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#1
05-12-2014, 07:50 PM
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LED License Plate lights that are not simply festoon replacements
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 2003 E53 3.0i DOB 10/15/2002 Sienna red, Savannah Beige Dakota leather Type FA53, Engine M54B30 2018 G02 30i DOB 4/21/18 Black Sapphire Metallic / Canberra Beige Vermasca leather Engine B46O 
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#2
05-12-2014, 08:02 PM
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Thought about it, but hacking up the rear trim piece to fit in something like they have for the 3 series cars doesn't really seem worth it IMO. Definitely do-able though.
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2004 X5 3.0i Mod list: Currently Longer than the maximum allowed characters that can be typed here... 
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#3
05-12-2014, 08:12 PM
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I also considered trying to hack some solution for installing E7x/F25/F15 style LED License Plate lights. That'll have to fall low on my list of priorities for electronic mods for the X... Hoping for a robust plug-n-play solution.
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2003 E53 3.0i DOB 10/15/2002 Sienna red, Savannah Beige Dakota leather Type FA53, Engine M54B30 2018 G02 30i DOB 4/21/18 Black Sapphire Metallic / Canberra Beige Vermasca leather Engine B46O
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#4
05-12-2014, 08:18 PM
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I don't think you're going to find a "PnP" solution as moving to any bulb type outside the festoon will require you to mod that circuit-ish looking board inside. (More like remove).....
What's the reason for wanting to switch? I've been using a set of led's from auto illumination, and have been working for 3 maybe going on 4 years at this point. As I'm running out of things to do on mine I may end up doing this mod this summer....or whenever the bulb contacts &/or hatch switch stops functioning. Lol
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2004 X5 3.0i Mod list: Currently Longer than the maximum allowed characters that can be typed here...
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#5
05-12-2014, 08:27 PM
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I just really don't like the whole concept of the spring contacts for the festoon bulbs. Have to wonder what they were thinking when they decided that type of contact system was suitable for long-term reliability in an automotive application. I remember seeing a light assembly that incorporated a circuit board populated with surface-mount LED's, with a connector identical to the original. One connection of the harness to the light assembly with no flimsy spring/festoon connection inside to go bad...
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2003 E53 3.0i DOB 10/15/2002 Sienna red, Savannah Beige Dakota leather Type FA53, Engine M54B30 2018 G02 30i DOB 4/21/18 Black Sapphire Metallic / Canberra Beige Vermasca leather Engine B46O
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#6
05-13-2014, 01:54 AM
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Try these WeissLicht LED License Plate Illumination Upgrade For E53 - BMW X5 SAV - 2000-2006 From bimmian.com
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A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams  2003 X5 4.6is Estoril Blue 2005 Infiniti G35X 1972 Datsun 240Z 1991 Isuzu Impulse XS Sold 1972 Fiat 850 Spyder Donated 1972 Datsun 240Z Sold 1972 Datsun 510 Sold 
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#7
05-13-2014, 10:00 AM
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Gary I've been using replacement festoons for 2.5 years and they are working well.
Regarding the contacts, if the bulb is slightly smaller I would just pinch the springs together slightly to make it a tighter fit, been working for me for a couple years now. Or you could try any of the solutions such as these on ebay for half the price of Bimmian (way overpriced IMO) Kaibird 18x White LED License Plate Lamp Light BMW E53 x5 1999 2003 Pre Facelift | eBay
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2018 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 68RFE 19k miles -Bright White/Black - Big Horn Sport - Crew Cab Short Bed 2013 X5 35D (CEO's) - Born on 5/17/2013 - 82k miles - Alpine White/Cinnamon Brown/Premium Pkg, Sport Activity/Premium Pkg and Sound/20" Style 214/Running Boards
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#8
05-13-2014, 10:21 AM
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Quote:
I re-bent the springs to get good contact. Really like how they light up the rear of the X and the ground.
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'03 X5 4.4 Sport, last of the M62s (8-03 build date) I believe in deadication to craftmanship in a world of mediocrity!
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