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F55/F56 Union Jack tail lights for my 2015 F56 MCS. Please help me choos the correct lights.

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Old Jan 1, 2024 | 09:27 PM
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Union Jack tail lights for my 2015 F56 MCS. Please help me choos the correct lights.

Hello everyone.

I have 2015 MCS F56 with LED front head lights and LED tail lights (none Union Jack)

Last week when I was loading something heavy to my trunk, I hit the right tail light lens and cracked it. So, now I have a reason to upgrade - would like the Union Jack tail lights.

However, im very confused what will fit?

My favorite lights would be these:

VLAND LED Tail Lights Compatible with BMW Mini Cooper F55 F56 F57 2014-2021, Union Jack Rear Lamp Assembly w/Switchback Turn Signal, L+R Sides Pairs (Tinted Bezel Smoke Lens) https://a.co/d/1f9WCXU


and:


Archaic Tail Lights Assembly for Mini Cooper F55-57, Tail Lamp with Sequential Turn Signal Light, Full LED Rear Light Union Jack Light for Mini Cooper 2014-2021, Plug&Play, Pair, White https://a.co/d/eojJWbe




does anyone have any experience with those?


are there better options from outmotoring or ESCTunning?

thank you.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2024 | 08:39 AM
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We have these and people love them so much we sold out. They work with and without led option factory.
Our include the blackline trim also if you want to use that. Also we are here to help if you have any problems, unlike those ebay and amazon people that dont own a MINI.

Its the wild west and the vendor on those site change all the time so watch out, one week they are there and the next week gone.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/BM11-F5614/



 
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Old Jan 2, 2024 | 01:50 PM
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This for ECS Tuning.
Would it be possible to add some photos (or Video) of these particular lights (Ziza) lit up ?? To show what it looks like in the following modes:
Tailights on only
Stop lights on only
Turn signal on only
Combinations of the above
I also am interested in these particular lights
 
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Old Jan 3, 2024 | 06:49 AM
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I have seen them here test fitted, but at the time we did not have a video. The function the same as the other UJ aftermarket lights for US market. Not the euro market ones.

We hope to get a video in the future when we get our next stock in. They sold out so we don't have any on hand for the F56 platform, more coming soon. We do for the R50-R53 and R56-R58 platform.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...i-coopers.html

 
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Old Jan 3, 2024 | 01:21 PM
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Yea, I got the smoked ones from ECS and they are great. The only thing I don't like is that the turn signal doesn't illuminate the horizontal line (horizontal T) like on my old OEM tail lights but just the small side vertical strip. I wish that could be changed (and I tried connecting and disconnecting that little wire connector that's added on the back of the tail lights without any change). Here's a short Youtube video since I couldn't upload the video file on here:







And by the way, when I upgraded the LED tail lights on my 2016 Cooper S with Union Jack LED's - I had to do a bunch of coding with Bimmercode for them to work properly - I'm not sure if that's still the case or not so please double check before ordering.
 

Last edited by boki; Jan 3, 2024 at 01:27 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2024 | 02:48 PM
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Boki
I assume then also that the brake light function also looks like the turn signal, only the vertical bar is illuminated. That's not much to see for someone following when you brake.
 
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Old Jan 3, 2024 | 04:21 PM
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Thanks, everyone.. since I have a 2015 MCS F56 with OEM LED headlights and OEM LED tail lights, I hope these would be plug-and-play

Archaic Tail Lights Assembly for Mini Cooper F55-57, Tail Lamp with Sequential Turn Signal Light Archaic Tail Lights Assembly for Mini Cooper F55-57, Tail Lamp with Sequential Turn Signal Light

I also like the SEQUENTIAL option for the turn signal. Anyone on here has those?
 
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Old Jan 8, 2024 | 06:39 AM
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Originally Posted by PClay
Boki
I assume then also that the brake light function also looks like the turn signal, only the vertical bar is illuminated. That's not much to see for someone following when you brake.
I believe the whole pattern is illuminating when braking and that's including the center horizontal bar so that should be enough visibility when braking I believe.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2024 | 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by cub4bearindiana
Thanks, everyone.. since I have a 2015 MCS F56 with OEM LED headlights and OEM LED tail lights, I hope these would be plug-and-play

Archaic Tail Lights Assembly for Mini Cooper F55-57, Tail Lamp with Sequential Turn Signal Light

I also like the SEQUENTIAL option for the turn signal. Anyone on here has those?
Ahhh, crap, I like these better than the Ziza ones. Please let us know how did you like them when you install them.

