[D2nice]

Anyone on here with a rear fog light switch? want to know what it's supposed to look like and if car needs to be coded for it.

[NGR]

I've got a rear fog switch, no front though.
What do you need? Pics with fogs on and off?

[D2nice]

Originally Posted by NGR

I've got a rear fog switch, no front though.
What do you need? Pics with fogs on and off?

That would be perfect! Yes I know that there is no front fog light, but the rear fog is only available in Europe. I also think that US models have to be coded along with installing the European switch. Having pics would be great thanks so much!!

[NGR]

I'll see if I can have a play this evening when it's dark - not sure what will show up on camera though!

[D2nice]

Problem fixed!! Fog lights coded and I am a happy camper!!

[Aye-eight]

Congrats! Looks like quite a bit of work. Any particular reason you wanted this?

[D2nice]

Originally Posted by Aye-eight

Congrats! Looks like quite a bit of work. Any particular reason you wanted this?

It's no work at all. One of the simplest modifications that can be done. It only requires the quick removal of the small air vent and 2 screws! Start to finish about 5 minutes lol. The reason why anyone would want this would be primarily for safety. Rear fog lights are standard in Europe that is why these vehicles already have it set up with the bulbs already there from factory, including yours and all BMW vehicles . All that is needed is the switch and coding. Ask anyone on this forum that has the European model if they like having it.

[stressdoc]

Part # for switch?

Never mind, it's on the photo. Nice job!

[Mightymousemighty]

Used it once so far... there are very specific road manners/rules relating to fogs in the U.K. Twats who drive in normal visibility with them on, deserve "Lucille"

[tom @ eas]

You don't need a replacement switch, the existing unit can be modded to enable the functions of the EU unit:

▀▄ eas | DIY: Rear Foglamp Mod
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1023817

[D2nice]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Part # for switch?

Never mind, it's on the photo. Nice job!

Thanks. The pic is the old part # when I removed it. It has to be ordered from a 3rd party like ECS Tuning. Dealer will not order for you. Go to ECS for ordering. Good luck

[D2nice]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

You don't need a replacement switch, the existing unit can be modded to enable the functions of the EU unit:

▀▄ eas | DIY: Rear Foglamp Mod
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1023817

DO NOT DO THIS!!! I too tried this as I had done what was in the link you posted, but this is for F8X models and switch is not the same! I took my switch apart hoping to just remove tabs like I did for my M4 and it does not work! It doesn't have have the spring action to power on and off, hence the button stays down. Look at my first pic and notice that the buttons don't line up because the bottom would not return to original position. I waited almost 4 months for this part on back order! Buy the part and don't break your switch like I did

[MalibuBimmer]

I don't think the rear fogs come with the U.S. car. However, my U.S.-spec M4 does come with the fog lights already installed. It requires a bit of coding and removal of the fog light push switch, removal of a little bit of plastic keeping it from being depressed, and then the rear fogs work.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by D2nice

DO NOT DO THIS!!! I too tried this as I had done what was in the link you posted, but this is for F8X models and switch is not the same! I took my switch apart hoping to just remove tabs like I did for my M4 and it does not work! It doesn't have have the spring action to power on and off, hence the button stays down. Look at my first pic and notice that the buttons don't line up because the bottom would not return to original position. I waited almost 4 months for this part on back order! Buy the part and don't break your switch like I did

Can you remove the button and take a pic of the PCB behind it? Should be a rubber plunger that provides the spring action.

Edit: I8 seems to have its own part number for the headlight switch on ReamOEM, doesn't look like the F8X DIY will help.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by D2nice

It's no work at all. One of the simplest modifications that can be done. It only requires the quick removal of the small air vent and 2 screws! Start to finish about 5 minutes lol. The reason why anyone would want this would be primarily for safety. Rear fog lights are standard in Europe that is why these vehicles already have it set up with the bulbs already there from factory, including yours and all BMW vehicles . All that is needed is the switch and coding. Ask anyone on this forum that has the European model if they like having it.

Oh, I know. I have a European model, and I have the rear fog lights. Just never use them. The law here is, you can't put them on until viz is under 50m (150 ft), because otherwise they're annoyingly bright for the traffic behind you. And the fog hardly ever gets that thick. I see people driving with their fog lights on all the time when there is the slightest drizzle or hint of mist, and it's really a nuisance.

Not suggesting you would ever do that. ;-)

[Mightymousemighty]

Originally Posted by Aye-eight

Oh, I know. I have a European model, and I have the rear fog lights. Just never use them. The law here is, you can't put them on until viz is under 50m (150 ft), because otherwise they're annoyingly bright for the traffic behind you. And the fog hardly ever gets that thick. I see people driving with their fog lights on all the time when there is the slightest drizzle or hint of mist, and it's really a nuisance.

Not suggesting you would ever do that. ;-)

Agreed, there was a trend developing the U.K. For people to drive cars with fogs on cause they thought it looks cool having four lights at the front. All it did was highlight how old and crap your car is as most don't have a separate rear and front fog light selector switch. I notice the trend is disappearing now, that day time running flights are filtering down to the lower end of the car market.

These people and those with illegal licence plates really get my goat, when they don't get pulled over. Off subject this is what's developing as a trend in the U.K. now. Again this just highlights being cheap in my view, as they are trying to make a cheaper personalised plate look better than what it is, by reversing letters and numbers and the such... Humbug

[D2nice]

Originally Posted by Aye-eight

Oh, I know. I have a European model, and I have the rear fog lights. Just never use them. The law here is, you can't put them on until viz is under 50m (150 ft), because otherwise they're annoyingly bright for the traffic behind you. And the fog hardly ever gets that thick. I see people driving with their fog lights on all the time when there is the slightest drizzle or hint of mist, and it's really a nuisance.

Not suggesting you would ever do that. ;-)

The question asked originally is why I would do this? I sort of half answered the question lol. I mentioned safety, but that was the short end answer. To be more specific here in the US (I'm not sure in Europe or any other countries) BMW tends to water down features and options. One option in particular is Brake force display. In many BMW's this feature causes the rear lights to strobe or flutter when applying brakes in an aggressive manner such as to avoid collisions. When this is done with the BMW I8 with European settings, the rear fog lights are activated to warn vehicles that are behind you and possibly avoiding getting rear ended. I'm not sure whether or not your car gets attention, my car certainly does and sometimes people can be careless trying to follow you just to get a picture. Hopefully this answers a lot of questions as to why I did this mod.

[stressdoc]

I found it useful for backing up in the dark as well.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I found it useful for backing up in the dark as well.

Interesting idea. Sort of submarine-ish, illuminating everything in red. Although I do usually find the backup lights bright enough on the i8.

[D2nice]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I found it useful for backing up in the dark as well.

Never thought about that, but it's a great idea since I have 5% tints.

[skinrock]

So is there anything for the top placeholder? Just curious.

[skinrock]

Also what's the actual part number/link? I found the unit, and I assume it's the second option, but I can't find it on getbmwparts or ECS: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=61_3488