[DYI] [US x3 35i] My second mod: Euro headlight switch (rear fog lights enabled) - XBimmers

dandanio · 11-14-2011, 10:50 PM

So I just finished my second mod. (My first mod can be found here).

I started with a usual headlight switch, which had no rear fog light button, that I REALLY, REALLY had to have.
So, in order to remove the piece of trim, place your finger on the inside, close to the steering wheel, and apply some firm pressure. The trim will pop off fairly quickly.

Then remove the piece of the trim with the switch:

Empty hole will gaze at ya:

Unsnap the cable and remove the trim piece.

Use a Torx screwdriver to remove four screws from the US switch. I think it was T20, or smaller, I know T25 was too big.

Side by side comparison:

Assemble it, and you get this on your dash:

And voila:

Rear fogs in action:

And the dash board little light switching action:

Done!

Comments welcome!

Mod history:
1. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My first mod: Euro side mirrors (aspherical)
2. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My second mod: Euro headlight switch (rear fog lights enabled)
3. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My third mod: BMW Performance glossy black grilles (kidneys)

Nahoa · 11-15-2011, 06:08 AM

Spiffy. As a gadget fiend it drives me nuts that we don't get the rear fog lights here . . . not that we get much fog in Virginia. How much did that set you back? Guessing this is again a result of your contact with access to European parts, so must of us here in the States can only look on with envy?

tank531 · 11-15-2011, 08:01 AM

I did not know rear fogs were not required in the US. a regulation in Euroland for many years - maybe 20 by now. The trouble is I don't rate them as they are 'over used.' They have a safety function only on motorways and when traffic is moving at different speeds. If you have ever followed anyone with these lights on for more than 5 minutes you'll know what I mean. They are heavy on the eye, and sometimes hard to see if the car is braking.

Can we have a 'how too' mod for sat nav pro, xenon/LED, auto box, memory seats and 35D engine please?

nyalpine90 · 11-15-2011, 08:55 AM

i had the rear fogs on my e90..i turn them on during rain, snow or went it was foggy
where did u get the switch?

epiphone3 · 11-15-2011, 09:18 AM

not to go off topic, but any chance your contact for European parts can hook us up with the auxiliary heater from the BMW Accessories brochure?

dandanio · 11-15-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epiphone3

not to go off topic, but any chance your contact for European parts can hook us up with the auxiliary heater from the BMW Accessories brochure?

Send me a PM and I will see what I can do.

BIMMER UK 76 · 11-15-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank531

I did not know rear fogs were not required in the US. a regulation in Euroland for many years - maybe 20 by now. The trouble is I don't rate them as they are 'over used.' They have a safety function only on motorways and when traffic is moving at different speeds. If you have ever followed anyone with these lights on for more than 5 minutes you'll know what I mean. They are heavy on the eye, and sometimes hard to see if the car is braking

Can we have a 'how too' mod for sat nav pro, xenon/LED, auto box, memory seats and 35D engine please?

Tank, I will go for the 35d retro fit also

Good job Dandanio

Radioactive · 11-15-2011, 04:39 PM

I'm I correct then in assuming that we in the states already have the lights themselves in place? We just need to switch them? I could use this, we have a lot of fog here in San Diego.

dandanio · 11-15-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioactive

I'm I correct then in assuming that we in the states already have the lights themselves in place? We just need to switch them? I could use this, we have a lot of fog here in San Diego.

Yes, that's correct. It is just a matter of getting the switch installed.

greg2step · 11-15-2011, 04:52 PM

there were some threads on one of the other BMW model line forums (probably e90 but i don't recall for sure) on how to do this there. on the e90 you can pull the switch apart, remove a plastic cover and put it back in. On the F25 its apparently a separate switch part as shown in the orig. post by dandanio.

So - 2 things, one of those forums I read a few months ago mentioned that rear fog lights are illegal in some places in the US - so if you do this mod you might to be aware of that when you turn them on.

that being said, where can I find the rear foglight switch in module the US ?

dandanio · 11-15-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg2step

that being said, where can I find the rear foglight switch in module the US ?

You can't. I source all my parts straight from Europe. I am pretty sure BMW of NA forbids its dealers from selling any Euro-parts.

greg2step · 11-15-2011, 05:09 PM

I'm not surprised. not really a big deal, would be cool though

Radioactive · 11-15-2011, 05:38 PM

So then,

you do this to give us "Blue BMW's"?

dandanio · 11-16-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioactive

So then,

you do this to give us "Blue BMW's"?

Yup.

I already ordered parts for another small MOD

. Stay tuned...

Radioactive · 11-16-2011, 11:21 AM

Keep it up and we're going to do "Occupy Dandanio's".

