Running Toward the Light

Over the past few days I think I've read every post available on the 'fest, on M3 Post and E90 Post regarding replacing the stock halogen angel eye bulbs. Now that I've done my research I have some questions:

1) It looks like there are two major ways to go - either replacing the halogen bulbs with bulbs that are blue coated to shed the "white" light. ie - GP Thunders and competitors

and

2) Replacing the halogen bulbs with an LED bulb ie Angel iBright - Lux H8 - Weisslicht.

I know that the LED replacements are a lot more expensive.

The M3 guys all seem to love the Angel iBright setup ($300), and from what I've seen in photographs, this appears to be a pretty close approximation of what I remember seeing last summer when they had an LCI E93 on display at the Welt.

Yet, when I read the fine print of the sigs around here, it seems like most of the E9X that have made this modification have done so with the GP Thunders. ($20)

1) Is cost the only reason people aren't doing the Angel iBrights?

2) Are the GP Thunders really that good?

ps: E92LIghting, JLeviSW and EAS - I know you all are going to show up here and try to sell me. I've already studied your websites and your products. What I am looking for here is real time - real data from the day to day users.

TIA

Perhaps, I'm confused, but couldn't you just replace them with the OEM bulbs that now come standard on the LCI coupes? Those are white (and LED I presume). Or do those not work, or are they even more expensive.

I am already confused....the light is too bright, with all my might, I will fight, it will be tight, but the thread will take flight, and be all right.

Good question, C-Dub, but the answer is you can't. Apparently the LED's need a ballast and heat sink, which is part of the cost of the conversion kits. Amazing thing is that the Angel ibright system isn't even the top end of things. There is another system OSS which requires you send your headlight units to Florida for retrofitting.

(Cute avatar pic, BTW!)

I knew you would have already researched that. I guess there is more to the white light than just a bulb change. Seems interesting that an LED bulb needs more heat management than the halogen brethren.

(Thanks.)

Yep. I'm not an engineer, but it does seem counter intuitive that the LEDs aren't cooler. Most peoples complaints about many of the options are that the outer rings are not fully lit and/or the after market solutions aren't bright enough.

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Over the past few days I think I've read every post available on the 'fest, on M3 Post and E90 Post regarding replacing the stock halogen angel eye bulbs. Now that I've done my research I have some questions:

1) It looks like there are two major ways to go - either replacing the halogen bulbs with bulbs that are blue coated to shed the "white" light. ie - GP Thunders and competitors

and

2) Replacing the halogen bulbs with an LED bulb ie Angel iBright - Lux H8 - Weisslicht.

I know that the LED replacements are a lot more expensive.

The M3 guys all seem to love the Angel iBright setup ($300), and from what I've seen in photographs, this appears to be a pretty close approximation of what I remember seeing last summer when they had an LCI E93 on display at the Welt.

Yet, when I read the fine print of the sigs around here, it seems like most of the E9X that have made this modification have done so with the GP Thunders. ($20)

1) Is cost the only reason people aren't doing the Angel iBrights?

2) Are the GP Thunders really that good?

ps: E92LIghting, JLeviSW and EAS - I know you all are going to show up here and try to sell me. I've already studied your websites and your products. What I am looking for here is real time - real data from the day to day users.

TIA

I think there's another question, Kat. Since your light reflector(s) are now perfectly matched to your OE bulb for an ideal beam pattern, will any replacement bulb be of the same size/dimensions, and not adversely affect your beam pattern.

Originally Posted by pointandgo

I think there's another question, Kat. Since your light reflector(s) are now perfectly matched to your OE bulb for an ideal beam pattern, will any replacement bulb be of the same size/dimensions, and not adversely affect your beam pattern.

