F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior & interior) > Fog and side indicator change out - pics
ARMA SPEED
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-19-2012, 02:59 PM   #1
utenigma
Lieutenant
United_States
162
Rep
573
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 335i 8SA M-Adaptive
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Dallas, Tx (Frisco)

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Fog and side indicator change out - pics

Took delivery of my 335i yesterday, and <24 hours later it's been coded and now some of the bulbs have been changed. Figured I'd post some pictures before/after for those looking to do the same things.

I wanted 2 things, no "egg yolk" look in the front turn indicators, and I hate the yellow fog's - they needed to match the angel eyes

So that you guys can see the colors and comparison, I mounted my DSLR on a tripod prior to making the change to take the before pic, then just pulled the trigger to take the after. All images were shot in RAW then I made sure the color balance was identical between shots so as not to mis-represent the color changes

The first was accomplished with Solaris Invisibulbs - 1156 bulbs with 150 Degree Ofset - AKA: PY21W - I chose amber when lit

Before


After


Then the fogs - I went with GP Thunder H8 fog lights - the 7500K version

Before


After


I think the color just about perfectly matches the angel eyes

Btw - I was going to do a full DIY on how to change these, but they're so easy it didn't make sense to waste the time. Turn signals are accessed through a removable panel in the wheel well - a flat head screwdriver pries down two tabs in the top and pull it out - then reach in, twist and remove - reverse to replace. The fogs, pull 3 hex head screws out of the wheel well where the bumper meets the well lining, pull the lining back a little, unclip the fog light, twist and remove - reverse to replace
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2012, 06:17 PM   #2
AMPS
Private
3
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i XDrive
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Canucks Nation

iTrader: (0)

These are great inexpensive mods! Definitely a must for me.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2012, 02:34 AM   #3
ƒ°
ƒ°'s Avatar
101
Rep
1,237
Posts

Drives: ✚
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: ✚ ✚

iTrader: (1)

Thank god... finally someone who understands color balance in photography.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2012, 11:07 AM   #4
matt_435xi
Colonel
matt_435xi's Avatar
United_States
232
Rep
2,377
Posts

Drives: Perfomance Model 3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Denver, CO

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by utenigma View Post
Took delivery of my 335i yesterday, and <24 hours later it's been coded and now some of the bulbs have been changed. Figured I'd post some pictures before/after for those looking to do the same things.

I wanted 2 things, no "egg yolk" look in the front turn indicators, and I hate the yellow fog's - they needed to match the angel eyes
excellent mods and pics! no error codes or any other issues?
__________________
'18 Tesla Perfomance Model 3 White on White Performance Upgrade Pkg & EAP

*RETIRED* 2015 435xi GC [f36] | 2012 335i [f30] | 2009 z4 35i [e89] | 2007 335i coupe [e92] | 2001 325Ci [e46] *RETIRED*
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2012, 03:31 PM   #5
RichardM
Colonel
England
133
Rep
2,046
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i LCI
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Essex UK

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by matt_335Ci View Post
excellent mods and pics! no error codes or any other issues?
I've got the same with no problems. Why would there be when they are the same wattage as the original bulbs?
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2012, 09:27 PM   #6
utenigma
Lieutenant
United_States
162
Rep
573
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 335i 8SA M-Adaptive
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Dallas, Tx (Frisco)

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardM View Post
I've got the same with no problems. Why would there be when they are the same wattage as the original bulbs?
There aren't

If you try to replace bulbs with LED's (which have much lower resistance due to their low wattage) the car will think the light is out so you wire a resistor in series to make up for the difference.

Not to be confusing, but these lights aren't led, just different colored regular wattage lights
Appreciate 0
      01-13-2013, 04:24 PM   #7
lokito
Registered
lokito's Avatar
Puerto Rico
1
Rep
46
Posts

Drives: 335i ///M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (0)

I have a pair of the Solaris bulbs coming on the mail... Any inputs on how bright or dimmed they are vs the ugly OEM bulbs. Thanks!
__________________
2013 335i ///M-Sport |6MT|Mineral Grey|DHP|PDC|HK|
Appreciate 0
      01-13-2013, 04:33 PM   #8
jrortiz
First Lieutenant
jrortiz's Avatar
Puerto Rico
34
Rep
345
Posts

Drives: 2012 328i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Puerto Rico

iTrader: (2)

Nice, really nice. I will like to change the fog. You did some code for them too?
__________________
Black Sapphire Metallic / Premium Package / Technology Package / Cool Weather Package / Lighting Package / Harmon Kardon surround sound system / Vossen VSF/1 Matte Graphite
Appreciate 0
      01-14-2013, 09:48 AM   #9
utenigma
Lieutenant
United_States
162
Rep
573
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 335i 8SA M-Adaptive
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Dallas, Tx (Frisco)

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by lokito View Post
I have a pair of the Solaris bulbs coming on the mail... Any inputs on how bright or dimmed they are vs the ugly OEM bulbs. Thanks!
Haven't noticed any difference in brightness - they seem the same

Quote:
Originally Posted by jrortiz View Post
Nice, really nice. I will like to change the fog. You did some code for them too?
No coding for the fogs - they're equivalent to the oem as far as voltage and wattage, just replacements as far as the car can tell
Appreciate 0
      01-14-2013, 10:04 AM   #10
Tsuyoi
Lieutenant
33
Rep
568
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 328i
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

