Eagle Eyes Tail Light Review

earlgrey1920 · 12-24-2012, 06:12 PM

I bought a set of Eagle Eyes LED tail lights from ECS Tuning and thought I would write a quick review for anyone considering the upgrade.

PROS:

Good overall look. Running lights and brake lights are great -- much nicer than my old red and orange stock lenses. These units also look 100% better when the car is just sitting in the driveway.
Easy installation. Instructions are not included, so you'll have to find a DIY video on YouTube. However, the installation is very easy.

CONS:

Cheap quality. These units are clearly not the same quality as OE units. The interior pieces (that are installed in the trunk) look and feel like cheap plastic junk. The moisture seals are also cheap. I haven't experienced moisture issues yet, but I am sure it's just a matter of time.
The lights flicker. This is a picky point, but the lights flicker when the engine is not running. It may be rare for you to run your lights without the engine running, but on those occasions the lights will flicker. (For example, if your hazards are on and the engine is off, they will flicker.)
Signals look slightly defective. The signals appear to have a burned out LED in the middle of the top row -- by design. When I tested the lights initially, I immediately thought the units were defective. On closer inspection, I realize that's how they were designed.

VERDICT:

I was very disappointed with the overall quality of these units. Given the mediocre quality and the "defects" (i.e., flickering lights and burned out LED look of the signal) I cannot recommend them.

Regarding price, the total cost of these lights was approx. $400 Canadian. This includes the unit price, shipping, duties, taxes, and the insane $60 UPS brokerage fee.

Solidjake · 12-25-2012, 03:45 AM

I agree with the review.

mkodama · 12-25-2012, 04:10 AM

I also agree, and I bought mine almost 6 years ago, lol. Guess not much has changed with quality.

Sadly, they are the only LED tail light option for sedans.

The Thomas J · 12-25-2012, 11:50 PM

Sadly I just recived these as a Christmas gift. I was so happy, now i'm freakin depressed.

The Thomas J · 01-18-2013, 10:55 PM

Installed on Thursday, took the car for a wash On Friday & have moisture in the passenger side light.

The Thomas J · 01-18-2013, 10:56 PM

Installed on Thursday, took the car for a wash On Friday & have moisture in the passenger side light.

I experianced the flicker issue as well.

Tchleung · 01-19-2013, 02:08 AM

Wow you paid ALOT for them. I've bought two sets of EE tails and they totalled under 400 for both sets. Just have to know how to buy for across the border stuff. For the prices i paid, I am satisfied and happy with them even with their issues, but if I had to pay 400, then yes I would have not been happy

The Thomas J · 01-20-2013, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tchleung

Wow you paid ALOT for them. I've bought two sets of EE tails and they totalled under 400 for both sets. Just have to know how to buy for across the border stuff. For the prices i paid, I am satisfied and happy with them even with their issues, but if I had to pay 400, then yes I would have not been happy

Verts are more expensive, around $275

Bimmer4Lyfe · 01-19-2013, 02:13 AM

I concur...

Also, I disconnected the top row of the blinkers on mine...

I d rather have 2 full rows (which are bright enough). Than to have one missing led in the middle of a row...

coolbill4 · 05-11-2013, 01:49 AM

*comment edited below

coolbill4 · 05-11-2013, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer4Lyfe

I concur...

Also, I disconnected the top row of the blinkers on mine...

I d rather have 2 full rows (which are bright enough). Than to have one missing led in the middle of a row...

I want to do this! Would love to hear how you did it.

j2sound · 05-11-2013, 02:53 AM

Install capacitors, that will illuminate your flicker issues

Sent from BimmerApp mobile app

David86 · 05-12-2013, 08:26 PM

Did you guys have melted wire with the previous tail light?? because i dont know if a can just detach it from the metal ground and plug my tail light

earlgrey1920 · 05-13-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David86

Did you guys have melted wire with the previous tail light?? because i dont know if a can just detach it from the metal ground and plug my tail light

Are you asking about a melted wire with your OEM units? I received a recall letter from BMW some time ago (within the last two years I'm guessing) to address a grounding issue with my tail lights. (This was for a 2003 325i). I'm not sure if that would cause the problem you describe, but it might be worth looking into.

Just found a thread regarding the recall: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=867564

David86 · Today, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlgrey1920

Are you asking about a melted wire with your OEM units? I received a recall letter from BMW some time ago (within the last two years I'm guessing) to address a grounding issue with my tail lights. (This was for a 2003 325i). I'm not sure if that would cause the problem you describe, but it might be worth looking into.

Just found a thread regarding the recall: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=867564

No my car was fixed with the tail light issues
I want to know if i can detach the fixing thing on the bulb holder
and just plug my LED tail light on it or i need to do something else

Thanks

pinoybmr3 · 05-13-2013, 09:29 AM

trash product so far....

DavidDee · 05-13-2013, 10:01 AM

I've had mine since August and I don't have any of the problems described. Sure, they aren't of the same quality that the OEM ones are but I don't have any flickering or any LED's not working. I guess time will tell the true quality of these tail lights.

