[yoka]

I know many people who have tried this mod have gotten really frustrated with removing the front console and replacing those three lights. After frustration myself, I took the car over to my dealership and asked a mechanic if they could print out thier "official" directions of how to remove the front console (in particular the type that has all the sunroof and BMW Assist buttons on it).

Read the directions and realized the "special tool" cited by the BMW Manual is a piece of rigid plastic and nothing more! So, after this, it too me 30 seconds to remove the front
console:

1) Using two junk credit cards (I wouldn't suggest using actual credit cards, I used a frequent flyer card and a grocery store card) slip them inbetween the small metal seam that joins the console with its holding box. DO NOT try to stick the credit cards between the metal and the cloth trim, this will accomplish nothing.

2) The two clips reside behind the reading lights, but for the console to fall, you need to have both credit cards slipped in at the same time. This took a little finessing, but I was able to get the left one in first and hold it in place while I got the right one in. One the right one was in, the front console fell like magic.

Also, IMHO, the forum has some mixed reviews about these interior xenon lights by bimmian, but if you have the gray interior (regardless of trim, though aluminum trim would prolly look the best - I have the dark wood) it makes a world of difference over the yellowish stock interiors - a very classy mod. Of course, I'm sure it looks great on other interior colors, but I can only speak to gray interiors.


Hope this helps anybody thinking about this mod. After getting so much help from everyone on this forum, hope my 2 cents help others out!

[canucklion]

good tip!

regarding your bimmian xenon lights, I'd advise to read my thread posted a while back
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30283

[ctgazer]

sweet write-up...ive had the 2 led's sittin in my trunk for like 3 months now cause i couldnt get the console open...shall try it tomorrow...

[DILLIGAF]

you didnt take any pics did you?

[ctgazer]

i need more help...i feel soooo stupid i cant get it to come apart...

[canucklion]

that front is a SOB to take apart

I just re-read your last post, so you got LED's and no error?

Originally Posted by ctgazer

i need more help...i feel soooo stupid i cant get it to come apart...

[yoka]

One additional point, before you go slipping the credit cards in, you need to take off the clear thin plastic lens that is snapped in over the lights to expose the inner box. You can snap the part back in real easy.

Also, canucklion, there are no errors of any kind and I have all lights installed.

Here are some pics ... its a really awkward area to photograph but I hope this helps.



Additionally, here are some pics of the interior to help you get a sense of what the lights look like.

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by yoka

One additional point, before you go slipping the credit cards in, you need to take off the clear thin plastic lens that is snapped in over the lights to expose the inner box. You can snap the part back in real easy.

Also, canucklion, there are no errors of any kind and I have all lights installed.

Here are some pics ... its a really awkward area to photograph but I hope this helps.

Attachment 44985

Additionally, here are some pics of the interior to help you get a sense of what the lights look like.

Attachment 44986
Attachment 44987

So did u installed LEDs for the reading lights too?

Please try to turn on all your interior lights for a minute while the engine is running and see if the lights will shut off itself. I have experienced this problem on mine.

[cm3rc]

the Interior Xenon Lighting looks great. how much are the lights? think i might just want a pair.

[ctgazer]

Originally Posted by canucklion

that front is a SOB to take apart

I just re-read your last post, so you got LED's and no error?

the only errors i get are from the rear license plates..it just shows a little "!" on the dash and 2 beeps when i start the car..other than that, no errors

[emmanuelhs]

Where did you get those LEDs from?

[yoka]

Picked up the lights from bimmian.com, they sell either just the two rear license plate lights ($12), or the entire set of all 16 interior lights ($60).

RDSport: No errors for me when I start the car, and these lights fade out as well after I shut the doors.

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by yoka

Picked up the lights from bimmian.com, they sell either just the two rear license plate lights ($12), or the entire set of all 16 interior lights ($60).

RDSport: No errors for me when I start the car, and these lights fade out as well after I shut the doors.

Are u using LED or the Bimmian bulbs?

I am using LEDs now for my dome, footwell and door entrace lights. If I install LEDs to the reading lights too. The reading lights will shut off itself after a few seconds if the engine is running.

