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Headlight Bulbs Advice

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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dobbor1
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Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by dobbor1 » Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:16 pm

Hi,

I have just installed LED Angel Eye Markers on my 06 E53 and they are nice and white. Can you advise on which headlight bulbs I can buy (excluding HIDs) which can be installed to make them as white as the LED markers please?  I think the standard bulbs in are Halogen and slightly yellowish.  Would I be correct is saying that it also has a projector lens as well?  Very new to this bulb swapping thingy. I have been successful in all of the internal LED swaps.

Thanks in advance

Dobbo
Currently:  2011 E70 X5 40D M Sport Black Sapphire
Previously: 2006 E53 X5 30D Le Mans Blue Sport Edition

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X5Sport
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by X5Sport » Sun Nov 04, 2012 10:56 am

In short, none.  There are a number of manufacturers of blue tinted/coated headlight bulbs, but they won't match the blue/white of the LEDs, or that of 'true' HID systems.  The blue tint/coating also reduces the light output from the bulbs so you lose 'penetration' lighting power of the bulbs.  HIDs are the only real option.  You can try countering the light loss with 100W bulbs, but the car wiring won't like it much, and the light units will get a bit warm too.
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by AW8 » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:16 am

Is there a Kelvin rating on the angel rings ?

If so you could try to source bulbs with similar rating. However do bear in mind that a matching or close match Kelvin rating, (colour), might mean a trade off in lumens, (light output).

You may also want to consider bulb longevity, actual beam pattern, positive reviews,  legal issues & heat output with view to avoiding damage.

In short you might be lucky but I think you should do plenty of online research unless someone has a convincing and reasoned recommendation.


Quite a few threads on various boards discussing such issues.
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by Raj » Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:10 pm

Personally you're better off getting a hid kit installed as there are the likes of Phillips Silvervision bulbs, etc which are a whiter colour visually but are quite expensive. Hid kits can be bought for £50-£60 for a decent kit and will last a mighty long time and give you a better colour match and better night driving visibility too.
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dobbor1
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by dobbor1 » Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:10 pm

Can someone post a link to the exact HIDs I need then please?

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Currently:  2011 E70 X5 40D M Sport Black Sapphire
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Horizon
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by Horizon » Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:30 pm

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/h7-55w-new ... -kit-slim/

I fitted these last week, fitted the 6K bulbs 4300 are the whiter ones, not sure if they are as bright though.
Im well impressed with them and simple to fit, just need a 25mm hole saw. first make sure you have halogen headlights first. and not xenons, have you got a head light level adjuster on the dash ( near the fog light switches if not you have Xenons already
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dobbor1
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by dobbor1 » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:13 pm

Yes I have the level adjuster.
Thanks for the link.
What is the 25mm hole for and is there an installation guide anywhere I can have a look at before I commit?

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Last edited by dobbor1 on Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Currently:  2011 E70 X5 40D M Sport Black Sapphire
Previously: 2006 E53 X5 30D Le Mans Blue Sport Edition

storminmike
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by storminmike » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:42 pm

[quote="dobbor1"]
Yes I have the level adjuster.
Thanks for the link.
What is the 25mm hole for and is there an installation guide anywhere I can have a look at before I commit?

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[/quote]

The HID (bulb) obviously goes where the existing bulb is,,,BUT the ballast to drive the bulb (think pack of cards size) is often though not always mounted nearby in the engine bay.

The 12v that would have gone to the bulb is routed out of the headlamp (through the 25mm hole) and into the ballast. 2 leads to drive the HID bulb the go from the ballast back into the headlight and onto the new HID bulb

25mm let the leads (2 in and 2out) pass through and sealed witha grommet. The kits have all the leads and grommits, you just drill a hole.


one of the threads about them

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/https://xdr ... php?t=2.45
Last edited by storminmike on Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

dobbor1
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by dobbor1 » Mon Nov 05, 2012 4:21 pm

Can someone tell me why the kits from Hids4u are nearly double the price of the Hids direct kits when they look the same???

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Raj
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Re: Headlight Bulbs Advice

Post by Raj » Mon Nov 05, 2012 9:56 pm

[quote="dobbor1"]
Can someone tell me why the kits from Hids4u are nearly double the price of the Hids direct kits when they look the same???

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[/quote]

It can't be explained as no matter how they try to sell it, they are pretty much all from China, etc.
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