake light but a smaller amber turn signal, which I really like for aesthetic reasons.

Some folks such as myself often purchase the ROW version and install them in their US vehicle. Depended on the model of BMW and how it was implemented, this used to be a simple plug and play process but with the newer BMWs, there seems to be some re-pinning and intricate coding involve to get the ROW taillights to work properly on a US-spec vehicles.

Any of you new owners plan to take the plunge and guinea pig this swap of a ROW taillights on a U.S.-spec vehicle? If so, please share the result, it would greatly appreciated 👏🏻


https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24680672

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26300193

https://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/06-003601as.htm

[Lightngsvt]

As usual, the ROW lights look alot better! I'd like to see where this thread goes, seems like an interesting swap.

[wobbly]

I did a ROW tail light swap on my GTI, and will likely be doing it on the 240. I'm curious to see if they'll be plug and play or might require an adapter harness and/or coding.

[1ToBeOn2Wheels]

I was wondering when someone was going to figure this out, as I agree the ROW tail lights look way better, as usual. It used to be a lot more plug-and-play back in the day, but now more complications like different factories outputting different regionally spec'd vehicles means more modifications to get things to work right. I hope someone figures it out soon!

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by 1ToBeOn2Wheels

I was wondering when someone was going to figure this out, as I agree the ROW tail lights look way better, as usual. It used to be a lot more plug-and-play back in the day, but now more complications like different factories outputting different regionally spec'd vehicles means more modifications to get things to work right. I hope someone figures it out soon!

The problem with these specific lights, unlike some of the earlier BMWs, is the fact that on these, the US-spec vehicle share the same brake light and turn single function, on one light output.

Whereas, on the ROW version, the turn signal and brake lights operates independent from each other.

So now if one chooses to utilize ROW taillights on a US-spec vehicle, you have run a new wire from the BDC (body control module), back to the taillight and figure out the coding parameters in order to separate the turn signal and brake lights from each other.

Which more than likely would also require you to change the region of the vehicle from US to ECE. And who knows what side effects that might introduce, if any. It can be a very intricate process and not for the faint of heart.

Aesthetics aside, the ROW taillights completely separated amber turn signal from the brake light removes the ambiguity of the lighting function. Combining red brake/turn signal takes a second or two for following drivers to distinguish braking from turning intention.

However, US regulators, in their infinite wisdom, refuse to dedicate the resources necessary to revise these outdated lighting rules to match that of the ROW.

So, us internet sleuths just have to right this wrong ourselves 😙

[yanks1]

I'm bit confused.. in the pictures way above with the White & Purple G42s, which car is US Spec???

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by yanks1

I'm bit confused.. in the pix above which car is US Spec???

The white vehicle with the combined red turn signal and brake light is a US-spec vehicle.

The purple one below, with the thin amber strip is a Euro version, with the indicator active.

[Thndrm240i]

Does anyone know if there will be a GTS style taillight coming out for the g42 or if there are any aftermarket taillights out right now that will fit? Thanks.

[azuki]

i actually prefer the single color- uniformity in design. i understand the risks involved using red vs amber, but i'd say most rear ended crashes are because of idiot drivers not paying attention in the first place than a red vs amber. best of luck to those swapping colors.

[BeemerBaron]

Damn them US lights are ugly

[redcars]

Turn signals seldom used in the US. It's not just BMW drivers. If they are, it's way too late, like during the turn.

[danallxt]

yup, in the US it's considered optional to use signals by many drivers.

[whiteninjazx6r]

Originally Posted by danallxt

yup, in the US it's considered optional to use signals by many drivers.

What a non-quantifiable statement...lol

[Poochie]

Bumping this thread because I found a real-time demonstration of the rear Euro/ROW amber turn signals in action.

It's a small touch but I prefer the look of the Euro-ish rear amber turn signal over the red US version..

I hope to complete this conversion one day, God willing..

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CicJ4...d=N2NmMDY0OWE=

[TJZ67201]

Thanks for sharing. I bookmarked this thread a while back and also plan on doing the conversion in the future. Just waiting for someone else to do it first!!

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

Thanks for sharing. I bookmarked this thread a while back and also plan on doing the conversion in the future. Just waiting for someone else to do it first!!

You're welcome.

This mod has been accomplished on the G20, which shares the same electrical architecture as the G42 but is a pain the butt to successfully complete.

Other than locating the Euro taillights during a parts shortage, it requires you to run two new wires from the rear electrical computer to the taillights, then code and separate the vehicle from a US region to Euro.

Long story short, it is doable if one is determined enough.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26389631

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=28969093

[MrPickles]

I'd be more on board with doing this if they were dynamic. I installed and coded the euro dynamic tail lights in my '18 Golf R and loved them. This looks less worth the trouble, especially for something I'll never see.

[donm527]

I don't find them that much "uglier" than the EU spec ones even though I do think the EU look cleaner with the thinner amber.

But in the few pics that were shown, I think it shows body color really makes a difference and feel the White really draws attention and to the odd size of the tail lights.

I have been thinking about what color I'd like to order a M240i and initially went BG as the "safe" color... not too bold but not plain white and shows the body lines. But then I leaned toward Mineral White because I felt it would show the body lines better and I am really tired of the trend of muted colors you see on every make like Rav4.

But then last week for the first time I saw a White 230i on the road and following it for a bit wanting to take in the look... the White really drew me to the tail lights just because they just looked odd in size and shape and placement and just turned me off. I like how it shows off the body lines but hated how it made the rear end look.

So now I am leaning Portimao Blue... Can still how the body lines well with that those Metallic elements under light but helps tone down the tail lights better.

[J-RO]

Poochie any luck?

[b46driver]

i have never been behind my own car as it's turning, so i don't even know if i believe this is true