[cleex024]

Hey guys I wanted to know if you guys think it would be safe to replace the 35w halo bulbs with 55w silverstars?

I know that 55w will get a lot hotter than 35w bulbs but wanted know what you guys thought and if anyone has tried it

[cleex024]

also i am deciding on halogen lights because for some reason even the stock bulbs light up the outer rings better than any leds ive seen.

[cleex024]

any idea guys? or should i post in the mechanical section?

[rollinstone157]

Idea--get/borrow a cheap IR thermometer, or even a cheaper 'contact' thermometer, hook up a 35 watt bulb too a battery and a 55 and see how much hotter it gets. Im not trying to be condescending, I just don't know, and the only way to find out will be to try.

[mashimarho]

^ Listen to him.
He knows what he's talking about.

[335_MI6]

the car will have a light error tho

[cleex024]

well what i decided to do was go the hid route...found some decent cheap ones on amazon...so ill let you guys know how it goes.

[rbtamms]

I wouldn't try it because it might melt some of your wirings...

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by mashimarho

^ Listen to him.
He knows what he's talking about.

Haha thanks Sean, just trying to help

Although thinking about it now, I wouldn't want that additional stress on my wiring system for an extended period of time.

I'm going to test run some 85-watt H3 bulbs for my cornering lights (increased wattage + color filter = whiter light with equivalent light output to stock), and I'm not worrying about melting anything, primarly because they usually run for a few seconds at a time, but also because the computer will not allow them to run for any longer than 30 seconds--not long enough to melt anything.

I would be very concerned about the wiring, lighting computer, and angel eye rings experiencing some kind of damage with that increased load for long periods of time.

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by cleex024

well what i decided to do was go the hid route...found some decent cheap ones on amazon...so ill let you guys know how it goes.

Just understand that you will need to code your car for this to work. You will need to code out fading for the AE's, PWM for the AE's, bulb-check (cold and warm I think?) for the AE's, and the voltage drop that the AE's get when the headlights go on.

If you're reading that and thinking something along the lines of "what the fuck", then I suggest you read this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=623634

Basically, with these cars, it's not just as simple as "plug and go". Our cars "check" the bulbs in our cars on a regular basis (not just at start up). So if you don't perform some counteractive action after installing an aftermarket HID/LED kit/bulb/thing, you will see errors on your dashboard, and the bulb will not illuminate.

I know this is really confusing, when I first tried to grapple with the concept, I was really confused and didn't know where to start. So if you have any questions, or need clarification on anything (I tend to be far too wordy), feel free to let me know, either by replying here, or sending me a PM.

Good luck!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

I dont recommend it and aside from the many problems that can arise you will throw errors.

Understanding errors:, think of it this way.. BMW took the exact amount of current/resistance/draw etc and if there is any deviation beyond what they set as the norm, you will receive errors. The 2007 models seem to have tighter tolerances.

[cleex024]

jesus man...why is this so hard?? and why cant the damn voltage be dropped with these?

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by cleex024

jesus man...why is this so hard?? and why cant the damn voltage be dropped with these?

Because HID kits operate in a pretty narrow voltage band (the cheap kits narrower so), and the PWM will cause the ballasts to fail prematurely. Don't be scared away by the idea of coding. Check the local forums, and you can find someone in the nearest major city who will do it for free or cheap!

[cleex024]

Originally Posted by rollinstone157

Because HID kits operate in a pretty narrow voltage band (the cheap kits narrower so), and the PWM will cause the ballasts to fail prematurely. Don't be scared away by the idea of coding. Check the local forums, and you can find someone in the nearest major city who will do it for free or cheap!

yeah but the thing is i do want it to be lower in voltage...i dont want it that bright all the time lol.

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by cleex024

yeah but the thing is i do want it to be lower in voltage...i dont want it that bright all the time lol.

I've never seen a dimable HID kit in any price range...that's the downside to HID kits--great during the day, but a little too bright at night (IMO)...I read a thread somewhere that you could modify the ballast...but it seemed dicey and I can't say I saw signs of success from the thread...

[cleex024]

Originally Posted by rollinstone157

I've never seen a dimable HID kit in any price range...that's the downside to HID kits--great during the day, but a little too bright at night (IMO)...I read a thread somewhere that you could modify the ballast...but it seemed dicey and I can't say I saw signs of success from the thread...

so what u got in yours now?

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by cleex024

so what u got in yours now?

RIght now, I have the factory xenons, with the factory angel eyes. However, I have a set of HighPerformanceBulbs.com 10-Watt Cree Angel Eyes shipping. I am not expecting perfect daytime visibility, but I'm fairly confident that for $80, I will be extremely pleased with them. I was considering OSS or something like that, but my cars still in its infancy regarding the warranty, and I'd rather not void it on such expensive headlights just yet! one day...

[RoundelM3]

I'm using the LUX H8 V3 LEDs in my early 2007 E92 with no problems or errors. A little pricey, but worth it for not having to replace the halogen bulbs once a year (they burn much brighter than stock and burn out quicker). An example: GP Thunder 8500K bulbs look great, but only last a year or so.

[schulrog]

just as an FYI H8 bulbs in stock configuration are 35W. so you could grab some MTEC cosmos blue H8's and they'll have the color you want at the correct wattage causing no errors at all. In fact, you could use any H8 bulb. just out of curiosity.. where did you see H8 silverstars?

[cleex024]

Originally Posted by schulrog

just as an FYI H8 bulbs in stock configuration are 35W. so you could grab some MTEC cosmos blue H8's and they'll have the color you want at the correct wattage causing no errors at all. In fact, you could use any H8 bulb. just out of curiosity.. where did you see H8 silverstars?

autozone but they are 55w so im not going to go that route....i think i will just try the hid's out since i have already ordered them lol.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by cleex024

yeah but the thing is i do want it to be lower in voltage...i dont want it that bright all the time lol.

You can't DIM HID. They need a certain amount of power to stay on. Although you probably could technically if you were savvy with electronics but it really isnt designed for that purpose. If you want to dim something use a halogen bulb

[cleex024]

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

You can't DIM HID. They need a certain amount of power to stay on. Although you probably could technically if you were savvy with electronics but it really isnt designed for that purpose. If you want to dim something use a halogen bulb

I just want something in between halogen and hid, but leds seem to be brighter than halogens but they dont seem to light up the outer rings very well.