Although I just watched that video on Amazon and I can't say that I like the brake lights and how they don't increase in brightness all that much. And then I read one of the reviews confirming that - please let us know how do the brake lights work for you.

And another reviewer said that the turn signals don't work like advertised in the video (they work the same way as my Ziza's which I'm not a big fan of).
 

Last edited by boki; Jan 8, 2024 at 06:47 AM.
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Old Jan 8, 2024 | 07:44 AM
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I know what the ziza ones do. Those other ones, i dont know. Seems like its all over the place on function US vs Euro.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2024 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by ECSTuning
I know what the ziza ones do. Those other ones, i dont know. Seems like its all over the place on function US vs Euro.
Ah, great, can I ask you two questions about the Ziza ones I bought from you please?

1. Why is Ziza not using the middle strip for nothing, is that by design (circled red in the photo)?

2. What is that green cable connector (that can be left unplugged or plugged) on the back of the tail light's main connector for? I installed it and tested with it connected and disconnected and didn't notice any differences.

Thanks.

 
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Old Jan 9, 2024 | 09:24 AM
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Just like the R56 ones, unplug is sequential. Forgot about that wire. Try it one more time. Start the car up and let it run.




I know when you mess with the coding that changes things up from stock also.

 
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Old Jan 9, 2024 | 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by ECSTuning
Just like the R56 ones, unplug is sequential. Forgot about that wire. Try it one more time. Start the car up and let it run.




I know when you mess with the coding that changes things up from stock also.
Great, thanks for the info. I'll check when I get a chance. I didn't touch coding on my 2019, that one came stock with Union Jack LED tail lights, I changed coding on my previous 2016 Cooper S.

If it's still not working, any chance you guys have the necessary coding to enable this via Bimmercode? Thanks in advance.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2024 | 10:02 AM
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I can dig for it, should be plug and play and no coding. I know people had to code as they wanted to make the light flash a certain way on factory UJ cars other then what cam with the kit we had.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2024 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by ECSTuning
I can dig for it, should be plug and play and no coding. I know people had to code as they wanted to make the light flash a certain way on factory UJ cars other then what cam with the kit we had.
Thanks for the offer - I just did some digging myself, is this the thread you were thinking off?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...llights-9.html

I believe the post #224 explains the coding - I'm going to try that coding in a week or two and report back.


 
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Old Jan 9, 2024 | 12:55 PM
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Yep thats it



 
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Old Jan 11, 2024 | 06:45 AM
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I got the ones from Amazon. Didn’t want to wait for them from ESC to be back in stock - just don’t have time.

I like them a lot. Perfect fit and no issues at all.
they do have the horizontal amber turn signals in sequential mode - it’s very quick though, but visible if you pay attention.

They have a single vertical red strip for breaks.

When breaks are engaged, I want to say that the whole rest of the Union Jack area lights up a bit more, but maybe it’s illusion on my side. It appears to be brighter to me, tbh.

The break red vertical strips are plenty IMHO. Not sure why everyone complain about that in other posts. They are bright!
I also have my 3rd top break light with blinking module installed so that’s an additional nice warning to cars behind me.

when I start the car, the tail lights also light up with mode similar to a hearth bit rate lol. It pulsate about 3 times until they are fully bright.

All in all I’m happy with my choice.


Originally Posted by boki
Ahhh, crap, I like these better than the Ziza ones. Please let us know how did you like them when you install them.

Although I just watched that video on Amazon and I can't say that I like the brake lights and how they don't increase in brightness all that much. And then I read one of the reviews confirming that - please let us know how do the brake lights work for you.

And another reviewer said that the turn signals don't work like advertised in the video (they work the same way as my Ziza's which I'm not a big fan of).
 
