[MichielF30]

Originally Posted by AlexMC93

For cars without lighting package (no footwell led, no cupholder led): I also don't hace the package, but I manage to wire the trim.
You will need a lighter, a cutter (if you don't have the female connector), and a multimeter.
What to do:

-Take off the top trim (with the vents) and unplug the wires.
-You will need to connect to the "+" which is supplying power to the door lock button LED. To find it, hook up the multimeter to the pins and adjust the dashboard light intensity, and find the pin which has voltage changes when adjusting the dial. When you find it, that's your guy.
-Hookup the ground and the color wires, like in the original DIY
-Put everything back

In order to 'hook up', you will need the lighter. Just heat a small aprt of the wires a bit, and then remove the plastic with your hand.
I'll provide a picture of the wires I used when I'll get the chance. Mine works perfectly and it even changes intensity with the rest of the dashboard.

AlexMC93 Thanks thanks for this information,
Tomorrowi pick up the necessary items from the dealer, and then the DIY can start

[zibbit]

For my LCI trim update, I ended up building a harness using the part numbers I posted above. Something to note, I removed the connector that comes on the illuminated panel, and replaced it with an extra 61138377072 (1-1718346-1) housing I had. Simply because the connector was keyed differently.

Also, because I HATE shinny Piano black, I scuffed the panel with some wet 1500 grit paper, then re-sprayed a couple coats of the bare panel using Mr. Super Smooth Clear ( B530 Matt ) lacquer hobby paint to dull the finish.



I think it turned out really well. It's very hard to tell the difference between the sheen of the factory pre-LCI and the replacement LCI panel.

[Dante]

Looks great!

[qzloy]

Thank you for that, it's so nice looking. Definitely will upgrade my F30.

[SerTan]

Just did mine, i didnt bother with connection, just got some servo extension leads, tapped in to wire for the foorwell and done. Thank you for that, great write up.

[ggrcrash]

Originally Posted by SerTan

Just did mine, i didnt bother with connection, just got some servo extension leads, tapped in to wire for the foorwell and done. Thank you for that, great write up.

just did mine as well, unfortunately removing some of the factory connections was way more difficult than it probably should have been. Gloss black looks better in my opinion, and setting the ambient light to white adds the right amount of complement to the silver line across the dash at night...Orange stands out more, but white is more complimentary, in my opinion. Providing that you got the OEM panel, as opposed to the replica one...I cannot attest to the replica one light, but the OEM, has the perfect brightness.

[SerTan]

Originally Posted by ggrcrash

just did mine as well, unfortunately removing some of the factory connections was way more difficult than it probably should have been. Gloss black looks better in my opinion, and setting the ambient light to white adds the right amount of complement to the silver line across the dash at night...Orange stands out more, but white is more complimentary, in my opinion. Providing that you got the OEM panel, as opposed to the replica one...I cannot attest to the replica one light, but the OEM, has the perfect brightness.

I totally agree, gloss looks allot better especially with the upper same gloss trim.

[Big_CG]

Anyone have directions on how to connect if you don't have the cup holder LED? I think there was something about what wires to tap into for the footwell?

I bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCBL5ZV

[ggrcrash]

Originally Posted by Big_CG

Anyone have directions on how to connect if you don't have the cup holder LED? I think there was something about what wires to tap into for the footwell?

I bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCBL5ZV

Originally Posted by Big_CG

Anyone have directions on how to connect if you don't have the cup holder LED? I think there was something about what wires to tap into for the footwell?

I bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCBL5ZV

I think you are referring to the post on page 15 of this thread, another one on page 19 they should give you guidance be warned,, the connections will be way harder than they have to be...BMW, got to love those german engineers...pun intended.

[Caracal]

Just did this. Simple and straight forward Thank you very much for all the information found in this thread.
Oh, and use a tool for the pins. Was really hard without it.

[Ashhong]

Late to the party but is there anybody selling just the Y adapter?

