E90 Lightbar LED setup. Results soon!

[ihyln]

I've been trying to work with some aftermarket LEDs for the lightbar setup in the E90s and it's looking pretty good with them. I can do better with a slightly higher power set which will make it stand out like my E39. I will be trying a pair of 30w and see how they fare. I'll let you guys know in a couple of days!

[SlammedR8]

umm...sorry...which lights do you speak of?

[ihyln]

In the E90s the 3 LED pipes are fake. They are not powered but any LEDs at all only a bulb.

[TH3DAN]

Originally Posted by ihyln

In the E90s the 3 LED pipes are fake. They are not powered but any LEDs at all only a bulb.

hey, can you explain what lights you are referring to? Maybe a pic or something.

Thanks,

DAN

[ihyln]

It's the 3 LED pipes on your tails... not hard to spot

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by ihyln

It's the 3 LED pipes on your tails... not hard to spot

Are you saying E92s use LEDs and E90s do not?

[///M PWR 00]

If you ask me, BMW really half assed the E90/E92s as far as the tail lights go. Back in 03 the E46 started using full function LED tails, including turn signals. Now the E90s and E92s are back using bulbs for blinkers... WTF is going on here...

[ihyln]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Are you saying E92s use LEDs and E90s do not?

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm kind of surprised that people don't know this by now. I guess BMW had everyone fooled

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by ///M PWR 00

If you ask me, BMW really half assed the E90/E92s as far as the tail lights go. Back in 03 the E46 started using full function LED tails, including turn signals. Now the E90s and E92s are back using bulbs for blinkers... WTF is going on here...

Gives them something to upgrade mid-cycle, like on the E46, I guess. Are we supposed to forget they sold us on LED brake lights with the fact that they respond much quicker than filament bulbs?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by ihyln

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm kind of surprised that people don't know this by now. I guess BMW had everyone fooled

Well, I guess the much higher price of the coupe should by you something besides the CF roof?

[TheBry]

Originally Posted by ///M PWR 00

If you ask me, BMW really half assed the E90/E92s as far as the tail lights go. Back in 03 the E46 started using full function LED tails, including turn signals. Now the E90s and E92s are back using bulbs for blinkers... WTF is going on here...

That's something I'll miss when my E93 M3 arrives. My E46 had full LED tail lights.

What's funny is that the leaked MY09 E90 / E91 pics show BMW moving back toward full LED tails, and adding LED to the headlight cluster as well.

I guess this is similar to the E46 range... the first few years had standard bulbs, then in MY04 they added the LEDs (but only on the coupe and convertible). Seems really inconsistent, and odd for a company that prides itself on restrained evolutionary design.

[ihyln]

Originally Posted by TheBry

That's something I'll miss when my E93 M3 arrives. My E46 had full LED tail lights.

What's funny is that the leaked MY09 E90 / E91 pics show BMW moving back toward full LED tails, and adding LED to the headlight cluster as well.

I guess this is similar to the E46 range... the first few years had standard bulbs, then in MY04 they added the LEDs (but only on the coupe and convertible). Seems really inconsistent, and odd for a company that prides itself on restrained evolutionary design.

The thing that stinks to high hell is that this LCI based off the photos is not an easy retrofit for current 08 E90 owners. E46 owners can easily drop in LED tails. Although, I'm hopeful that this will be a drop in replacement I won't be holding my breath.

[GuyOh]

Originally Posted by ///M PWR 00

If you ask me, BMW really half assed the E90/E92s as far as the tail lights go. Back in 03 the E46 started using full function LED tails, including turn signals. Now the E90s and E92s are back using bulbs for blinkers... WTF is going on here...

bmw did that intentionally, soo they use LEDs for facelifts

[TH3DAN]

Originally Posted by ihyln

The thing that stinks to high hell is that this LCI based off the photos is not an easy retrofit for current 08 E90 owners. E46 owners can easily drop in LED tails. Although, I'm hopeful that this will be a drop in replacement I won't be holding my breath.

Well, keep me posted on your progress for aftermarket LEDs. Sounds interesting.

Thanks,

Dan