Generally, you will not benefit from installation of LED bulbs into your reverse lights. Those ordinary 12V LEDs bulbs produce less lumens compared to stock halogen bulbs, if you want LED bulb to produce more light you will have to get special LEDs with external power supply, heat sinks etc. I suggest two solutions for your problem:

1. License plate LED frame from V-leds.com, total of 1300 lumens.

http://a763.g.akamai.net/7/763/1644/...516915/extra/1
http://a763.g.akamai.net/7/763/1644/...516915/extra/3

2. Installing something like this under you rear bumper (I think someone on this forum already have done this):

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sel.../20-881004.jpg

Two more picture of v-leds license plate LED frame for comparison:

http://a763.g.akamai.net/7/763/1644/...516915/extra/4
http://a763.g.akamai.net/7/763/1644/...516915/extra/5

Eh, the license plate frame looks kinda tacky, but less so than the brick on the bumper. No offense to whoever has it on theirs. I like the rear end clean.

Ideally, would like do a combination of LEDs in the license plate blub housing (which I think the new X5's now include...anyone have a part number?) and LEDs in the reverse lights.

How about replacing camera with newer one (2010-2011), I bet wiring is the same.

I would be interestd in this....

On RealOEM, the pre-LCI camera is: 66539216283. It's $600+

RealOEM only goes to 9/2010 and I couldn't find a reverse camera. I saw a Reverse and Top view camera: 66539195898, however I don't think this is the correct replacement camera. If it is, its $300+.

^ hopefully it's plug and pray... someone please take the plunge.

Its not.

With the updated camera, the Wiring harness and control unit got updated and is only compatible with the CIC idrive.

i'll chime in concurring with the OP - my '08 rear-view cam is terrible at night.

don't like the license plate LEDs, but if there was some kinid of low-profile, single row of LEDs that could be mounted beneath the rear bumper??