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So there are several styles of aftermarket tail lights out there, the latest 3IS style is what really caught my eye, but with several styles out there, I could never settle on one particle brand/set… until now.
So I pulled the trigger on Nigel's Style A (most OEM looking) because of their availability, ease of installation and positive reviews. I'll go more in depth why later, but I decided to try the Spec-D all red set (again, OEM look) through an eBay store. Hopefully my indecision and overall interest will benefit other CL users into what is the better look for you.
Before we go any further, I have a 2012 IS350, the lights on eBay that are advertised as 06-08 are what I purchased, and they fit and work perfectly without any modifications. I asked prior to purchase and was told they cannot guarantee they will work, I bought them anyways and they are fine.
Packaging:
This one is a push- both set come in different shape/size boxes, but are delivered very securely. I'd say Nigel's are packaged a little more securely, but Spec-D's are very good.
Nigel Nigel
Spec-D Spec-D
Quality:
I'm going to give a slight edge to Nigel on the construction, but with a few caveats. The lens and backing feels a bit thicker and stronger on Nigel's and fit the overall shape very well, however, there is no weather strip along the top portion of the lens, and the wiring harness does not have a trunk clip (minor detail) to reattach the wiring to the trunk under the carpeting. Spec-D's feel sturdy and well made, just maybe not at the level of Nigel's. Spec-D's fitment is about 8.5/10 with the inner portion sitting slightly unflush, this may be because the lights are advertised as 06-08 and my car is a 2012, but I'm pretty sure the shape is the same between the years. Spec-D's have a good weather strip and harness clips.
Installation:
If you have ever taken your tail lights off, this is a super easy mod. Both of these are plug and play, Nigel's are a bit easier since there is just a wiring harness to clip in, no resistors or extra wires, but you do need reverse bulbs. Spec-D's are a bit more work as they have a few resistors to avoid strobing, but all of these are included and is color coded (red to red, yellow to yellow, etc). Spec-D has an optional brake section on the inner portion, which requires a wire to be run along the trunk arm, or you can leave it without. I decided to wire it to give more brake lights since the outer section is smaller (one row of LED vs 2 on Nigel's).
Looks: Spec-D on top, Nigel on bottom
This is probably the most important area. For me they both have a lot of good and some not so good parts...
Nigel: Love the OEM look and yellow turn signals (full LED) Whereas all OEM taillights have a ridge or bump along the turn signal section, these are completely round. These have an OEM look, but the turn signal area is a bit larger and brings the overall appearance down, and the reverse section seems out of place. At night, the bars are very bright and truly red (pictures do not do it justice), the LED's are extremely bright on the brake lights and turn signals. The worst part is how they are lit along the bars, they have single lights at each end which sends the light along a channel/groove; because of this, there are bright spots at night and make them look aftermarket and IMO a bit tacky.
Spec-D: Again, very good OEM look to them. I think these have an overall better shape that is closer to OEM. Like Nigel's, the lights are very bright red and pictures do not capture the true color, although the light bars are maybe a bit lighter. The reverse light flows extremely well with the lines of the car and light. The turn signals are red on this model, which is a bit out of place on the IS. These light bars have a better flow because they are actual tube with lights inside, so there are no bright spots on the edges. The brake lights have some variables and give you the option of having both sections light.
Overall: Both of these are very close. I purchased Nigel's for $480 shipped, Spec-D's for $399 shipped. Attention to detail is very important to me and I like the OEM look. With the lights off, Nigel's take it. With the lights on, it's a lot closer but I like the Spec-D's because of the uniform light pattern along the bars. Also, being $80 cheaper, I tend to find more value in that.
Spec-D on driver's side, Nigel on passenger's side
*My trunk is not fully closed in this picture, the lights perfectly align when shut*
Nice comparison write up, must of been a pricey to compare the two. After seeing both when they first came to market, the biggest thing for me picking Nigel's over Spec-D's was the fact that it had a more OEM look over the Spec-D's (with the rectangular reverse lights).
Love this comparison... I have Nigel's and would still buy them again but I have always like the reverse shape of the Spec-d. Even though Nigel's reverse isn't as flowing it does provide a lot of light when in use.
This is the best side by side comparison so far... nice job!
Thanks for the feedback and input. I think the biggest issues/differences so far is that Nigel's has a better color and OEM look, but the Spec-D's have the better light patter/design. Either option look good on pretty much any color car too.
Awesome comparison and cost you a pretty penny. I like the Spec D inner (the angle flows with the shape of the tail lights) and the Nigel outer. I would mix and match them and sell the set you don't want. Thanks for helping other members.
Awesome comparison and cost you a pretty penny. I like the Spec D inner (the angle flows with the shape of the tail lights) and the Nigel outer. I would mix and match them and sell the set you don't want. Thanks for helping other members.
I agree this would be the ideal look, unfortunately the light bars look completely different in person and the color is slightly off between the two. Also the bars at at different heights
I can't be the only one that wishes they had a version without the black border on the outer rim - that's the biggest factor that's holding me off from buying a set.
That said, although I like Nigel's better, I'm very split since I like the SpecD's brake light much better (inside "L" strip vs. just the outer bar).
so does 78works just rebrand these tailights and sell them for double the price or is the 78works ones are actually better than nigel or spec d??
Judging by when 78works debuted the tail lights wayyy back over a year ago, leads me to think they may have designed them first.
As for quality differences, I haven't found anyone in Houston with any of the aftermarket tails, although the other styles have nearly all the styling cues to say they have the same build quality most likely. I have 78works and love them, I wanted them because they are the only ones with the white in the tails and because they seemed to be the source of the tail design. The black surround on the tails was a oddity to get used to but on a white car, I like the contrast. It adds to the black and carbon accents I already have on the car.
The black surround on the tails was a oddity to get used to but on a white car, I like the contrast. It adds to the black and carbon accents I already have on the car.
I have to agree, I have my emblems blacked out and my spoiler (until I get around to CF) and it ties together nicely, but takes a little time to get used to.
3IS Style Tail Light Comparison
