Angel Eye Upgrade - 2011 X5M

[E55 Bulldog]

I know this is dead horse thread but I wanted to get opinions...

I want to upgrade my Angel Eye bulbs on my X5 and I know LUX and MTEC are the best but I don't want to pay $200 + for them.

For you guys who have used the ebay lights... what do you recomend?

there are a lot out there with 20w, 32w and now 40w..... Is there a version you are seeing better results with?

Thanks guys.

[qadhi79]

I bought myself Hellst XRT H8 LEDs..they are as bright as LUX v4 (both Hellst and LUX use CREE LEDs) with half the price at only $145 and 2 years unlimited replacement warranty!

You can see install pictures of the LEDs on my red X5M in their online gallary
http://www.bimmereyes.com/Photo_Gallery.html

[P1]

Are you completely set on going the LED route? In the old design, it makes little sense. The outer rings won't be illuminated evenly either. I went for the PIAA H8 bulbs and am very happy with them. And for $70 shipped, you cannot beat it.

[rennis]

Originally Posted by qadhi79

I bought myself Hellst XRT H8 LEDs..they are as bright as LUX v4 (both Hellst and LUX use CREE LEDs) with half the price at only $145 and 2 years unlimited replacement warranty!

You can see install pictures of the LEDs on my red X5M in their online gallary
http://www.bimmereyes.com/Photo_Gallery.html

Good stuff! I will be ordering a set of those.

[E55 Bulldog]

Originally Posted by P1et

Are you completely set on going the LED route? In the old design, it makes little sense. The outer rings won't be illuminated evenly either. I went for the PIAA H8 bulbs and am very happy with them. And for $70 shipped, you cannot beat it.

No really set on LEDs. Just want a white look instead of amber. Yeah, the brighter the better but im not trying to land any plans with these lights either.

[LuxAngelEyes]

Originally Posted by qadhi79

I bought myself Hellst XRT H8 LEDs..they are as bright as LUX v4 (both Hellst and LUX use CREE LEDs) with half the price at only $145 and 2 years unlimited replacement warranty!

You can see install pictures of the LEDs on my red X5M in their online gallary
http://www.bimmereyes.com/Photo_Gallery.html

That's not true actually. the Hellst are the exact same thing as any other 20w, 32w, etc brand out there, with a different name on them. THey will dim to about 1/3 brightness when the headlights are on and only 2/3 brightness normally. , i doubt they are even fused which is scary to think about.

Notice they dont even post a picture of what the bulb looks like, thats because its the same as everything else out there

[MonacoJoe]

i have the hellst. they are pretty good. looks pretty bright, easy install, way better than halogen (yellowish). if you need brighter, i'd upgrade to the e70 led lights somehow but they are sort of over the top. actually prefer the more understated look of the hellst. so far so good but its early...just installed a few weeks ago.

[MonacoJoe]

i have the hellst. they are pretty good. looks pretty bright, easy install, way better than halogen (yellowish). if you need brighter, i'd upgrade to the e70 led lights somehow but they are sort of over the top. actually prefer the more understated look of the hellst. so far so good but its early...just installed a few weeks ago.

[qadhi79]

Originally Posted by LuxAngelEyes

That's not true actually. the Hellst are the exact same thing as any other 20w, 32w, etc brand out there, with a different name on them. THey will dim to about 1/3 brightness when the headlights are on and only 2/3 brightness normally. , i doubt they are even fused which is scary to think about.

Notice they dont even post a picture of what the bulb looks like, thats because its the same as everything else out there

Here is a link to the Hellst LEDs on their website
http://www.bimmereyes.com/Vixen_Angel_Eyes_S8TK.html

I cannot post link here but on the other bmw forum, one member with both LUX v3 and Hellst confirmed that Hellst are brighter. If Hellst and LUX v4 are brighter than LUX v3 then I would assume both Hellst and LUX v4 are similar in brightness as they use the same CREE H8 chip.

Also, even the light output for Hellst and LUX v4 seem to yield similar result based on the pictures posted online
http://www.bimmereyes.com/Photo_Gallery.html

I opted for Hellst because I was not interested in the colour changing feature of LUX v4 and Hellst lower price and 2 years unlimited replacement warranty was a good deal.

