Anyone done custom front foglights on a 135i?

[wolfe]

I've got a set of 135i brake duct grilles to put in my 128i m-sport bumper.

Since the car already has foglights, I'd like to keep that feature.

I'm thinking of installing an LED strip along the center bar on each brake duct, but wondering if anyone else has successfully tried something else.

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by wolfe

I've got a set of 135i brake duct grilles to put in my 128i m-sport bumper.

Since the car already has foglights, I'd like to keep that feature.

I'm thinking of installing an LED strip along the center bar on each brake duct, but wondering if anyone else has successfully tried something else.

I'd be interested in seeing how you did this mod to the 128 bumper for improved brake cooling.

[Willortiz]

On the mtech bumper i put the fogs from the 128i and cut between the brackets to let air flow to the break ducts

[wolfe]

Definitely a learning curve here, I see the 135i has additional pieces for the brake ducts/oil cooler. I'm hoping I can graft those extra side pieces into the brake ducts to get some extra airflow, and replace the center bar with an led light bar if I can find one thin enough. I'm thinking something like this:

[markslc1]

I like the idea. So I guess I would need to find some 135 ducts and grills to replicate. Looking forward to a parts list and pics

[Huecifer]

Just FYI, if you want actual, functional fog lights, LEDs don't function as well as real, normal fog light bulbs. The color is wrong. The best color for fog lights (because it has the lowest reflectivity) is something yellow, or something closer to what your stock lights throw. Basically, you want a nice, lazy wavelength, and LEDs are blue/white with a tighter wavelength. The yellow also seems to pick up the painted lines on the road a lot better than stock or fogs or the stock Xenon. I've always been really interested in finding yellow LEDs, but I've never seen them yet.

[wolfe]

Originally Posted by Huecifer

Just FYI, if you want actual, functional fog lights, LEDs don't function as well as real, normal fog light bulbs. The color is wrong. The best color for fog lights (because it has the lowest reflectivity) is something yellow, or something closer to what your stock lights throw. Basically, you want a nice, lazy wavelength, and LEDs are blue/white with a tighter wavelength. The yellow also seems to pick up the painted lines on the road a lot better than stock or fogs or the stock Xenon. I've always been really interested in finding yellow LEDs, but I've never seen them yet.

Great to know, thanks a ton for the info!

[wolfe]

Made a little progress on this, talking to a vendor now who may be able to build the custom led strips. He did give me the option of white or yellow.

I'm thinking they may end up being more like DRLs than fog lights at this point due to the fact that they won't be as bright as the halogen fogs.

[tracer bullet]

Someone on the site has done LED strips, I remember seeing it discussed but it was years ago. Was really for appearance but it did look good. If you search for the right terms you may see how they did it.

[wolfe]

Very cool, thanks for the heads up - I'll see what I can find.

[tracer bullet]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...18&postcount=3

[wolfe]

Thank you!

Those seem to fit surprisingly well. Little bulkier than what I'm hoping for but given the weird shape of those brake duct vents I'm amazed that they look that clean.

I got the specs finalized with the vendor and the lead time is about 4 weeks give or take. I looked at a few 'off the shelf' strips at the auto parts stores and wasn't happy with the LED density. These custom strips should pack way more LEDs into the available space. Definitely looking at more, smaller LEDs than my original plan but I'm happy that it'll fit into a package around the same height as the brake duct crossbar.

I'm looking into getting some lenses cast from epoxy or machined from polycarbonate next.

[Dackelone]

IF you want fog lights... why not just buy the units from an 6er ?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=63_1306

[HyeWarrior]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

IF you want fog lights... why not just buy the units from an 6er ?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=63_1306

Someone make this happen

[wolfe]

They won't fit will they?

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...927/ES2178549/

Really cool design, but the profile and width don't look like they'd be a great match.

[tracer bullet]

Getting power to them may be a small event as well. Most people will be reluctant to tap into their wiring.

[wolfe]

Good point. This would be more involved on a 135i for sure.

[Willortiz]

I did it to mine. Since i dont have the actuall fog light switch i did it with my headlight wiring and they turn on with the coner lights pos wire.

[Yeineken]

What about MotoGP style fogs? Few members have done it. Controlled with a remote I believe.

[Willortiz]

I keep oem style looks cleaner

[wolfe]

Interesting, thanks for sharing guys. I quite like the stealth motogp style setup.

Just got word that my strips are in production and should be here within 10 days. Will post up pics when they get here.

[wolfe]

Little bit of progress, the vendor has the PCBs back from the manufacturer. very happy with the slimness and LED density.

It may be possible to have an advanced controller with 'animated' on/off effects. If it doesn't add too much to the cost I may go for this. I'm thinking have them light up from one end to the other when switched on, and the reverse when switched off.