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      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..
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      07-30-2013, 05:31 PM   #2
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Looks good!
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      07-31-2013, 12:29 AM   #3
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I Like!
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kzang View Post
Yes, I saw all that before I pulled the trigger. I did specifically not want LED bulbs, so the last two were out. I did see the first post but have read that initially those GP Thunders looks great, but over time they start yellowing again meaning you'd have to constantly replace bulbs. No thanks. Or they burn out. Which is why I decided to spend a bit more money and get the PIAAs since it's a reputable brand. If Hella had something similar, I would have gone with that. Or Philips.
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      07-31-2013, 10:59 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et View Post
Yes, I saw all that before I pulled the trigger. I did specifically not want LED bulbs, so the last two were out. I did see the first post but have read that initially those GP Thunders looks great, but over time they start yellowing again meaning you'd have to constantly replace bulbs. No thanks. Or they burn out. Which is why I decided to spend a bit more money and get the PIAAs since it's a reputable brand. If Hella had something similar, I would have gone with that. Or Philips.
I see... well then carry on
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      08-01-2013, 09:51 AM   #7
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Whats wrong with LEDs?
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      08-01-2013, 02:49 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toneaero View Post
Whats wrong with LEDs?
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, 11:33 AM   #11
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Good write up P1ET. When I initially purchased my X5 I wondered how to replicate the LCI angels. I ended up pulling the trigger on a set of LUX LED's...
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      09-27-2013, 01:02 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2slick4u View Post
Good write up P1ET. When I initially purchased my X5 I wondered how to replicate the LCI angels. I ended up pulling the trigger on a set of LUX LED's...
How do you like them? Any pics?
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2slick4u View Post
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..
Yes, would love to see some pics. I will likely one day swap the Xtreme White with the Precious White bulbs to see if they make a noticeable difference on the X5.
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      11-12-2013, 03:07 PM   #15
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P1et Good day! was there a noticeable difference on the X5? hope you can post some photos.
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      11-12-2013, 05:19 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elbojemio View Post
P1et Good day! was there a noticeable difference on the X5? hope you can post some photos.
I actually never swapped them. Reason being: although changing the H8 bulbs on the X5 is easy, on the 135i it's real pain in the arse. So I'd rather not fiddle around with it at this point, and will probably just buy the 4800K bulbs at some point for the X5 also.

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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Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et View Post
I actually never swapped them. Reason being: although changing the H8 bulbs on the X5 is easy, on the 135i it's real pain in the arse. So I'd rather not fiddle around with it at this point, and will probably just buy the 4800K bulbs at some point for the X5 also.

If I can make a recommendation, don't buy the 4150K bulbs when you have the option to buy the 4800K bulbs.
Thanks for the prompt reply. I was looking at both the Philips 5000k Diamond Vision H8 and the PIAA Precious White 4800k H8 but have not decided yet.

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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elbojemio View Post
Thanks for the prompt reply. I was looking at both the Philips 5000k Diamond Vision H8 and the PIAA Precious White 4800k H8 but have not decided yet.

Anyways, have you done coding on the brightness of your X5 halos?
I think they are both sound bulbs, however, I don't have any experience with the Philips bulbs myself. You probably saw the thread I have going in the 1-series forum. Lots of guys bought the Philips bulbs since they are a little easier to find and cheaper compared to the PIAA bulbs.

And no, I most likely will not mess with coding on the my X5...
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      11-13-2013, 11:23 AM   #19
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So what's the advantage of halogen bulbs that you used over LED bulbs in pre LCI?
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      11-13-2013, 11:43 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BU Z4 View Post
So what's the advantage of halogen bulbs that you used over LED bulbs in pre LCI?
Price.

I've used both, and LEDs are substantially brighter.
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      11-13-2013, 12:11 PM   #21
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Good info , thanks
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      11-13-2013, 12:21 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BU Z4 View Post
So what's the advantage of halogen bulbs that you used over LED bulbs in pre LCI?
Good question. Few things:

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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