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      04-16-2012, 09:37 PM   #1
keepern
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Which Halo LED upgrade to buy?

I have been reading on various forums and webpages to try to find out which halo LED light bulbs I should buy. All of them seem to have some issues, radio interference, error codes, flickering light, not bright enough etc.

Any advice is much appreciate!

/keepern

PS I'm sporting a M3 coupe 2009
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      04-16-2012, 09:47 PM   #2
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http://www.youtube.com/embed/UVCmUDCPTP8
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      04-16-2012, 09:49 PM   #3
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      04-16-2012, 10:14 PM   #4
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      04-16-2012, 10:17 PM   #5
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      04-16-2012, 10:25 PM   #6
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Lux.........
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BMC filter, OEM Exh Mod, ESS Direct Flash tune, flat black kidney grills, color painted front reflectors, LUX Angel eyes, -2012 SVT Raptor 4 dr -09 E90 M3

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      04-16-2012, 10:48 PM   #7
keepern
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So Lux seems reliable? I read that they flicker and burn out within 6 months in a forum.

Is it worth buying stock LED bulbs for 2012 M3 model from the dealer?
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      04-17-2012, 06:55 AM   #8
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I bought alpine and have no issues with them. Got them about a year ago no flickering no error codes and no problems with the actual unit it self. I will say lux has a more even distribution, while the alpine are a lot brighter.
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      04-17-2012, 06:56 AM   #9
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^
Actually a few months ago a gentlemen took photos comparing the top three replacements. Lux alpine etc. I can't find the thread but I know it's there
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      04-17-2012, 07:53 AM   #10
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      04-17-2012, 08:15 AM   #11
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where can I find OSS and how much are they?

what about Alpine - cost and place to buy?

Thanks!
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      04-17-2012, 08:42 AM   #12
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Alpine is not an LED solution. They are regular H8's that are a lot brighter.

I've never heard of LUX burning out in 6 months. I've had mine for well over 6 months and mine are great.

There are also no stock LED bulbs for 2012 M3's... Do a search and you'll find I've made the same correction about 50 times. The M3 did not get the LCI headlamps, only the regular 3 series did. The M3 headlamps now are the same as they were in 2008. The only way to make your angel eyes brighter is to either change the bulb completely (LUX, AiB, Alpine, etc) or code the brightness for the angel eyes (Mike Benvo here knows the coding for it).

There are a ton of threads on this, a simple search would give you all the info you need. Comparisons have been done, pics taken, anything you could ask for. There are pro's and con's for every option out there. Some say LUX and AiB are close but LUX is better, Alpine is bright but sometimes too bright and gets really hot inside the lamp housing, OSS is probably perfect and totally customizable however they are expensive and they dismantle the headlamp completely. There's a lot to consider...
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      04-17-2012, 10:05 AM   #13
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Lux - I believe there are some isolated issues but by no means is that regular. Very happy with my set. If you're interested in going the OSS route, you may want to check if you have a local installer that has done it so you don't have to bother with mailing them out. I don't believe OSS manufactures the actual LED rings and it is the same as the Umnitza Orion v2.
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      04-17-2012, 11:08 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92Mazing View Post
A tripod would have helped so much, LOL


We offer a 1-year warranty on all of our parts, and if a part fails after that time we will still continue to work with you to get the issue resolved.
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      04-17-2012, 07:16 PM   #15
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I really appreciate all your inputs gents! So I called the BMW dealer. I live 2 hours away(!). After quite a long discussion, they finally said my 2009 lights have been discontinued. So he said that if I needed a new light bulb, he would give me the same as for the 2012 model (they don't have mine!). The serial number on the new ones are 12360AR and run on 12v 35 watts. He couldn't tell me if they would work on my car without replacing the entire module ($1350 per side). The new lightbulbs for the 2012 with the bright halo lights cost $32 - not bad. But I couldn't buy them and return them if they didn't work, I don't want to drive 4 hours just to get new light bulbs. So I turn again to you guys, the experts, would the 2012 lightbulb work for me?
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      04-17-2012, 08:30 PM   #16
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The main thing I've noticed with the '12 OEM angel eyes on the 335i's is that they have 2 brightness settings. The DRL setting is way brighter compared to when the headlights get turned on, which make them so visible during the day. The LUX angel eyes are equivalent to the nighttime brightness of the OEM.

After doing some searches, it sounds like there's no easy OEM retrofit available for our cars. So LUX is the simplest and best solution currently available.
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      04-18-2012, 12:52 AM   #17
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Lux looks like oem. Here's my car lux is on left
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      04-18-2012, 08:04 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keepern View Post
I really appreciate all your inputs gents! So I called the BMW dealer. I live 2 hours away(!). After quite a long discussion, they finally said my 2009 lights have been discontinued. So he said that if I needed a new light bulb, he would give me the same as for the 2012 model (they don't have mine!). The serial number on the new ones are 12360AR and run on 12v 35 watts. He couldn't tell me if they would work on my car without replacing the entire module ($1350 per side). The new lightbulbs for the 2012 with the bright halo lights cost $32 - not bad. But I couldn't buy them and return them if they didn't work, I don't want to drive 4 hours just to get new light bulbs. So I turn again to you guys, the experts, would the 2012 lightbulb work for me?
The bulbs and headlight assemblies are the same for all years. Your dealer is confused.
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      04-18-2012, 01:19 PM   #19
keepern
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so why wouldn't I buy the $32 light bulb? Why pay $240 for LUX?
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      04-18-2012, 02:07 PM   #20
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I'll say it again, there is no difference between a 2009 H8 for the Angel Eyes and a 2012 in the M3 model... The only E9X models that got a headlight update with the LCI were the regular 3 series. The M3 was untouched in that area... If you go ahead and buy "new 2012" bulbs for your M3, you'll be disappointed in that they are EXACTLY THE SAME as your old ones.

Bottom line, if you want a different look, you need to fork over the money for aftermarket solutions (or get it coded to be brighter).

Dealers can have a tendency to be confused, especially if you're not very clear or knowledgable on what you're talking about. When trying to get some betalink from a dealership, I walked to the parts desk and asked for betalink. The guy said, "We don't have anything like that... What is it?" I told him what it was, and he laughed and said, "BMW doesn't have that stuff, where'd you hear about it, from some 'car forum?'" I just smiled, gave him the part number and told him to look it up. He found it and apologized. Like I said, some dealerships really don't know anything.
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      04-18-2012, 08:25 PM   #21
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I have had some issue with the only dealership in my state. They don't know what they are doing. And this confirms it. thanks again. Too bad LUX is out of stock. So I might go Weisslicht.
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      04-18-2012, 10:21 PM   #22
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Lux!!! I have the 5K ones and they look great! Not a single issue.
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