How to change interior lighting?

blackbubblebum · 05-11-2008, 02:33 AM

I want to swap out the fugly orange lights in side for some more pleasing white lights has anyone done this yet?

SlickShift · 05-11-2008, 08:01 PM

Check out Bimmian.com

M3Newbie88 · 05-12-2008, 08:12 PM

They have filaments or LEDS.. however the LEDS are quite expensive.. I am figuring out which I should get too..

focusedsketch · 06-20-2008, 10:45 PM

I can't figure out how to get the front console off to change out the bulbs. Can anyone assist please? I tried prying the corners and all around for about 30 minutes and really didn't feel like breaking anything. Any support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

infinitekidM2C · 06-21-2008, 12:13 PM

I did it using the back of a teaspoon..its very thin and works great.. just go slow. There are clips that need to be popped out. jUst wedge off the console with the teaspoon..

M3Newbie88 · 06-21-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

I did it using the back of a teaspoon..its very thin and works great.. just go slow. There are clips that need to be popped out. jUst wedge off the console with the teaspoon..

Any pics of them installed?

focusedsketch · 06-21-2008, 05:40 PM

Is there any specific place to start prying? I've tried messing with it and I somewhat separated the grey plating from the console, but still can't get the console out in front to replace the 3 bulbs... all other bulbs have been replaced in the cabin and trunk and it's driving me crazy having the 2 different tones of light at night. Pictures would be highly appreciated. :smile:

Qube · 06-21-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LazyBmw

They have filaments or LEDS.. however the LEDS are quite expensive.. I am figuring out which I should get too..

On the contrary!

NY SLC 93 · 06-24-2008, 07:56 AM

Yeah, any further info on this would be appreciated. I loved the lights in my VW.

Mad Dragon · 06-24-2008, 08:48 AM

you guys realize that most of the interior lights are inside control modules, right? if something were to happen to one of them, bmw would deny warranty coverage. that means you would have to buy the replacement part, pay for its installation, and have it programmed. besides, bmws are supposed to have orange interior lighting. it's been that way forever.

NY SLC 93 · 06-24-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

you guys realize that most of the interior lights are inside control modules, right? if something were to happen to one of them, bmw would deny warranty coverage. that means you would have to buy the replacement part, pay for its installation, and have it programmed. besides, bmws are supposed to have orange interior lighting. it's been that way forever.

You're probably right. It would be a serious PITA to change everything out anyhow.

1er junkie · 06-24-2008, 04:31 PM

btw, the orange light is for the conditioning of your eyes. Those lights allow you to see things at night without your eyes dialating. This keeps your eyes from having to refocus on your headlights at night time.

Mad Dragon · 06-24-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1er junkie

btw, the orange light is for the conditioning of your eyes. Those lights allow you to see things at night without your eyes dialating. This keeps your eyes from having to refocus on your headlights at night time.

I was going to mention that, but it was enough typing out all that other crap on my Palm. :roundel:

hbiscuit · 07-04-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY SLC 93

Yeah, any further info on this would be appreciated. I loved the lights in my VW.

too bad blue is the color of light that throws out the most glare at night

Mad Dragon · 07-04-2008, 09:36 PM

I never had any problems driving at night in my GTI.:iono:

devilac · 11-09-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focusedsketch

Is there any specific place to start prying? I've tried messing with it and I somewhat separated the grey plating from the console, but still can't get the console out in front to replace the 3 bulbs... all other bulbs have been replaced in the cabin and trunk and it's driving me crazy having the 2 different tones of light at night. Pictures would be highly appreciated. :smile:

I think our friend here is tallking about the reading light and cabin light. Not the lights in the Dash board.

Would be great if you could provided some pictures and the light bulbs type/model that you have used to replace the OEM.

dorkdog · 04-26-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1er junkie

btw, the orange light is for the conditioning of your eyes. Those lights allow you to see things at night without your eyes dialating. This keeps your eyes from having to refocus on your headlights at night time.

That's why I am replacing my interior lighting with red also. My Cessna had that and I could look at charts and see outside at night right after - no refractory period!

dorkdog · 05-09-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1er junkie

btw, the orange light is for the conditioning of your eyes. Those lights allow you to see things at night without your eyes dialating. This keeps your eyes from having to refocus on your headlights at night time.

This is why I want to change all the interior lighting to red. That's the way it is in 'da plane' and I have the interior lights on all the time in there. Unfortunately, since changing to LEDs it seems they only stay on for a few seconds - how do I fix that?

jaybepr · 05-19-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorkdog

This is why I want to change all the interior lighting to red. That's the way it is in 'da plane' and I have the interior lights on all the time in there. Unfortunately, since changing to LEDs it seems they only stay on for a few seconds - how do I fix that?

