An ambient lighting upgrade for the BMW F30 3 Series will let you take full advantage of the incorporated light strips of the ambient lighting package. From the factory, the interior door lights are dim and hardly noticeable unless it is completely dark outside. BMW might have gotten the interior aesthetic right, but ambient lighting in the F30 3 Series and F32 4 Series leaves much to be desired.
Luckily, aftermarket mods help you make your BMW’s interior much more appealing with improved interior lighting. In this article, we’ll look over our favorite interior lighting options:
Ambient Light Upgrade for F30 3 Series
1. Ambient LED Light Strips Covers for BMW 3 Series
Quick Overview
- Fits BMW F30 with existing ambient lighting
- Plastic lenses intensify the dull factory ambient lights
- Installs in mere seconds
- Works with existing lights, no wiring required
When considering interior mods for BMW, something understated is preferable; bright led lights can distract you at night and deter visibility. This subtle mod is made for F30s with existing ambient lighting, and it turns your standard ambient lighting strips that run along the doors into something more vibrant and noticeable. The improved ambient lighting adds a touch of refinement without tearing your eyes out.
Think of this mod as a supplement to the rest of your interior. It’s not one of those in-your-face LEDs that light up your feet – it’s something that you won’t notice much but will most certainly give a better feel to the cabin when driving at night.
The best part about this particular product is that it requires no additional wiring, so you don’t have to touch any electronics. It also fits the BMW F32 4 Series and the BMW F80 M3.
2. Car Center Console LED Lights Interior Ambient Lighting for BMW 3 Series
Quick Overview
- Carbon fiber center console trim with ambient LED lights
- High-strength ABS ensures durability
- Dual colors: Blue and Orange
- Compatible with BMW F30, BMW F80 M3, and BMW F32 Coupe (not compatible with M4 models)
The center console is a dominant part of your car’s interior for both driver and passenger. When you enter a car, it is the first thing you set your eyes on. Enhancing your center console can change the look of the interior drastically.
This ambient light insert for the center console of any F30 not only improves interior looks due to it being a carbon fiber trim piece, but it also has a LED lighting strip that will pair up well with the rest of the lights in the car. It outputs an orange light in the best BMW style.
Auto manufacturers have been trying for decades to get them right, and while some have come close, it always feels like something is missing. In cars with ambient lighting, we think BMW could have included a touch light along the center console. This accessory attempts to fill that gap.
Combined with the above product on this list, this is an excellent addition if you are looking for a simple way to enhance cabin lighting with accessories that look factory-original.
3. Interior Doors Panel LED Ambient Lights
Quick Overview
- Door atmosphere lights for F30 3 Series
- LED lighting with adjustable brightness
- Orange and blue ambient colors are available
- Needs electrical connection
If you’re looking for a plug-and-play upgrade for the existing door ambient lights, these enhanced light strips might be what you are looking for. They connect directly to existing factory connectors, so there is no need to run additional wires or add a circuit for these to function.
This product is that it comes in two colors: red and blue, which fit most styles. The brightness on this LED strip is adjustable, so you can tone it down and ramp it up as desired.
To change the color from orange to blue, go to your iDrive menu, select Settings, then Lightning, and under Lightning you can choose between “Classic” which is the standard orange color and “Sport” which is blue.
Related: LED Door Lights for BMW F30
4. BMW F30 Interior Ashtray Strip Lights for BMW F30
Quick Overview
- Center console ashtray light upgrade
- LED orange and white light
- Adjustable brightness
- Connects directly to the harness in the central control unit
- Compatible with 2012-2018 F30 3 Series and 2014-2020 F32 4 Series
Your F30 still has a fantastic little ashtray that is handy even for non-smokers. Storing change, a cable, or your ODB reader. If you often use it, an additional big of lightning doesn’t hurt. Sure, you could turn on your dome light, but having it illuminated with the signature BMW orange looks better, in our opinion.
Luckily, you can make your car’s ashtray pop with the Interior Ashtray Strip Lights for BMW F30. These connect directly into your car’s harness, meaning you don’t need additional wiring. Brightness can also be adjusted via iDrive. This specific product is that it fits the F30 3 Series, F80 M3, and the F34 coupe.
Compatibility & fitment
- 2012-2018 BMW F30 3 Series (320i, 328i, 330i, 335i, 340i)
- 2012-2018 BMW F31 3 Series Wagon (320i, 328i, 330i, 335i, 340i)
- 2014-2019 BMW F80 M3
How to Upgrade F30 Ambient Lights – Installation
Installing these ambient light upgrades is going to be relatively simple. These products are readily available, come with installation manuals, and some even come with accompanying tools. If you’ve done any light mods to your car, you won’t have trouble installing any of these products.
You should have a trim removal tool if you need to remove the center console unit. Do not use a metal screwdriver as it can scratch or break the plastic trim pieces.
However, if you bump into some issues, all the listings have helpful information on installation that will help you out.
FAQ
Does the ambient light upgrade need coding?
No ambient lighting modification out of the four listed above requires additional coding, nor will it void your warranty.
Would these products fit any BMW F30 3 Series?
Most of them, yes. Aside from the LED strip, every product on this list covers any F30 3 series. The LED light strip will only work if your BMW F30 3 series has built-in ambient lighting from the factory.
How do you change the brightness of the ambient lights?
The intensity of the ambient interior lights is tied to the dimmer switch on your dashboard. Making the dashboard brighter will also make your ambient lights brighter.
Final thoughts
Upgrading the interior ambient lighting in your BMW F30 is one of the best aftermarket upgrades you can do to your car. At night, the interior will look greatly enhanced, resembling more the look of a higher-end car.
We recommend the ambient light LED strip covers, as it is a simple upgrade that uses the existing ambient lights and intensifies the light to make it more noticeable. These can also be installed and removed in mere seconds without disassembling interior panels.