New E70 owner here!
 

Greetings,
I've been lurking around here for the last week while my wife and I did our car hunting, so thanks already, this place is a great resource.

We ended up purchasing a meticulously maintained 2008 X5 with all possible options. All I have are some cruddy garage pics I took after spending an afternoon on her with my orbital.

I've already blacked out the kidney grilles, plan on doing a few more things like that, too. Though I do have a few questions and I was hoping someone would be kind enough to direct me to the answers which are no doubt already posted, but search has been difficult to work with today.

• I want to replace the pale yellow "angel eye" bulbs with LEDs that will match the headlights. Is this an easy task, and what's a reputable retailer for such products?

• Interior LED lighting. Is there a bulb list I can refer to that has the existing bulbs, and recommended LED alternatives for each?

Pics for those who want to see it. I'll get better ones soon enough.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psj0qs1nij.jpg


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psa4eyklij.jpg

Popular replacement seems to be Lux 8 for the headlights

^ think he meant H8 for the size. I bought angel eye LEDs from a private seller but it was CREE LEDs. I think there are plenty out there that sell them - check ebay. The LUX version 4s are probably the most popular but also the most expensive option. I paid $100 and LUX go for ~$300(?). Either way it's a very simple replacement... twist - remove and replace the cap, and same with the bulb. 5 min job. Bear in mind that due to the design of these halos, the inside pair (closer to the kidney grill) will always illuminate brighter than the outside pair. Even the LUX. Here's a pic of mine: link (not easy getting a good pic that represents the true output).

As for the interior lighting, here was the thread I followed: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...nse-plate.html but other than led12, it seems the references don't really work anymore. I've emailed v-leds for an updated link as I need a replacement door LED anyway and I'll update if I hear back.

Sorry, that's what I meant, H8

Thanks for the quick responses, I'll look into these links and let you know what I go with.

I also emailed BAVAUTO about the under-door LEDs since v-leds never got back to me last time.

EDIT>> guessing it's the led6 but v-leds doesn't use kits. Their leds were integrated into the housing already so it's a straight swap.

EDIT2>> also found this guide: https://www.bimmian.com/elements/pag...IXB/IXB70B.pdf

Thanks RH71
Let me know what bavauto replies with, I'm eager to get these swapped out, especially the door courtesy lights, and the old vled link doesn't work and I got lost on their site.

I didn't realize it could be as tricky as it is regarding the lights working whether engine is on/off etc.. Picky electrical system.

so here's the replies - both for the under-door LEDs:

v-leds
bavauto
I'm also thinking of doing
since my kids complain they can't see the seat belt clicker at night.

"loaded" or "all possible options" is often said but rarely true. If yours is indeed "loaded" that would be a rare bird indeed. I would love it if you would post your VIN so it can be decoded to see that you really have "all the options"

incidentally, I also have a well appointed '08. But, mine does not have HUD, heated steering wheel, and active cruise control (was that even available?). Have everything else, I think.

Davidf,

You're probably right, and I've likely assumed. As far as I know, I didn't notice a HUD when I test drove it, though it may have it, I haven't driven it much (wife's car) and I'm not sure if it's something that's been temporarily disabled, or if that's even possible. It does have the heated steering wheel, at least that's what the dealer said, confirmed on the ventilated and heated seats, heated back seats too... No third row seat, however. I'll post the VIN when I get to it later.