brightest factory replacement head light bulb
10-18-2012, 06:28 AM
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My Ride: 2010 535i M sport
Model Year: 535i / 2010
brightest factory replacement head light bulb
Does any one knows where I can get a bright and legal head bulb replacement for a 08, 528i non Xenon?
10-18-2012, 10:35 AM
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If you are speaking of the low beams, and you want to remain with H7 halogen bulbs, probably your best bet is this Philips bulb:
Installing those and getting your headlights aimed correctly will give you about the best illumination you can get with legal halogen bulbs.
If you want to aim the headlights yourself here is an excellent instruction set. Very easy to aim the lights on our cars.
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
However, if you want the best solution with the best light output, I'd suggest installing an HID upgrade kit. Our cars ( I say 'our' because I also have a 2008 528i which came with standard halogen headlights ) have projector housings for the low beam lights. These projector lights can easily utilize an HID bulb and give excellent light projection and control.
I installed this HID kit in my 528i.
H7: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Systems from The Retrofit Source Inc
From that website if you select the "3Five (35 watt)" ballasts, the "4300K" bulbs, the "H7" Wire Harness, and the "Standalone Can-Bus" wire harness type you will achieve fantastic light output from your low beams.
I installed that exact kit in my 2008 528i and I could not be happier. Literally, a night and day difference. A perfect white light (not bluish or purple, nor yellow) that projects at least three times farther down the road than the halogen bulbs. The projectors in our cars have a very good cut-off that keeps this light controlled and thus will not cause any glare or irritation to oncoming drivers. I've had these installed in my car for over six months and have never been flashed by an oncoming driver.
I'm no mechanic and it took me about three hours to install these lights (Being very careful and deliberate, reading and rereading the instructions). Now that I know how, and am familiar with how to remove the headlight housings on our car, I could probably do an install in about 90 minutes.
If you are interested in this HID approach, look around on the net for a coupon/ discount promo code from this vendor. I got the above kit for about $135.00 shipped. So this winds up costing about $100 more than the Philips X-treme bulbs but gives a huge improvement instead of a very marginal one.
Either way you go, be sure to get the headlights aimed for optimum results.
Good Luck.
Oh, one last thing, the HID kit will work in the low beams only. The high beams in our cars are reflector headlights and just throw the light everywhere. Also HID lights can't be used as daytime running lights, as the high beams on our cars are used for this purpose. Also HID lights can't "flashed" to signal a driver ahead to move to the right.
Installing those and getting your headlights aimed correctly will give you about the best illumination you can get with legal halogen bulbs.
If you want to aim the headlights yourself here is an excellent instruction set. Very easy to aim the lights on our cars.
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
However, if you want the best solution with the best light output, I'd suggest installing an HID upgrade kit. Our cars ( I say 'our' because I also have a 2008 528i which came with standard halogen headlights ) have projector housings for the low beam lights. These projector lights can easily utilize an HID bulb and give excellent light projection and control.
I installed this HID kit in my 528i.
H7: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Systems from The Retrofit Source Inc
From that website if you select the "3Five (35 watt)" ballasts, the "4300K" bulbs, the "H7" Wire Harness, and the "Standalone Can-Bus" wire harness type you will achieve fantastic light output from your low beams.
I installed that exact kit in my 2008 528i and I could not be happier. Literally, a night and day difference. A perfect white light (not bluish or purple, nor yellow) that projects at least three times farther down the road than the halogen bulbs. The projectors in our cars have a very good cut-off that keeps this light controlled and thus will not cause any glare or irritation to oncoming drivers. I've had these installed in my car for over six months and have never been flashed by an oncoming driver.
I'm no mechanic and it took me about three hours to install these lights (Being very careful and deliberate, reading and rereading the instructions). Now that I know how, and am familiar with how to remove the headlight housings on our car, I could probably do an install in about 90 minutes.
If you are interested in this HID approach, look around on the net for a coupon/ discount promo code from this vendor. I got the above kit for about $135.00 shipped. So this winds up costing about $100 more than the Philips X-treme bulbs but gives a huge improvement instead of a very marginal one.
Either way you go, be sure to get the headlights aimed for optimum results.
Good Luck.
Oh, one last thing, the HID kit will work in the low beams only. The high beams in our cars are reflector headlights and just throw the light everywhere. Also HID lights can't be used as daytime running lights, as the high beams on our cars are used for this purpose. Also HID lights can't "flashed" to signal a driver ahead to move to the right.
Last edited by acefuture; 10-18-2012 at 10:40 AM.
10-18-2012, 12:04 PM
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My Ride: 2010 535i M sport
Model Year: 535i / 2010
I appreciate the quick respond the H7 sems to be the best but a little complicated, Do you have any images of DIY by any chance?
Thanks
Thanks
10-18-2012, 03:57 PM
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Sorry, I didn't take any pictures when I put my lights in.
But google for HID light kit installation. Also google for how to remove the headlights on the E60.
Several threads on this forum as well as other BMW forums discuss installing HID kits. Some include pictures of the install. Also there are some youtube videos showing how to remove the headlight housings.
Another good resource is here:
HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum
The HID kit install is really very easy.
But google for HID light kit installation. Also google for how to remove the headlights on the E60.
Several threads on this forum as well as other BMW forums discuss installing HID kits. Some include pictures of the install. Also there are some youtube videos showing how to remove the headlight housings.
Another good resource is here:
HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum
The HID kit install is really very easy.
10-19-2012, 01:56 PM
#6
Former Vendor
Because you have a projector, it's not a bad idea to get a Canbus Factory Xenon system.
Umnitza|BMW Angel Eyes|LED Angel Eyes|Headlights|Lighting|Performance|Service|87748 66489 - we have them.
Umnitza|BMW Angel Eyes|LED Angel Eyes|Headlights|Lighting|Performance|Service|87748 66489 - we have them.
10-23-2012, 06:19 AM
#7
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My Ride: 2010 535i M sport
Model Year: 535i / 2010
Is 4300k the error free legal brightest that I can go in CA or can I use 6000K up to 10000k? I would like to buy the error free and legal most bright ones. If any one knows please advise.
Thanks.
Thanks.
10-23-2012, 09:16 AM
#9
Former Vendor
The brightest one is the 12W ones we're selling as the ICE LITE. currently sold out but early next week we'll have more than 50 sets in stock and 100+ for November ramp up
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