I've read a bunch of posts about changing the license plate bulbs to LEDs, but I just want to change the bulbs. I can't figure out how to get to them. I have a 2008.

 

this is the 1st gen section. have a mod move the thread for you and you'll get a better response

 

Read your drivers manual, it tells you how to change out your licence plate lamps.

 

You just stick a screw driver on one side of the lens and it'll pop out, I believe it's the right side of the lens looking at the bonnet. The bulbs look the old fuses use to look like; long glass with a filament in the middle. Just pop it out and pop the new on it. It's kind of hard to pop it out though so be careful you might break it (the bulb).

 

Manual says how to replace but I couldnt find the part number. Also, wondered if I could buy it online or if I need to go to a dealer to get one? Any help would be great.

 

If you want to go with an LED that does not give you a warning I have had good luck with these:

$17.98 shipped is the cheapeast I have seen for something that works. www.ledautomotive.com and they are the 6 LED version for BMW.

They fit nice and snug, no tab tweaking needed and they wont spin around from vibration.

On your 2008 make sure you remove the license plate before you try to pop out the bulbs. That should save you some aggravation.

If you want LED's and dont mind a bulb out warning when you start and stop your car, in my hunt for these others, I found a similar looking set of LED's, same 6 SMD design. But these will give you a bulb out condition. Send me a PM. My price is $3.00 shipped per set. I have 3 sets.

 

Smoke05S are they
this one? - http://www.ledautomotive.com/product.php?id_product=33

or this one? - http://www.ledautomotive.com/product.php?id_product=19

do you have any pictures of them on your car? thanks.

 

I'd like to run one of these also, they do fit the R53's?

 

will these work in a 03 R53?



http://www.ledautomotive.com/product.php?id_product=129

 

Wow I dropped the ball on this one. Yes it is Led Automotive product 129 as indicated above. I have been using them over a year and have had 0 problems on My R56. They do fit the R53 but save your money and just go for the $2.00 ebay specials. R53 does not monitor bulbouts. Just make sure to get the right length festoon bulb. Also prepare for a strange light show on that R53. Low voltages are present even when the car is off and you will see the bulbs come on when you think it should be off. No worries though, LED's are simply more efficient and can produce light on really low voltages. Even with them on they draw less current than your stock bulb in the same circumstances.

 

Just ordered a pair for the R56, Smoke05S
I had a loaner BMW 128i and loved them on that, after seeing them in person I wanted them.

Also smoke, what bulbs are you running for your daytime running lights? I looked in your gallery and saw you had some very white DRL's.
I have the Xenons and would like to get the fogs and DRL's to match that same spectrum of white light, Any ideas what to get?
thanks

 

this place , http://www.ledautomotive.com/product.php?id_product=19 has no way to order anything unless you sign up on the website.

How about these?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...2Ffestoon.html


I would like a set of LEDs for the licence plate lights that don't flicker, throw codes, (don't care how much they cost,within reason )

 

removing is a bit scary as there will likely be a big pop. the dealer actually broke mine and had to replace the whole assembly! when i did it myself i too a pair of pliars and bent in the metal part on the one side to make the removal easier in the future. not too much but enough. you need some tension to keep it in the bracket. but i'd suggest it because, like i said it's not "easy" for them to pop out. i miss the days of a little screw. simple and easy!

as for LED...
i actually just did my led city "eyelid"'s and plate lights with great sucess. they've been in a month and no issue yet. hopefully no issue ever!

both on ebay AND the seller's both were very friendly and helpful as i emailed them about checking on compatibily and such. they both shipped from asia which i was leary of but everything was great.

sellers names are...
kool_goods
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

zeus_group
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

 

I ordered a set for my R53 license plate lights (and some extras ) from this outfit, we'll see how it goes.

 

Hopefully you have the same luck as I do. The guys there were great to deal with.

 

that good to hear
I'll have a few extra sets , for people who do not want to ebay to China.

 

Just got them Weds! Weird little things they are
I'll be tryng the install later, hopefully I won't break any plastic stuff

 

great. hope they work well.
here's my advice...
do the lens as i advised above, or that's to say, that's how i did it.

with the bulbs..

carefully pop the existing ones out. i say careful because i droped one and then only had one of the 2 incase i needed them again. i used a trim tool, actually a mercedes tech tool i got from a friend at our dealer. basically a plastic tongue depressor. so pop those out. then take needle nose pliars and get a good hold on the led bulb's chip part. i was careful not to clamp on any of the circut bits. so stay on the chip itself where there is no electronic stuff. then just wedge them in and you're set. i did have to swap side to side as one bulb didn't work one way for whatever reason. turned it around and all good.

 

thats the diode part of LEDs that cause not working in reverse

 

Just ordered the http://www.ledautomotive.com/product.php?id_product=129
__________________ from ledautomotive for my R57. Should be here in 10 days or so. Hoping for no "bulb out" code.

 

Any one have any before and after pictures?

I would love to see the difference for this very inexpensive modification

Thanks

 

I will take some before I do my install.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ent-howto.html

 

I recieved the LED lightbulbs that I ordered earlier this week. The bulbs were a little bigger than my stock bulbs, but there was plenty of room to expand the contacts. I have attached pix of before and after the mod. It certainly makes a difference.

 

I had the license plate light installed with no issue.And just ordered the other LED for eyelid.Can you please tell me how to install it.