LED Reverse Lights
 

Has anyone tried replacing the reverse lights with LEDs like ones found on the newer Cadillacs? Hoping it will help with the horrible excuse for a back up camera at night.

My backup camera works very well at night. I was pleasantly surprised.

Same here, no problem at night with top view or reverse cam...

I unfortunately have the 08. The 2011's have a better quality camera, the HD Nav screen, and updated iDrive. Life is just better in your car...wanna trade?

No thx :nanana:

i have 07 and its not so bad

I have an '07 and the night camera quality is aweful

I cant drive the x5 anyhow....wife wont get the hell out of it. :-)

My 2007 & 2008 E70 backup camera was AWFUL! During the day it wasn't so great, but at night it was a total JOKE! It was actually embarassing to have the camera activate at night with passengers!

My 2011 is actually amazing! I don't even think our reverse lights are much better than 2007-2010 models, I think BMW finally changed their stubborn Bavarian minds, and gave the '11 E70 new cameras!!

New camera in older E70?
 

So, if the camera in the '11 is that much better than the '07/'08 (I have an '08 and yes, my backup camera is aweful at night), can the '11 camera be retro-fitted into an '07/'08 tailgate? Has anyone tried this? TIA.

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??