Adding extra interior lights

[jmc330i]

I'd like to add some extra interior lighting that will operate with the existing interior lights (coming on when door is open and independently).

Where is the best place to pick up the interior light wiring?

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

Done this to every E30 that I've had as one of 'my' cars.
Presumably you want to add the light at the centre front?
Pick up the wires at one of the existing lights and fish them around the sunroof and out at the front. There's no moving sunroof parts under there for the wires to catch in.
Lights I've used have varied from a Vauxhall interior light (similar to E30 boot light), to E36 and E39 lights, complete with map lights.

[jmc330i]

Thanks Brian. Yes, up where the check control would be. I was looking at an E39 light and remember you saying you had fitted them.
I was also looking to add some footwell lights, probably mounted at the front of the centre console. I've done this on a previous car and the interior light loom simply unplugged from the car loom at the bottom of the B-pillar so it was easy to add. I guess there isn't anything as convenient on an E30?

[jmc330i]

These types of threads always attract the doggers, more interior lights, yeah right......

Agreed. After all, this thread seems to have attracted you

[Brianmoooore]

E30 light loom has a three pin plug and socket at the bottom of the B pillar on each side.

[jimbom30cab]

e36 lights i've used, they are pretty neat and small, fit almost anywhere.

The LED bulbs give loads more light out also

[Grrrmachine]

I'd like to add some extra interior lighting that will operate with the existing interior lights (coming on when door is open and independently).

Have you considered doing this?

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ht_Upgrade

[Brianmoooore]

Have you considered doing this?

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ht_Upgrade

That costs £££££££s. E36 light costs pence, and is more effective.
E30 mirror may be OEM, but few would disagree that BMW made a design mistake with the interior lights by not having one at the front.

[jimbom30cab]

E36 lights from the breakers cost nothing if you have deep pockets

[jimbom30cab]

I think they look great in the footwells,

check it out here

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... &start=550

[jmc330i]

I'd like to add some extra interior lighting that will operate with the existing interior lights (coming on when door is open and independently).

Have you considered doing this?

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ht_Upgrade

Yes, I will do that on my Sport one day, but only as its already got a map light mirror.
As Brian says, a roof mounted E39 light will be more effective than the concentrated light pattern from the map lights and will cost nothing compared to buying a map light mirror!

[jmc330i]

E30 light loom has a three pin plug and socket at the bottom of the B pillar on each side.

Thanks Brian, I'll take a look.

I think they look great in the footwells,

check it out here

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... &start=550

That's great thanks Jim, just what I'm after

Where did you pick up the wires from?

[e30Passion]

Planning to add 4 light in total. 1 In the check-control panel, 1 in each footwell and 1 extra light in the bootlid. Weird BMW didn't do that as the hole is there allready!