Tail Light differences between facelift sedans and prefacelift sedans?! (pics)

[Delmarco]

Someone told me the main reason facelift E46 tail lights don't work on pre-face lift E46 sedans is because the plastic outer shell is shaped differently. Is this true?
In the pictures below facelift and pre-faceift seem to have identical shape.
Did BMW really make the shapes different?

I really want to try and upgrade my tails to facelift OEM style since I'm not yet sure about putting Depo R/C/R clears on as yet.

Thanks.

Hopefully the pictures below will help add some fact to the myth.

[marti5]

I dont think there is a difference apart from the colour, I have fitted my rears with facelift rears ( 7 series ) which funny enough come of a 5 series E39 and the are an exact fit, the difference comes with the front lights, well it does on a 7 series.

[Delmarco]

Originally Posted by marti5

I dont think there is a difference apart from the colour, I have fitted my rears with facelift rears ( 7 series ) which funny enough come of a 5 series E39 and the are an exact fit, the difference comes with the front lights, well it does on a 7 series.

you are correct. The fit is exacty the same. The difference is the pin connectors.

[drz]

The body panels are exactly the same, so the tail lights have to be the same external dimensions. You should be able to easily wire either to work on the other using either a schematic or trial and error.

[Delmarco]

Originally Posted by drz

The body panels are exactly the same, so the tail lights have to be the same external dimensions. You should be able to easily wire either to work on the other using either a schematic or trial and error.

Yeah, it will be one hell of a wiring job. The 6 pin to 7 pin conversion seems not complicated, but the 2002-2006 tail have alot more lights doing alot of various things so I'm have my fingers crossed.

[WhatsAClutch?]

It can be don't without the wiring if you ask me...your just going to be missing one light out of the actual tailight, but it will still illuminate the whole light, I don't see the point in spending the money of the wires plus time for something not so neccessary but that's just my 2 cents.