I'm still a bit confused, are the Solaris bulbs LED or still just normal bulbs? Did you have to use resistors to prevent hyper blinking/error codes? I want clear bulbs that light up amber but haven't had much luck looking so far.
Appreciate 0
      01-14-2013, 03:16 PM   #11
lokito
Registered
lokito's Avatar
Puerto Rico
1
Rep
46
Posts

Drives: 335i ///M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by utenigma View Post
Haven't noticed any difference in brightness - they seem the same
Awesome!!! Thanks!
__________________
2013 335i ///M-Sport |6MT|Mineral Grey|DHP|PDC|HK|
Appreciate 0
      01-15-2013, 08:53 AM   #12
utenigma
Lieutenant
United_States
162
Rep
573
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 335i 8SA M-Adaptive
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Dallas, Tx (Frisco)

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsuyoi View Post
I'm still a bit confused, are the Solaris bulbs LED or still just normal bulbs? Did you have to use resistors to prevent hyper blinking/error codes? I want clear bulbs that light up amber but haven't had much luck looking so far.
The Solaris bulbs are normal bulbs - they're just coated with a reflective coating (think two way mirror) so when they're off, they look like they're made of chrome, and when they're on they're amber.
Appreciate 0
      01-15-2013, 03:51 PM   #13
prestonf30
Captain
49
Rep
612
Posts

Drives: 2015 m3
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Sacramento, Ca

iTrader: (0)

i just got in the mail today my solaris blubs but i went with the blue instead of the amber can't wait to see what they look like when i go home right now and also installing the gp thunder 7500k fogs i already have the gp thunder 3500 k yelllow but wife dont like them so she told me order the 7500k once she saw this thread lol
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2013, 02:58 AM   #14
giorgioarmani
Private
10
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: silver m sport 335i & 19s
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: rivervalley

iTrader: (0)

hi thanks for the great info. to be sure, is this the right link for the fogs? DOnt wanna be my usual dunce self and order the wrong ones

http://www.gp-thunder.com/GP_THUNDER_7500K_2010.htm
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2013, 07:06 AM   #15
utenigma
Lieutenant
United_States
162
Rep
573
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 335i 8SA M-Adaptive
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Dallas, Tx (Frisco)

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by giorgioarmani View Post
hi thanks for the great info. to be sure, is this the right link for the fogs? DOnt wanna be my usual dunce self and order the wrong ones

http://www.gp-thunder.com/GP_THUNDER_7500K_2010.htm
Yes, specifically you want the H8 35watt variety
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2013, 09:23 AM   #16
mattryan
Captain
mattryan's Avatar
Canada
86
Rep
638
Posts

Drives: 2022 M240i xDrive
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Toronto, ON

iTrader: (0)

Quick question for you guys... on the F30 does the LED brow match the AE's exactly or are the AE's a big bluer and the brow is a bit whiter?
__________________
Current: 2022 M240i xDrive
Previous: 2018 440i xDrive, 2012 135i
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2013, 10:10 AM   #17
1bad335
Captain
15
Rep
606
Posts

Drives: 2007 335I/ 2012 335I sportline
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New York

iTrader: (2)

Just an FYI, I installed Solaris bulbs today. I went with the white when lit bulbs. I like them because I do not want the yellow lights when lit either. But be aware they are washed out for day time driving. The reason I was not concerned with this is because of the turn signals in the mirrors. Again, for me I did not want the yellow look on or off.
Appreciate 0
      04-24-2013, 09:42 AM   #18
superjoe
Registered
United_States
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 30i M Sport (G01)
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1bad335 View Post
Just an FYI, I installed Solaris bulbs today. I went with the white when lit bulbs. I like them because I do not want the yellow lights when lit either. But be aware they are washed out for day time driving. The reason I was not concerned with this is because of the turn signals in the mirrors. Again, for me I did not want the yellow look on or off.
Do you have any pics of what the white bulbs look like both with your headlights on and with the turn signals flashing? I'm trying to decide between amber and white myself. Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      04-24-2013, 11:34 AM   #19
Joshhleee
///M Enthusiast
Joshhleee's Avatar
United_States
30
Rep
357
Posts

Drives: '12 F30, '15 x5 5.0, '15 M4,M5
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Los Angeles, California

iTrader: (0)

can you pm me where you bought your fogs?
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2013, 05:48 PM   #20
1bad335
Captain
15
Rep
606
Posts

Drives: 2007 335I/ 2012 335I sportline
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New York

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by superjoe View Post
Do you have any pics of what the white bulbs look like both with your headlights on and with the turn signals flashing? I'm trying to decide between amber and white myself. Thanks!
Sorry for the delay on pics and for the poor pics. Cell phone really sucks. I will get some pics at night too. But here they are. Again, signals are washed out in the daylight but because we have signals in the mirrors I was not at all concerned and was looking to get rid of the yellow lights. Fogs match the DRL and halos perfectly.


Appreciate 0
      09-14-2013, 04:24 PM   #21
rustyminded
Major
rustyminded's Avatar
247
Rep
1,436
Posts

Drives: BMW 328i
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: C

iTrader: (0)

Does they match the Xenon ?
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2013, 02:04 AM   #22
Sleepwalker
Private First Class
24
Rep
179
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW F30 320d M-Sport
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Norge

iTrader: (0)

Looks great! Think I'll be using LED bulbs for my fogs :-)
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:52 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST