Hope this helps a few people as removing the rear light clusters can be tricky. The video at the bottom of this post shows how much better LED bulbs are.
What to buy?
Pre-LCI M135i
2 x 382 clear pairs and 1 x 581 amber pair for the indicators (ie, 6 bulbs in total)
LCI M135i & M140
3 x 382 clear pairs (ie, 6 bulbs in total)
The general opinion is irrespective of any clears pairs used in the factory, buying coloured bulbs gives a far nicer look. I'd recommend purchasing red bulbs for the brake lights and amber bulbs for the indicators even if you have an LCI M135i or M140.
I'd recommend buying some 7mm ferrite cores to prevent any issues with DAB Radio.
Issues Surrounding LED Bulbs
Certain bulbs have various issues, others don't. Hopefully I will come up with a list of recommended bulbs to buy.
Warning lights in instrument cluster - This can be coded out using bimmercode.
Random flickering of the bulbs - Lower quality bulb and should be avoided.
Loss of DAB radio when bulbs in use (ie: reversing) - Resolved by clipping on a 7mm ferrite core to the power cable.
Video Demonstration of Flickering
This video shows LED flickering. Watch the top brake bulb.
Bulbs with Known Issues
Halfords at £19.99 a pair (5yr guarantee) - 500 Lumens. These bulbs suffer from dab interference and flickering.
Recommended Bulbs
I'm waiting on some deliveries of the following (thanks to Tom314 for the recommendation)
Twenty20 CREE 382 at £29.50 a pair (3yr guarantee) - 750 Lumens
Twenty20 CREE 581 at £29.50 a pair (3yr guarantee) - 750 Lumens ** Amber for Pre-LCI M135i **
Instructions
Remove the plastic cover and the nut
Using two fingers behind the blue plastic part start to pull in a rocking motion to gradually loosen the gromets. It doesn't take long (under a minute). Keep going until the entire light cluster breaks away from the vehicle.
This is the tricky part if you don't know how to do it. Basically you need the blue plastic in front of the screw, however the bumper is in the way. Put your finger behind the blue plastic, and then pull the bumper away pulling the blue plastic over the screw.
This is where you need to end up, now carefully move the entire light cluster upwards and then once cleared you can pull it away from the vehicle. Unplug the power cable when able to do so.
These are the gromets for reference. You need to ensure the black plastic screws are lined up when putting it back.
Ease out the four clips so you can pull the plastic bulb retainer out.
Twist out the old bulbs and replace with your new LED ones.
Clip on a ferrite core to the power cable.
Put everything back and test.
Video Comparisons
Halfords Bulbs - The right side is LED, the left is standard. You'll notice the indicator and brake light is much brighter and has a thicker spread of light. It's more prominent at night, and really looks the business.
Twenty20 CREE Bulbs - The right side is LED, the left is standard. You'll notice the indicator and brake light is much MUCH brighter due to them having a lumens rating of 750. The spread of light is thicker and has better colour saturation. Looks fantastic!
What to buy?
Pre-LCI M135i
2 x 382 clear pairs and 1 x 581 amber pair for the indicators (ie, 6 bulbs in total)
LCI M135i & M140
3 x 382 clear pairs (ie, 6 bulbs in total)
The general opinion is irrespective of any clears pairs used in the factory, buying coloured bulbs gives a far nicer look. I'd recommend purchasing red bulbs for the brake lights and amber bulbs for the indicators even if you have an LCI M135i or M140.
I'd recommend buying some 7mm ferrite cores to prevent any issues with DAB Radio.
Issues Surrounding LED Bulbs
Certain bulbs have various issues, others don't. Hopefully I will come up with a list of recommended bulbs to buy.
Warning lights in instrument cluster - This can be coded out using bimmercode.
Random flickering of the bulbs - Lower quality bulb and should be avoided.
Loss of DAB radio when bulbs in use (ie: reversing) - Resolved by clipping on a 7mm ferrite core to the power cable.
Video Demonstration of Flickering
This video shows LED flickering. Watch the top brake bulb.
Bulbs with Known Issues
Halfords at £19.99 a pair (5yr guarantee) - 500 Lumens. These bulbs suffer from dab interference and flickering.
Recommended Bulbs
I'm waiting on some deliveries of the following (thanks to Tom314 for the recommendation)
Twenty20 CREE 382 at £29.50 a pair (3yr guarantee) - 750 Lumens
Twenty20 CREE 581 at £29.50 a pair (3yr guarantee) - 750 Lumens ** Amber for Pre-LCI M135i **
Instructions
Remove the plastic cover and the nut
Using two fingers behind the blue plastic part start to pull in a rocking motion to gradually loosen the gromets. It doesn't take long (under a minute). Keep going until the entire light cluster breaks away from the vehicle.
This is the tricky part if you don't know how to do it. Basically you need the blue plastic in front of the screw, however the bumper is in the way. Put your finger behind the blue plastic, and then pull the bumper away pulling the blue plastic over the screw.
This is where you need to end up, now carefully move the entire light cluster upwards and then once cleared you can pull it away from the vehicle. Unplug the power cable when able to do so.
These are the gromets for reference. You need to ensure the black plastic screws are lined up when putting it back.
Ease out the four clips so you can pull the plastic bulb retainer out.
Twist out the old bulbs and replace with your new LED ones.
Clip on a ferrite core to the power cable.
Put everything back and test.
Video Comparisons
Halfords Bulbs - The right side is LED, the left is standard. You'll notice the indicator and brake light is much brighter and has a thicker spread of light. It's more prominent at night, and really looks the business.
Twenty20 CREE Bulbs - The right side is LED, the left is standard. You'll notice the indicator and brake light is much MUCH brighter due to them having a lumens rating of 750. The spread of light is thicker and has better colour saturation. Looks fantastic!