Footwell lighting retrofit

g300d · #1 02-09-2014, 08:40 AM

So silly me just got to know that footwell lighting is apparently an option on E53's. Got to see it on the 4.6is and liked it.

I'd like to know how to retrofit this to my 04 3.0. Tried a google search and site search and came up empty. If there is a thread for this already I'd appreciate any direction to it.

Sponsored Links

Ricky Bobby · #2 02-09-2014, 09:11 AM

Rear footwell lighting? It's easy to retrofit.

Search the thread "rear heated seats retrofit" to see how it's done, basically just buy the housings, the plugs are under the rear seat carpet and the studs for the housing are under the carpet too

Gregory891 · #3 02-09-2014, 10:16 AM

There is a thread on this with photos and part numbers, which prompted me to retrofit. Easy to do, absolutely no more an an hour. You need an X-Acto knife and a 1/4" drive ratchet with a 10 mm socket.

g300d · #4 02-09-2014, 11:49 AM

Hmm ok, lemme search the mentioned threads for the rears. BTW I dont recall any holes in the rear seating area for that, + X-Acto knife, is carpet cutting involved?

But I was actually wondering about the front footwells. What is involved in retrofitting for the front footwell lights?

Ricky Bobby · #5 02-09-2014, 11:53 AM

Ask and you shall receive, like Greg said you just need a socket set and a utility knife and approx 20 mins of time.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ictures-3.html Post #21

As far as the front footwells go, I thought all E53 had them so not sure.

Gregory891 · #6 02-09-2014, 11:55 AM

For the rear seat footwell lighting, yes you need to cut rectangualr holes for the lights that you add. There are marked areas on the inside of the carpet - easy to follow. Look for the thread, there are photographs to guide you.

As for the front footwells, even my "basic" E53 3.0 diesel with few "premium" options (no DSP, navigation, roof rails, sun roof) has front footwell lights. Perhaps your bulbs are simply burned out? If so, replace them with the Osram LED bulb - I did and you can see MUCH better. Do the same for the glove-box. Autozone or Advance runs them on sale, about $10 each. They also are the same for door puddle lights and license plate lights (no error codes thrown, no cold mode re-coding is required).

g300d · #7 02-09-2014, 12:12 PM

Guys, thanks so much for the explanation and leads!

The rear retrofit is clear to me now thanks to to the thread with pics and your additional guidance.

Front...that I will check later when I get to the truck, hoping it's there and the bulbs are just out. Will definitely check out those LED's.

Sponsored Links