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Old Jan 18, 2024 | 08:17 PM
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The horizontal turnsignal has to be programmed. It took me and a few guys several months of messing with Bimmercode to figure out the correct changes that had to be made to get it to work. I can send you a link to what you have to do, it requires an OBDII reader and the Bimmercode app with Expert mode.

I got ones from Amazon and they came in a Vland box. They work great.

Originally Posted by boki
Yea, I got the smoked ones from ECS and they are great. The only thing I don't like is that the turn signal doesn't illuminate the horizontal line (horizontal T) like on my old OEM tail lights but just the small side vertical strip. I wish that could be changed (and I tried connecting and disconnecting that little wire connector that's added on the back of the tail lights without any change). Here's a short Youtube video since I couldn't upload the video file on here:

https://youtu.be/c_qfMoB1Ilw






And by the way, when I upgraded the LED tail lights on my 2016 Cooper S with Union Jack LED's - I had to do a bunch of coding with Bimmercode for them to work properly - I'm not sure if that's still the case or not so please double check before ordering.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2024 | 07:21 AM
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Thanks for the offer, and yes, can you please send me the instructions. I already have Bimmercode and OBD2 dongle, I used the app before, should be good with making changes.

Are the changes similar or the same as in this thread/post #?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...llights-9.html

I believe the post #224 explains the coding - I'm going to try that coding in a week or two and report back.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2024 | 01:38 PM
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Yes, user fishbert is the one that finally got the code working correctly for me and several others.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2024 | 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by ECSTuning
We have these and people love them so much we sold out. They work with and without led option factory.
Our include the blackline trim also if you want to use that. Also we are here to help if you have any problems, unlike those ebay and amazon people that dont own a MINI.

Its the wild west and the vendor on those site change all the time so watch out, one week they are there and the next week gone.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/BM11-F5614/



Are these plug-and-play for a 2014 F56 S with halogens and the 5-pin harness?
 
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Old Dec 5, 2024 | 12:02 PM
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Yep

"Easy to replace and install. A direct replacement for vehicles with or without LED taillight option/ package.

Unplug the yellow/green connection wire that hangs out on the back to use the sequential turn signals. Otherwise when connected they will flash solid.

Plug and Play!"

 
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Old Dec 6, 2024 | 04:19 AM
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FYI that “plug-and-play” and “direct fit” do not always equal function as intended. Depending on vehicle year and factory equipment, there may be some coding required to get the lights to work as designed (i.e., Union Jack is running light, middle horizontal strip is turn signal, and inner vertical strip is brake, with no overlap between the functions).
 
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Old Dec 6, 2024 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by NBCGLX
FYI that “plug-and-play” and “direct fit” do not always equal function as intended. Depending on vehicle year and factory equipment, there may be some coding required to get the lights to work as designed (i.e., Union Jack is running light, middle horizontal strip is turn signal, and inner vertical strip is brake, with no overlap between the functions).
I'm good with physically installing the new tail lights and selecting the standard "LED Conversion" options in Bimmercode—it's fiddling around with Expert Mode that I'd like to avoid. Are the Ziza/VLAND/Aftermarket lights sold by ECS Tuning better to install in that regard (vs. those sold on Amazon)? It's difficult to figure out which Union Jack LEDs require coding in Expert Mode. Sounds like it might be ALL OF THEM?
 

Last edited by Grizzld; Dec 6, 2024 at 10:23 AM. Reason: Adding clarity
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Old Dec 6, 2024 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Grizzld
I'm good with physically installing the new tail lights and selecting the standard "LED Conversion" options in Bimmercode—it's fiddling around with Expert Mode that I'd like to avoid. Are the Ziza/VLAND/Aftermarket lights sold by ECS Tuning better to install in that regard (vs. those sold on Amazon)? It's difficult to figure out which Union Jack LEDs require coding in Expert Mode. Sounds like it might be ALL OF THEM?
What year is your car, and did it come from the factory with LED tail lights?

I’m pretty sure most of the aftermarket lights are made by the same companies. I picked up a set of the smoked tail lights from Amazon, and they’re VLAND lights. My car is a 2019 (March 2018 production) and had the UJ lights from the factory. A few minor coding tweaks and I’ve got the lights functioning 100% as designed.
 
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