So I ordered the retrofit kit to add fogs to my r53 from ECS.
I already have a full switch bank in there too so I should be good to go.

I was wondering for anyone else that has done this install if there's anything not mentioned in the instructions I should consider.

I was also wondering if I should upgrade the included H11 bulbs before I install or if the included bulbs are good enough.

Any advise would be appreciated....

 

If you did not have the fog feature before, you will have to program it in. I think the stock bulb is fine. That said, I'm slowly converting to LED.

 

Ok so I ran into an issue today during the install.
How do I identify the correct pin number to plug into each of these harnesses.
The instructions just say "plug into pin 7 of x4013 harness" for example but I'm not sure which pin on the harness that is.
Based on what's connected I believe its right to left top to bottom if looking at the back of the plug.
Some of the wiring descriptions are confusing too. Some are identified as GE/SW. Not even sure what color I'm looking for there!

Also in the instructions I'm supposed to plug a four pin plug in the fuse box too but it appears that the spot for it is taken by another four pin plug.

 

I guess you are using the old installation instructions (http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/Fog%20Lights.PDF). Look at the last page, which has a color guide. The color codes are abbreviations of the German words: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-abbreviations. There is an updated set of instructions, which also gives the colors in English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o1F...ew?usp=sharing

Pin numbers should be marked on the connector as tiny numbers molded into the plastic (look at the connector on the wiring harness side). Often only the corner pins are marked, and you can figure out how they are sequentially numbered.

Good luck with the retrofit — I did it many years ago. It involves many steps and taking apart different parts of the car. My recollection is that the wiring harness for inside the car is just long enough with hardly any extra slack, and you need to route the wiring efficiently. I didn't find the stock H11 bulbs to be very bright, but I think it is partly because the light fixture and lens opening are so small.

Before you get it coded, you should also think about any other programmable options you might want to update at the same time.

 

Wow I thought I had the updated instructions! I was using a PDF ECS sent me. Thanks man... Saved my but.

 

All done! About 6 hours total. Thanks for the help.
now to the dealership for coding this week.

 

Hello, just saw this, I was out of the office all last week. Thank to rkw for posting the updated guide.

 

No problem. I got it all installed but now just learned the dealership wants $250 for the coding! That seems high to me.

 

Where you located? Maybe find someone on the forum that is close to you who can use NCS EXPERT?

When I did my retro fit, I called European car repair shops and got a price of $125, they would also do other coding for me as it was a hourly rate.

I ended up educating myself with NCS and it cost me all of $25 IIRC. Did some of the other coding too. See link below for info

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...onal-info.html

 

Yeah I was looking at NCS. Looks pretty involved. I'm gonna call around a bit first and see what I can find out. Tks