Mod bug strikes again....

[Cjallstar]

Originally Posted by X5SND

I think you are getting my posts mixed up....

For angel eye LED upgrades, there is no bulb swap that will make them bright like the E70 rings. They will definitely be brighter, sure, but will still wash out in daylight like the OE bulb.

My last post was specifically to address the fog lights. Again, there is no LED equivalent (as far as output is concerned) to the factory H11 bulb....unless you move to an HID set up; which opens up other issues to address. Problems arise with regards to light distribution when you stick a HID bulb into a reflector housing designed for an incandescent. More specifically it produces copious amounts of what is know as glare, which is dangerous & annoying to oncoming traffic. This is a good read that explains why HID's in a reflector (whether its a headlamp or fog lamp) are wrong, and also shows the distribution patterns for such.

HID plug n play fails govt test

If you're after a proper upgrade, take the time to read and do the research. You'll benefit in the end with a lighting setup that offers the most light possible with the correct distribution.

X5SND thanks for all your input. I'm planning on having the X coded so I can run LED angel eye bulbs (inputs on best available?), LED fogs (do they exist or HID is best way to go without doing projectors as I can't find any currently for sale?), as well as LED back up lights etc. I saw you were able to crack your lights open and do a true AE install, but I am neither as brave nor as experienced and handy as yourself.

Anyone used stealth bulbs on side marker lights to possibly reduce amber-ness?

I definitely want to do a proper upgrade, but only if I can source the help and parts I need. Are you telling me the pre facelift x5's had projector fogs? Could it be as easy as grabbing them from a junkyard?

[ninjabmw]

Originally Posted by Cjallstar

X5SND thanks for all your input. I'm planning on having the X coded so I can run LED angel eye bulbs (inputs on best available?), LED fogs (do they exist or HID is best way to go without doing projectors as I can't find any currently for sale?), as well as LED back up lights etc. I saw you were able to crack your lights open and do a true AE install, but I am neither as brave nor as experienced and handy as yourself.

Anyone used stealth bulbs on side marker lights to possibly reduce amber-ness?

I definitely want to do a proper upgrade, but only if I can source the help and parts I need. Are you telling me the pre facelift x5's had projector fogs? Could it be as easy as grabbing them from a junkyard?

Instead of reducing while your getting your car coded just disable those as a DRL and just use them for side markers

[Cjallstar]

Originally Posted by ninjabmw

Instead of reducing while your getting your car coded just disable those as a DRL and just use them for side markers

Probably going to do this but worried about how the low beams will look without ambers.... It's not possible to have it both ways. Anyone have pics?

[X5SND]

I really have no idea what guys use for LED angel eyes....Mtechs are the only ones that come to mind; If memory serves me correctly I think they're in the $150-$200 range.

LED fog lights (H11 bases with multiple LED's on them) are definitely a horrible idea if you plan to actually use your fogs in the real world....it goes back to that thread I posted previously, specifically the source point at which the light originates from. HID's in a projector fog are definitely the mack daddy of them all, and IMO the only way to upgrade from the Incandescent OEM H11 setup. Pre-face lift X5's did come stock with projector fog housings so it is a straight swap. All the info is in the DIY from earlier. You can usually find the fog projectors on ebay for a decent price or order new ones from any of the online retailers.

There's a recent thread about back-up LED's you'll see that although they "Appear" brighter, at the end of the day actually ended up being about half as bright.

I DO have LED corners from www.autolumination.com Tail Light Brake Light Turn Signal LED Bulbs. Just make sure they're the can-bus chipped ones to prevent the bulb out error. They're not as bright as the regular bulb, but still bright enough to see visibly during the day. They're both on in the pic below, but due to the PWM and fast shutter speed, the driver appears off/dim.



Heres what they look like when off....no "egg yoke" effect whatsoever.



I did open my housings....but (and I mean this respectfully) it's not something I would recommend for someone such as yourself to just conquer yet.

[Cjallstar]

Originally Posted by X5SND

I really have no idea what guys use for LED angel eyes....Mtechs are the only ones that come to mind; If memory serves me correctly I think they're in the $150-$200 range.

LED fog lights (H11 bases with multiple LED's on them) are definitely a horrible idea if you plan to actually use your fogs in the real world....it goes back to that thread I posted previously, specifically the source point at which the light originates from. HID's in a projector fog are definitely the mack daddy of them all, and IMO the only way to upgrade from the Incandescent OEM H11 setup. Pre-face lift X5's did come stock with projector fog housings so it is a straight swap. All the info is in the DIY from earlier. You can usually find the fog projectors on ebay for a decent price or order new ones from any of the online retailers.

There's a recent thread about back-up LED's you'll see that although they "Appear" brighter, at the end of the day actually ended up being about half as bright.

I DO have LED corners from www.autolumination.com Tail Light Brake Light Turn Signal LED Bulbs. Just make sure they're the can-bus chipped ones to prevent the bulb out error. They're not as bright as the regular bulb, but still bright enough to see visibly during the day. They're both on in the pic below, but due to the PWM and fast shutter speed, the driver appears off/dim.



Heres what they look like when off....no "egg yoke" effect whatsoever.



I did open my housings....but (and I mean this respectfully) it's not something I would recommend for someone such as yourself to just conquer yet.

So you opened your housings but didn't clear out the ambers???? How could you!? AE's look great though. And by led corners you mean led turn signals? What's the point in doing this?

[Cjallstar]

Found these on eBay and part numbers check out as what I need... Should I buy? Will I need anything else aside from bulbs of my choosing after I get my X coded? Or shout this be a plug and play?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Depo-Driver-...4b5029&vxp=mtr

[X5SND]

Short answer: you can't "clear out" the amber corners as its part of the lens. The only way to get the clear corners is to buy a set of Euro-spec housings....which will set you back bout $2500.00.....and to be completely honest, I like the amber corner reflectors. The clears look to aftermarket IMO.

The LED bulbs in the corners give it an updated appearance as well as an instant on/off.

Edit: yes those are the projector fog lamp housings I was referring to.

[Cjallstar]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Short answer: you can't "clear out" the amber corners as its part of the lens. The only way to get the clear corners is to buy a set of Euro-spec housings....which will set you back bout $2500.00.....and to be completely honest, I like the amber corner reflectors. The clears look to aftermarket IMO.

The LED bulbs in the corners give it an updated appearance as well as an instant on/off.

Gotcha.

[Cjallstar]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Short answer: you can't "clear out" the amber corners as its part of the lens. The only way to get the clear corners is to buy a set of Euro-spec housings....which will set you back bout $2500.00.....and to be completely honest, I like the amber corner reflectors. The clears look to aftermarket IMO.

The LED bulbs in the corners give it an updated appearance as well as an instant on/off.

Edit: yes those are the projector fog lamp housings I was referring to.

Would I have to buy any further wiring or screws? The DIY posted is not too clear on this.

[Cjallstar]

Sorry just feel like anything more than a plug and play is out of my range of ability....while HID fogs may be dangerous and ineffective, they do the job of looking cool for 30 bucks or so. The same for the angel eyes ( albeit a bit pricier)