2017 LED Bulbs for X5 ??

[extremezmachine]

Don't shoot... I know it's quite a beat up topic... But I figure it's mid of 2017 and LED bulbs has improved and redesign since then.... so Hopefully this allow for new discussions

So anybody tries to mess with any latest LED bulbs for the fogs or headlights?

[bascule]

huh, was just looking at this myself today!

I've got HIDs for low beam which are a lovely white.  Have replaced sidelights with LED to match the colour, which looks great.

Am very interested in switching main beam to LED (current main doesn't really add much the really rather good low beam!) and the same for the fogs. 

[X5-D-Sport]

mmmm sore point me thinks...

A lot of these LED's claim to be high wattage, & they simply multiply/fit low power LEDs to quote a bigger number.
They have a bright colour temperature of say 6000 Kelvin or brighter, but simply not the power.
They may be a crisp white, but simply dont have the range or penetrating power... eg

1 candle is nice, 200 candles is nicer, but you cannot see much further even so.
If you do town only... then they will probably be fine.

eg,
I just bought some LED projector lens spotlights 12v 125Watt rated..... they actually draw 0.2amps... so how in hell can it be 125 watts ?? its actually 2.4 watts.... and absolutely useless

[X5Sport]

And that's the issue with these manufacturers.  They quote filament lamp equivalence in power but need to use Lumens as is now done on domestic lights.  And yes 35W gained from stringing multiple LEDs together does not equal 35W output from a single super bright LED.  The market relies on big numbers and ignorance of the target audience.....the Saxo brigade (ooops did I say that out loud.... )

Same with car engines....loads of BHP when we actually drive torque!

[extremezmachine]

So the general guide is to find a single 35w LED type bulb right?

[X5-D-Sport]

Personally, I would go the HID route.

I have all 6 front lights rigged with 150Watt HID's, they are bright to the point of stupidity, however, I drive a lot of Rural with no street lights for miles & hours at a time.

I had to ensure the Dipped position is set correctly, to avoid causing discomfort to on-coming traffic.
35 or 50 Watt HID's are the output equivalent of 120+ Watts of traditional bulbs...

I'm a great fan of HID's... and they are not expensive any more.
Suggest 5500k > 6000k colour temperature, any higher just turns a silly blue colour that doesn't illuminate much road.

[X5Sport]

And when not needed for driving, his E53 doubles as a Tanning Salon...