LEDs on 2007 M35

[DaleHeller]

Just did the total swapout of the standard bulbs with V-Leds. What a difference it makes in the whole appearance of the M, especially my obsidian black with deep tint.

Did the interior, maps, doors, trunk, license and fogs (H11) and couldn't be happier with how she now looks.

I highly recommend V-LEDs.com - they are quick to ship, honest, and willing to take returns until you get it setup just right - great people to work with.

[menlund19]

[msp]

I also just ordered some more LED's. I've already done the driving lights, lisence plate, and door lights. I'm curious, how do the H11 LED fog lights match the HID low beams?

[cmark]

Did you just do the H11 bulbs ($49) or the entire kit for $149?

[DaleHeller]

The non-kit (e.g. not the HID with the ballast) was what I went with on my M. I couldn't justify the added costs. I am well pleased with the color match with the headlights - it is nearly indistinguishable. The brightness is perfect - I smiled all the way home tonight.

The best was the interior lighting - what an update and well worth the money.

[DaleHeller]

I think they match perfectly, I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome and the intensity of the output of the bulbs (oooops, the output of the leds).

[msp]

What bulb did you use for the map/dome light?

[DaleHeller]

I used the 57_HP_W for each of the map reading lights in the front. These are the BA9s type bulbs. On another post, there was a good writeup about changing this to the 3175_16_SMT_W led, which I didn't do for my ride. I think I would like this better, but it involves more work that is permanent in nature. If I ever sell my M, I will take out the leds, and put back the standard bulbs - something to think about if you do permanent mods.

[msp]

Just ordered them. Thanks for the info.By the way, does the lens pry off fairly easily?

[About Tree Fiddy]

What is the easiest way to access the fogs? My arm won't fit down there without removing stuff. Also interested in what lights you used inside (nevermind, answered above while I was typing). I've done everything else but the dome lights and fogs. I can't bring myself to take a dremel to the overhead fixture as was shown in another post.

A second vote for v-leds. I've ordered from them twice and both orders arrived 2 days later.

[DaleHeller]

The map light lens cover pries off very easily, just use a small flat blade and pry out on the rear side of the lens..
Modified by DaleHeller at 7:00 PM 2/23/2009

[DaleHeller]

Jack up the vehicle on one side, remove the wheel. The inside wheel well cover is released by prying the holding clips out. Take a flat blade screwdriver and pry up on the INNER section - you will see where the blade fits into the slot. Do NOT pry the whole thing out, they break easily. Remove all the inner clips on the front side of the well cover. There are four phillips screws on the bottom front air dam - remove them. There is a small panel on the frame, remove the clips from this piece also (I think there were two there).

You should then be able to pry the inner wheel well cover out enough to slide your arm into the back side of the fog light. Twist the bulb assembly 1/4 turn. This will release the assembly so that you can pull the bulb out. Once out, you should have enough slack in the wire to pull the bulb outside the vehicle. Release the snap on the H11 bulb and replace with the new led unit. Reverse the process to put everything back together. It only takes about 30 minutes per side - quite easy. Just be careful on the clips to release them in the correct manner. You will love the effect it does on your M.

[Carlito]

dude!!! can we get some pics. i just did my parking and license plate swap. for the interior i went with rubylith film on the inside of the light covers for a deep red interior, sweeet!! the fogs are the last swap

[DaleHeller]

Sorry, no pics now. I'm traveling this week and won't be back until Friday late. I will try over the weekend.

I have to tell you, it is like a whole different car. I'm thinking of doing it on my wifes Lexus RX-400h too...

[About Tree Fiddy]

Thanks Dale. No wonder I couldn't figure out how to get at them. I hadn't thought about removing the wheel.

A couple more questions if you don't mind. What did you use for the rear seat map/dome lights? It looks like a 3175_9_W or 3175_20_SMT_W will work although the latter might too wide and is probably brighter than needed for the back seat.

For the front map/dome light do find the light output of the 57_HP_W to be good enough? I was looking around at v-leds and wondering if the 57_5_SMT_W might work there also and be a little brighter.

So far I've done the front running lights, backup lights, license plate lights, both trunk lights and all for door bottom courtesy lights. I really like the looks of all of them but the trunk lights make the biggest difference since the factory lights were basically useless IMHO. The front running lights look much better and match the HIDs. The door courtesy lights will look better when they match the dome lights.

Thanks for your informative post on the fog light R&R.

Here is a list of what I've used so far. I used the ones recommended in the other LED thread.

2 - 194_27_SMT_W - Front running lights2 - 921_14_HP_W - Backup lights2 - 194_HP2_W - License plate lights2 - DIY_30_SMT_W - Trunk lights (both)2 - 921_9_W - Front door courtesy lights2 - 921_6_W_L - Rear door courtesy lights

[DaleHeller]

I used the 3175_16_SMT_W for the dome light on both sides of the rear and found them to be just about right.

The map reading leds that I used are not quite right in terms of their match, so I would recommend that you do go with something a bit brighter. I'm going to try some foil in back of the led to see if I get better reflectivity out into the cabin. Let me know what you come up with for the front and how they match out.

Wait until you get the fogs done, you'll be grinning from ear to ear and totally pleased !!!

[Carlito]

i was actually going to go with hid's for the fogs, any opinions??

[DaleHeller]

The H11's worked fine for me, and matched up perfectly. If they were much brighter, it would be like bi-xenons and blind oncoming traffic - don't want to harm that M with a head-on...

PS: I was a bit concerned about heat dissipation too since the fog light is an enclosed unit with no air flow.
Modified by DaleHeller at 7:57 PM 2/23/2009

[Carlito]

i was a little concerned about that as well. i guess led's it is. thanks