E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods Discussion about both stock and aftermarket parts for the E60. Accessories and modifications too!

The quest for LED brake lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-19-2013, 05:54 PM
  #1  
Members
Thread Starter
 
smidley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default The quest for LED brake lights

I have an LCI 535i. I would really like to replace my brake lights with LED ones. I don't want to have to use coding to accomplish this if possible since I would still like the lights monitored for malfunction. I know how to do coding if it's required, but from what I've researched, nobody has been able to figure that out yet.

The stock bulbs are P21W. 12V/21W. I'm looking at these ones as ones to try first for replacements:
Amazon.com: 2pcs 13-SMD 1156 S25 Ba15s 12V Backup Signal Blinker Tail Light LED bulbs P21W 7506- Red: Automotive Amazon.com: 2pcs 13-SMD 1156 S25 Ba15s 12V Backup Signal Blinker Tail Light LED bulbs P21W 7506- Red: Automotive
Old 11-19-2013, 06:52 PM
  #2  
New Members
 
sequaz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: New jersey
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 535i xdrive
Model Year: 2014
Default

We gotta give it a try.
Old 11-20-2013, 05:54 AM
  #3  
Senior Members
 
sportzfan76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: RI
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: F10 M-Sport
Model Year: 2014
Default

The bulbs shown above are probably Not what you are looking for.

**Warning:
[COLOR=#0000f"]Amazon.com: 2pcs 13-SMD 1156 S25 Ba15s 12V Backup Signal Blinker Tail Light LED bulbs P21W 7506- Red: Automotive [COLOR=#0000f"]Amazon.com: 2pcs 13-SMD 1156 S25 Ba15s 12V Backup Signal Blinker Tail Light LED bulbs P21W 7506- Red: Automotive
may cause some vehicles to have problems such as burnt out warning, hyper flashing, no flashing (because of their low power consumption). Some cars indicate this by turning on a bad bulb indicator. This problem can be solved with load resistor, and customer has to purchase load resistor seperately. (One Load Resistor is required for each bulb. Since the metal of the resistor will get a large amount of heat, please make sure your resistor is mounted on a surface that is heat resistant to prevent the chance of melting your parts.)
Old 11-20-2013, 07:10 PM
  #4  
Contributors
 
vkhong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2010 535i M Sport 6MT
Model Year: 2010
Default

Our incandescent brake bulb puts our 400+ lumens or 32 candlepower. It is unlikely that the SMDs will get close to that. Look at some lumens values here 1156 (BA15S) LED Brake Light
Old 11-20-2013, 07:17 PM
  #5  
Contributors
 
vkhong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2010 535i M Sport 6MT
Model Year: 2010
Default

Originally Posted by sportzfan76
The bulbs shown above are probably Not what you are looking for.

**Warning: [COLOR=#0000f"]Amazon.com: 2pcs 13-SMD 1156 S25 Ba15s 12V Backup Signal Blinker Tail Light LED bulbs P21W 7506- Red: Automotive may cause some vehicles to have problems such as burnt out warning, hyper flashing, no flashing (because of their low power consumption). Some cars indicate this by turning on a bad bulb indicator. This problem can be solved with load resistor, and customer has to purchase load resistor seperately. (One Load Resistor is required for each bulb. Since the metal of the resistor will get a large amount of heat, please make sure your resistor is mounted on a surface that is heat resistant to prevent the chance of melting your parts.)
smidley can code the flashing and error off. No resistor needed. I've done the same with my front and side SMD turn indicator and rear plate light.
Old 11-21-2013, 11:28 AM
  #6  
Members
Thread Starter
 
smidley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It looks like this CANBUS one will probably work: 1156 CAN Bus LED Bulb - Single Intensity 26 SMD LED Tower | LED Brake Light, Turn Light and Tail Light Bulbs | LED Car Bulbs | Super Bright LEDs

The only thing I'm not sure about is the fitment into our cars. Do we have a contact from superbrightleds? Maybe I can be the tester of these.
Old 11-21-2013, 03:00 PM
  #7  
Members
Senior Members
 
Boost7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Jose, Ca
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: E60
Model Year: 2005
Default

Let us know how it goes, because most guys with LCI tail lights do the brake effect getting rid of the two bulbs to keep the rods illuminated. So for the price of 1156 led and coding it out, I don't see a big gain on what you're trying to do.
Old 11-21-2013, 08:59 PM
  #8  
Contributors
 
nomis_nehc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 5,781
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: BMW E60
Model Year: 2016
Default

You guys should have just bought the brake bulb leds when I had them in stock... all sold out now, lol.

These ones you guys are looking at are a pitiful in output honestly.
Old 11-22-2013, 03:26 AM
  #9  
Members
 
Chief Holley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: El paso
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Simon, are you going to get anymore?
Old 11-22-2013, 05:33 PM
  #10  
Members
Senior Members
 
Booyaazaa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Concord, CA
Posts: 953
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: Alpine E60, '09 535i-Premium, Sport and Comfort Access PackageMods: Lux H8 V3 Angel Eyes, Weisslicht LED license plate lights, Interior LED lights, RPI Scoop, Matte Black Grills, Smoked LED side markers & side reflectors, 35% tint all around, and a 3
Default

Originally Posted by nomis_nehc
You guys should have just bought the brake bulb leds when I had them in stock... all sold out now, lol.

These ones you guys are looking at are a pitiful in output honestly.
Damn you're already sold out. That was quick.


Quick Reply: The quest for LED brake lights



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:16 AM.