Hi, I have the same problem. I install LED's on front & rear dome but they just stay on for 5 sec. How can we fix this problem?

dorkdog · 05-20-2012, 12:57 PM

I ordered some 'Canbus' error-free lights off ebay. They are enroute... I will certainly post the results!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/220961327770...84.m1497.l2649

dorkytom · 05-23-2012, 02:08 PM

You can watch install instructions here...

dorkdog · 06-01-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorkdog

I ordered some 'Canbus' error-free lights off ebay. They are enroute... I will certainly post the results!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/220961327770...84.m1497.l2649

The red LED lights I got from this seller work perfectly. Clearance in putting the light assy back together is a bit tight but works OK. Might line/paint the inner surface of the turrets (?) with reflective or foil to make a bit more light.

No errors and they stay on.

05-11-2008, 02:33 AM	#1
blackbubblebum Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 288 Posts Drives: 06 325i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	How to change interior lighting? I want to swap out the fugly orange lights in side for some more pleasing white lights has anyone done this yet?
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05-11-2008, 08:01 PM	#2
SlickShift Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,811 Posts Drives: '11 BMW E90 M3 ZCP, '21 X5 ZMP Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (7)	Check out Bimmian.com __________________ -Nick 2018 BMW 440i - M Sport, Exec Glacier Silver Metallic/Coral Red Dakota Retired: '00 323i, '06 325Ci, '09 135i, '06 Z4M Roadster, '93 525i, '76 2002, '14 X1, '14 M235i, '16 X4, '16 435i
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05-12-2008, 08:12 PM	#3
M3Newbie88 Brigadier General 154 Rep 4,050 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (5)	They have filaments or LEDS.. however the LEDS are quite expensive.. I am figuring out which I should get too..
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06-20-2008, 10:45 PM	#4
focusedsketch Private First Class 14 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	I can't figure out how to get the front console off to change out the bulbs. Can anyone assist please? I tried prying the corners and all around for about 30 minutes and really didn't feel like breaking anything. Any support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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06-21-2008, 12:13 PM	#5
infinitekidM2C Major General 4329 Rep 5,738 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 M2 COMPETITION [9.75] 2008 135i (my old car) [7.56]	I did it using the back of a teaspoon..its very thin and works great.. just go slow. There are clips that need to be popped out. jUst wedge off the console with the teaspoon..
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06-21-2008, 05:40 PM	#7
focusedsketch Private First Class 14 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	Is there any specific place to start prying? I've tried messing with it and I somewhat separated the grey plating from the console, but still can't get the console out in front to replace the 3 bulbs... all other bulbs have been replaced in the cabin and trunk and it's driving me crazy having the 2 different tones of light at night. Pictures would be highly appreciated. :smile:
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06-24-2008, 07:56 AM	#9
NY SLC 93 Captain 94 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Yeah, any further info on this would be appreciated. I loved the lights in my VW.
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06-24-2008, 08:48 AM	#10
Mad Dragon . 31 Rep 932 Posts Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	you guys realize that most of the interior lights are inside control modules, right? if something were to happen to one of them, bmw would deny warranty coverage. that means you would have to buy the replacement part, pay for its installation, and have it programmed. besides, bmws are supposed to have orange interior lighting. it's been that way forever.
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06-24-2008, 04:31 PM	#12
1er junkie Lieutenant 23 Rep 534 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	btw, the orange light is for the conditioning of your eyes. Those lights allow you to see things at night without your eyes dialating. This keeps your eyes from having to refocus on your headlights at night time.
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07-04-2008, 09:36 PM	#15
Mad Dragon . 31 Rep 932 Posts Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I never had any problems driving at night in my GTI.:iono:
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05-20-2012, 12:57 PM	#20
dorkdog Big Mouth No Filter 66 Rep 586 Posts Drives: 128i Montego Blue 6MT Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Puyallup WA iTrader: (0)	I'll keep you posted... I ordered some 'Canbus' error-free lights off ebay. They are enroute... I will certainly post the results! http://www.ebay.com/itm/220961327770...84.m1497.l2649 __________________ We do not inherit the Earth from our parents; we borrow it from our children
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05-23-2012, 02:08 PM	#21
dorkytom Enlisted Member 5 Rep 49 Posts Drives: Montego blue 128i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [0.00]	You can watch install instructions here...
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