07-30-2013, 04:59 PM | #1 |
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Review: PIAA H8 Extreme White (for angel eyes)
My X5 is a 2011 model, which is the last year (unless you have a late 2011 build) that did not incorporate the LED angel eyes. Initially I tried to find a solution that would at least 90% mimick what the current LED coronas look like, but after studying the options out there that are LED based, I didn't want to take the risk. Too many reports of flickering, codes throwing and what would have annoyed me the most, the outer rings now lighting up properly.
If I cannot replicate the OEM LED coronas, then I at least want to remove the yellow tint the current angel eyes have. I did some research and went with these PIAAs. For $70 shipped, I could not go to much wrong. The box they came in. What the stock angel eyes look like. Comparing the PIAA (right) with the Philips OEM bulb If you want to make swapping out the H8 bulbs a 2-minutes per side job, then you need these And they're in... Although not an extreme difference, it's a safe option from a reputable company. I did not want a 50W or higher halogen bulb as I've read they run much hotter than the 35W bulbs and can melt or damage the angel eyes. So all in all, the PIAA bulb removed the yellow tint the OEM bulbs have, resulting in a "whiter" appearance of the angel yes. Satisfied for $70. Last edited by P1; 09-23-2013 at 09:02 PM.. |
07-30-2013, 05:31 PM | #2 |
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Looks good!
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07-31-2013, 10:36 AM | #4 |
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OP, you might want to check these..
This guy has had better results with $15 and 10 minutes.. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=angel And some alternatives.. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=angel http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=angel http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=angel |
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07-31-2013, 10:46 AM | #5 | |
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07-31-2013, 10:59 AM | #6 | |
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08-01-2013, 02:49 PM | #8 |
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I explained this yesterday on the X6 forum as well, but allow me to copy and paste.
If you have angel eyes that are currently powered by a halogen bulb, there is only so much you can do to make them "brighter". Most of the time, the inside corona will light up bright but the outside one will look completely washed out. This is a limitation of the design. As you can see in the first pic below, a single H8 bulb has to light up both coronas. Because the distance to the inner corona is shorter, the inside will light up better. The outside corona can only be lit up so much, even though it has two "tubes" that get to it. Do some research on the way fiber optics work and you'll see that often times adding brighter bulbs does not result in brighter angel eyes. Most of these aftermarket LED or whatever kits then ultimately are a waste of money. If you really want to step it up, you will need to retrofit the LCI angel eyes as they are powered by a superbright LED on the BOTTOM of each ring. The halogen (pre LCI) has one bulb for both coronas. What the pre-LCI design looks like. And the LCI design. Completely different and no way to replicate. As you can see, it connects to the bottom of each angel eye. The picture below shows the angel eye ballast/mount being take out of what is essentially where we put our H8 bulbs. Last edited by P1; 08-01-2013 at 02:55 PM.. |
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08-01-2013, 03:03 PM | #9 |
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Let me continue. It really comes down to lumens as opposed to watts. A regular 35W H8 bulb is about 800 lumens. Lux LED angel eyes are about the same amount, about 800. So essentially, you can change the color a little bit (up the Kelvin) but it won't be BRIGHTER. And LED lights since they have a lower wattage run cooler, but LEDs also don't disperse the light in the coronas the proper way when have to light up both coronas with a single light source. Hence the washed out outside corona.
You can actually squeeze in an H11 that is almost the same as an H8 bulb, but the connector that turns into the housing is SLIGHTLY different. You can easily modify it to fit though, just snip off one of the sides a bit. These will be MUCH brighter since they're 1,100 to 1,200 lumens. However, they will run VERY hot and will probably damage your angel eyes since they are 50W. So unless we can find an H8 bulb that draws 35W of power but provides 1,200+ lumens, we are just wasting our time and money. |
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09-23-2013, 09:02 PM | #10 |
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Update:
I just installed the PIAA Precious White 4800K bulbs on my wife's 135i. They are definitely more "white" than the 4150K bulbs I have in my X5... |
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09-27-2013, 01:02 PM | #12 |
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09-27-2013, 04:39 PM | #13 |
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I coped the LUX V4's which allows the temp increase up to 12,000k. At lower temps like 6000k the inner/outer AE's are very white (even LCIish), but the outer lacks the same intensity (as described in your write up).
I increased the temp to 12,000k which gets to be extremely white with a blueish tint in both the inner/outer angel eye. It was little "too blue" of a look on the inner AE. So I currently have it set at 10,000k. Less of a blue tint, very intense outer ring. I have to say, after reading yoru write up I'm kinda doubting my choice.. I'll post some pics soon.. |
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09-29-2013, 09:36 AM | #14 | |
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11-12-2013, 05:19 PM | #16 | |
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If I can make a recommendation, don't buy the 4150K bulbs when you have the option to buy the 4800K bulbs. |
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11-13-2013, 02:47 AM | #17 | |
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Anyways, have you done coding on the brightness of your X5 halos? |
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11-13-2013, 08:08 AM | #18 | |
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And no, I most likely will not mess with coding on the my X5... |
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11-13-2013, 11:43 AM | #20 | |
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I've used both, and LEDs are substantially brighter.
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11-13-2013, 12:21 PM | #22 | |
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1) Price: the bulbs are significantly cheaper. 2) Installation: it's an easy swap, no need to mess with capacitors or other "boxes" that need to be tucked away or attached with Velcro. 3) Looks: it will never look like a 2012 LED light, no matter if you have a halogen or aftermarket LED in there. But the aftermarket LEDs tend to light up the inner halo very brightly, which does not distribute well into the outer halo. So it looks like your outer halo isn't even on. I cannot have that. |
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