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I discovered a more expensive but more 'OEM' solution for the F55 boot light, which I found to be feebly weak in stock form.
63 31 9 280 501 is the LED boot light from several other BMWs, and it's 100% drop-in. I haven't been able to find the same substitution for the glovebox light. Since the same light is used in all Rolls, even, I suspect a bulb swap is the only option here.
I discovered a more expensive but more 'OEM' solution for the F55 boot light, which I found to be feebly weak in stock form.
63 31 9 280 501 is the LED boot light from several other BMWs, and it's 100% drop-in. I haven't been able to find the same substitution for the glovebox light. Since the same light is used in all Rolls, even, I suspect a bulb swap is the only option here.
Weak and a bit tricky to bulb swap. Thanks for the tip about the BMW OEM light!
The glove box light, however, is easy to bulb swap and a good LED bulb would be a $1-2. Less than a minute to swap
I discovered a more expensive but more 'OEM' solution for the F55 boot light, which I found to be feebly weak in stock form.
63 31 9 280 501 is the LED boot light from several other BMWs, and it's 100% drop-in. I haven't been able to find the same substitution for the glovebox light. Since the same light is used in all Rolls, even, I suspect a bulb swap is the only option here.
How much brighter would you say the BMW light is compared to the factory F55 (I have an F56) rear backup light?
Ah, okay. Thanks. I got excited because the backup lights on my MCS are a joke. It's close to not even having backup lights. My last car, a 2012 Buick LaCrosse, had very good backup lighting.
I discovered a more expensive but more 'OEM' solution for the F55 boot light, which I found to be feebly weak in stock form.
63 31 9 280 501 is the LED boot light from several other BMWs, and it's 100% drop-in. I haven't been able to find the same substitution for the glovebox light. Since the same light is used in all Rolls, even, I suspect a bulb swap is the only option here.
If You would like to install a nice OEM look trunk Led I can recommend:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/221657995288?nav=SEARCH
http://m.ebay.com/itm/151404050511?nav=SEARCH I installed this led in my Cooper F56.
Last edited by BlazingRedF56; May 12, 2015 at 01:00 PM.
Ah, okay. Thanks. I got excited because the backup lights on my MCS are a joke. It's close to not even having backup lights. My last car, a 2012 Buick LaCrosse, had very good backup lighting.
On my car there's only one backup light, it's a white insert on the lower right bumper red tail light. But on my friends' F56 there are no white lights on the back. What serves as the backup light, a red light?
On my car there's only one backup light, it's a white insert on the lower right bumper red tail light. But on my friends' F56 there are no white lights on the back. What serves as the backup light, a red light?
The F56 has two white reverse lights built into the tail lights. You can see them in the pictures above.
Yes, BlueAl, it looks like that is a good choice. Hard to tell what the beam pattern will be, but certainly brighter.
If it doesn't do what you want, or throws codes etc., then a 30, 36 or 50W conventional incandescent halogen should work well. Even Halfords or a good motor factors should stock these for short money.
A general note to all - I've noticed responses from the US & UK. Note that the specs for rear lights are different for what is apparently the same model depending on country - there are even differences depending on which headlights are fitted.
Just want to say that there are esys coding parameters for all external bulbs if you want to code out the cold/warm checks for newly installed LED bulbs. I was also able to replace the boot + glovebox bulbs with led.
There's still one bulb mystery that remains, and I have yet to find a solution: The VISOR LAMPS!
They appear to be incandescent (why!?), but more importantly, I'm baffled as to how they can be accessed.
Anyone?
I did this yesterday. The replacement LED bulb is a T5 #74 wedge bulb. Tiny and it took me forever to find that the number size was 74, kept on finding larger style T5 bulbs...
anyways, I changed this without taking out the visor or even flipping the cover open to expose the mirror. Take a trim prying tool (or butter knife) and insert it into the bottom middle part of the plastic mirror unit. There is a little recess in the fabric for where you fingers go to flip open the cover, that's a good spot to start. Slowly pry the cover up and out towards you and you will see the bottom two clips on each side start to release. When the bottom pops out, you can grab it enough to slowly release the top clips as well. Than you will see the 1 bulbs on each side in a tiny holder. Pull the unit out, remove the bulb from the holder, pop the LED in and reassemble!
I did this yesterday. The replacement LED bulb is a T5 #74 wedge bulb. Tiny and it took me forever to find that the number size was 74, kept on finding larger style T5 bulbs...
anyways, I changed this without taking out the visor or even flipping the cover open to expose the mirror. Take a trim prying tool (or butter knife) and insert it into the bottom middle part of the plastic mirror unit. There is a little recess in the fabric for where you fingers go to flip open the cover, that's a good spot to start. Slowly pry the cover up and out towards you and you will see the bottom two clips on each side start to release. When the bottom pops out, you can grab it enough to slowly release the top clips as well. Than you will see the 1 bulbs on each side in a tiny holder. Pull the unit out, remove the bulb from the holder, pop the LED in and reassemble!
Hope this helps!
I only just saw this. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I really didn't think it was possible!
Did you go bright white, or cool white, like the rest of the interior LED lighting?
See the back clip in light bulb holder tray. Pinch the back side and separate the bulb holder tray from the light, then twist out the bottom bulb and replace.
It does not matter really, the ziza led backups install the same, but taillights have the normal back up lights.
Most likely you have the LED taillights, which is what the installed set is on below.
