Tinted LED side markers that are worth a 5H1T?
05-05-2009, 04:08 AM
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My Ride: '06 BMW 550i, jet black, blacked out grills, tinted led side lights, 19" M wheels
Okay, I've tried two different types of smoked/tinted LED side markers for my 2006 550i. Though not throwing any codes/error messages, they both sucked. They both fit terribly (slid back and forth and were loose against the fender) and they both flickered on and off for no reason when when car was started (particularly the passenger side)(which I would never have noticed had I not been standing outside the car when someone else got in and started it). So, the question is this; are there any smoked LED side markers out there that fit well and don't flicker on and off for no reason? I don't want to waste any more money on stuff that doesn't work right, throws codes, flickers, etc., etc., etc. 
05-05-2009, 04:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Waterfreak66' post='868501' date='May 5 2009, 07:08 AM
Okay, I've tried two different types of smoked/tinted LED side markers for my 2006 550i. Though not throwing any codes/error messages, they both sucked. They both fit terribly (slid back and forth and were loose against the fender) and they both flickered on and off for no reason when when car was started (particularly the passenger side)(which I would never have noticed had I not been standing outside the car when someone else got in and started it). So, the question is this; are there any smoked LED side markers out there that fit well and don't flicker on and off for no reason? I don't want to waste any more money on stuff that doesn't work right, throws codes, flickers, etc., etc., etc.
05-05-2009, 06:09 AM
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My Ride: 2006 titanium silver metallic
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Originally Posted by Alpine White Girl' post='868509' date='May 5 2009, 07:43 AM
get a can of tint spray. tint your stock ones yourself, and then figure out how to put a led strip in for the bulb.
05-05-2009, 06:13 AM
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My Ride: '05 545 Titanium Silver, Black Leather - Nav, Logic 7, Cold weather.
Mods:
Carbon filter removed.
M5 iDrive knob.
Umnitza license plate LEDs.
MP3
40% 3M tint
ACS Anti-Roll(sway) bars
RPI Scoop
G-tech Pro RR
CF Roundels
CF Wheel caps
I replaced my bulbs with LEDs and have not had any error messages in the last couple of weeks. About $10 at Autozone, I'll let you know the brand later if I can find the box. There are 4 LEDs mounted on a small board and they flash amber. Only marginally dimmer than stock I think.
05-05-2009, 06:56 AM
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My Ride: '06 BMW 550i, jet black, blacked out grills, tinted led side lights, 19" M wheels
Hmmm. That may work. Now about tinting, how would you seperate the lens from the body of the marker in order to tint on the inside of the lense? And do the leds flash for no reason when the car is started?
05-05-2009, 07:11 AM
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My Ride: 2004 530i
premium package/active steering/auto sunshade/tiag/black dakota leather/logic 7
35% tint all around
19' DPE GT7
I have the smoked LED sidemarkers from trinity and they work good.
05-05-2009, 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Brit_in_NJ' post='868554' date='May 5 2009, 10:13 AM
I replaced my bulbs with LEDs and have not had any error messages in the last couple of weeks. About $10 at Autozone, I'll let you know the brand later if I can find the box. There are 4 LEDs mounted on a small board and they flash amber. Only marginally dimmer than stock I think.
05-05-2009, 07:48 AM
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My Ride: '06 BMW 550i, jet black, blacked out grills, tinted led side lights, 19" M wheels
Do they fit as tightly up against the fender as the stock side marker lights? Do they flicker/turn on and off for no reason when the car is started? Do they throw any codes/error messages?
05-05-2009, 07:50 AM
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My Ride: '05 545 Titanium Silver, Black Leather - Nav, Logic 7, Cold weather.
Mods:
Carbon filter removed.
M5 iDrive knob.
Umnitza license plate LEDs.
MP3
40% 3M tint
ACS Anti-Roll(sway) bars
RPI Scoop
G-tech Pro RR
CF Roundels
CF Wheel caps
Originally Posted by Waterfreak66' post='868579' date='May 5 2009, 10:56 AM
Hmmm. That may work. Now about tinting, how would you seperate the lens from the body of the marker in order to tint on the inside of the lense? And do the leds flash for no reason when the car is started?
05-05-2009, 08:08 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
The flashing you describe on startup is NORMAL, the car just checks the light to make sure it is still working (as stated before in this thread) as for brightness, LED's are directional, so it may not appear AS bright from some angles! 
Good luck with your dilemma and let us know what you end up with! 
Good luck with your dilemma and let us know what you end up with!