Is the LCM IV Really That Beneficial?

[M5XTu]

Going into a facelift E39?


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[geargrinder]

Depends on what you want. Do you just want the car to work same as it always has? Then no, its zero beneficial.

Only benefit is having a little more control over parameters to run LED and/or other custom lights in the car.

[M5XTu]

What controls are these?


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[geargrinder]

If you have to ask you don't need them.

[JaxPlanet]

+1 You don't need to upgrade your LCM until you add a feature to your car that it does not support but is supported on a newer LCM version.

In my case, I replaced my LCM IIIA with a LCM IIIB to get the facelift tails on my pre-facelift touring configured. A LCM IV would have also done the job but for a higher price.

[M5XTu]

I have the chance of picking one up for $20. I have read somewhere, sometime ago, that LCM IV would give me the option to have my angel eyes work as my DRL. That would be a nice feature.


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[TerraPhantm]

I have the chance of picking one up for $20. I have read somewhere, sometime ago, that LCM IV would give me the option to have my angel eyes work as my DRL. That would be a nice feature.


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IF that is a possible feature, I couldn't figure out how to do it when I retrofitted an LCM IV to my friend's E39.

[blackknight530i]

IF that is a possible feature, I couldn't figure out how to do it when I retrofitted an LCM IV to my friend's E39.

Nope, it's not a feature of the LCM IV. You need to use a separate circuit board wired up to do it. I made a design for one, but it works with any LCM that is currently in the car (assuming LCMIIIa or LCMIIIb if it's got angel eyes).

[computiNATEor]

LCM IV can enable factory-style bi-xenon integration, and LED turn signals w/out the need for resistors, IIRC. As I understand it, those are its best features.

[JaxPlanet]

I made my Angel Eyes behave like DRLs by using a wiring harness with a relay triggered by a wire that is hot when the key is turned. Then I installed 18w LEDs in each one so they are bright enough to be seen on sunny days.

Google search: angel eye harness

[justinca540i]

Are these the facelift angel eyes?


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[djb2]

On somewhat related note, I recently had one angle eye lamp burn out on my MY2002 e39 with xenon headlight.

The assembly is a special part. It is listed at $35+ from BMW, which means that the local dealers will charge $50+. I couldn't find one during a quick pass at the boneyard, so I ordered a pair of LED replacements.

After they arrived I took apart the original failed lamp assembly by breaking the two melted together points. Inside I found a standard bayonet base halogen bulb. It was marked Philips 120?? 12V 10W. This matches a 64113, which is a 10W/12V halogen with Ba9S base. These are used in various models as indicator and map lights. Doh! I could have easily found one of those at the boneyard, or even a parts store.

The LED modules were fairly hefty, with a reasonable aluminum heat sink. I put them on the bench supply to check them out. They lit at 6.2V and were at full brightness by 6.6V. I measured them as drawing 300mA at 10.0V and 200mA at 15.0V, so they are 3 watt modules. That's less than half the 7 watt claimed power. I'm tempted to leave a negative review, but probably won't because they are significantly brighter than the originals and emit a white light without blue or purple spots. Still, they wouldn't be suitable as DRLs.

[computiNATEor]

I used the Chip-on-board LED angel eyes when I rebuilt my headlight. They are far brighter than any LED bulb for the factory fiber-optic angel eyes that I have seen.