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How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

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half
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by half » Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:28 am

I for the dome light I have used this http://www.ebay.it/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... AQ:IT:1123
After a month of use is ok. Drim function works.

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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by bs0u0118 » Thu May 17, 2012 5:53 pm

jamesgarbett wrote:When you say seat compartment light where is that exactly?
Its a drop down compartment between the seats on the vertical wall between the seats and boot. No idea of its proper name - sorry
Z4 E86 Coupe, Silver/Grey, Red Leather and 108's

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corsaire77
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by corsaire77 » Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:30 am

I used a large multiple-SMD unit for the 07 coupe dome - to fit it, I just had to unscrew the transparent part, held by two screws.

The result (with map lights off):
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by aquazi » Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:50 am

looks cool corsair77, but too blue for my liking though.

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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by Daaaaan » Sun Aug 26, 2012 3:26 pm

Does anyone know how to retro-fit the footwell lights, trunk lights and seat-compartment lights on an E85?

Or is it a mod, rather than a retro-fit?

Thanks
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by ben g » Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:06 pm

just prise the cover off with a flatbladed screwdriver.
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Daaaaan
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by Daaaaan » Sun Sep 02, 2012 8:39 pm

no no no, i mean RETROFITTING, not changing the lights. I don't have footwell lights installed on the car :oops:
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by Daaaavvveee » Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:31 am

bs0u0118 wrote:I decided to change out all my interior lights, including boot and rear number plate lights for some nice white LEDs in my E86.

This was not quite as easy as I thought due to slight variations in bulb sizes, in particular affecting the main dome and reading lights.

The footwell, glovebox and seat compartment (area in-between seats) all take the same bulbs, as seen below. These bulb holders just slide to the left or right and clip out – very easy to fit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220880644828? ... 1497.l2649

The dome light and reading lights are similar to the above, but have a slimmer fitting. The bulbs above would not slide into the fitting holes in the dome lights, so I had to search around for these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120708113993? ... 1497.l2649

The dome light is a little more tricky and I used a bank card around the edges with a butter knife (careful with the upholstery) to unclip this from the roof. There’s then a plug to attach the electrics, but this can simply slide out, then the unit is free from the car.

Note: if you have an E85 which does not have reading lights (i.e. lighting package), the bulbs are festoon, not wedges, so you’ll need to get 2 of those I’ve linked to for the boot below.

The boot light is a festoon bulb and I found the one below fits nicely, whilst having a high number of SMDs, meaning more white light!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251005743885? ... 1497.l2649

The car now looks amazing in the dark, the whole interior lights up in perfect white and draws a lot of attention. Overall, they’re actually much better at providing light to those dark areas like the boot and footwells.

A great mod for around £10 and 30mins work :D

I'll get some photos up soon...
How many bulbs are needed in total? I don't get the car until Thursday, but would like a few things to do to it when i get it :)
Current Car - 2007 Z4 Coupe Si Sport - Carbon Black

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TomHitmanHatton
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by TomHitmanHatton » Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:55 pm

3 dome lights
1 in each passenger footwell
1 in the centre cubby hole
1 in boot
= 6 on the interior if I've got them all.

If you want to do the number plate then add another 2 but I think you need a special housing
2003 2.5i E85 Sterling Grey
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by Daaaavvveee » Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:56 pm

TomHitmanHatton wrote:3 dome lights
1 in each passenger footwell
1 in the centre cubby hole
1 in boot
= 6 on the interior if I've got them all.

If you want to do the number plate then add another 2 but I think you need a special housing
Cheers for that ill check tomoz then place my order :)
Current Car - 2007 Z4 Coupe Si Sport - Carbon Black

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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by TomHitmanHatton » Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:57 pm

I'll find the ones I bought. They are simple to fit and look nice and white.
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by Daaaavvveee » Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:06 pm

TomHitmanHatton wrote:I'll find the ones I bought. They are simple to fit and look nice and white.
Ah that would be brilliant, thank you!
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by TomHitmanHatton » Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:07 pm

I ordered mine from this company. I think it was this set http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-XENON-WHITE ... 3ccfa1a559
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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by Daaaavvveee » Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:10 pm

TomHitmanHatton wrote:I ordered mine from this company. I think it was this set http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-XENON-WHITE ... 3ccfa1a559
Just ordered them, the license plate LED ones, you say a special holder is needed? Any idea on part? Thanks
Current Car - 2007 Z4 Coupe Si Sport - Carbon Black

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Re: How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs

Post by TomHitmanHatton » Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:10 pm

Mine came with one of the bulbs pictured on the right (with the two metal points on each side) I didn't use it.
The other bulbs are a straight swap and I honk I had 1 spare
2003 2.5i E85 Sterling Grey
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