[E93Dude]

I have an 07 335 E93 with the OEM "flashlight" in the glove compartment. If it were a beer, it would be Coors Light - weak and ineffective. I am interested in get rid of it altogether and replacing it with a USB outlet or 12V adapter. Ultimately, I'd like to be able to plug in a rechargeable flashlight in there - I not my Surefire, but a Surefire knock-off that puts out usable light. I've searched this forum for some guidance, but maybe I am not looking in the right place. Any tips from those more knowledgeable than me, or who have done something like this, TIA.

[starfox5194]

I replaced the bulb with an LED. It's a lot better. Looks totally factory. Not quite as bright as my iPhone 13 pro, but probably just about as bright as some of the older iPhones. It is good enough to find stuff you dropped between the seats or spot the proper fuse in the fuse box.


Google this:
BMW Glove Box Flashlight Cree LED Upgrade Bulb XPG2 E10 Non-Polarity Screw Base

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by starfox5194

I replaced the bulb with an LED. It's a lot better. Looks totally factory. Not quite as bright as my iPhone 13 pro, but probably just about as bright as some of the older iPhones. It is good enough to find stuff you dropped between the seats or spot the proper fuse in the fuse box.


Google this:
BMW Glove Box Flashlight Cree LED Upgrade Bulb XPG2 E10 Non-Polarity Screw Base

THANK YOU, this is fantastic! I thought these would be a perfect LED upgrade, but figured it was soldered in. If it's just a screw in bulb... awesome! How do you pop off the lens cover? Just sort of pull it off?

[starfox5194]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

THANK YOU, this is fantastic! I thought these would be a perfect LED upgrade, but figured it was soldered in. If it's just a screw in bulb... awesome! How do you pop off the lens cover? Just sort of pull it off?

Yeah, I think there are some small tabs that hold the cover on. My lens popped off easily with just finger pressure. I would suggest some kind of adhesive, because my lens cover was super loose even before I took it off.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by starfox5194

Yeah, I think there are some small tabs that hold the cover on. My lens popped off easily with just finger pressure. I would suggest some kind of adhesive, because my lens cover was super loose even before I took it off.

Thanks again... I ordered some bulbs from China, so won't be here for a minute or so. Very cool little mod!

[E93Dude]

For those looking on Amazon, same bulb is available:

https://www.amazon.com/BENET-Compati...C32&sr=1-2

Or just look up its AISN: B09MMFPKQ2

Per the description, "…Product: Upgrade Maximum 9V 303 Lumen E10 Cree XPG2 LED, Screw Bulb Base. Voltage range: 2v to 9v - Non-Polarity Compatible with BMW removable Glove Box Rechargeable Flashlight black or white with the screw-in Bulb Flashlight Part No. 63316962052…"

I was looking at my flashlight today and the two halves are either glued or heat/sonically welded together. Be careful prying it open. Maybe easier with a Dremel cutting disk. I may also replace the battery while I'm in there, but of course, BMW spot-welded the contacts to the battery, so it'll be fun dealing with that. Seems to me they designed it to be thrown away and replaced with a new one.

[E93Dude]

So I ended up ordering the Amazon LED bulb to replace the old incandescent bulb in the glove-box flashlight (pre-LCI E93). I didn't need to tear the two halves apart - a small pair of pliers gently gripping and turning the stuck bulb was all that was needed. Bottom line, the new LED is "better" than the incandescent, but overall the light it throws is only marginally less "meh". The pictures make the LED look better than it is, but the bulb was $10 so whatever. Like starfox5194 noted above, "...good enough to find stuff you dropped between the seats or spot the proper fuse in the fuse box..."

I'm still looking at ordering this $30 interesting adapter which turns the flashlight charging port into a MUCH more useful cigarette lighter charge port. Opens up the prospect of my original plan to plug in a real rechargeable LED flashlight.

https://www.e30love.com/glovebox-power-adapters.html