Apr 12, 2009
When my M was in for warranty service the stealer gave me a 328 e90 loaner for a few days. The car was alright but I found myself enamored with the LED puddle lights under the door handles. I researched a bit and found a few threads of people installing LEDs in the lock covers but I wasn’t satisfied with their results – it looked too hacked together for my taste. I wanted the OEM appearance. I found a thread on ‘that other forum’ of a person that had purchased the parts then sold them as too much cutting was involved.
I will agree, there is a lot cutting and test fitting. If you don’t have basic Dremel skills forget it. So I ended up purchasing a drivers side lock cover (door lock delete) and two BMW OEM e90 LED arrays. After 5 hours the project was complete and I was ecstatic. I achieved the results I sought.
Covered the lock cover in tape and measured out the cuts for the LED array. In this photo I have already cut the aluminum lock cylinder and sealed it.
LED array installed and epoxied in place. It is a very tight fit.
Ready to be installed into the door.
Wiring is simple. Used 24 gauge stranded wire and soldered and heat shrink(ed) the connection on the inside of the vapor barrier. Then I simple ran wires to the existing wiring entry point and through the rubber grommet at the door hinge. Once inside the cabin I tapped the foot well light for power and ground. This way they come on / off when unlocking / locking the car.
Cover remounted to door (please excuse the dirt).
Buttoned up. These arrays are quite bright.
The light dispersion on the ground is perfect. I also like how they light up the flake in the carbon black paint. This photo was taken with incandescent garage lights on – demonstrates their intensity.
Author: stickrod
Link: http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=219974
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