CSL license plate light help needed

[Cubieman]

I have my new CSL trunk fitted and I am having an issue as far as comming up with a wiring diagram I can trust. I have seen two nice DIYs, one is using the LED lights and I am using the incandescent lights so I'm not quite sure if its simply a matter of the different style connector at the light or if there is more to it than that.
Here is a photo of the diagram I found for the LED lights, can I just use this but use my connectors for the incandescent lights? I have also included a photo of what I THINK my wiring should look like but without a pinout its not as helpful.
If anyone has a concise wiring diagram it would be greatly appreciated as I am trying to get this sucker out tonight!

[Titaniu//M]

I wrote one of the DIY's, that's my picture on the right in your screenshot. You are correct the pic is of an incandescent wiring harness, diagram is for LED.

The answer is no, the incandescent and LEDs use different electrical connectors and are not cross compatible.

You need these parts for Incandescent:

• Qty 2 - 61131378149 - Electrical Connector
• Qty 4 - 61130007449 - Snap-in Receptacle
• Qty 2 - 61130006664 - Pin Contact w/Wire Lead
• Qty 1 - 61136931929 - Plug Housing
• Qty 2 - 63267165646 - CSL License Plate Lamp
• Heat Shrink Tubing
• Solder

These parts for LED

• Qty 2 - 61132360043 - Socket Housing Repair Kit
• Qty 4 - 61130005197 - Plug Housing with Lead
• Qty 2 - 61130006664 - Pin Contact w/Wire Lead
• Qty 1 - 61136931929 - Plug Housing
• Qty 2 - 63267193293 - LED License Plate Lamp
• Heat Shrink Tubing
• Solder

You can follow the same diagram for both setups, it's just that the connectors on the plate light end is different for incandescent vs LED.

[Cubieman]

Thanks, your DIY is the one I used and is quite helpful! Just wanted to double check on the wiring side. So I will just follow the hand drawn picture but with the incandescent connectors and make it look like your picture of your completed harness.

[Titaniu//M]

Thanks, your DIY is the one I used and is quite helpful! Just wanted to double check on the wiring side. So I will just follow the hand drawn picture but with the incandescent connectors and make it look like your picture of your completed harness.

Looks really good, congrats! Good luck with the wiring. Shouldn't be too hard once you have all the pieces in hand. Follow the pic/diagram and make the wires a bit longer than you think you need. One side should be longer than the other due to the light placement.

[Cubieman]

Thanks, finally got the lights in, I had to dremel them down a bit in an area for them to snap in as it sounds like you had to do as well. I guess no license plates lights tonight, we have a few nice days left until cold weather for a while. Tomorrow I'll take my time and make a nice harness, thanks for your DIY!

Edit: Is there any info as to the M3 badge placement or are you guys with CSL trunks just putting them where you think it looks best? I'm sure I would be happy with placing it somewhere by hand but being such an factory freak if there was measurements as to placement I would dig that.

[heinzboehmer]

This might help

[antknee]

Took me a couple tries but i started with these measurements (don’t mind my rough sketch)

i since raised the height to around .75

[0-60motorsports]

Use the E9X LED license plates, they look MUCH better and visibility is higher for the plate. I would never go back t that ugly yellowness just like on the interior LED's

[Cubieman]

I just put some aftermarket LED bulbs in the incandescent deals so I have that nice bright white appearance. Back when I ordered all the wiring bits I thought I had purchased the LEDs.

[old///MFanatic]

Use the E9X LED license plates, they look MUCH better and visibility is higher for the plate. I would never go back t that ugly yellowness just like on the interior LED's

Agreed, get the BMW ones. Much nicer and cleaner. I had the stock CSL ones but switch to these. Which iirc changes the connectors I bought for the CSL incandescent ones.