How To: Interior and Rear License Plate LEDs
- Thread starter bs0u0118
- Start date
bs0u0118 said: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?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.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?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.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?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.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
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
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
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
TomHitmanHatton said:
Cheers for that ill check tomoz then place my order
I'll find the ones I bought. They are simple to fit and look nice and white.
TomHitmanHatton said:
Ah that would be brilliant, thank you!
I ordered mine from this company. I think it was this set http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-XENON-WHITE-LED-BULBS-BMW-Z4-INTERIOR-CAR-LED-KIT-ERROR-FREE-LIGHT-BULBS-/261181515097?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3ccfa1a559
TomHitmanHatton said:
Just ordered them, the license plate LED ones, you say a special holder is needed? Any idea on part? Thanks
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
The other bulbs are a straight swap and I honk I had 1 spare
It was discussed on another post. Give me a minute and I'll find it.
This topic http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25453
Post no.3
I can also recommend joe from Sopers of Lincoln (great service)
If you install this can I have a picture of before and after as I am also thinking of fitting
Post no.3
I can also recommend joe from Sopers of Lincoln (great service)
If you install this can I have a picture of before and after as I am also thinking of fitting
Just pull out the old halogen bulbs and replace with LED. The centre lights are tricky to get out.
The license plate needs a special housing
The license plate needs a special housing
Give me a minute and I'll do a picture
Hardest thing in the world to picture at night haha. You don't really see them to honest but the light they give off are very pleasing to the eye
Best I can rustle up 
tjradiohead
Member
Is there a guide anywhere on how to get the damn housing from the central windscreen light out?
TomHitmanHatton said:Hardest thing in the world to picture at night haha. You don't really see them to honest but the light they give off are very pleasing to the eye
I put the ceiling of 3.0. It is the same as yours and I put the LEDs. Only problem is that the fading has been lost a bit. So I put the old bulb. :?