I'm not sure I understand your question.
When you say reflectors, I am presuming you mean the corona rings (to use the proper BMW terminology). From what I understand in my reading, that is where many aftermarket solutions fall short.
There is one bulb that illuminated the inner ring and the outer ring is lit purely by reflection off the inner ring. If I correctly understand what I've read, aligning the bulb in the socket is critical to getting the rings to illuminate, let alone illuminate properly.
Apparently, the aftermarket bulbs are the correct dimensions, but we all know that just because its the right size doesn't mean it necessarily does the job properly.

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

I'm not sure I understand your question.
When you say reflectors, I am presuming you mean the corona rings (to use the proper BMW terminology). From what I understand in my reading, that is where many aftermarket solutions fall short.
There is one bulb that illuminated the inner ring and the outer ring is lit purely by reflection off the inner ring. If I correctly understand what I've read, aligning the bulb in the socket is critical to getting the rings to illuminate, let alone illuminate properly.
Apparently, the aftermarket bulbs are the correct dimensions, but we all know that just because its the right size doesn't mean it necessarily does the job properly.

Like this:

http://www.expresstirecenter.com/doc..._schematic.png

having had a cadre of "yute" engineers who were constantly modding their cars, several of your words above ring true: "...many aftermarket solutions fall short."

Is this an April's Fools or worse - on of the signs of the coming apocalypse? I thought you were dead set against any mod that didn't have BMW OEM stamped all over it.

Terry has an alternative that is priced right, I've thought of buying next time one of my AE lights burnt out.
http://burgertuning.com/BMW_Angel_Eyes_H8_Bulbs.html

I don't know if that is really an issue with the Corona rings. This modification would not affect the adaptive Xenon or the inner cornering lights. I don't perceive the corona rings as having a beam pattern so to speak.

Originally Posted by Bcube

Is this an April's Fools or worse - on of the signs of the coming apocalypse? I thought you were dead set against any mod that didn't have BMW OEM stamped all over it.

Terry has an alternative that is priced right, I've thought of buying next time one of my AE lights burnt out.
http://burgertuning.com/BMW_Angel_Eyes_H8_Bulbs.html

I thought I was dead set against any non OEM thing too. Then we went to the Welt last summer and I got to see the LED angel eyes on the E93 there and I fell deeply into lust.

Besides, it's kind of a para-OEM thing. BMW has already done it - I'm just thinking of freshening the '09.

That is why I've done so much research - trying to find the right color, the right intensity....

EDIT: The photo from Terry's website is a good explanation of what I would like to accomplish generically.

Next to the yellowish hue of the corona lights on my 2010 X5, the ones on my 2011 E93 appear bluish white. I really love how it looks. Was this "white light" an OEM "upgrade" for certain model years onward?

Originally Posted by RaceBlood

I am already confused....the light is too bright, with all my might, I will fight, it will be tight, but the thread will take flight, and be all right.

These lymric threads never last....

OP,

I'm going to go with these

City Vision E92 H8 White Angel

these

LUX H8 E92/E93 M3 BMW V3 NEW

or these

GP THUNDER 8500K H8 PLASMA V2

Kat, I'm thinking that the Sylvania Silverstar Ultras might be an option. I would imagine they make an H8 Silverstar bulb. I'd like to do the same to my '06 E90.

I'm sure you've already done this, but here is a google search for h8 bulb - http://www.google.com/search?q=h8+bu...ient=firefox-a

Originally Posted by jocamryn

These lymric threads never last....

I think the thread title set the stage for these poetic responses. I'm glad some responses were able to "shed light on the matter". arrgh. must. resist. puns...

Kat, I know many people who have had great luck with Mtec V2's as well.

Originally Posted by Inline Sixer

Next to the yellowish hue of the corona lights on my 2010 X5, the ones on my 2011 E93 appear bluish white. I really love how it looks. Was this "white light" an OEM "upgrade" for certain model years onward?

Yes, the LED angel eyes on your cabrio are part of the E92/E93 LCI facelift. Since I plan on keeping my E93 quite a while and I don't have to worry about turning it in on a lease, I thought improving the angel eyes to the updated configuration (or as close as I could get to it) might be a worthwhile thing to do.

