Is there any back fog lights on the X5?
 

I have not had a car that doesent have this, i think the X5 doesent have it... am i right guys?

Not in North America. Not sure about euro spec.

might even help the rear camera.

They exist on the Euro spec cars.

Apparently, BMW does not believe that fog exists in the Continental United States. Just another example of how BMWUSA dumb down their product offerings here.

It's actually really dumb, because the rear foglights ARE there, but they function as the adaptive brake lights only.

In International vehicles, normal braking will get a single brake light, and ABS will activate two "rows" of brake lights. The rear foglights function only as such.

In NA vehicles, normal braking activates two rows of brake lights, and ABS activates the rear foglights.

I had a '07 BMW E92 335 coupe. It did not have rear fog lights. However, somebody at E90post forums has found out that the rear fog lights and even the button to turn them on was there but the button was disabled by BMW for NA cars. Tons of post members took the light control mechanism out, detached the piece that turns on the fog lights from the mechanism and put everything back together. That was it - you have working fog lights which you can turn on and off.

I'm curious if it's same with E70s.

Same here. For my E92, I took easy way out to get rear fog light working by ordering a european switch. I too am wondering about E70X5.

My European model has.

now comes difficulty task.. what is the part number for european switch?

Here you go:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...13&hg=61&fg=35

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/r/d/196.png

thank you.. now i just have to wait for my car to arrive...... though...i am hesitate on cancel the car due to the Idrive 2 is rumor to be release in march...

march? i read September, so that makes basically the vehicle a 2010 model...

Hi Filippos, where's the swith to turn on the rear fog light(s)?

Look at the euro switch in post #11, you will see it.

I am also interested if anyone managed to enable fog lights on US specs e70

Euro switch is needed that's clear, is it plug and play or re-programming is needed?

Also, switch in post#11 has headlamps level adjustment (lover right); this may not be needed for US specs e70 as it has auto leveling headlights by default

> Just another example of how BMWUSA dumb down their product offerings here.

I'm actually glad BMWNA does it in this case. About 1/3 of the Euro cars I have seen, that have the rear fog light here in the U.S., seem to drive at night with them on all the time... which is rather distracting on a clear night.

I guess they think it looks "cool," or are too dumb to realize they have them turned on.

Rear Fog light switch need to be manually turn on when you want to use it. Everytime ignition shut down, the switch shuts off. So you will never had it on unless you intent to use it.

I use the rear fog switch on my 335 for extra light when backing up in dark night or when some A$$hole decide to tailgate me for no reason at all.. i give them the shinny rear fog light to tell the to back off...:D

Exactly :thumbup:as Shinchan says. I also use it for reversing at night! It helps just a little bit. Nikman, on the diagram you can see the front fog light button on the left and rear fog light button on the right.

would love to see someone in the US do this first/soon and report back. Rear camera needs as much help as it can get. ;)

Rear fog lights are illegal in almost every state in the US.

How do you know that?

If they are illegal then they are not ticketing all those BMWs, MBs, Volvo's, Jag's, that have and use them. I had a MBML430 and it came standard with a single rear fog light (red) and I used it sometimes when it was very foggy.

Interesting petition -

http://www.petitiononline.com/BMWfogs/petition.html

> If they are illegal then they are not ticketing all those BMWs, MBs, Volvo's, Jag's, that have and use them.

That's right... and I haven't hard of anyone getting a ticket for failure to use their turn signal for years. The police now seem to be almost exclusively focused on speeding and stop lights nowadays, e.g., I've had a Z4 without a front license plate for five years now and the police have never bothered me, even though my state requires a front plate.

If true, how can M-B, Volvo, and MINI (which is owned by BMW) sell cars with rear fog lights in these States?

Some further investigation:

WHITE rear fog lamps are illegal, and I believe them to be still illegal, red, as mentioned below is not, which is probably what's causing the confusion.


In Europe and other countries adhering to ECE Regulation 48, vehicles must be equipped with one or two bright red "rear fog lamps" (or "fog taillamps"), which serve as high-intensity rear position lamps to be energised by the driver in conditions of poor visibility to enhance vehicle conspicuity from the rear. The allowable range of intensity for a rear fog lamp is 150 to 300 candelas, which is within the range of a U.S. brake lamp. For this reason, many European vehicles imported to the United States have their rear fog lamps wired as brake lamps, since their European-specification brake lamps may not be sufficiently intense to comply with U.S. regulations, and in North America rear fog lamps are not required equipment. However, they are permitted, and are found almost exclusively on European-brand vehicles in North America — Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, MINI, Range Rover, Saab and Volvo provide functional rear fog lights on their North American models. The final generation Oldsmobile Aurora also had dual rear fog lights installed in the rear bumper as standard equipment.

Most jurisdictions permit rear fog lamps to be installed either singly or in pairs. If a single rear fog is fitted, most jurisdictions require it to be located at or to the driver's side of the vehicle's centreline — whichever side is the prevailing driver's side in the country in which the vehicle is registered. This is to maximise the sight line of following drivers to the rear fog lamp. If two rear fog lamps are fitted, they must be symmetrical with respect to the vehicle's centreline. Proponents of twin rear fog lamps say two lamps provide vehicle distance information not available from a single lamp. Proponents of the single rear fog lamp say dual rear fog lamps closely mimic the appearance of illuminated brake lamps (which are mandatorily installed in pairs), reducing the conspicuity of the brake lamps' message when the rear fogs are activated. To provide some safeguard against rear fog lamps' masking of brake lamps, ECE R48 requires a separation of at least 10 cm between the closest illuminated edges of any brake lamp and any rear fog lamp.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting

Gresch is probably right on the color in the US. I saw a new MB R350 today with red rear fog light.
[edited]
In South Africa, I drove behind a Subaru with a red fog light -- that thing was BRIGHT! It was very functional when we drove through some heavy fog -- I could hardly see the two tail lights at all but I could easily see that red spotlight...

