Enable Rear Fog lights (Free Mod)

BimmerM · 03-06-2011, 06:57 PM

There's already a few threads on this topic already however I just wanted to share my own experience with the install.

On my 2011.5 M3 there's no need for the little lego block trick as the button extension is already in there. So technically this mod is FREE.

All you have to do is take the button out (I have my own DIY but there's a few good DIY's on M3Post already), then trim off the four little tabs that is preventing it from being functional. Once trimmed the button will work and function fine. The only thing is the button will not have the rear fog light icon as in the euro switch. I prefer it this way so the car still appears stock US spec.

Once done you will have working rear fog lights to help illuminate behind you as you back up or whereever your imagination takes you.

03/08/2011: Updated with Links
Here's my DIY specifically done on my 2011:
http://www.fastm.com/e92m3/rearfog.html

Here's links to other DIY's that was provided a few posts down by zhangzeyuandss:

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhangzeyuandss

Removal:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=switch

Prepping the Switch:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=switch

Lego:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=lego

midlifecrisis · 03-06-2011, 07:09 PM

Every time I come up on a Audi, Volvo, or Merc with their rear fog lights on, all I can think is - what a #%&*@!^ idiot! Most of the time, they're blazing away even though there's not a hint of fog. It always looks like the car is possessed by electrical gremlins! They are truly one of the most misused features on most European cars in the U.S., and I'm happy that BMW doesn't deliver their cars with them.

Please, please, please - resist the temptation!

Rant over. Sorry if I offended those who think this is cool. Just my opinion, but I'm an old fart and everyone ignores me anyway.

BimmerM · 03-06-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

Every time I come up on a Audi, Volvo, or Merc with their rear fog lights on, all I can think is - what a #%&*@!^ idiot! Most of the time, they're blazing away even though there's not a hint of fog. It always looks like the car is possessed by electrical gremlins! They are truly one of the most misused features on most European cars in the U.S., and I'm happy that BMW doesn't deliver their cars with them.

Please, please, please - resist the temptation!

Rant over. Sorry if I offended those who think this is cool. Just my opinion, but I'm an old fart and everyone ignores me anyway.

Totally agree with you if the feature is abused. However, I plan to only use it when I need more lighting when reversing. Notice in no way did I mention use it to blind tailgaters, etc. as that would be abusing the feature.

mrkhanna16 · 03-06-2011, 07:45 PM

can i get a link to the diy...i cant find it

MVF4Rrider · 03-06-2011, 07:47 PM

It's a very functional feature when driving in fog. Again BMW separates itself from other German makes by not giving the US something the rest do.

stevenross · 03-06-2011, 07:50 PM

looks nice.. congrats..

immiketoo · 03-06-2011, 08:01 PM

Im just going to buy the switch on my ED trip and install it...

Hoyt · 03-06-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkhanna16

can i get a link to the diy...i cant find it

+1

piloto · 03-06-2011, 08:33 PM

I've never understood why rear fogs are not mandated here like elsewhere. They are truly useful in foggy conditions. I will be doing this mod as soon as I get my car. But, why do both fogs light up as opposed to only the driver's side? It's the same on Audis and the excuse I've heard there is that US customers initially complained that "both reare fgos weren't lighting up..." And instead of trying to educate each and every person complaining, Audi just gave in and made both light up. But since BMW doesn't have that feature turned on, I wonder why both light up. Should be just the driver's side to help distinguish it from a brake light.

Sandye90m3 · 03-06-2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkhanna16

can i get a link to the diy...i cant find it

+1 I swear I saw this DIY a couple of weeks ago but I can't find it either! HELP!

piloto · 03-06-2011, 09:01 PM

DIYs

Here's one.

And another. Google is your friend.

mrkhanna16 · 03-06-2011, 09:13 PM

Dude it works. This is legit. Can't wait to blind people.

E. Honda · 03-06-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

DIYs

Here's one.

And another. Google is your friend.

Lol when people search and dont find anything, people still complain to others about searching

piloto · 03-06-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E. Honda

Lol when people search and dont find anything, people still complain to others about searching

Yes, because I just went on google, searched for rear fog DIY E92 M3 and came up with those two hits. Hence my comment about google being your friend. Sometimes it's easier to search with it than within the forum.

zhangzeyuandss · 03-06-2011, 09:36 PM

Removal:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=switch

Prepping the Switch:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=switch

Lego:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=lego

Sandye90m3 · 03-06-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

Yes, because I just went on google, searched for rear fog DIY E92 M3 and came up with those two hits. Hence my comment about google being your friend. Sometimes it's easier to search with it than within the forum.

Facepalm! I should have done that crap! My bad, when you're doing homework simultaneously you forgot about everything else -.-

Thanks

Raz335 · 03-06-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkhanna16

Dude it works. This is legit. Can't wait to blind people.

This is why US spec cars don't come with rear fogs.

mrkbbd · 03-06-2011, 11:15 PM

Is this only for 2011.5s or is this good on all US-Spec M3s?

flipmeraz · 03-06-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkbbd

Is this only for 2011.5s or is this good on all US-Spec M3s?

2010 and newer come with the piece in place already. 2008/2009 need the "Lego" piece. 2010 and newer actually come with 2 pieces so if you cand find someone that will give you an extra "Lego" piece it will make things a lot easier.

persian54 · 03-06-2011, 11:39 PM

in dec, it got really foggy while i was on the freeway all of a sudden

i couldn't see 10 feet in front of me

i turned on the rear fogs. I could barely see the cars ahead so i really wish all cars had rear fog lights

artar · 03-07-2011, 08:03 PM

I consider this important for safety. On the highway during very heavy downpours - day or night - I want to be SEEN. It's hard enough to see folks in front of me, but knowing I may not be visible to someone coming up on me from behind makes it even more dangerous. At least I know if I turn on the rear fogs I have a better chance of being seen... that goes a long way to avoiding accidents.

