OEM vs. Aftermarket Tail Lights for BMW F80 M3 – Which Looks Better?

Let’s face it, tail lights on a car like a BMW F80 M3 serve more purpose than just functionality. They exude aesthetic appeal, especially on the night roads. When cruising at a meet or caught at a stoplight, showing off is nothing less than a necessity. Your car needs to scream power and elegance at the same time.

Now that’s where the argument begins. Should you keep OEM BMW F80 M3 tail lights or switch them out for the aftermarket ones that are sure to draw attention? If you have been asking yourself which one is better in terms of looks, then your answer is right here.

What are OEM Tail Lights?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM tail lights are the stock tail lights that come with the car. BMW does not change anything with these tail lights before installation onto the vehicle, making them OEM.

Benefits

• Easy installation with no adjustments.
• Fit and Finish Quality Standards are met by BMW.
• Usually true for BMWs, wiring and coding aren’t an issue.

Pros

• The look is exactly how BMW intended: clean and simple.
• Reliability and fitment are guaranteed.
• If purchased new, the warranty applies.

Cons

• The amount of styling available is very minimal. 
• Pricing of these products is not cheap. 
• Options for personal customization are not there. 

If you want the factory showroom look, slapping these on your vehicle will give you that sleek appearance. It is if you do not want to modify anything on your car. 

What Are Aftermarket Tail Lights? 

The manufacturing of tail lights from brands other than BMW results in what are called Aftermarket Tail Lights. These lights from other manufacturers can have a vast range of styles, whether it be smoked lenses, bars, LEDs, or even animated turn signal lights.

Pros

• The amount of styling choices is limitless.
• Many brands now advertise the use of advanced technology with unique lighting patterns for the new LEDs they’re using.

Cons

• Depending on the brand, output quality could be low. 
• Some modifications will need to be made to achieve the desired fitment. 
• Some need coding or resistors to work properly.
• If your goal is to make your F80 M3 stand out, aftermarket lights will achieve that goal for you.

Comparison Table

A side-by-side comparison table will be really handy for you to understand the differences properly.

Feature	OEM	Aftermarket
Design	Classic BMW style	Wide range of unique looks
Build Quality	High and consistent	Varies by brand
Installation	Plug and play	May need coding or extra parts
Price	Expensive	Varies on several factors
Warranty	Often comes with one	Depends on the brand and provider

Real-World Looks: OEM vs. Aftermarket Tail Lights

Let’s explore what they look like in real-life scenarios.

Daytime

OEM tail lights have an understated and sleek look. However, some aftermarket smoked lenses and clear housing tail lights are aggressive and stand out even during broad daylight.

Nighttime

This is when aftermarket lights dominate, quite literally. Animated sequences, dynamic turn signals, and sharp LED bars tend to steal the show during the night. OEMs, while still clean and sharp, are less flashy compared to the competition.

Performance and Functionality

Sure, looks matter, but let’s not forget about the benefits.

• Aftermarket lights can actually be brighter than OEM. Just stay away from the cheap eBay stuff.  
• In terms of visibility, both perform well. However, aftermarket LEDs tend to have more modern optics, which gives them the edge.
• Durability is another crucial factor. With aftermarket tail lights, you have to do some research. Some are made to last, while others, well, not so much. However, OEM lights are built to last.  
• And most importantly, do aftermarket tail lights meet the street legal requirements? Some are DOT-approved, but not all. So make sure to do your homework before buying.

Community Opinions and Polls

The consensus is diverse in any BMW forum or Facebook group. Some purists are ardent fans of the OEM look, while some like to go full aftermarket and seem to love the custom feel.  

A quick poll from Bimmerpost:  

Lovers of OEM: 45%

Lovers of After Market: 55%

Almost everybody agrees that aftermarket tail lights do phenomenal work, especially their OLED-style lights for F80s are wonderfully modern while not too overboard. 

Which Should You Choose?

Here’s an equally simple rule of thumb:

• If you love the understated stock BMW aesthetic, then OEM is for you.
• If you want to make a bold visual statement, then aftermarket vendors are the way to go.
• If the vehicle is a daily driver and you want tranquility, then OEM is the safer choice.
• If the vehicle is a show car or an enthusiast build, then aftermarket gives you way more options.

Conclusion  

So, which do you think looks better? It honestly comes down to personal appeal and flair. The OEM tail lights have a clean, timeless elegance. And the aftermarket options allow you to put your personal touch and customize your M3’s rear-end to make the vehicle catch more attention.

Whichever option you decide to go with, ensure it matches the personality of your vehicle, and most importantly, yours.