If I ever want the colour changing feature then I will definitely buy LUX v4

[Murph335]

I've posted pics reviews my Cree 20w led under 100 bucks. Did my 550 lci and my new 11 x5d.
Search for posts by me.

Zero regrets here. Next BMW will get a set.

Completely agree $200 plus is crazy so I found another way.

[LuxAngelEyes]

Originally Posted by qadhi79

Here is a link to the Hellst LEDs on their website
http://www.bimmereyes.com/Vixen_Angel_Eyes_S8TK.html

I cannot post link here but on the other bmw forum, one member with both LUX v3 and Hellst confirmed that Hellst are brighter. If Hellst and LUX v4 are brighter than LUX v3 then I would assume both Hellst and LUX v4 are similar in brightness as they use the same CREE H8 chip.

Also, even the light output for Hellst and LUX v4 seem to yield similar result based on the pictures posted online
http://www.bimmereyes.com/Photo_Gallery.html

I opted for Hellst because I was not interested in the colour changing feature of LUX v4 and Hellst lower price and 2 years unlimited replacement warranty was a good deal.

If I ever want the colour changing feature then I will definitely buy LUX v4

There is no such thing as a Cree H8 chip. The LED's we use in the LUX H8 V4 are not the same as the Hellst. As well even if it was the same LED who knows what rating they have on the LED. 2 LED's can look identical but be 40% different in their output.

The electronics is what makes the biggest difference. the Hellst along with all other cheep brands out there are only 2/3 brightness normally, and 1/3 brightness when the headlights turn on. the LUX H8 V4 are 100% brightness all the time.

[qadhi79]

Originally Posted by LuxAngelEyes

There is no such thing as a Cree H8 chip. The LED's we use in the LUX H8 V4 are not the same as the Hellst. As well even if it was the same LED who knows what rating they have on the LED. 2 LED's can look identical but be 40% different in their output.

The electronics is what makes the biggest difference. the Hellst along with all other cheep brands out there are only 2/3 brightness normally, and 1/3 brightness when the headlights turn on. the LUX H8 V4 are 100% brightness all the time.

Indeed, there is no such thing as "CREE H8 chip" but what I meant to say is that you both possibly use the same chip for the H8 style manufactured by CREE

I have searched different bimmer forums for high resolution pictures and yet to see any difference in LUX v4 H8 CREE, Hellst H8 CREE, mTec H8 CREE, etc..contrary to what you say, the other LEDs do not get dim or have 1/3 brightness when turned on

the other companies have price and warranty advantage..and yes, I can confirm that unlike LUX v3 and v4, Hellst don't flicker when turned on or off..something you can consider fixing in LUX v5 without asking the user to live with it or code the light check off

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by E55 Bulldog

I know this is dead horse thread but I wanted to get opinions...

I want to upgrade my Angel Eye bulbs on my X5 and I know LUX and MTEC are the best but I don't want to pay $200 + for them.

For you guys who have used the ebay lights... what do you recomend?

there are a lot out there with 20w, 32w and now 40w..... Is there a version you are seeing better results with?

Thanks guys.

Talk to Steve @ http://www.mteclightingusa.com/category_s/1854.htm. Tell him Jimmy sent you. I got these on my F02. No error after 6mos of use, it's really bright. If you use halogen, expect a dim yellow look.

[P1]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Talk to Steve @ http://www.mteclightingusa.com/category_s/1854.htm. Tell him Jimmy sent you. I got these on my F02. No error after 6mos of use, it's really bright. If you use halogen, expect a dim yellow look.

Nope. I have PIAA H8 halogen. It's not dim and not a trace of yellow.

Do your outer halos even light up or are the inners so bright that it washes the rest out? $230 is insane for bulbs

[P1]

Also, what might work on a 7-series might not work on a 1-series, 3-series, X5 etc.

The headlights are all different so the "tubes" that deliver the light to the halos are all different also.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by P1et

Nope. I have PIAA H8 halogen. It's not dim and not a trace of yellow.

Do your outer halos even light up or are the inners so bright that it washes the rest out? $230 is insane for bulbs

I tried PIAA H8 on my 2011 X5, before I got the 2012 X5. The PIAA was def better than the piss yellow stock bulbs, but it doesn't look like the LCI angel eyes. The LED color is 6500k (pure - bluish white), PIAA is 4150k ish (plain white).Here's a comparison photo of my F02 with mTEC LEDs vs 2012 X5 OEM LEDs. It fills up both rings nicely.

Correct, the results on the X5 may be different. However, there are many guys with X5 using LUX on this forum, which looks really good. LUX is just as bright as mTEC, so it's down to seller preference/pricing.

The latest mTEC LED H8 uses 4 CREE XPE LEDs, which has more combined lumens than Halogen. The PIAA may be half the price, but LEDs will last the life of your vehicle. PIAA will burn out after a couple years. Email Steve, he'll hook you guys up.

[P1]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

I tried PIAA H8 on my 2011 X5, before I got the 2012 X5. The PIAA was def better than the piss yellow stock bulbs, but it doesn't look like the LCI angel eyes. The LED color is 6500k (pure - bluish white), PIAA is 4150k ish (plain white).Here's a comparison photo of my F02 with mTEC LEDs vs 2012 X5 OEM LEDs. It fills up both rings nicely.

Correct, the results on the X5 may be different. However, there are many guys with X5 using LUX on this forum, which looks really good. LUX is just as bright as mTEC, so it's down to seller preference/pricing.

The latest mTEC LED H8 uses 4 CREE XPE LEDs, which has more combined lumens than Halogen. The PIAA may be half the price, but LEDs will last the life of your vehicle. PIAA will burn out after a couple years. Email Steve, he'll hook you guys up.

Due to the new 2012+ design, no matter which bulbs we throw in the 2011 or older headlights, they will never look like what you have in your new X5. I am thinking about buying the Philips 5000K bulbs for my wife's 135i and seeing what result that gives me. 5000K is optimal from what the LED guys reporting.

[upstate650]

Someone help a brother out - I have a 4/10 build date 2011 X5M, and like every discerning owner, I hate the jaundiced angel eye look and covet the clean white light of the Vitamin D fortified newer models.

Do I understand correctly that my choices are:
1. halogen bulbs - the H8's or whatever, that will run me roughly 70 bucks or so and get me 90% of the way to the new look,

2. cheapo LED's that might fry my lights, might not last very long, and will most certainly make my baby spit codes, or

3. I can go with the top end LED such as the Lux or Mtechs that won't make my baby throw codes but will run me $220-250?

Do I have all this correct?

[P1]

Originally Posted by upstateX5M

Someone help a brother out - I have a 4/10 build date 2011 X5M, and like every discerning owner, I hate the jaundiced angel eye look and covet the clean white light of the Vitamin D fortified newer models.

Do I understand correctly that my choices are:
1. halogen bulbs - the H8's or whatever, that will run me roughly 70 bucks or so and get me 90% of the way to the new look,

2. cheapo LED's that might fry my lights, might not last very long, and will most certainly make my baby spit codes, or

3. I can go with the top end LED such as the Lux or Mtechs that won't make my baby throw codes but will run me $220-250?

Do I have all this correct?

Correct. Biggest issue with LED is flickering, throwing codes and very bright inner halos and washed out/uneven/barely visible outer halos.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by P1et

Correct. Biggest issue with LED is flickering, throwing codes and very bright inner halos and washed out/uneven/barely visible outer halos.

But the high end LED's from Lux and Mtech are supposed to fix that, right?

[P1]

Originally Posted by upstateX5M

But the high end LED's from Lux and Mtech are supposed to fix that, right?

The expensive LEDs don't throw codes but can still flicker. The uneven light distribution between the halos is what bothers me most.

[isugoo]

Originally Posted by P1et

The expensive LEDs don't throw codes but can still flicker. The uneven light distribution between the halos is what bothers me most.

I totally agree with you on this.
I have Lux V4 which is one of the expensive, reputable angel eye LED upgrade.
Inside looks a lot brighter than outside and flickering when turning it off.