From all my reading, the biggest reason I've been hesitant to jump into the bulbs like the GP Thunders is many people say they dim over time or aren't very bright in full daylight. Can/would you post a pic of your cabrio angel eyes in full daylight?

(ps: I thought about a thread title of "Blinded by the Light", but I knew that would definitely engender silly song response.)

Originally Posted by guerilla twang

Kat, I know many people who have had great luck with Mtec V2's as well.

Do you have first hand experience with them?

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Yes, the LED angel eyes on your cabrio are part of the E92/E93 LCI facelift. Since I plan on keeping my E93 quite a while and I don't have to worry about turning it in on a lease, I thought improving the angel eyes to the updated configuration (or as close as I could get to it) might be a worthwhile thing to do.

From all my reading, the biggest reason I've been hesitant to jump into the bulbs like the GP Thunders is many people say they dim over time or aren't very bright in full daylight. Can/would you post a pic of your cabrio angel eyes in full daylight?

(ps: I thought about a thread title of "Blinded by the Light", but I knew that would definitely engender silly song response.)

The only AE replacements that can offer that kind of intense brightness are OSS and possibly LUX.

Do you have first hand experience with them?

I have a friend in town that has them, yes. What would you like to know?

get a new E93!

lol andy..

Originally Posted by guerilla twang

The only AE replacements that can offer that kind of intense brightness are OSS and possibly LUX.



I have a friend in town that has them, yes. What would you like to know?

Interesting that you mention the LUX. From what I've read, Angel iBright are brighter than LUX. LUX is not quite as pricey. OSS way more pricey.

That is why I was really hoping to turn up someone who has done the Angel iBright to get their take on it.

GT, since you seem to run with a pack, do any of your friends have a new coupe that could be parked next to your friends car with the Mtecs and a comparo photo taken?

Originally Posted by andyffer

get a new E93!

LOL. I just turned 11K yesterday - it is essentially a 'new' E93.

Let there (not) be light. In NH we have annual safety inspections, each vehicle is done in the month of the owner's birthday. Naturally we are required to check lights. To paraphrase to the best of my ability...

"All factory equipped exterior lights must function as intended. No lights of any kind may be added to the exterior. All bulbs must be of the same wattage, color, and type as those which were certified for the vehicle."

We could not issue a safety sticker for a car modified the way you intend Kat. We are not a high crime area, so yes, the State and local cops do stop and ticket cars for modified lighting. I know this because the owners come to me to sign off on a form saying that they reverted to the original (at least while it was at my shop)
TX; YMMV

Edit One of my techs went on to become a city cop. He works the graveyard shift and often is on call to twist wrenches if we get busy. He has said that he rarely stops cars just for a light infraction, but will give a ticket as an add-on for attitude. What all cops constantly stop for is window tint on the front door windows and windshield. They really dislike the stuff.

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Interesting that you mention the LUX. From what I've read, Angel iBright are brighter than LUX. LUX is not quite as pricey. OSS way more pricey.

GT, since you seem to run with a pack, do any of your friends have a new coupe that could be parked next to your friends car with the Mtecs and a comparo photo taken?

Angel iBright are great from what i've read. I've seen some LUX in person out at a meet in St. Louis and they were brighter than all get out (on an overcast day). OSS are top of the line for sure, I'm not a fan of opening the headlight enclosure at all. Besides I don't think they work on prelci e90's, and I prefer my stock yellow anyway.

Funny you ask that, we're having a g2g tonight, I will try to get the guy to come out. Sadly we don't have any new coupes to compare too, but I can try to get you some shots so you can compare on your own.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

What all cops constantly stop for is window tint on the front door windows and windshield. They really dislike the stuff.

In some cases it would be like walking up to a mirror. How safe would you feel if there could be a weapon behind it? Not very. Cops are very strict about that stuff in KC. We also have a notoriously high crime rate.