DeeJW · 03-07-2011, 09:45 PM

Just performed this on my car. Took a total of 10 minutes. I only had to cut the 4 ends of the button to make this functional. I had two of these lego buttons in my housing as well. Those rear fogs are blinding!

03-06-2011, 07:09 PM	#2
midlifecrisis Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E90 M3 - IB/ExBB Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 555 iTrader: (0)	Every time I come up on a Audi, Volvo, or Merc with their rear fog lights on, all I can think is - what a #%&*@!^ idiot! Most of the time, they're blazing away even though there's not a hint of fog. It always looks like the car is possessed by electrical gremlins! They are truly one of the most misused features on most European cars in the U.S., and I'm happy that BMW doesn't deliver their cars with them. Please, please, please - resist the temptation! Rant over. Sorry if I offended those who think this is cool. Just my opinion, but I'm an old fart and everyone ignores me anyway. __________________ 2008 E90 M3 - Dinan Stage 3 and BBS CH's 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite) 2012 Mini Cooper (wife's) 1991 325iX (sold - gone but not forgotten!) 2011 X3 (Performance Center delivery done May '11)

03-06-2011, 07:45 PM	#4
mrkhanna16 Captain Drives: E92 M3 SSII/Fox Red ZCP DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA Posts: 813 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	can i get a link to the diy...i cant find it __________________ E92 M3 SSII/Fox Red, DCT, ZCP past rides-IS350, E92 335i

03-06-2011, 07:47 PM	#5
MVF4Rrider PCA, BMWCCA Drives: 997S, MV Agusta F4, E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,060 iTrader: (0)	It's a very functional feature when driving in fog. Again BMW separates itself from other German makes by not giving the US something the rest do. __________________ '08 Carrera S 6MT Guards Red/Black ext leather, Carbon fiber pkg, sport exh, sport chrono +, PASM, Nav, Bose, 19" forged turbos, red tranny tunnel '07 MV Agusta F4 1000 R 1+1, Corse Red/Silver, RG3 race pipes and factory race ECU

03-06-2011, 07:50 PM	#6
stevenross General Drives: a ride Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC - Bayside Posts: 433 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [5.00] 2008 BMW X5 3.Slow [0.00]	looks nice.. congrats.. __________________ http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454038 '11 E93 M3 Cab, - Mineral White/Fox Red/Carbon Leather,P2, Cold, Convenience, 19s, EDC, DCT, Prem Sound, Sat Rad - sold '08 997 C2 Coupe / Carerra White & Sea Blue - Returned '08 X5 3.Slow / Saphire Black Metallic on Black - Retained

03-06-2011, 09:13 PM	#12
mrkhanna16 Captain Drives: E92 M3 SSII/Fox Red ZCP DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA Posts: 813 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Dude it works. This is legit. Can't wait to blind people. __________________ E92 M3 SSII/Fox Red, DCT, ZCP past rides-IS350, E92 335i

03-06-2011, 08:33 PM	#9
piloto Captain Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 832 iTrader: (0)	I've never understood why rear fogs are not mandated here like elsewhere. They are truly useful in foggy conditions. I will be doing this mod as soon as I get my car. But, why do both fogs light up as opposed to only the driver's side? It's the same on Audis and the excuse I've heard there is that US customers initially complained that "both reare fgos weren't lighting up..." And instead of trying to educate each and every person complaining, Audi just gave in and made both light up. But since BMW doesn't have that feature turned on, I wonder why both light up. Should be just the driver's side to help distinguish it from a brake light.

03-06-2011, 09:01 PM	#11
piloto Captain Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 832 iTrader: (0)	DIYs Here's one. And another. Google is your friend.

03-06-2011, 09:36 PM	#15
zhangzeyuandss Captain Drives: 2011 e92 MW m3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 897 iTrader: (9)	Removal: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=switch Prepping the Switch: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=switch Lego: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=lego __________________ 2011.5 mineral white e92 zcp 6mt m3

03-06-2011, 11:15 PM	#18
mrkbbd Lieutenant Drives: e92 M3 DCT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VA/FL Posts: 483 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Mercedes E63AMG [0.00] 2009 M3 [0.00]	Is this only for 2011.5s or is this good on all US-Spec M3s? __________________ 2006 e53 X5 4.8is (sold) 2009 e92 M3 2008 E63 AMG

03-06-2011, 11:39 PM	#20
persian54 Lieutenant General Drives: MW E93 M3/E89 Z4 35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal Posts: 15,411 iTrader: (260)	in dec, it got really foggy while i was on the freeway all of a sudden i couldn't see 10 feet in front of me i turned on the rear fogs. I could barely see the cars ahead so i really wish all cars had rear fog lights __________________ Next track day: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651089 Sorry I'm just someone who comes on here to fill a void..I dont have the $ to own a BMW. This is a nice E93:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434032

03-07-2011, 08:03 PM	#21
artar Private Drives: 09 MR E92 M3; 08 SGM 135i Vert Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	I consider this important for safety. On the highway during very heavy downpours - day or night - I want to be SEEN. It's hard enough to see folks in front of me, but knowing I may not be visible to someone coming up on me from behind makes it even more dangerous. At least I know if I turn on the rear fogs I have a better chance of being seen... that goes a long way to avoiding accidents.

03-07-2011, 09:45 PM	#22
DeeJW ///M... Drives: 2013 SG E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 253 iTrader: (0)	Just performed this on my car. Took a total of 10 minutes. I only had to cut the 4 ends of the button to make this functional. I had two of these lego buttons in my housing as well. Those rear fogs are blinding!

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