What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[andrewwynn]

That's not bad idea at all. I didn't use anti seize and they struck to the hub not the wheel. Got damaged when I had to remove the rotor for maintenance.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by X5only

HID bulbs from Amazon (8000k d2s xenon headlight bulbs). With the advent of LED headlights, HID bulbs are dirt cheap. LED Fog lights from Autozone - tell them you want LED fog lights for the E53.

I got two 6K HIDs for like $20 vs $80-90 for one OE osram. I had one jackhole on another forum telling me I was an idiot for buying the cheap ones. No, you're the idiot for buying the OE ones.

[Salty B.]

Not what *I* did today, but what someone did to it while parked at the train station for two weeks. Broke the bumper mounts behind the wheel, cracked the paint (the little dent under the taillight was already there) and mushed in the corner.

I hate people.

(also why does this system here differentiate between .jpeg and .jpg image sizes when they are the exact same thing? My pics export as .jpeg and I have to change the extension)

[X5only]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

I got two 6K HIDs for like $20 vs $80-90 for one OE osram. I had one jackhole on another forum telling me I was an idiot for buying the cheap ones. No, you're the idiot for buying the OE ones.

Some people still have the mindset of the old days. Aftermarket HID bulbs are so cheap and just as good nowadays as OE or from the dealership counter. I got my set from Amazon for $30. It's old light tech for crying out loud and every household in China knows how to make them in their backyard .

[andrewwynn]

First fix I did on my e53 since the PO replaced only one so I had one purple headlight with 30% the brightness.
$40 for a set of 5k beauties that lasted the entire time I had that car!

Same with my e70 not two months after purchase one side goes out! Added bonus with e70; only one lamp per side so no high or low beam!

This time I went with 4000 getting closer to nature. The higher the kelvin the less 3d you can see when you need it. Eg trying to avoid deer or simply follow the road. You can see 10-20% farther on a country road with 4k vs. 6k.

I loved the look of the 5k that matches concrete jungle but I'm sticking with the see better. With e53 I had halogen high beam so great 5k city and 3400 country but with one lamp best stick with 4k

[Salty B.]

I'd have gone 3400/5000 but with my terrible night vision the whiter the better. Probably having cataract surgery in a few months so that should help a lot. I hope.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by ajacks8

Hey CW, any chance you know which aluminum ones you are using? I go through ECS plastic ones at a ridiculous pace! Thanks for any feedback on where yours are from!

Yeah, I've tried the plastic ones as well. Wasn't a fan.

As to which ones... just cheap ones off Ebay. I must have ordered at least 3 or 4 sets because I have a new set here on the shelf and I can't see any distinguishing markings on them. Been a long time since I ordered them too.

Last set I ordered was back when Amazon was solely a book store.

Originally Posted by Salty B.

I got two 6K HIDs for like $20 vs $80-90 for one OE osram. I had one jackhole on another forum telling me I was an idiot for buying the cheap ones. No, you're the idiot for buying the OE ones.

Yeah, I'm a sucker. I still buy the Osram D1S at ~$110 a pair... probably a waste of money nowadays as I am sure you are right in that every Chinese sweatshop has perfected the art of making an HID bulb 99% as well as Phillips or Osram has. At least I only have to purchase them every 3 or 4 years.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

I'd have gone 3400/5000 but with my terrible night vision the whiter the better. Probably having cataract surgery in a few months so that should help a lot. I hope.

Same here. My F86 and F15 have LED headlights, super white bright output with great visibility. My E53 is now bearable to drive in the night with the headlights 8000k HID bulbs and fog lights with LED bulbs.

[guntherrex]

replaced the passenger side door handle carrier. next time I'll try doing it on a day when it's not stormy and I'm in a hurry

but it works! worst part was putting the white pull cable plastic in the bracket... weirdly.

[andrewwynn]

It's a little like "ship in a bottle" to get that on and it just magically connects when it's ready