So to help others since there wasn't a really clear answer on the topic when I searched. You will notice that on ebay you can find w203 led error free license plate modules. I decided I wanted to do this rather than replace the incandescent bulbs to leds because my lenses were all brown anyways, so if I bought new lenses they were $14 each, not counting the cost of the LEDS which would have been another 10 bucks... The LED modules cost $19 with free shipping, and they came from a NJ so right here in the states. The module looked just like the one I took out that came stock with a normal bulb...

Below are the results. They are so nice/clean white light and they are bright. LOVE IT.

You want the ones that look rounded, not rectangles.



They are in fact error free. Plugged right in using the same oem connector/harness on the back of the car as well.

-Nigel

 

did this on my old m3, how hard is install in the w209?

 

Install wasn't bad. I found a thread somewhere showing that you have to remove the rear plastic piece on the trunk.

Basically you undo all the little push clips once you open your trunk, to pull the felt lining thing down. Once you do that then you will see two screws on each side, you undo those and then there is a center screw/bolt that you undo directly behind where your license plate. Once you undo all of that, you simply pull straight down on the plastic part of the trunk. That comes off and then you can completely remove/install the modules. It took me roughly 30 minutes to do by following the how to on here. It took all of 5 minutes to put everything back together. Going forward it would probably take me 10 minutes to take it all apart. It's quite easy.

Definitely worth it and so much nicer looking with all the light!

-Nigel

 

Where did you buy these? Link?

I got some from Germany....they look very similar. I am wondering if they are the same ones or not.

 

got them off ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161286360491?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
For some reason the dude has them for $117!!? I paid 17! I think they f'ed up on the decimal point because I can't see anyone spending that much money for them at all!

Shipped from the USA I believe Jersey so I had them in only a couple days. Zero errors.

-Nigel

 

Cool. Yeah they seem to be the same ones I got. They were a direct fit on your car?

The stock ones have 2 clips one on each side, while these only have 1 clip and a tab on the opposite side. I had to improvise the installation a little bit. Otherwise they would have been loose.

 

Just out of curiosity, to you have a "before" picture showing how much light the originals produced?

 

These are easily 2-3 times brighter than stock....Also the light is pure white.

 

nice find

 

I just replaced, tonight, the license plate light modules with led ones. Dang! They are bright. I had a heck of a time getting it done. I took some pics and will make some notes on the install and post them here within the next couple days.

Recently replaced the tails and 3rd brake light also. May make a short movie clip of how they look.

 

Its 2:00 in the morning, you just knocked over a liquor store, you are making your getaway. WHICH CAR WOULD YOU RATHER BE DRIVING?

 

Still would rather have the brighter one because it looks better... anyone robbing a liquor store is an idiot anyways, more than likely there are cameras SOMEWHERE in the lot and will get your plate anyways...lol

-Nigel

 

Install procedure used for CLK550.

 

Here are a couple non-embedded pics.

 

Looks good! Real clean! Install procedure is right on!

-Nigel