aftermarket illuminated door sills

instalher · 11-29-2016, 01:16 PM

I purchased some aftermarket hardwire door sills for my 2014 f30. can someone advise me as to where I should wire the turn on lead for the lights to the car. I was thinking the underfoot light but I think I will have current issues so going to the fuse panel on the pass, kick panel is where I think I have to run this wire.. Can someone shed some light on this for me.. Thank you..

Billfitz · 11-29-2016, 02:57 PM

Post a link. Mine are OEM and are battery powered, no wires.

instalher · 12-05-2016, 01:56 PM

mine have two wires, one for ground and one to activate the leds in the door sill. so as long as 12volts is applied to the door sill, it remains illuminated, I have it hooked to the footwell light, but when I activate the overhead interior lights, they flash irradically, so the ecu dosent like the additional current draw of my aftermarket lights. thus the reason for going to the fuse box area in the pass side footwell.

E46nowF30 · 12-05-2016, 07:08 PM

IASCA Pro Installer, runner up and you can't figure out where to run 2 simple wires!!

instalher · 12-07-2016, 11:27 AM

I have it hooked up and working but I would rather run the trigger wire to the oem location from bmw, other option is a pac-audio tr7, don't forget the input has to be active only upon door open, other wise lights will be on all the time.

jeffc83 · 12-07-2016, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Post a link. Mine are OEM and are battery powered, no wires.

What do you think of them? I'm about to order a set but keep thinking about the battery issue/brightness. Will be sad to see the Luxury Line plate go though...

Billfitz · 12-07-2016, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffc83

What do you think of them?

They're absurdly over-priced, but it's a BMW, right? They look good, installation is simple. I put mine in last spring, the batteries are still OK. They only draw power when the door is open, and if you leave the door open for a while they shut themselves off. LEDs draw practically no current anyway.

instalher · 12-07-2016, 08:15 PM

I would highly recommend, after buying the hardwired ones. to go with the battery operated ones.. way way easier..

jeffc83 · 12-08-2016, 09:44 AM

Thanks guys. I'm still getting used to the prices with BMW versus Cadillac but it's all been worth it! Yes, I was tortured that much by GM over the years and will never look back.

After seeing that pic, I'm ordering a set right now! Yeah $177 is a bit steep but they look awesome!

SmokedTabasco · 12-08-2016, 01:27 PM

i got the battery ones and they are bang on

Ace Rimmer · 07-25-2020, 10:01 AM

I had these and got rid, due to faults, scratches and generally badly made chinese rubbish. At first they look ok but they eventually fail and are not waterproof. They scratch and mark easy, and eventually flake (the mirror reflective material).
As for wiring they are supposed to spliced to the footwell lights under the dash, but be ready to get FRM faults intermittently, mainly due to them not being waterproof. When the fault does feedback then the footwell lights etc will switch off and then the FRM will need to cleared and reset which is a continual royal pain in the arse.
Go with the OEM battery and magnet type for sure. I have lately seen some of this type on Aliexpress, depending on your BMW model, they are new and look exactly like OEM.
For example here and only around $40-$50:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3299...27424c4dYprKYU
Hope it helps.

bmwuser · 07-26-2020, 08:24 PM

I also have the battery powered lights. Love them. They are bright and I think the batteries are going on 2 years. They are only on for a max of 10 seconds I think if you leave the door open.

samlarson · 08-24-2020, 07:24 AM

Quote:

I would highly recommend, after buying the hardwired ones. to go with the battery operated ones.. way way easier like ordering something from https://admission-writer.com/

Looking good my friend

John in VA · 08-24-2020, 08:15 PM

I have a pair of gently used genuine BMW battery & magnet style I'd sell if anyone is looking.

WillLowe · 08-25-2020, 04:23 AM

Do anywhere do these for f32? They all seem to be listed for F30

thompsac25 · 08-25-2020, 09:40 AM

How do these battery operated ones know when to turn on/off?

BEM-S4 · 08-25-2020, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thompsac25

How do these battery operated ones know when to turn on/off?

There's a small magnet you stick on the bottom of the door, so it hangs over the sill when closed.

thompsac25 · 08-25-2020, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

There's a small magnet you stick on the bottom of the door, so it hangs over the sill when closed.

Ahh, gotcha! Makes sense. Cool thanks for the info!

John in VA · 08-25-2020, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillLowe

Do anywhere do these for f32? They all seem to be listed for F30

Those parts have "ended" - you might find new old stock on a dealer's shelf or a used pair.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=03_0710

Ace Rimmer · 09-09-2020, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillLowe

Do anywhere do these for f32? They all seem to be listed for F30

The f32 ones are no longer in production, however m2 ones will fit very nicely and I have them on my f32.

You may get lucky and find some f32 or f82 ones second hand, but I think you can still order the m2 ones.

The only thing with the m2 ones is there is some magnet height adjusment but its nothing to taxing to do.