April1 · 11-16-2011, 11:30 AM

We will name them as Dandanio's mods

xDrive35i · 11-16-2011, 09:20 PM

It's weird that we don't get the rear fogs here on our BMWs. Audi and Mercedes both give you the entirely "buttoned out" lighting switchpanel, even Mercedes offers the side parking light switch (though I'm not sure what purpose they serve). Anyone know why BMW does this?

Lotus7 · 11-16-2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juddholland

It's weird that we don't get the rear fogs here on our BMWs. Audi and Mercedes both give you the entirely "buttoned out" lighting switchpanel, even Mercedes offers the side parking light switch (though I'm not sure what purpose they serve). Anyone know why BMW does this?

Reason No. 1: To save a few cents by not including the switch.

Reason No. 2: BMW believes American drivers aren't "bright"* enough to remember to turn off the fog light when it's not needed. I've seen more than one Audi driving around in perfectly clear weather with a rear fog light on. the driver probably has no idea of what the illuminated dash icon means.

*bad pun intended

Nahoa · 11-17-2011, 06:27 AM

I've seen the errant fog light thing around here almost daily.

We have the side parking option built in to the signal stalk. Turn the car off and hold it two seconds toward the side you want illuminated. (If this is what you were referring to.)

TSM330i · 11-17-2011, 07:21 AM

In the e90, we have two-stage brake lights. If the brake pedal isn't pushed really quickly (i.e. the time it takes for you to pull your foot off the gas and push on the brake), only the first stage lights and the brakes aren't as bright. If the brakes are hit very quickly, both stages are lit and they are very bright. The rear fog switch just lights up the first stage all the time.
It was a very simple install with the switch as shown above. I purchased my switch from Tischner BMW.
I'm going to contact them to see if they can start carrying this for the X3. I might be the same switch in the new 3 so it'd be worth while.
Yes, you are correct, BMW doesn't think the US drivers know how to use rear fog lights. I have a tendancy to agree with them by all the SUV drivers I see driving around all the time with their foglights on.

OOOSQ · 11-17-2011, 08:33 AM

Is there a way to dim the rear fog lights?

They are extremely bright from memory?

clivem2 · 11-17-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOOSQ

Is there a way to dim the rear fog lights?

They are extremely bright from memory?

That's kind of useful in Fog.....

Get a lower wattage bulb.

11-14-2011, 10:50 PM	#1
dandanio The one that drives! Drives: 11 x3 35i/09 Jetta TDI Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New England Posts: 160 iTrader: (0)	[DYI] [US x3 35i] My second mod: Euro headlight switch (rear fog lights enabled) So I just finished my second mod. (My first mod can be found here). I started with a usual headlight switch, which had no rear fog light button, that I REALLY, REALLY had to have. So, in order to remove the piece of trim, place your finger on the inside, close to the steering wheel, and apply some firm pressure. The trim will pop off fairly quickly. Then remove the piece of the trim with the switch: Empty hole will gaze at ya: Unsnap the cable and remove the trim piece. Use a Torx screwdriver to remove four screws from the US switch. I think it was T20, or smaller, I know T25 was too big. Side by side comparison: Assemble it, and you get this on your dash: And voila: Rear fogs in action: And the dash board little light switching action: Done! Comments welcome! Mod history: 1. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My first mod: Euro side mirrors (aspherical) 2. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My second mod: Euro headlight switch (rear fog lights enabled) 3. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My third mod: BMW Performance glossy black grilles (kidneys) Last edited by dandanio; 10-22-2012 at 10:34 AM.
	Tweet

11-15-2011, 06:08 AM	#2
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,855 iTrader: (0)	Spiffy. As a gadget fiend it drives me nuts that we don't get the rear fog lights here . . . not that we get much fog in Virginia. How much did that set you back? Guessing this is again a result of your contact with access to European parts, so must of us here in the States can only look on with envy? __________________

11-15-2011, 08:55 AM	#4
nyalpine90 Major General Drives: '12 X3 28i AW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: valley stream LI Posts: 8,730 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2012 X3 [4.50]	i had the rear fogs on my e90..i turn them on during rain, snow or went it was foggy where did u get the switch? __________________

11-15-2011, 04:52 PM	#10
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver Drives: 2011 X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Posts: 453 iTrader: (0)	there were some threads on one of the other BMW model line forums (probably e90 but i don't recall for sure) on how to do this there. on the e90 you can pull the switch apart, remove a plastic cover and put it back in. On the F25 its apparently a separate switch part as shown in the orig. post by dandanio. So - 2 things, one of those forums I read a few months ago mentioned that rear fog lights are illegal in some places in the US - so if you do this mod you might to be aware of that when you turn them on. that being said, where can I find the rear foglight switch in module the US ? __________________ 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Alum Brush Trim l Packages = Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience \| Premuim Audio + Sirius 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite l Gray Dakota Leather l Dark Burl Walnut \| Steptronic 6SP l Premium l Heated Seats [traded in for the X3 above]

