[CrippledLucifer]

http://www.carid.com/2009-bmw-3-seri...-25657163.html

Anyone else have these installed? I've been searching for quality LED bulbs to replace the incandescent ones in my E90 LCI tail lights to have full LED lighting all around. This seller claims the red PlaZma ones spit out 320 lumens of light compared to the incandescent 440 lumens. Is that a significant enough drop to warrant a safety hazard? I've read that LEDs that match the color of the housing of the taillight will often be brighter than incandescent bulbs but I'm not sure if that's the case here.

Furthermore, I'm also only looking to replace the brake lights and not the rear fog lights with these. Were I to order them, would I need 4? I'd like to keep the rear fog lights incandescent.

According to the following RealOEM diagram, item #7 are the ones I'm looking at replacing right?



I'm assuming these will require coding out of the bulb check else they'll flicker or will they be fine since they're listed as being fully CAN bus compliant? In case they do flicker, will they flicker as I'm puttering along or is it ONLY on startup?

Thanks in advance!

[cpie168]

Subscribed. Thanks.

[CrippledLucifer]

Anyone else have any insight?

[9mmkungfu]

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

Anyone else have these installed?

I haven't.

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

Is that a significant enough drop to warrant a safety hazard?

That is significant, but I can't answer the last part.

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

I've read that LEDs that match the color of the housing of the taillight will often be brighter than incandescent bulbs but I'm not sure if that's the case here.

I've heard the same.

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

Were I to order them, would I need 4?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

According to the following RealOEM diagram, item #7 are the ones I'm looking at replacing right?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

I'm assuming these will require coding out of the bulb check else they'll flicker or will they be fine since they're listed as being fully CAN bus compliant?

CAN-bus compliant means you should not need to install a resistor because there is one already in place and there should be no bulb-out warning.

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

In case they do flicker, will they flicker as I'm puttering along or is it ONLY on startup?

Startup.


For more information regarding this topic, see this thread:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858424

[CrippledLucifer]

Originally Posted by 9mmkungfu

For more information regarding this topic, see this thread:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858424

Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated.

I have read that topic in its entirety and it seems like the flickering on startup will indeed occur unless the bulb check is coded out. Might have to give it some more thought or just get rid of the bulb check via coding.

[9mmkungfu]

Originally Posted by Cyanide72

Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated.

I have read that topic in its entirety and it seems like the flickering on startup will indeed occur unless the bulb check is coded out. Might have to give it some more thought or just get rid of the bulb check via coding.

No problem. It does seem that way, so I would be prepared to code it out, if that bothers you. Also, it seemed that the bulbs did indeed work for the original poster in that thread, but the quality suffered; perhaps the bulbs you are thinking about trying out will be of higher quality and work well for you.

I am curious to find out!

[Dark_Knight_335]

I am not aware of any aftermarket red LED solution, at that price point or any other price point, that wouldn't put you into a serious DOT safety hazard.

[9mmkungfu]

Did you end up trying these LEDs?

[BoogeyMan'sBMW]

I had LEDs all around on my E90. More often than not, all these LED bulbs that say they are Can-bus and claim not to throw codes often do. I would recommend getting the bulb checks coded out.

Also, there are two types of bulb checks I believe they are referred to cold and hot. The cold is at startup and the hot happens while driving. I remember before I was coded some of my LEDs would blink for that check.

I just bought some cheap ones of ebay and with the money you are saving, you can experiment and shop around.

My .02, good luck!

[CrippledLucifer]

Originally Posted by BoogeyMan'sBMW

I had LEDs all around on my E90. More often than not, all these LED bulbs that say they are Can-bus and claim not to throw codes often do. I would recommend getting the bulb checks coded out.

Also, there are two types of bulb checks I believe they are referred to cold and hot. The cold is at startup and the hot happens while driving. I remember before I was coded some of my LEDs would blink for that check.

I just bought some cheap ones of ebay and with the money you are saving, you can experiment and shop around.

My .02, good luck!

Thanks!

I did some more research and indeed found out about the warm checks. I'll code out the bulb checks via BMWhat as that has the option to disable the voltage checks.

Originally Posted by 9mmkungfu

Did you end up trying these LEDs?

I've placed an order for 4 of them and they should be here sometime this week. I will update eventually about how they are when I've had a chance to use them.

[CrippledLucifer]

Update:

Got these bulbs and have a review up for those wondering. Review at the following link:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1091113