12-24-2012, 06:12 PM	#1
earlgrey1920 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 6 My Ride: 2003 325i Sport Pkg View My Garage	Eagle Eyes Tail Light Review I bought a set of Eagle Eyes LED tail lights from ECS Tuning and thought I would write a quick review for anyone considering the upgrade. PROS: Good overall look. Running lights and brake lights are great -- much nicer than my old red and orange stock lenses. These units also look 100% better when the car is just sitting in the driveway. Easy installation. Instructions are not included, so you'll have to find a DIY video on YouTube. However, the installation is very easy. CONS: Cheap quality. These units are clearly not the same quality as OE units. The interior pieces (that are installed in the trunk) look and feel like cheap plastic junk. The moisture seals are also cheap. I haven't experienced moisture issues yet, but I am sure it's just a matter of time. The lights flicker. This is a picky point, but the lights flicker when the engine is not running. It may be rare for you to run your lights without the engine running, but on those occasions the lights will flicker. (For example, if your hazards are on and the engine is off, they will flicker.) Signals look slightly defective. The signals appear to have a burned out LED in the middle of the top row -- by design. When I tested the lights initially, I immediately thought the units were defective. On closer inspection, I realize that's how they were designed. VERDICT: I was very disappointed with the overall quality of these units. Given the mediocre quality and the "defects" (i.e., flickering lights and burned out LED look of the signal) I cannot recommend them. Regarding price, the total cost of these lights was approx. $400 Canadian. This includes the unit price, shipping, duties, taxes, and the insane $60 UPS brokerage fee. Last edited by earlgrey1920; 12-24-2012 at 06:38 PM. Reason: Could not upload image

12-25-2012, 03:45 AM	#2
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19,889 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	I agree with the review. __________________ Follow my cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=987217 Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide

12-25-2012, 04:10 AM	#3
mkodama OEM ///Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 30,828 View My Garage	I also agree, and I bought mine almost 6 years ago, lol. Guess not much has changed with quality. Sadly, they are the only LED tail light option for sedans. Last edited by mkodama; 12-25-2012 at 04:11 AM.

01-19-2013, 02:08 AM	#7
Tchleung Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 455 My Ride: 02 M3 View My Garage	Wow you paid ALOT for them. I've bought two sets of EE tails and they totalled under 400 for both sets. Just have to know how to buy for across the border stuff. For the prices i paid, I am satisfied and happy with them even with their issues, but if I had to pay 400, then yes I would have not been happy __________________ 02 Carbon Black M3 6MT 456whp/312wtq @ 8psi, No #'s yet at 9.5psi 4.10 / Headers / ESS VT2-550+ / Tuned by Evolve

01-19-2013, 02:13 AM	#9
Bimmer4Lyfe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: 129 West 81st St. 5A, New York, New York 10024 Posts: 2,205 My Ride: 02 325i View My Garage	I concur... Also, I disconnected the top row of the blinkers on mine... I d rather have 2 full rows (which are bright enough). Than to have one missing led in the middle of a row... __________________ -j

12-25-2012, 11:50 PM	#4
The Thomas J Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 405 My Ride: 2002 325Cic View My Garage	Sadly I just recived these as a Christmas gift. I was so happy, now i'm freakin depressed.

01-18-2013, 10:55 PM	#5
The Thomas J Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 405 My Ride: 2002 325Cic View My Garage	Installed on Thursday, took the car for a wash On Friday & have moisture in the passenger side light.

01-18-2013, 10:56 PM	#6
The Thomas J Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 405 My Ride: 2002 325Cic View My Garage	Installed on Thursday, took the car for a wash On Friday & have moisture in the passenger side light. I experianced the flicker issue as well.

05-11-2013, 01:49 AM	#10
coolbill4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seattle Posts: 4 My Ride: 2002 325i View My Garage	comment edited below Last edited by coolbill4; 05-11-2013 at 01:53 AM.*

05-11-2013, 02:53 AM	#12
j2sound Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northants Posts: 9 My Ride: 316ti Se Compact View My Garage	Eagle Eyes Tail Light Review Install capacitors, that will illuminate your flicker issues Sent from BimmerApp mobile app

05-12-2013, 08:26 PM	#13
David86 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Quebec Posts: 5 My Ride: 323i View My Garage	Did you guys have melted wire with the previous tail light?? because i dont know if a can just detach it from the metal ground and plug my tail light

05-13-2013, 09:29 AM	#16
pinoybmr3 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Riverstone Posts: 3,832 My Ride: low and slow View My Garage	trash product so far.... __________________ Mods: Vmr VB3 staggered wheels, H&R sport cup kit, P46 with Orion V2 with Canbus xenon, Magnaflow exhaust, Aluminum pedals. Roque RSM, Interior xenon lights, Oem alarms, M3 steering wheel, carbon fiber wrap interior, K&N intake, Mtec II bumper, Kenwood with Pandora and 2x12's sub and amp, RCR tails, OEM clear sides and front, black kidneys and roof spoiler.

05-13-2013, 10:01 AM	#17
DavidDee Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Saratoga Springs New York Posts: 229 My Ride: 2004 325xi View My Garage	I've had mine since August and I don't have any of the problems described. Sure, they aren't of the same quality that the OEM ones are but I don't have any flickering or any LED's not working. I guess time will tell the true quality of these tail lights. __________________ "It has a radio and speakers but it's kinda hard to hear over horny bitches moanin in the back when I start it up.."

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