You guys are talking about fog lamps that would remain on during drive correct? If so, it's obvious why white would be illegal as someone (most) would confuse it with your intention to back-up which could make people react with some highly dangerous decisions. If it is already common, then that is equally dangerous as you don't know when someone really is backing up.

I have back fog lights on my 2009 X5. I didn't know this until I got a car wash and was driving home pushing random buttons and the car behind me high beamed me. I was looking at her face and kept pushing it watching her face get brighter red then light.

The top left button is for the front fog's and the top left button is fro rear fogs. The pics of the rear fogs were taken in a hurry with my iPhone, and a car came during the last picture. If you want better pics let me know.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...5/IMG_0272.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...5/IMG_0271.jpg

Before:
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...5/IMG_0273.jpg

After:
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...5/IMG_0275.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...5/IMG_0276.jpg

Then your rear camera must be crystal clear at night... is it?

Interesting.
Haven't tried my camera with the back fogs on. I'll try it later and let you guys know.

I checked and it is brighter, but quality wise the camera is junk regardless of the light.

If someone in the US or Canada would actually try to do this mod, it would probably be greatly appreciated ;)

My car came with it, but I think its definitely a good mod. For the people that like bright lights, this is the way to go.

ive got it

+1

Are you sure about the two rows thing. I've never heard of that. Are the part numbers actually different for the two lights?

Well, the taillamps are different to being with because the rest of the world receives the ECE-spec with amber turn indicators.

It's also different in the programming of the brake lights. Next time you look at a X5 brake, notice how the light above the white strip illuminates. That's normally reserved for hard braking under ABS in other countries.

Anyone in the U.S. try this mod yet? I have it on my E92 M3, and it was a sinch to install. I'd like it for my X5 too.

Anyone know the cost of the light switch assembly that includes the rear fog light switch??

It costs €84,40 inclusive 19% MwSt.

For vehicles with xenons and Rain sensor: 61 31 9 134 726
For vehicles with xenons only: (last 3#s) 733
For vehicles with xenons, Rain sensor, and HUD: 727
For vehicles with rain sensor, HUD only: 725
For vehicles with none of the above: 730 (unlikely anyone has this combo)

Any re-programming involved? Will it throw a code if it is not a factory installed feature?

or back to if it's plug and play or needs something else done???? One of us needs to jump in and give it a try. I'm in italy next week, but only over the weekend...maybe i can ask a contact there to pick one up for me...

Maybe, but it certainly won't throw a code.

Anyone know where to buy:

For vehicles with xenons and Rain sensor: 61 31 9 134 726

I would buy this thing now, but it would be appreciated if someone could tell us if there is a 're-program' or 'code-out' that's required. Also, has anyone even checked to see if they have a bulb/socket back there? I can't seem to see anything with the naked eye.

The bulbs are already there and function as the adaptive brake lights for NA-spec vehicles.

Where to buy? You can try your dealer to see if the part shows up in the system. Otherwise, you will need someone from Europe to procure it for you.

Adaptive brake lights are different ones I believe... the bulb for fogs is behind the interior light(s) in the hatch ? Adaptive bulbs are in the other light fitting in the side (Top bulb), they are same type as the reverse ones... I've replaced these with leds.

regards

The brake lights are different for NA models. For Canadian and US models, the "top bulb" comes on under normal braking as well. For international models, it is as you described.

Hi Mmy car is EU spec, does anybody know if there are 2 rear fog light or just one on the left side? I'm not sure if one of my light buld is gone or if there is just fog light on one side, which is common in EU (all Audi's VW's have the same)

our X5 has two rear fog lights...thought they are standards for EU spec BMWs.

Doesn't work...
 

I installed the 61319134 726 switch on my 2008 E70, and no luck. There are no rear fogs and no indicator on the dash... Bummer.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
John

I bought this part a while ago when this thread was first beginning from a euro independent dealer paid ($60 I think.) There is an indicator (although grayed out) in the dash, but the car needs to be reprogrammed. Canada vehicles have the same spec as our E70's, so either its a trip to Mexico, or find a dealer/independent that can get the coding for other countries (highly doubtful.)

I paid $160 for my now useless paperweight...
I asked them is this would do the trick, specificaly on my 2008 X5 E70, and they told me that "we have been told by others that this will work"...

I would expect a highly visible vendor, who specializes in BMWs and other Euro brands, to have know this.

Buyer beware. :confused:
John

Hi John, :xoutpost:

The search function is your friend. A search for rear fogs under the E70 forums would have nett'ed you this thread:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-mod-help.html

Specifically post #22 would have summed it up.

I would suggest posting your paperweight on Ebay.de I do buy things internationally, so I would only assume Euro peeps do the same.

I left mine in because I bought a black assembly, and my interior is S/B, so I like the contrast.

Good Luck!
K/B

You are correct, guess I missed that thread in my search... :thumbup:

There's nothing wrong with leaving the new switch in the dash, but seems kinda pointless, if the added button doesn't do anyting and its the same color.

The company that sold me the switch is making it right, so no complaints.
Thanks,
John

Rear Fogs DO WORK!
 

Here is a DIY document on how to make them work on your E70 X5...

pdf graphics fine, text not. Bunch of question marks as text

Are you referring to the document itself?
 

So I believe you are saying you cant read the material in the document?

FYI, I could read it just fine.

Sorry to say but rear fog lights drive me NUTS when they are on. I'm kind of glad BMW doesn't include them as they can be blinding

I agree. Unfortunately many drivers in the US seem to think it looks "cool" to have their fog lights on all the time. I'm surprised these people don't also have a pair of fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror.