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04-20-2019, 11:57 AM | #1 |
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DIY Interior/Puddle Lights/Trunk/Vanity Mirror LED Retrofit
Here's a simple resource to swapping out the stock (imo ugly) yellow interior bulbs, with nicer, crisper white LEDs. You can buy whole retrofit kits online but you are getting price gouged. I'm no penny pincher, but I'm smart with my money. And I don't trust the ebay F10 retrofit kits, they are too cheap and this way you know you are getting quality bulbs for cheap. These things cost pennies to make..
Everything is plug and play; this took me 30 minutes total and is probably the easier car I've done this with. Don't be intimidated, extremely easy. I don't think you need CANBUS/error free lights from what I've read. You also need a plastic or nylon based pry tool. Don't use metal, you can get these for 3$ online or whatever walmart/hardware store near you. Don't use a screw driver on a 110k car.. You also need a very small flat head or phillips screw driver for the vanity light, not for prying but to press down on the small receding latch connector, while you pull the cord. ------------------------------- Here are all of the bulb sizes and number of lights required, and where they fit, I will also post amazon links below: FRONT DOME LIGHTS: T10 Wedge 3x (medium strength) *you don't want them to be SUPER BRIGHT, but just right, especially if you turn them on while driving at night) REAR DOME LIGHTS: T10 Wedge 2x (high strength) *these I prefer ones that are a bit brighter, they will not interfere with night time driving) FOOTWELL LIGHTS: T10 Wedge 2x (medium strength) GLOVE BOX T10 Wedge 1x (high or medium strength) PUDDLE LIGHTS T10 Wedge 4x (high strength) TRUNK LID LIGHT T10 Wedge 1x (high or medium strength) TRUNK DOME LIGHT: 42MM Festoon LED 1x (the one's linked are medium, you will have spares) VANITY MIRROR LIGHTS: I used a kit, posted the amazon link below, you don't need anything fancy. Just a heads up these are really bright, I wouldn't say too bright but they are pretty darn bright. You can use another kit (any F10 kit should work) I wouldn't try opening up the housing to replace the light, just didn't seem worth it, and they are very cheap. Just don't throw your old housing away just in case you have issues. Getting the housing out was super easy, but unlatching the wire was a bit tricky. You need to press down on the small opening on the connector to be able to pull the cord off. Also, make sure when you plug in the housing, that its nice and snug. The connector is so very slightly different, but it does fit. Might even want to wrap it with a bit of electrical table. -------------------------- **note** The high/medium strength lights are interchangeable, my only actual opinion is to use the high strength T10s for the puddle lights High strength T10 LEDs for puddle, back dome* (and if you choose, trunk lid/glove box for more light) you need to purchase two of these (total 8) 2x https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Medium Strength T10 LEDs for front dome lights, glove box, trunk lid light, and footwell lights 1x https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Vanity Mirror Lights/Housing 1x https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Disconnecting the plug and play cable, and reconnecting was the hardest part of the mini project. But these do work, and are pretty damn bright. Again, any F10 housing should work just fine. TOOL KIT *optional* I only used the "Narrow Type Remover" for the whole retrofit* you really don't need anything fancy, just don't use a screw driver, we're not apes. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ----------------------- Again, you don't need to buy these specific ones, these are the ones I used and am happy with. You just need 14x T10 Wedge lights, and 1x 42MM Festoon for the trunk dome light, and the vanity mirror replacements. So only 3x separate items for the whole car. Install: I just followed this video, super easy, your mom can do this. |
05-02-2019, 02:22 PM | #5 |
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i bought the BMW LED kit not cheap but very very good quality.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HpsvrLb4D8afMuYE6 https://photos.app.goo.gl/piLHh5hoWywE39VU7 |
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05-03-2019, 07:39 PM | #6 |
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Drives: '14 BMW M5 CP
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I just went through this myself, but had a couple small variations. My car is a 2014 and I did not have the 42MM Festoon LED. Additionally my footwell are not T10 wedge style. They look like this. Can anyone else point me to where I can purchase these in a hue that will match the other LEDs I have put in the interior? This is obviously an LED, but it has more of an orange hue.
EDIT: I found this site through searching, but they are in Germany. There has to be somewhere I can get one in the US https://www.hypercolor.de/Footwell-L...-Light-Package Last edited by GiddyAssassin; 05-03-2019 at 08:01 PM.. Reason: Added information |
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05-03-2019, 08:36 PM | #7 |
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Was the easiest part of the install. Just use a plastic pry tool and start removing it from the back (from drivers seat, the part that is closer to you) not kidding was the easiest to remove. If you need help I can take a pic for you
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'13 M5 Singapore Grey, Exec Package, B&O, STG1 BM3 93 oct
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05-03-2019, 08:49 PM | #8 |
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Yep. Just did it and that's how I did it too. Mine was different than the video. Just had the two bulbs.
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05-04-2019, 10:49 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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dome light, interior bulbs, led, lights, trunk light, vanity |
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