Most owners of the first 1 Series start with mirror caps, LED side markers and LED number plate and interior lights, then fix the small things that wear out inside. At the time of writing, LED number plate lights start from around €9, interior LED kits from around €14, side markers from around €15 and replacement mirror caps from around €57.
First, work out which car you have
The E8x name covers four body styles, and some parts differ between them:
- E87: the five door hatchback, the first to arrive in 2004.
- E81: the three door hatchback.
- E82: the coupé.
- E88: the convertible.
If you are not sure which one you have, see how to find your BMW chassis code. The facelift, which BMW calls the LCI, came in 2007 and mainly changed lighting and trim details. It matters for some lighting parts, less for mirror caps. More in LCI vs pre-LCI explained.
The hatchbacks and the coupé and convertible do not share every rear part. Number plate lights are the clearest example: we list different units for the E81 and E87 than for the E82 and E88, so pick the listing that names your body code. Many parts here are shared with the 3 Series of the same era, and their titles only name a few example models, so check the fitment table on the product page before you order. Everything we list for this car is in the 1 Series E8x collection.
One thing to say plainly: we do not stock front lips, diffusers, side skirts, grilles or spoilers for the E8x at the moment, so the M Sport versus standard bumper question does not affect anything in this guide.
Exterior: mirror caps
Mirror caps are the main exterior change we can offer for this car. They clip over or replace the painted covers on the door mirrors and change the look more than you would expect for the price. There are two styles:
- M3 style mirror caps for the E81 and E87, from around €66, which copy the shape of the M3 mirror.
- M3 look caps listed for all four body codes, from around €57.
- Standard shape replacement mirror caps, from around €64, if you want the original shape in a different finish.
What to check: the finish options on the product page (gloss black or a carbon look finish, which is a printed pattern, not real carbon), and the fitment table, because these caps are shared with the E90 to E93 3 Series. Fitting means pushing the mirror glass out, unclipping the old cover and clipping the new one on. Take your time with the clips in cold weather, as old plastic gets brittle. If you are torn between finishes, our piece on gloss black vs carbon look mirror caps covers the trade offs.
Lighting
Lighting is where the list for this car is strongest. Most of these are bulb or unit swaps with no wiring changes.
Side markers
The small indicators in the front wings are an easy first job. The sequential LED side markers start from around €15, and the plain amber LED side markers from around €24 if you prefer a normal flash. Each unit is pushed forward or back in the wing and levered out, then the plug swaps over. Check local rules on sequential indicators where you live.
Number plate and interior lights
Yellowed number plate bulbs date the car. For the hatchbacks, the LED number plate light for the E81 and E87 starts from around €13. For the coupé and convertible, use the LED number plate lights for the E82 and E88, from around €15. Both are complete units that unclip from the bumper or boot lid.
Inside, an LED interior light kit from around €28 replaces the reading, boot and vanity bulbs, and a smaller CANbus interior bulb kit does a similar job from around €14. Add the LED footwell and door lights from around €17 if your car has those lamps. All you need is a plastic trim tool.
Angel eyes and fog bulbs
If your headlights already have halo rings, the LED angel eye bulbs from around €50 replace the dull original bulbs with a whiter light. They only work on cars that have the rings, so look at your headlights first. On the E87, LED fog light bulbs from around €35 are another option; check which bulb your fog lights take before choosing the variant.
Worn interior fixes
These cars are now old enough that the touch points show their age. A few parts help:
- A stitch on steering wheel cover, from around €34, for a worn rim. It is made for the M Sport wheel, so compare the photos with your wheel. Sewing it on takes an evening.
- A boot lid release switch for the E82 and E88, from around €17, when the boot stops opening from the outside button.
- A start button cover, from around €14, which sits over a worn start button on the E87.
Comparing the options
| Part | From (approx.) | Fitting | Reversible |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED number plate lights | €9 | Easy, 10 minutes | Yes |
| Interior LED kit | €14 | Easy, trim tool | Yes |
| LED side markers | €15 | Easy, 15 minutes | Yes |
| Boot release switch | €17 | Moderate, boot trim off | Yes |
| Steering wheel cover | €34 | Moderate, hand sewing | Yes |
| Angel eye bulbs | €50 | Moderate, behind headlight | Yes |
| Mirror caps | €57 | Easy to moderate | Yes, keep the originals |
Where to start
- Do the cheap lighting first: number plate lights and an interior kit cost little and make the car feel newer.
- Fix anything broken next, such as the boot release switch, since it affects daily use.
- Fit side markers and, if you have halo rings, angel eye bulbs.
- Finish with mirror caps, the most visible change and the most expensive one here.
None of these parts ship from our EU warehouse, so allow longer for delivery. If something does not fit the car it was listed for, our fit guarantee applies. Many of these parts are shared with the 3 Series of the same era; our E90 to E93 buying guide covers that car.
FAQ
Do E90 3 Series mirror caps fit the 1 Series E8x?
Several of the caps we list are made for both, as the titles show, but always check the fitment table on the product page for your exact body code before ordering.
Will LED bulbs cause warning lights on the dashboard?
The CANbus kits are designed to avoid bulb warnings, but older cars can still flag one now and then. If that happens, contact us before fitting anything else.
Are the number plate lights the same on the hatchback and the coupé?
No. We list separate units for the E81 and E87 hatchbacks and for the E82 coupé and E88 convertible, so choose the one that names your car.
Do you sell body kits or lips for the E8x?
Not at the moment. Our range for this car covers mirror caps, lighting and interior parts. Check the collection now and then, as we add parts over time.