[cdwalls]

Just installed my OEM LED door sills on my f32. Absolutely love how these look on the car. I had the non illuminated "///M" sill from the factory but figured this would be a nice upgrade. There were 2 options when choosing the LED sill for my car, the one pictured (not chosen often-ECS didn't even have a product shot) and the "M performance" text. I chose the "BMW" because of the illuminated design lines, unlike the m performance that only has the small word lit up. Let me know what you think!

[cdwalls]

Oops meant to post in interior/exterior mods section

[Billfitz]

I installed them, after 2 years the one on the driver's side stop lighting. When I opened it to check the battery I found that water had leaked in, corroding the circuit board. There's a joint on the top that's supposed to be water tight, but it isn't. I swapped the driver/passenger sides, since I rarely have a passenger, and filled that joint on the good one with silicone sealant to prevent a repeat.

[cdwalls]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I installed them, after 2 years the one on the driver's side stop lighting. When I opened it to check the battery I found that water had leaked in, corroding the circuit board. There's a joint on the top that's supposed to be water tight, but it isn't. I swapped the driver/passenger sides, since I rarely have a passenger, and filled that joint on the good one with silicone sealant to prevent a repeat.

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

[silencer2008]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I installed them, after 2 years the one on the driver's side stop lighting. When I opened it to check the battery I found that water had leaked in, corroding the circuit board. There's a joint on the top that's supposed to be water tight, but it isn't. I swapped the driver/passenger sides, since I rarely have a passenger, and filled that joint on the good one with silicone sealant to prevent a repeat.

Had same issue, water leaks in. Have got 2 non-usable door sills. Swapped them back to factory sills.
Should have sealed it with silicone, lessons learnt I guess.

[cdwalls]

Originally Posted by silencer2008

Had same issue, water leaks in. Have got 2 non-usable door sills. Swapped them back to factory sills.
Should have sealed it with silicone, lessons learnt I guess.

Areas i should seal?

[terryd5150]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I installed them, after 2 years the one on the driver's side stop lighting. When I opened it to check the battery I found that water had leaked in, corroding the circuit board. There's a joint on the top that's supposed to be water tight, but it isn't. I swapped the driver/passenger sides, since I rarely have a passenger, and filled that joint on the good one with silicone sealant to prevent a repeat.

Thanks for the heads-up, Bill; I plan on adding these in the future.

[MarkoSK]

How hard was the installation?

[enjoythemusic]

Looks great! Since the 435i here has all the M options (704, blue brakes, etc) and we did larger turbo / LSD work.... Here's what the M Performance one looks like for those curious. Easy install, maybe 5 minutes tops.

[IAmATeaf]

Curious as to how these work and the mention of battery? Do they somehow connect to the door switch so only light up when the door opens and if they do then why do they need a battery?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by cdwalls

Areas i should seal?

If you look at it from the top you'll see a channel perhaps 2mm wide by 1mm deep that goes around it maybe 12mm from the edge. That's where two parts snap together, with a bit of foam stripping on the joint to keep it water tight, unsuccessfully. You can't see this unless you pull it apart, which I did with my dead one to find out what the problem was. Fill that channel with sealer.

[IAmATeaf]

Just googled, so battery and a little magnet to turn on/off. How do you change the battery as it’s stuck down with double sided tape? Won’t that make a mess or bend the strip when you try and pull it back off?

[terryd5150]

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

Just googled, so battery and a little magnet to turn on/off. How do you change the battery as it’s stuck down with double sided tape? Won’t that make a mess or bend the strip when you try and pull it back off?

That's my second question; is the battery in these units replaceable?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

it’s stuck down with double sided tape?

Mine isn't. The stock unit clips into the sill, so does the LED unit. It comes with a wooden wedge to remove the old unit, and to use to remove the LED unit to change the battery, which is accessed by a cover on the bottom. I don't care for the wooden wedge, if you have a plastic trim removal wedge use that. If not put a layer of masking tape on the sill before using the wooden wedge, to protect the paint.

[cdwalls]

Thanks for all of the input, everyone.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I installed them, after 2 years the one on the driver's side stop lighting. When I opened it to check the battery I found that water had leaked in, corroding the circuit board. There's a joint on the top that's supposed to be water tight, but it isn't. I swapped the driver/passenger sides, since I rarely have a passenger, and filled that joint on the good one with silicone sealant to prevent a repeat.

This is the reason why I chose not to buy/install these. It's not an "issue" but the F3X 3/4er is terrible at keeping out water from the door sill vs. the E9X after car washes.

[Billfitz]

Car washes etc do not cause water to end up where these are located on the upper sill. Water will get on them by being rained or snowed on or dripping off your feet when you get in the car on a wet or snowy day. My drivers side unit got water in it while my passenger side didn't, because I very seldom have a passenger.

[cdwalls]

wanted to update people i ended up returning these after ONLY 3 MONTHS! driver side light stopped illuminating because of the water issue. big bummer because i really loved these

[kingmonkey8]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Looks great! Since the 435i here has all the M options (704, blue brakes, etc) and we did larger turbo / LSD work.... Here's what the M Performance one looks like for those curious. Easy install, maybe 5 minutes tops.

I was going to install the M Performance illuminated sills but found out only the M Performance lettering was illuminated and not the strips, so I didn't think it was worthwhile. On the F30 sills the whole strip illuminates which looks miles better.

[kassey22000]

Decided to customize the interior with a few fun items:

1. New BMW LED sill plates (these new models have a changeable battery and the kit from BMW includes a wooden pry bar, extra batts, and simple instructions). These seem to be well sealed so I hope they last a long time as the lamp is only lit for a 10-15 secs.

2. Puddle light projectors (cheap and super easy to install) applied to the front doors only.

...more interior trim customizations to follow.

2019 F31, sport line through executive package + HK stereo + BMW triangle/1st aid kit.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by kassey22000

These seem to be well sealed

Did you read the entire thread? They're not well sealed.

[kassey22000]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Did you read the entire thread? They're not well sealed.

I did indeed and these are newer models than pictured in the total thread - these also have replaceable batteries so here's hoping they've improved them as per the BMW parts department.