[yoka]

I'm using the bimmian bulb package - all the lights are functioning normally (fading in/out) and there are no short circuit errors

[dba1t]

Originally Posted by yoka

I know many people who have tried this mod have gotten really frustrated with removing the front console and replacing those three lights. After frustration myself, I took the car over to my dealership and asked a mechanic if they could print out thier "official" directions of how to remove the front console (in particular the type that has all the sunroof and BMW Assist buttons on it).

Read the directions and realized the "special tool" cited by the BMW Manual is a piece of rigid plastic and nothing more! So, after this, it too me 30 seconds to remove the front
console:

1) Using two junk credit cards (I wouldn't suggest using actual credit cards, I used a frequent flyer card and a grocery store card) slip them inbetween the small metal seam that joins the console with its holding box. DO NOT try to stick the credit cards between the metal and the cloth trim, this will accomplish nothing.

2) The two clips reside behind the reading lights, but for the console to fall, you need to have both credit cards slipped in at the same time. This took a little finessing, but I was able to get the left one in first and hold it in place while I got the right one in. One the right one was in, the front console fell like magic.

Also, IMHO, the forum has some mixed reviews about these interior xenon lights by bimmian, but if you have the gray interior (regardless of trim, though aluminum trim would prolly look the best - I have the dark wood) it makes a world of difference over the yellowish stock interiors - a very classy mod. Of course, I'm sure it looks great on other interior colors, but I can only speak to gray interiors.


Hope this helps anybody thinking about this mod. After getting so much help from everyone on this forum, hope my 2 cents help others out!

There is an easier way to remove the front dome light console than the information provided by BMW Service. It is a very simple process that does not involve jamming rigid plastic, screw drivers, or spatulas between the headliner and dome light housing.

You will need is a T20 Torx socket attached to a standard ratchet. Lower, unclip, and push both sunvisors to the sides. Open the screw cover on each of the visor clips, using your fingernail or possibly a small flat head screw driver. Back out the torx screws and pull down to remove both visor clips. You will immediately notice the headliner drop down in front of the dome light console. Adjust the rear view mirror in the fully down position to make room for your hand. Now reach up and behind the headliner, depress the metal clips forward of the reading lights (described above), and the dome light housing will pop out easily. A very simple method with no possible damage to the headliner or use of unecessary force to remove the housing.

[macboi]

Originally Posted by RD Sport

Are u using LED or the Bimmian bulbs?

I am using LEDs now for my dome, footwell and door entrace lights. If I install LEDs to the reading lights too. The reading lights will shut off itself after a few seconds if the engine is running.

weird.. i used LED for my dome and sometime it shuts off itself too

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by macboi

weird.. i used LED for my dome and sometime it shuts off itself too

Do you have your reading lamps with LEDs too?

I discovered if I do not use LED on the reading lamps, then the dome will not shut itself at all

Good luck

[macboi]

Originally Posted by RD Sport

Do you have your reading lamps with LEDs too?

I discovered if I do not use LED on the reading lamps, then the dome will not shut itself at all

Good luck

i have led on my reading but inever turned it on can that still effect it

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by macboi

i have led on my reading but inever turned it on can that still effect it

Yes it does......

After I change back to the stock halogen bulbs for my reading lamps, the dome light stopped shutting itself off.

When you put the reading bulbs back in, make sure the bulb is the 6W one. Even though they all look the same but actually dome, footwell and reading are different

[macboi]

Originally Posted by RD Sport

Yes it does......

After I change back to the stock halogen bulbs for my reading lamps, the dome light stopped shutting itself off.

When you put the reading bulbs back in, make sure the bulb is the 6W one. Even though they all look the same but actually dome, footwell and reading are different

lol, i scramble all of those altogether.. is there any wordin that i can tell?

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by macboi

lol, i scramble all of those altogether.. is there any wordin that i can tell?

Yes, you can look at those silkscreen printings on the bulb. The bulbs for the reading lamps should be 6W

Good luck