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by Ashhong

Late to the party but is there anybody selling just the Y adapter?

I have one. $12 shipped. Let me know if you're interested.

[Onizukachan]

Originally Posted by Ashhong

Late to the party but is there anybody selling just the Y adapter?

got mine on eBay when I did it.

[Ashhong]

Originally Posted by Onizukachan

got mine on eBay when I did it.

Thanks, found it on there and on Aliexpress for cheap.

Did anybody buy the aftermarket ones that are orange/blue? Wondering how the orange light on that compares to OEM.

edit: Ah I see it's a lot brighter. I think I'll just pay the extra for OEM lighting

[Onizukachan]

Originally Posted by Ashhong

Thanks, found it on there and on Aliexpress for cheap.

Did anybody buy the aftermarket ones that are orange/blue? Wondering how the orange light on that compares to OEM.

edit: Ah I see it's a lot brighter. I think I'll just pay the extra for OEM lighting

Just an idea, I got my OEM trim used from a dismantler, along with the LCI AC panel and a spare radio face, then took it all apart and polished some fine scratches out. If you have any month 2015 and some 2014 (you’ll have to check your build date), you can use the newer amber/ white color changing AC panel as well. It wound up effectively being a freebie with the AC panel for me except the adapter cost. If yours will accept it, it really does modernize/complete the interior more than you realize.

I also did the China B pillar lights that come blue and Orange, since Msports didn’t get them.
Those are a better design than OEM imho, and easier to install/wire and FAR less expensive. However I did swap the blue LEDs (3 SMD LEDs per color per unit IIRC) over to cool white to match the OEM amber/white color scheme.


I also relocated the cup holder LED (LCI don’t have it as it is relatively redundant) and use it now as center channel speaker illumination a la 5 series B&O. Very subtle things like that, aka OEM+ mods are what I enjoy doing a lot.

Best of luck with your upcoming interior mod(s).

[Pauloxxi]

It seems my car is different from everyone else.
My car is a 2017 F30, I have the ambient light around the A/C, but no LED on top of cup holder.
So I bought the LED on Ebay, however the connector "from car" is "male" style, therefore all the Y cables offered don't fit my case.
Please see the picture attached an let me know if any of you have the same situation, and please inform if you have a supplier for the Y cable that fits my case.
Thanks

[jcortez75]

Here is the part in Amazon which includes the correct y-adapter that connects to the light trim . I am so happy with how it turned out. And I didn't have to pay for BMW's inflated prices.

https://amzn.to/3hTo6vO


Comparing to the OEM part, my blue light is bluer, compared to the OEM, which is closer to white than blue. As for the red light, it is similar to the OEM one, but a little more vibrant.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by Onizukachan

got mine on eBay when I did it.

For anyone that bought the Y cable only, instead of DIY, how do i search for it on ebay or amazon or aliexpress? What is the keyword?

I want to retrofit this LCI piano black to match the rest of my trim.

Thanks.

[Onizukachan]

Google “ y cable f30 ambient “.

[hermes52]

Hey guys,
I did the mod and it looks amazing. But after installation I realized I don't have the option to switch from classic to sport. I just want the red lights but right now mine is lit up but it's in both red and white at the same time and doesn't match the other lighting.I want to keep it just red. Is it possible for me to code in the option of classic and sport just so that I can leave it in classic and the radio panel will illuminate only in red. Or does anyone know another work around.

Any help with this is appreciated,
Thank you,
Hermes52.

[bigdaddycane]

the option in your iDrive should not have changed. Mine worked seamlessly after this mod. It sounds as though something is wrong with the wiring in the panel if it is getting both white and red lighting.

[hermes52]

Yeah, I know I should have it in my iDrive but I think my car is only equipped with orange lighting. But if I'm able to add the option to choose the colors, I should be able to set it to just red. Does anyone know how to add the sport and classic lighting options to the iDrive?
Thanks.