License Plate Bulbs...
09-24-2008 | 09:29 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
So I've tried 2 types of bulbs aside from the OEM bulbs...
***All pics taken with my BB Curve
***edit, I am in no way trying to deter members from purchasing products from vendors here, just sharing my results from personal experience...
Festoon LED Lights ($6.99 ea)
39mm = 1-1/2" Long 9LED
Replaces: 3423 3425 6411 6418 6423 6461
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm
***These bulbs also require 2 resistors from Radio Shack, 50 ohm 10W 5% Wirewound Resistor: 2-Pack ($1.99)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search
My only complaint/concern is using resistors as these do run a bit hot. Probably not hot enough to melt anything, but you never know. Some members have used these for awhile without complaints. No error codes with resistors installed....
Xenon Super White Festoon Dome Light Bulbs, 39mm = 1-1/2" Long ($1.49 ea)
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm
No special cables or resistors. Just install bulbs and you are good to go, no error codes.
Xenon Super White on the Left/Drivers Side, Stock Bulb on the Right/Passenger Side
Xenon Super White on the Left/Driver Side, LED on the Right/Passenger Side
**I think the Xenon looks more stock yellow because the LED just outshines it by that much more...
Pic of my wifes stock bulbs on her Lexus to compare...
My conclusion: The LED bulbs (First pic) are by far the brightest (maybe even too bright for some tastes), they also require resistors that give off heat. It does not appear to be harmful, but you never know. Again some members can vouch for no issues with anything melting or overheating with the resistor use. Mine were in for 2 weeks, longest I had them on was 40 minutes. The Xenon white bulbs come second in brightness, still better than stock, but not LED level. I am going to stick with the Xenon white bulbs, for $3.00 I have a little brighter than stock, and peace of mind.
GL with your decisions 
***All pics taken with my BB Curve
***edit, I am in no way trying to deter members from purchasing products from vendors here, just sharing my results from personal experience...
Festoon LED Lights ($6.99 ea)
39mm = 1-1/2" Long 9LED
Replaces: 3423 3425 6411 6418 6423 6461
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm
***These bulbs also require 2 resistors from Radio Shack, 50 ohm 10W 5% Wirewound Resistor: 2-Pack ($1.99)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search
My only complaint/concern is using resistors as these do run a bit hot. Probably not hot enough to melt anything, but you never know. Some members have used these for awhile without complaints. No error codes with resistors installed....
Xenon Super White Festoon Dome Light Bulbs, 39mm = 1-1/2" Long ($1.49 ea)
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm
No special cables or resistors. Just install bulbs and you are good to go, no error codes.
Xenon Super White on the Left/Drivers Side, Stock Bulb on the Right/Passenger Side
Xenon Super White on the Left/Driver Side, LED on the Right/Passenger Side
**I think the Xenon looks more stock yellow because the LED just outshines it by that much more...
Pic of my wifes stock bulbs on her Lexus to compare...
My conclusion: The LED bulbs (First pic) are by far the brightest (maybe even too bright for some tastes), they also require resistors that give off heat. It does not appear to be harmful, but you never know. Again some members can vouch for no issues with anything melting or overheating with the resistor use. Mine were in for 2 weeks, longest I had them on was 40 minutes. The Xenon white bulbs come second in brightness, still better than stock, but not LED level. I am going to stick with the Xenon white bulbs, for $3.00 I have a little brighter than stock, and peace of mind.
GL with your decisions
09-24-2008 | 09:31 PM
#2
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,051
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
My Ride: 14 550i
<shameless plug>
that's why you just buy my bulbs no error code no heat super bright
</shameless plug>
that's why you just buy my bulbs no error code no heat super bright
</shameless plug>
Originally Posted by GENEaTALS' post='677673' date='Sep 24 2008, 09:29 PM
So I've tried 2 types of bulbs aside from the OEM bulbs...
***All pics taken with my BB Curve
Festoon LED Lights ($6.99 ea)
39mm = 1-1/2" Long 9LED
Replaces: 3423 3425 6411 6418 6423 6461
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm
***These bulbs also require 2 resistors from Radio Shack, 50 ohm 10W 5% Wirewound Resistor: 2-Pack ($1.99)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search
My only complaint/concern is using resistors as these do run a bit hot. Probably not hot enough to melt anything, but you never know. Some members have used these for awhile without complaints. No error codes with resistors installed....
Xenon Super White Festoon Dome Light Bulbs, 39mm = 1-1/2" Long ($1.49 ea)
No special cables or resistors. Just install bulbs and you are good to go, no error codes.
Xenon Super White on the Left/Drivers Side, Stock Bulb on the Right/Passenger Side
Xenon Super White on the Left/Driver Side, LED on the Right/Passenger Side
**I think the Xenon looks more stock yellow because the LED just outshines it by that much more...
Pic of my wifes stock bulbs on her Lexus to compare...
My conclusion: The LED bulbs (First pic) are by far the brightest (maybe even too bright for some tastes), they also require resistors that give off heat. It does not appear to be harmful, but you never know. The Xenon white bulbs come second in brightness, still better than stock, but not LED level. I am going to stick with the Xenon white bulbs, for $3.00 I have a little brighter than stock, and peace of mind. GL with your decisions
***All pics taken with my BB Curve
Festoon LED Lights ($6.99 ea)
39mm = 1-1/2" Long 9LED
Replaces: 3423 3425 6411 6418 6423 6461
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm
***These bulbs also require 2 resistors from Radio Shack, 50 ohm 10W 5% Wirewound Resistor: 2-Pack ($1.99)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search
My only complaint/concern is using resistors as these do run a bit hot. Probably not hot enough to melt anything, but you never know. Some members have used these for awhile without complaints. No error codes with resistors installed....
Xenon Super White Festoon Dome Light Bulbs, 39mm = 1-1/2" Long ($1.49 ea)
No special cables or resistors. Just install bulbs and you are good to go, no error codes.
Xenon Super White on the Left/Drivers Side, Stock Bulb on the Right/Passenger Side
Xenon Super White on the Left/Driver Side, LED on the Right/Passenger Side
**I think the Xenon looks more stock yellow because the LED just outshines it by that much more...
Pic of my wifes stock bulbs on her Lexus to compare...
My conclusion: The LED bulbs (First pic) are by far the brightest (maybe even too bright for some tastes), they also require resistors that give off heat. It does not appear to be harmful, but you never know. The Xenon white bulbs come second in brightness, still better than stock, but not LED level. I am going to stick with the Xenon white bulbs, for $3.00 I have a little brighter than stock, and peace of mind.
GL with your decisions 
09-24-2008 | 09:35 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Originally Posted by myfootsmells' post='677677' date='Sep 24 2008, 09:31 PM
<shameless plug>
that's why you just buy my bulbs no error code no heat super bright
</shameless plug>
that's why you just buy my bulbs no error code no heat super bright
</shameless plug>
PM sent
09-24-2008 | 09:37 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Originally Posted by alexf9496' post='677679' date='Sep 24 2008, 09:33 PM
Great detail, thanks. Where can you pick up the Xenon bulbs?
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm
09-24-2008 | 09:42 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Originally Posted by alexf9496' post='677689' date='Sep 24 2008, 09:41 PM
Cool. More stuff to buy!
, don't expect LED brightness, or even lexus brightness, just more white than stock...
09-25-2008 | 09:48 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Originally Posted by xoeightx' post='677773' date='Sep 25 2008, 12:04 AM
great deal for $3. thanks for posting