11-29-2016, 01:16 PM	#1
instalher 25cent millionaire 252 Rep 1,220 Posts Drives: 2020 m4 comp vert Join Date: May 2011 Location: saskatoon iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 bmw [0.00] [9.00] [0.00] [9.50] 2018 bmw 230i xdrive [8.50]	aftermarket illuminated door sills I purchased some aftermarket hardwire door sills for my 2014 f30. can someone advise me as to where I should wire the turn on lead for the lights to the car. I was thinking the underfoot light but I think I will have current issues so going to the fuse panel on the pass, kick panel is where I think I have to run this wire.. Can someone shed some light on this for me.. Thank you..
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11-29-2016, 02:57 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,082 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Post a link. Mine are OEM and are battery powered, no wires.
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12-05-2016, 01:56 PM	#3
instalher 25cent millionaire 252 Rep 1,220 Posts Drives: 2020 m4 comp vert Join Date: May 2011 Location: saskatoon iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 bmw [0.00] [9.00] [0.00] [9.50] 2018 bmw 230i xdrive [8.50]	mine have two wires, one for ground and one to activate the leds in the door sill. so as long as 12volts is applied to the door sill, it remains illuminated, I have it hooked to the footwell light, but when I activate the overhead interior lights, they flash irradically, so the ecu dosent like the additional current draw of my aftermarket lights. thus the reason for going to the fuse box area in the pass side footwell.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-05-2016, 07:08 PM	#4
E46nowF30 Private 18 Rep 51 Posts Drives: e46 M3, F30, F36 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	IASCA Pro Installer, runner up and you can't figure out where to run 2 simple wires!!
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12-07-2016, 11:27 AM	#5
instalher 25cent millionaire 252 Rep 1,220 Posts Drives: 2020 m4 comp vert Join Date: May 2011 Location: saskatoon iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 bmw [0.00] [9.00] [0.00] [9.50] 2018 bmw 230i xdrive [8.50]	I have it hooked up and working but I would rather run the trigger wire to the oem location from bmw, other option is a pac-audio tr7, don't forget the input has to be active only upon door open, other wise lights will be on all the time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2016, 08:15 PM	#8
instalher 25cent millionaire 252 Rep 1,220 Posts Drives: 2020 m4 comp vert Join Date: May 2011 Location: saskatoon iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 bmw [0.00] [9.00] [0.00] [9.50] 2018 bmw 230i xdrive [8.50]	I would highly recommend, after buying the hardwired ones. to go with the battery operated ones.. way way easier.. Attached Images
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12-08-2016, 09:44 AM	#9
jeffc83 Lieutenant Colonel 725 Rep 1,615 Posts Drives: 2015 328i XDrive Luxury Line Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Philly Burbs, PA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I'm still getting used to the prices with BMW versus Cadillac but it's all been worth it! Yes, I was tortured that much by GM over the years and will never look back. After seeing that pic, I'm ordering a set right now! Yeah $177 is a bit steep but they look awesome!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2016, 01:27 PM	#10
SmokedTabasco New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F30 M-sport Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	i got the battery ones and they are bang on
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07-25-2020, 10:01 AM	#11
Ace Rimmer Private 23 Rep 75 Posts Drives: BMW F32 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I had these but got rid of them due to issues ect.. I had these and got rid, due to faults, scratches and generally badly made chinese rubbish. At first they look ok but they eventually fail and are not waterproof. They scratch and mark easy, and eventually flake (the mirror reflective material). As for wiring they are supposed to spliced to the footwell lights under the dash, but be ready to get FRM faults intermittently, mainly due to them not being waterproof. When the fault does feedback then the footwell lights etc will switch off and then the FRM will need to cleared and reset which is a continual royal pain in the arse. Go with the OEM battery and magnet type for sure. I have lately seen some of this type on Aliexpress, depending on your BMW model, they are new and look exactly like OEM. For example here and only around $40-$50: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3299...27424c4dYprKYU Hope it helps.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-26-2020, 08:24 PM	#12
bmwuser Private First Class 17 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 2013 335xi Sedan M Sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh,Pa. iTrader: (2)	I also have the battery powered lights. Love them. They are bright and I think the batteries are going on 2 years. They are only on for a max of 10 seconds I think if you leave the door open.
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08-24-2020, 08:15 PM	#14
John in VA Colonel 985 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	I have a pair of gently used genuine BMW battery & magnet style I'd sell if anyone is looking. __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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08-25-2020, 04:23 AM	#15
WillLowe Lieutenant 300 Rep 595 Posts Drives: F32 435d Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne iTrader: (0)	Do anywhere do these for f32? They all seem to be listed for F30
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08-25-2020, 09:40 AM	#16
thompsac25 Stance to make her dance 708 Rep 2,000 Posts Drives: 2022 G80 M3 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (33)	How do these battery operated ones know when to turn on/off? __________________ *INSTAGRAM: thompsac_m3* YouTube: ACCELERATED MOTION 2022 G80 M3 6MT, FEMTO, BM3, KW, AWE, MAD, lots of carbon
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