BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-14-2011, 09:50 PM   #1
dandanio
The one that drives!
dandanio's Avatar
United_States
22
Rep
187
Posts

Drives: 11 x3 35i/09 Jetta TDI
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New England

iTrader: (0)

Smile [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..
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 05:08 AM   #2
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

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?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 07:01 AM   #3
tank531
Deckhand
tank531's Avatar
United Kingdom
5
Rep
389
Posts

Drives: F25 2.0D SE xDrive (Sep 11)
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coventry - UK

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?
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 07:55 AM   #4
nyalpine90
Lieutenant General
nyalpine90's Avatar
7376
Rep
11,825
Posts

Drives: MY24 G01 AW Msport
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: L.I. NY

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2016 BMW X4  [9.33]
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?
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 08:18 AM   #5
epiphone3
Lieutenant Colonel
110
Rep
1,772
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Calgary

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?
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 02:49 PM   #6
dandanio
The one that drives!
dandanio's Avatar
United_States
22
Rep
187
Posts

Drives: 11 x3 35i/09 Jetta TDI
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New England

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by epiphone3 View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 03:02 PM   #7
BIMMER UK 76
Major
BIMMER UK 76's Avatar
United Kingdom
48
Rep
1,089
Posts

Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tank531 View Post
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
__________________

BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE
Black Sapphire | Oyster Leather | Fineline Sienna Wood | 307 V Spokes | Auto | Prof Multimedia Package | xLine Package | Xenons | Business Radio | Sports Steering Wheel | Sports Seats | Panoramic Sunroof | Sun Protection Glass | Sun Blinds | Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille | Chrome Exhaust Trim | Mudflaps
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 03:39 PM   #8
Radioactive
Captain
United_States
42
Rep
764
Posts

Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

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.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 03:41 PM   #9
dandanio
The one that drives!
dandanio's Avatar
United_States
22
Rep
187
Posts

Drives: 11 x3 35i/09 Jetta TDI
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New England

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radioactive View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 03:52 PM   #10
greg2step
X3 Owner/Driver
greg2step's Avatar
United_States
211
Rep
785
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
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 ?
__________________
2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in]
2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 03:59 PM   #11
dandanio
The one that drives!
dandanio's Avatar
United_States
22
Rep
187
Posts

Drives: 11 x3 35i/09 Jetta TDI
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New England

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by greg2step View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 04:09 PM   #12
greg2step
X3 Owner/Driver
greg2step's Avatar
United_States
211
Rep
785
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I'm not surprised. not really a big deal, would be cool though
__________________
2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in]
2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 04:38 PM   #13
Radioactive
Captain
United_States
42
Rep
764
Posts

Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

So then, you do this to give us "Blue BMW's"?
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 09:47 AM   #14
dandanio
The one that drives!
dandanio's Avatar
United_States
22
Rep
187
Posts

Drives: 11 x3 35i/09 Jetta TDI
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New England

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radioactive View Post
So then, you do this to give us "Blue BMW's"?
Yup. I already ordered parts for another small MOD . Stay tuned...
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 10:21 AM   #15
Radioactive
Captain
United_States
42
Rep
764
Posts

Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

Keep it up and we're going to do "Occupy Dandanio's".
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 10:30 AM   #16
April1
Love All
April1's Avatar
United_States
170
Rep
740
Posts

Drives: X3 28i 2011
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (2)

We will name them as Dandanio's mods
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 08:20 PM   #17
xDrive35i
Lieutenant Colonel
xDrive35i's Avatar
United_States
122
Rep
1,781
Posts

Drives: Porsche Macan S
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chicago

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?
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 09:14 PM   #18
Lotus7
Major
United_States
68
Rep
1,041
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by juddholland View Post
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
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2011, 05:27 AM   #19
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

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.)
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2011, 06:21 AM   #20
TSM330i
2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport
TSM330i's Avatar
United_States
874
Rep
3,699
Posts

Drives: '17 C2, GTI, Z4 3.0si Racecar
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chester Springs, PA

iTrader: (2)

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.
__________________
2017 Porsche C2 - manual of course
2015 GTI S
2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - because racecar
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2011, 07:33 AM   #21
OOOSQ
First Lieutenant
OOOSQ's Avatar
Australia
16
Rep
367
Posts

Drives: F85 X5M / CLA45 AMG SB
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Is there a way to dim the rear fog lights?

They are extremely bright from memory?
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2011, 08:43 AM   #22
clivem2
Colonel
United Kingdom
537
Rep
2,073
Posts

Drives: X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by OOOSQ View Post
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.
__________________
Current: G01 M40i Silver / Tartufo
Previous: E30 318iS, E39 520i 523i 523i, E46 vert 330i 330i, E93 vert 335i, F25 30D 35D
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
dyi, f25, light mod

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:38 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST