Feeler/Thoughts: Door Handle Lights (ala: E9x cars)

[bullfrogs_M3]

Wonder how you all feel about the door handle lights. I have a loaner E90 328i from the dealership while the wife's X5 is in the shop. It is loaded and has the little lights under the door handles. Was thinking of doing this to the zhp. Has anyone else done this or seen this?

Similar to this: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=511476 I think they are called Puddle Lights

I'll snap a pic in a minute of the 328i
Example I found:
http://cdn.cbsi.com.au/story_media/339296323/bmw-320i_7.jpg

on a 1 series:
http://www.xtr.nildram.co.uk/BMW/P1020276.JPG

on an M:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=139988&stc=1&d=1206477077

Found this retrofit site too:
http://www.bmw-planet.com/2009/04/12/e90-puddle-light-retrofit-for-e46/

[zj96sc]

I think those are sometimes called puddle lights too. A lot of cars have them under the mirror. Would be substantially easier to wire up.

[brettbimmer]

Looks cool and functional, but looks like a LOT of work! Any way to tie in a light on the bottom of the door itself as it is being opened to illuminate the ground under/near the open door? Might make it even more functional if you were able to add that too.

[M0nk3y]

Looks cool and functional, but looks like a LOT of work! Any way to tie in a light on the bottom of the door itself as it is being opened to illuminate the ground under/near the open door? Might make it even more functional if you were able to add that too.

+1

Too much work for little reward IMO

[Johnmadd]

Make a kit and you got something here, if its plug and play im sure everyone here would like it.

[prowlerflyer]

The black underside of the side mirrors has a what almost look like a punch out panel where you would have puddle lights. Did e46s ever come with these?

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[zj96sc]

Like I said, it would be substantially easier to wire something up to the mirror instead of the door handle, the hardware side of the equation would be a lot simpler too - more room to work, more favorable materials.

With a good set of LEDs properly aimed you could cast a lot of light down the side of the car. Trip a relay off the interior lights and they'd come on when you unlock...would work pretty well.

[danewilson77]

This. The guy is fricken insane.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1307984&highlight=door+handle

[UdubBadger]

loved mine, wish e46 had um too but not sure work involved is worth it (for me at least). If you're super handy, why not? :dunno

[gr330zhp]

I absolutely love how these lights look on my sisters E92. As mentioned at the mirrors may be slightly easier, our E53 X5 had a setup like that as does our M6. Very cool at the handles though

[M3TA5IN]

I probably get more compliments on those lights then anything else on my car from non BMW people.

[zj96sc]

This. The guy is fricken insane.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1307984&highlight=door+handle

Wow....what a disgusting amount of work. Not sure I'm chomping at the bit to tear the entire car apart for some illuminated door handles.

[danewilson77]

Wow....what a disgusting amount of work. Not sure I'm chomping at the bit to tear the entire car apart for some illuminated door handles.

Yeah... Like I said... Pure insanity. I. Like disgusting as well though.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Crickett]

Delmarco's DIY looks like a great starting point for the E9x-style lights; I think putting the LEDs in the lock cylinder housing would be easier (& E9x-correct), though doing it X5-style in the mirrors would be a lot easier.

[bullfrogs_M3]

Thanks for the info everyone. I think what that guy did in DW's link is a bit overkill. We should be able to tap into power at the door or just inside the hinge at the doors. Also, i don't necessarily care for the inside the door well. I want to do the light shining down like on the E9x cars. I have the mirror things on the wife's X5 and like that but the door handles take the cake.

I am going to look into what it will take to do this. Maybe follow along with the M3Forum guy that did his. I'll do a DIY if I end up doing it.

[zj96sc]

Can't think of any wiring in the door off the top of my head that would do the trick. You need an interior light feed to have them come on with unlock and when you open doors. Don't think anything inside the E46 door provides that.

[Hermes]

Personally (not saying everyone will agree) I'm one for the stealth look. I'm planning on coding my interior lights off as the doors open so when I get in my car nobody knows. This might just be me...

I would also like to say that I do love the feature on my buddies E90, but I honestly wouldn't go through the hassle to rig up something like it on my car.

[zj96sc]

Personally (not saying everyone will agree) I'm one for the stealth look. I'm planning on coding my interior lights off as the doors open so when I get in my car nobody knows. This might just be me...

Reading a book right now called "kill bin laden".....basically detailing very early Delta/CIA involvement in Afghanistan in October/November 2001, their push into Tora Bora, etc.

Anyway, in the chapters leading up to the main story while describing some of the other missions he had been on with the team he took to Afghanistan, he said one of the first things any delta guy does with a car is disable the interior lights for that very reason. get in without anyone knowing. paid dividends in this example because they had to sneak into a car in a lot, start the car and bolt while the guys looking for them were in the lot with them.

[nike001]

Hmmm I am very intrigued by this. Do want.

[bullfrogs_M3]

Can't the dealer code this to your key/remote? This should be an option I believe. I thought there was a list of key/remote options floating around here somewhere

*edit: It didn't get quoted right. Was referring to Hermes and ZJ's post. To make up for my failure in quote skills here is Kate Upton dancing: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/6878001123_d315e422c5_o.gif

[nike001]

^:drool

[Meric]

^^ Gawddd..