Small mod - LED license plate lights

S

sixspeed

Senior member
 Surrey, UK
After seeing a post on another BMW forum, some guys were putting the new LED license plate lights from the 2008 E92 onto their older 3-series and 1-series...

(new LED on the left!)
ledplate.jpg


So I thought I'd give it a go. Ordered a pair of the new lights from the dealer (part no: 63 26 7 193 293), and picking them up tomorrow. They come as a complete unit...

2229900816_953673ec37.jpg

.. so hoping they'll swap straight with the Z4's lights. If not then I'll have to butcher them to get the LED module from inside...

Will post pics up when done :)
 
I hope it's a straight swap over as often replacing standard bulbs with LEDS trips a 'check light' warning as the LCM module interpretes the lower wattage of the LED as a failed bulb.

Interesting to see if BMW anticipated this and have built resistors in, or the LCM figures it out
 
I don't think this should be a problem with the license plate lights since I had one go out and the check light didn't come on. I spotted it during my weekly walk-around at night. Those LEDs look really nice!
 
Well the bad news is the size of the units is completely different (the Z4 units are a good few cm larger). However, I'm going to have a play and see what I can do to make them fit at the weekend :)
 
Any updates? :D

Even though they are smaller than the Z4 do they plug in and light up? If they do any light out indications from the dash?
 
Not yet. The plug is different also, so I want to get the proper plug and wire that up to the harness properly rather than bodge it on. Need to order the two new plugs from BMW....

Will get it done though, as its a fun little mod to do, but may be a few more days before any news/pics... :)
 
I am eager to put the white license plate lights on the Z and would appreciate any advice.

I am aware that the standard License plate light model of our car is "2825". However is there a LED version of this?

Any updateds would be much appreciated!
 
funkdude said:
how do you do it? tough job?

Need to know what do i need to buy, and how do i modify it!

Thanks again!
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I'll try to post a pic of the bulb this weekend, it will explain it all.
 
The license plate bulbs are simple, common 194/168 wedge/peanut bulbs. There are millions of different LED replacements for this bulb type. The bulb is situated horizontal to the ground and thus forward facing LEDs aren't the best idea because they dont produce downward illumination out the side. I believe the E90/E92 use festoon license plate bulbs so the plug would be different no doubt.
 
BimmerZealot said:
Mods are mods, everyone is entitled to do whatever they want to their car.
Click to expand...
Amen, brother, Amen!



Here is what I used for my LED licence plate lights:

Removed the 194 bulbs and then soldered an extra length of wire to the barrel bulbs (or whatever they are called). Orientation to the direction that they are needed to direct the light is extremely important. Use the mount tabs to figure out where the LED's need to put its light.
DSC_3055.JPG


Note where the LED's are pointing:
DSC_3056.JPG


These LED's are very very white. Just what I wanted:
DSC_3068.JPG


I have a custom made plexiglass/perspex plate cover that disperses the light. It adds a subtle effect to the plate illumination. It is very difficult to capture the true effect in a digital photo:
DSC_3054.JPG
 
Wow looks great, mind elaborating on how you wired it into the plug? Did you have to cut anything or did it still plug right into the factory harness? Any bulb out problems? What size festoon? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks
 
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