[Anad]

I have a newish F10 (November 2014) with factory fit xenon headlights. The bulbs and light output is good but i'm wondering if anyone has changed the bulbs for something of better quality like a philips nighbreaker ultimate Xenarc...who claim +70% more light on the road, 20m longer light beam and 5% whiter light.
I've checked the handbook and it says due to high voltages it's a dealer bulb change only, i researched the net and Youtube to see if a 'how to' is on there, but not seen anything...if the car is open but no power on surely this would be ok? And does anyone know which bulb the factory xenon is...D1S, D2S etc.
Big thanks in advance for anyone's input or suggestions.

[xenon]

It's a D2S.

[ukbeemerboy]

I'd leave well enough alone seeing as they are covered by warranty.

[GMTRB5]

Would be interesting to see if someone has done this .. my wife has an S-Max with Xenon's and the light output is nowhere near as bright as the BMW factory fit xenon .. have often wondered about getting them changed for something a bit brighter....

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by GMTRB5

Would be interesting to see if someone has done this .. my wife has an S-Max with Xenon's and the light output is nowhere near as bright as the BMW factory fit xenon .. have often wondered about getting them changed for something a bit brighter....

Audi Xenons aren't anywhere near as bright or good as BMW ones either so the bulbs used must be good from the start.....

[PeterGriffin]

I have put in the osrams xenon unlimited something.

I must say that they don't put out 70% more but 25-30% yes.
The light is wider, better colour and a little bit longer.

[AP]

not confusing colour temperature with brightness? not the same thing,.
I have xenons and find them to very good indeed. Would never go back to halogens.

Always wondered if these new LEDs are better in terms of brightness than xenon or simply another technology providing the same output. (ignoring the adaptive functionality that they obviously are better at)

[GMTRB5]

I've got the adaptive LED lights on my 5 series .. In terms of the pure light output I don't think they are any brighter than the Xenon's .. but, they have the "dancing lights" which is just fantastic, but more importantly for me they change the look of the front of the car significantly and makes it look nicer I think

[AP]

Yes agree they (LED) do look better.

[Anad]

I had the adaptive xenons on my previous Vaux Insignia car, they would change the beam pattern depending on the car speed, whether there were street lights on the road etc, had the auto dip and cornering lights.....i know the xenons are good on my F10 but a far cry from what i had before. Think i'm going to give the osrams a try. Thanks for everyone's comments.

[Anad]

Well, had a quick look today to see what it entails. Easy access to the back of the lights via a flap in the wheel arch which exposes the back of the lights assy. Then there are x4 torx screws holding the waterproof plastic rear light casing. Two are easy access but the other two look light a nightmare ! I'm an ex truck mechanic now pen pusher...not gynaecologist .
Going to have a play when i've got more time. And FYi they are Type D1S.

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by Anad

I had the adaptive xenons on my previous Vaux Insignia car, they would change the beam pattern depending on the car speed, whether there were street lights on the road etc, had the auto dip and cornering lights.....i know the xenons are good on my F10 but a far cry from what i had before. Think i'm going to give the osrams a try. Thanks for everyone's comments.

Sounds like you should of specced Visability pack. You'd of had High Beam Assist and Adaptive lights then....

[OliA]

Originally Posted by Anad

Well, had a quick look today to see what it entails. Easy access to the back of the lights via a flap in the wheel arch which exposes the back of the lights assy. Then there are x4 torx screws holding the waterproof plastic rear light casing. Two are easy access but the other two look light a nightmare ! I'm an ex truck mechanic now pen pusher...not gynaecologist .
Going to have a play when i've got more time. And FYi they are Type D1S.

Hi - did you have any joy on this? I have the exact same situation. Thought the stock xenons looked quite dull, bought some Osram night breakers and when I went to fit them just couldn't get at the two inner torx screws. I've looked all over the web to try and find a definitive guide but nothing. I wonder if the headlights need to be removed and if so, does that mean the bumper needs to come off? (Can't find any info on how to remove the headlights either!)

It's a 2014 F10, standard xenons, not adaptive.

Thanks

[Anad]

No i just left them as current std xenons, definitely a downgrade from the dancing lights on the Insignia, actual light output is not as good either. Just like you, i took the panel in the wheel arch off but there is just no access room !

[Hasser]

maybe need to remove the wheel to get full access in the wheel arch