[lbjgh]

Frank, did you install your switch too?

Originally Posted by Franck_Qc

I got mine today from EuroActive.com. I'll install it this weekend if I have time.

http://euroactiveparts.com/x3/

[Franck_Qc]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

Frank, did you install your switch too?

Yes and everything is fully functional! Very easy to install.

[paul386]

I got my from ECU Tuning (or something like that). Installed it in just a few minutes!

[CaliRubicon]

Nice mod. It's nice to see some cool mod threads popping up. Slightly off topic, has any one found replacement trim for around the light controls and the matching trim on the other side of the steering wheel? For some reason the reflectiveness of the stock trim detracts from what I consider a very nice dash design. I would like to find something a little more flat finish or maybe carbon fiber. I have searched a little but might not be using the proper terminology. Maybe one of you out there can point me in the proper direction.

[Leighton]

www.ecstuning.com

Just bought one. They were out of stock for three months.

[caz681]

Got mine in the mail esterday from ECS Tuning. Despite dandanio's helpful pictures, my initial attempt at applying "firm pressure" to remove the trim piece was unsuccessful. Pressed pretty firmly and it didn't budge. (Oddly enough, this pressure caused my headlights to come on, even though the switch was in the Off position, and there was no observable movement of the trim piece. This didn't happen with the switch in the Auto position. Weird.)

Anyway, any additional detail on removing the trim from those who have done it would be appreciated. Does it pop loose just by pressing left on it, or do you have to simultaneously pull it toward you? Is it best to press along the whole right side, or with a single finger in one place?

Thanks!

[Franck_Qc]

Originally Posted by caz681

... or do you have to simultaneously pull it toward you?

Yes, you take it firmly into the corner and you pull towards you.

[509trooper]

Very cool mod!

[Razel]

Originally Posted by Franck_Qc

Yes, you take it firmly into the corner and you pull towards you.

You also might lower the steering wheel to get a better grip. You're working against three spring-loaded tabs, two of which are close to the steering wheel. While you are popping it off at an angle, pulling straight back if you could grip the left side would work as well.

[ReturnZero]

Crazy that it's this easy. In my VW GTI you need the Euro switch, then you need to run new wires from the body computer and to the rear lights, where you have to get bulb holders and modify your tail lights (or get euro housings). It's a huge pain.

I've purchased quite a few euro parts from ECS over the years, the aforementioned Euro switch for my GTI, OEM LED lights, etc. Nice to hear they carry the BMW switch, I'll definitely be ordering one. We have crazy dust storms here where you can only see a few feet in front of you, so having rear fogs would be nice so people don't slam into me...

[Beyu]

Originally Posted by CaliRubicon

Nice mod. It's nice to see some cool mod threads popping up. Slightly off topic, has any one found replacement trim for around the light controls and the matching trim on the other side of the steering wheel? For some reason the reflectiveness of the stock trim detracts from what I consider a very nice dash design. I would like to find something a little more flat finish or maybe carbon fiber. I have searched a little but might not be using the proper terminology. Maybe one of you out there can point me in the proper direction.

Late reply but check out realoem in the future for car parts & part numbers.

In 2012 and later models the trim you're referring to was changed from a matte black plastic to a high gloss finish. You could try taking the part numbers to your dealership and see if you can order the 2010/2011 trim pieces.

PS: For some reason the part numbers for 2011 and 2012 are the same, clarify with the dealership that you want the non-high gloss trim.

[Franck_Qc]

Rear fog lights

[ReturnZero]

Originally Posted by Beyu

Late reply but check out realoem in the future for car parts & part numbers.

In 2012 and later models the trim you're referring to was changed from a matte black plastic to a high gloss finish. You could try taking the part numbers to your dealership and see if you can order the 2010/2011 trim pieces.

PS: For some reason the part numbers for 2011 and 2012 are the same, clarify with the dealership that you want the non-high gloss trim.

It seemed to me for the 2013 models, the 35i had piano (gloss) black trim and the 28i had the matte black trim. That's what it looked like on the website, at least.

[mdtmem]

Got mine from ECS Tuning & only took 3-4 mins to install. Quick & easy plug & play. In response to some of the other posts about the trim...does anyone know if they make a wood trim replacement for the trim around the light switch & center trim piece. I don't know why they cheap'd out & put plastic instead of wood on all three trim pieces like my E60 535i did. They should have at least had a option to upgrade the trim to all wood since I think many people would have paid a little extra to have it all match.

[DonC]

Just ordered for my 2013 X3...

[Marathon Man]

I ordered one of these switches and installed in during my trip back from PCD. The install was very easy and just took a few minutes. The front fogs have to be on for the rear to come on.

[DonC]

thanks

[Franck_Qc]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

The front fogs have to be on for the rear to come on.

Not on mine. Front fogs and rear fogs are independent of one another. But our cars don't have the same year, may be different.

[Marathon Man]

You are rigtht! I just went out and tried it and they are independent. I only tried it once while I did the installation while I was waiting on my wife to go to the restroom during our driving trip. It seems like the first time I did it that I had to do the front fogs first before the rear fogs would come on, but maybe I'm mistaken. As I said, I did it very quickly. Or maybe this car is so smart it had to learn that the switch was there and now works differently. Whatever, the front and rear fogs work independently.

[Razel]

Headlights have to be on. If you have the headlights set to Auto-on, the front fog lights switch will activate the headlights and thereby the front fogs come on as well. But the rear fog lights won't turn on the headlights, and they won't come on either.
Turn on the headlights manually, and you're good to go.

[Marathon Man]

That explains it! When I tested it I had the lights on auto but was outside mid-day so the headlights weren't on. I pressed the rear fogs and nothing, pressed the front fogs and that forced the headlights on so the rear came on.

Then when I re-tested last night it was dark so the auto headlights were already on so the rear fogs came on when I pressed the button. Thanks, Razel!

Of course, one wouldn't need to put the rear fogs on without the headlights and front fogs on. But for testing, it is nice to know how it works.

[DonC]

Notified it should arrive on the 6th of Sept.