Changing Old style to new style rear lights

rigsby · 18th March 2005, 00:21

Hi, I have a pre facelift e39 M5. I want to change the rear lights to the facelifted version with the strip lights. Can I just buy a set of second hand facelifted lights and bolt them on? One mechanic I spoke to said I could but would need to file a small amout off the mounting point, another said I would need a ballast pack for the rear lights? Has anyone out there done this?? will the wiring connectors fit the new lights???? Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance.

mottati · 18th March 2005, 00:37

if you get a hella retrofit kit, there is some minor filing and drilling involved. The hella kit also includes the ballasts. If you try to go with OE bmw lamps, there is quite a bit more metal cutting involved to get them to fit, and yes you still need ballasts. I had put the hella kit on a previous 528, it was a pretty straightforward install.
Mike

rigsby · 18th March 2005, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

if you get a hella retrofit kit, there is some minor filing and drilling involved. The hella kit also includes the ballasts. If you try to go with OE bmw lamps, there is quite a bit more metal cutting involved to get them to fit, and yes you still need ballasts. I had put the hella kit on a previous 528, it was a pretty straightforward install.
Mike

Does anyone know where the best place to get the Hella retro fit kit from is??.....ie the cheapest!!!