11-15-2011, 05:09 PM	#12
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver Drives: 2011 X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Posts: 453 iTrader: (0)	I'm not surprised. not really a big deal, would be cool though __________________ 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Alum Brush Trim l Packages = Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience \| Premuim Audio + Sirius 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite l Gray Dakota Leather l Dark Burl Walnut \| Steptronic 6SP l Premium l Heated Seats [traded in for the X3 above]

11-15-2011, 08:01 AM	#3
tank531 Deckhand Drives: F25 2.0D SE xDrive (Sep 11) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Coventry - UK Posts: 389 iTrader: (0)	I did not know rear fogs were not required in the US. a regulation in Euroland for many years - maybe 20 by now. The trouble is I don't rate them as they are 'over used.' They have a safety function only on motorways and when traffic is moving at different speeds. If you have ever followed anyone with these lights on for more than 5 minutes you'll know what I mean. They are heavy on the eye, and sometimes hard to see if the car is braking. Can we have a 'how too' mod for sat nav pro, xenon/LED, auto box, memory seats and 35D engine please?

11-15-2011, 09:18 AM	#5
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,641 iTrader: (0)	not to go off topic, but any chance your contact for European parts can hook us up with the auxiliary heater from the BMW Accessories brochure?

11-15-2011, 04:39 PM	#8
Radioactive Captain Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 625 iTrader: (0)	I'm I correct then in assuming that we in the states already have the lights themselves in place? We just need to switch them? I could use this, we have a lot of fog here in San Diego.

11-15-2011, 05:38 PM	#13
Radioactive Captain Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 625 iTrader: (0)	So then, you do this to give us "Blue BMW's"?

11-16-2011, 11:21 AM	#15
Radioactive Captain Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 625 iTrader: (0)	Keep it up and we're going to do "Occupy Dandanio's".

11-16-2011, 11:30 AM	#16
April1 Love All Drives: X3 28i 2011 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 735 iTrader: (1)	We will name them as Dandanio's mods

11-16-2011, 09:20 PM	#17
xDrive35i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,506 iTrader: (0)	It's weird that we don't get the rear fogs here on our BMWs. Audi and Mercedes both give you the entirely "buttoned out" lighting switchpanel, even Mercedes offers the side parking light switch (though I'm not sure what purpose they serve). Anyone know why BMW does this? __________________ 2001 Audi A6 Allroad 2.7T (C5); 2005 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (C6); 2005 BMW X5 4.4i (E53); 2008 BMW 535xi Sports Wagon (E61); 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25); 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Prestige (B8)

11-17-2011, 06:27 AM	#19
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,855 iTrader: (0)	I've seen the errant fog light thing around here almost daily. We have the side parking option built in to the signal stalk. Turn the car off and hold it two seconds toward the side you want illuminated. (If this is what you were referring to.) __________________

11-17-2011, 07:21 AM	#20
TSM330i 2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport Drives: E90 330i, E86 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chester Springs, PA Posts: 2,656 iTrader: (1)	In the e90, we have two-stage brake lights. If the brake pedal isn't pushed really quickly (i.e. the time it takes for you to pull your foot off the gas and push on the brake), only the first stage lights and the brakes aren't as bright. If the brakes are hit very quickly, both stages are lit and they are very bright. The rear fog switch just lights up the first stage all the time. It was a very simple install with the switch as shown above. I purchased my switch from Tischner BMW. I'm going to contact them to see if they can start carrying this for the X3. I might be the same switch in the new 3 so it'd be worth while. Yes, you are correct, BMW doesn't think the US drivers know how to use rear fog lights. I have a tendancy to agree with them by all the SUV drivers I see driving around all the time with their foglights on. __________________ 2006 330i, TSM, Black, Sport, JIC Cross Coil-Overs, UUC Sways, 18" Advan RS, Mich PSS 255/265, Custom Alcantara M-tech steering wheel, VAC pedals, Rogue shifter, M-Tech front, CF emblems, Dinan TB, Intake, exhaust, strut bar, Stoptech BBK, LSD, M3 susp., LUX 5, CF Hood and CSL, Sparco Seats, AA tune, CF Roof

11-17-2011, 08:33 AM	#21
OOOSQ First Lieutenant Drives: 2012 2.0d AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 346 iTrader: (0)	Is there a way to dim the rear fog lights? They are extremely bright from memory? __________________ My X3

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search