Headlight bulb recommendations?

Danburns91 · 08-07-2017, 10:24 AM

I'm currently looking to change my standard bulbs of my 2012 f10. The car has been spec'd with the visibilty package but the bulbs haven't been changed since new.

I've been looking at a few osram/Philips bulbs but these LED bulb upgrades look tempted. Has anybody got any experience with these?

MrPogle · 08-07-2017, 12:21 PM

Usually this type of thing is poor. Headlamps have an incredibly carefully designed reflector and when you replace a virtually point-source of light (a filament) with multiple differently positioned points of light (an led cluster) the light goes everywhere. However, if the led replacement is a single led, it might work OK. In the past I have used Philips high-output bulbs and the results where underwhelming. You could tell they where a bit brighter but it didn't seem to equate to seeing more on the road.

Danburns91 · 08-07-2017, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPogle

Usually this type of thing is poor. Headlamps have an incredibly carefully designed reflector and when you replace a virtually point-source of light (a filament) with multiple differently positioned points of light (an led cluster) the light goes everywhere. However, if the led replacement is a single led, it might work OK. In the past I have used Philips high-output bulbs and the results where underwhelming. You could tell they where a bit brighter but it didn't seem to equate to seeing more on the road.

This is the sort of thing I'm looking at. For that money you can usually pick up a half decent d1s though!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272756518999

Apples12 · 08-07-2017, 02:45 PM

Just go for osram CBI bulbs if you have the visibility package if I'm not mistaken you should also have xenon's

Osram cbi's are the way to go - look on www.hidplanet.com for more inspiration

Mogwai888 · 08-07-2017, 04:06 PM

The CBIs aren't a bad shout if you're looking for a bit more bluer/whiter light. They're great in the right conditions (dry) but I found they weren't as good when the roads were wet.

The led kits seem to be throwing some hefty light output and I'd be slightly cautious of the actual real life performance.

This thread is an interesting read from the f30 forum which compared OEM xenon to OEM leds. http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1230507
The bulbs you've linked to are claiming lumen output of well over OEM xenon and LEDs.

If you do go for the led kit I'd be interested how you get on if you don't mind being a guinea pig. There's just doesn't seem to be, from my limited research, of many real life examples of people switching from OEM xenon bulbs to retrofit led bulbs.

08-07-2017, 10:24 AM	#1
Danburns91 Private 13 Rep 89 Posts Drives: Space Grey Metallic F10 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Oldbury, West Midlands iTrader: (0)	Headlight bulb recommendations? I'm currently looking to change my standard bulbs of my 2012 f10. The car has been spec'd with the visibilty package but the bulbs haven't been changed since new. I've been looking at a few osram/Philips bulbs but these LED bulb upgrades look tempted. Has anybody got any experience with these?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-07-2017, 12:21 PM	#2
MrPogle Captain 69 Rep 605 Posts Drives: F10 550i M-Sport LCI Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Usually this type of thing is poor. Headlamps have an incredibly carefully designed reflector and when you replace a virtually point-source of light (a filament) with multiple differently positioned points of light (an led cluster) the light goes everywhere. However, if the led replacement is a single led, it might work OK. In the past I have used Philips high-output bulbs and the results where underwhelming. You could tell they where a bit brighter but it didn't seem to equate to seeing more on the road.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2017, 02:45 PM	#4
Apples12 First Lieutenant 108 Rep 364 Posts Drives: 520D LCI auto Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Just go for osram CBI bulbs if you have the visibility package if I'm not mistaken you should also have xenon's Osram cbi's are the way to go - look on www.hidplanet.com for more inspiration
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2017, 04:06 PM	#5
Mogwai888 Private First Class 64 Rep 177 Posts Drives: iX3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The CBIs aren't a bad shout if you're looking for a bit more bluer/whiter light. They're great in the right conditions (dry) but I found they weren't as good when the roads were wet. The led kits seem to be throwing some hefty light output and I'd be slightly cautious of the actual real life performance. This thread is an interesting read from the f30 forum which compared OEM xenon to OEM leds. http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1230507 The bulbs you've linked to are claiming lumen output of well over OEM xenon and LEDs. If you do go for the led kit I'd be interested how you get on if you don't mind being a guinea pig. There's just doesn't seem to be, from my limited research, of many real life examples of people switching from OEM xenon bulbs to retrofit led bulbs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote