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      12-23-2019, 08:27 PM   #3
R.G.
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Drives: Isetta
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: In my sub conscious

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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmatias03 View Post
Do you mind sharing links where you purchased the led lights and any additional parts that were required for this install?
Here are the ebay lights. Several sellers sell the same kit.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-Color-...72.m2749.l2649

Here is where I bought the 3mm optical cable. The led's are bright. You can probably do without it and keep existing optical piece.
https://www.wiedamark.com/fiberoptic...esideglow.aspx

Positaps
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Quote:
Originally Posted by pmatias03 View Post

Also, can you dim the lights through iDrive?
My version of idrive doesn't have an option to dim ambient lighting. I can turn on lighting to the B an O speakers is all. Factory control is from the rotary by the headlight switch and that is maintained.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pmatias03 View Post
How do you change the colors?
Each door has a small hidden switch right above pull lever that switches from OEM orange to blue. So you can have the front two oem looking and rears blue if that floats your boat.
Fun fact, that orange color is used by BMW based on their research for distraction / eye strain.

Ultimately having an X3 loaner with the control for color in the navi is what inspired the mod but researching a full retrofit led me to a dead end. There is a separate module needed and would need to upgrade the head unit as well. Wasn't worth the $ trying to be the first to do it.


Some quick tips if you do try to tackle this

1. The most difficult part is removing door panels. Watch the videos that are available online. Keep in mind, the first time a panel is removed is going to be harder then they make it seem.

2. Rear door panel will not come off without removing the vertically mounted side curtains if you have that option. Was fun figuring that out. It just clips off with a trim tool.
2a. Get a trim tool kit. They're $10 and worth not damaging your trim/leather

3. You only need to tap one pre existing ambient power and ground per door. Not one for each led strip. They all connect to each other.

4. Some of the PCB housings are on there tight. I used a plier to wiggle it off the existing optical piece.

5. Have a small eyeglass tool mini flathead to unclip the connectors and a small stool to set the panel on once removed so you can unclip everything without too much trouble.

A few more pics attached as well.
Good luck. If you do run in to trouble feel free to ask away


Edit:* Final note. The ebay lights took 1.5 months to get to me. Something I should disclose.
The first door took over an hour. The next 3 about 20 min each
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Last edited by R.G.; 12-23-2019 at 08:34 PM..
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