So are the only disadvantages to the PIAA LEDs the price? They appear to be around $230, doesn't seem that bad if they're reasonably bright and provide a pure white with no errors? Seems like all the cheaper options have some sort of tradeoff.

I searched all the old threads, and couldn't find much - no real definitive comparisons.

And is there info yet on what the new 5-series uses, i.e. LED or HID?

So I've scoured this entire forum looking for the best upgrade for AE's. HID, LED GP's, PIAA, MTEC...ect. There's a ton of info out there, unfortunately most repetitive and useless. It's hard to choose what the best option is for you based on $$, look (day and night) and complications. I'm intrigued by theses LED's, but I feel the GP Xenon/Plasma Super White "Quartz" are a better buy, so........ I've decided to to buy both and compare and share my results on here. With that said I'm excited to see the results, though I'm new to X5's and if anyone has experience with changing out 2005 E53 AE's, I appreciate the help! In the mean time I'm going to try and compile a thread comparing each type of mod with each pros and cons. Hopefully this will save people a lot more time when doing their own research. (please pm me if this has been done and i just missed it)

Thanks!

I got these in the mail today and, just as I suspected, they're just as crappy as all the other LED attempts for the angel eyes. At least they're only $26. GP Thunders are still the best option out there - even though they're nothing compared to the new OEM angel eyes.

Really, so you got your X? What did you end up getting?

Still waiting for mine, but sounds like I should just return them. Do you have any day and night pictures with them in!?

I got mine in the mail today too haha. At night they are great. Great color and very noticeable. They match my 6000k hid headlights PERFECTLY and when they dim they dont get yellow they maintain that pure white. During the day its a whole other story. Only the inner ring is noticeable so this is a tough decision. At night I much prefer these leds over stock or GP Thunder quartz, during the day I still think stock looks the best. Again for $26.00 I think theyre a pretty good deal.

No, didnt get the X. Gonna hold on to the M5 for the duration of the lease and explore my options then.

Ive been looking for a good angel eye solution since day 1 of ownership. The fact that BMW is so behind the times is amazing.

Here is a pic of an aftermarket setup on my 2006 E46 M3. This was 5 years ago and BMW is just now getting the clue!!!
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...10001_2-xx.jpg

LED's are a strange technology. I got my first LED flashlight about 7 or 8 years ago. I was amazed at how bright it was when you looked at it directly. But it didnt seem to illuminate the ground or objects nearly as good as my incandescent Maglite. I think this the problem that we are having with the LED aftermarket solutions for our angel eyes. The LED's themselves look incredibly bright, but I dont think they really carry the intensity necessary to carry the light through those rings. The way the angel eyes are designed, theyre basically a crude fiber optic setup.

Has anyone gotten their hands on any of the new generation angel eyes to see how they function?

Did it throw out error codes?

PIAA worked fine for me no error codes on my '07. Will try them out in my 2011 when I get back. They are pricey though.