LCI tail light retrofit not flush

[Humdizzle]

bought some lci tails from iND for my f80. everything is working and coded correctly. but no matter what i do i can't get the inner tail light part to sit flush, its like sticking up 1-2mm too high. Anyone else have this issue?

i'll try going back in and maybe tightening that 8mm nut a bit more, but i already have tightened to the same height as before (as high as my ratchet and 8mm socket allows and i'm already getting resistance)

i can physically push the tail back in with some force to make it flush, but it'll push right back out

i took a short video:

[SANYA]

You can't adjsut it ?

[ntg44]

I'll take a look at mine tonight, but from what I remember, the trunk lights were a PITA compared to the body panel lights. I do recall having the same problem - it took me about 20 minutes per side. The way you have to finagle them in is moronic, but it eventually does fit correctly.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by Abdulx33

You can't adjsut it ?

all the clips are in place. the only adjustment is the screw on the inner side of the inner tail light. that will push the inner side down (side closest to the license plate), but the outer portion is still protruding out.

the outer tails have no adjustment. just a clip on the outer edge and two nuts to secure it on the side closest to the trunks

Originally Posted by ntgarage44

I'll take a look at mine tonight, but from what I remember, the trunk lights were a PITA compared to the body panel lights. I do recall having the same problem - it took me about 20 minutes per side. The way you have to finagle them in is moronic, but it eventually does fit correctly.

yeah I've been messing with it so much. I've almost decided to call it quits and just live with it. I talked with the guy who did my coding for them and he just said that my trunk alignment could be off..

other than that i'm not sure. maybe the weather stripping along the edge of the light is causing the issue.

all I know is the lci car I saw at the dealer did not have this same problem.

[ntg44]

Here's what mine looks like. I guess it's the same as yours. I never noticed it. But the driver's side is more inward with respect to the fender light. Maybe it is the trunk alignment. I guess I never noticed it until now. Definitely doesn't bother me though haha.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by ntgarage44

Here's what mine looks like. I guess it's the same as yours. I never noticed it. But the driver's side is more inward with respect to the fender light. Maybe it is the trunk alignment. I guess I never noticed it until now. Definitely doesn't bother me though haha.

same here. my driver side is more flush it seems than the passenger side. I made this post on the F30 forums and someone mentioned that the metal brackets on the trunk that plastic parts clip into can bend when you pull the original tails out. and you gotta bend that metal back into place.

i'll check that in a few days when I have time. right now I'm so tired of pulling that trunk liner out over and over.

but yeah when you go to a dealer and run your finger across the tails on a factory lci car there is no 'drop off' or step inbetween the inner and out tail light.

[shay2nak]

You have to work with the plastic clamp. It’s easy for it not to sit well which will obviously not slow the light to sit flush as you tighten it. Loosen the screw as much as possible without removing the clamp. Jiggle the light when it’s seated in the trunk lid. Took me a couple tries when I installed the MP blacklines.

[shay2nak]

Also, I'm trying to remember....when you put the light in, you have to bang it on it from the outside of the light towards the center of the trunk to get the clamp to sit all the way in.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Also, I'm trying to remember....when you put the light in, you have to bang it on it from the outside of the light towards the center of the trunk to get the clamp to sit all the way in.

yeah I did that and could hear the clip/plastic moving a bit. I just don't want to put a ton of force on it and mess something up. I think the issue may be that rubber weather strip piece on the right side of the pic on the edge of the tail. I can see that compressing when I force the tail light into the correct position. The pre-lci talis don't have that weather strip.

someone mentioned that on the f30 page.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1599349

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

yeah I did that and could hear the clip/plastic moving a bit. I just don't want to put a ton of force on it and mess something up. I think the issue may be that rubber weather strip piece on the right side of the pic on the edge of the tail. I can see that compressing when I force the tail light into the correct position. The pre-lci talis don't have that weather strip.

someone mentioned that on the f30 page.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1599349

Hmm never had the issue with the weatherstripping and that will conpress anyway. You don't need a ton of force, just use the base of your palm to hit/tap as you slide in the light. This is also why you should loosen the clamp as much as possible to make fitment easier.

[NYBulldog]

I remember there was like just a minor little adjustment to do with the trunk lights. I think maybe that rear clamp was prematurely locked down. It sucks to open everything up again but I would do it.

[Madvillain]

lci lights look like they came off an elentra lol. original design and gts look amazing though.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Madvillain

lci lights look like they came off an elentra lol. original design and gts look amazing though.

No way! lmao

[Madvillain]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

No way! lmao

https://www.motortrend.com/news/conf...for-l-a-debut/
hyundai it first for once in their lives lol

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by Madvillain

https://www.motortrend.com/news/conf...for-l-a-debut/
hyundai it first for once in their lives lol

that looks nothing like the LCI lights

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Madvillain

https://www.motortrend.com/news/conf...for-l-a-debut/
hyundai it first for once in their lives lol

Oh shit. Haha

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

that looks nothing like the LCI lights

He’s talking about the shape of the red light.

[Bmwlmr99]

nothing for the f 82 yet??

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Bmwlmr99

nothing for the f 82 yet??

You can get the shadowline that’s new for 2020 models. It’s like the M3 CS lights.

[NYBulldog]

Elantra comparison LMAO. Keep your pre-LCI tails. I'll take the LCI, thanks.

[NYBulldog]

I could NOT pass up the opportunity. Yes, my car is filthy lmao.

I have to return my M3 now since its equipped with Hyundai tail lights.

[M4-Power]

Originally Posted by Bmwlmr99

nothing for the f 82 yet??

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1609323

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

You have to work with the plastic clamp. It's easy for it not to sit well which will obviously not slow the light to sit flush as you tighten it. Loosen the screw as much as possible without removing the clamp. Jiggle the light when it's seated in the trunk lid. Took me a couple tries when I installed the MP blacklines.

Thanks to this post I was aware I needed to give the lamp a nice tap to get the clip to slide into the metal recess. After that it will seat and seal up flush when you tighten the screw/clamp