DIY Complete Guide to full LED bulb swap for the F30s with halogen headlights

scostu · 10-01-2018, 07:10 AM

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……new......

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/h7...o-2stroke.html

Billfitz · 10-01-2018, 07:43 AM

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……expensive......

Wobert · 10-05-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhsmhs

Hello,
I received today LED light from HIKARI, but I have problem with installation. I Have BMW 318i 2017. And in Light lamp is H7 mounted with some special holder and holder is screwed into the light. Here is photo:

Looks that I need some adapter...

Any help?

I have the same issue and the bulbs come with no adapters other that the H7 flange to fit a std H7 housing.

I can’t see how I can make the fit without modifying this spring clip.

Wobert · 10-05-2018, 11:38 AM

It looks like you need an adapter for LCI headlights, I’ve ordered one of these, see how I get on....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B073P1PRJH

Wobert · 10-08-2018, 01:32 PM

Unfortunately the adapter kit doesn’t work with the bulb...time to look again.

Hammer Werke · 11-28-2018, 11:36 AM

Thanks for putting this write up together. I just ordered most of the bulbs.
I also found these for the turn signals:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

More expensive but I don't mind paying for the Osram name and warranty. Shipping from Germany.

I got these for the Low beams:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

High beams:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Parking:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DRL:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These were way too expensive compared to the ebay versions but in the grand scheme of things all these bulbs are still cheap and I much prefer buying through amazon as their customer service is the best.

So that's it. Excited for the upgrade. Have to scout some yellow fog's now.

Billfitz · 11-28-2018, 12:05 PM

Yellow fogs might work well in actual fog. I so rarely deal with fog I can't say. For general driving stay with white. You can use the H8/9/11 version of https://www.amazon.com/BEAMTECH-Head...H2AWW06WZR664C

Hammer Werke · 11-28-2018, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Yellow fogs might work well in actual fog. I so rarely deal with fog I can't say. For general driving stay with white. You can use the H8/9/11 version of https://www.amazon.com/BEAMTECH-Head...H2AWW06WZR664C

Thanks. Do you run these bulbs?

Billfitz · 11-28-2018, 01:19 PM

I run these, which are similar:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

It doesn't seem that particular brand has H8/9/11 at the moment, but the LED bulb market is constantly changing.

Hammer Werke · 11-30-2018, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I run these, which are similar:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

It doesn't seem that particular brand has H8/9/11 at the moment, but the LED bulb market is constantly changing.

Thanks. Is there any special resistors I have to install etc or can I just pop in the new bulbs for the fogs and then code no checks?

crimson_king · 11-30-2018, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer Werke

Thanks. Is there any special resistors I have to install etc or can I just pop in the new bulbs for the fogs and then code no checks?

The coding eliminates the need for resistors, so yes, just the bulbs are needed

Billfitz · 11-30-2018, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer Werke

Thanks. Is there any special resistors I have to install etc or can I just pop in the new bulbs for the fogs and then code no checks?

I ended up using resistors on my fogs. For reasons I didn't bother to explore they flickered like mad, even though they weren't turned on and the ignition was off, as soon as I unlocked the car. This was after all the necessary coding. I had resistors on hand, installed them, and the flicker stopped, so I let it go at that, I didn't use 6 ohm resistors that everyone usually does, that value is way lower than it needs to be, drawing a lot more current and getting much hotter than I was comfortable with. I used 15 ohm, which draw a lot less current and stay cool:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What's odd is that none of the other bulbs needed resistors, just the coding alone was enough.

Hammer Werke · 12-03-2018, 11:26 AM

I did the swap over the weekend. Was easier than I thought it was going to be. Thanks for the instructions! I was very prepared to slice up my hands so I only got a few minor cuts. I coded everything as it should be but I noticed that sometimes my left low beam would flicker. I'm not sure if it still is doing this because it was very intermittent. I'll keep an eye on it. All the bulbs were good choices except for my parking lights. They are sort of a flat, double-sided design and the bulbs lock in at a certain angle so they are not symmetrical when installed. I guess I will be ordering the original recommendations! All in all I am pretty happy with the upgrade. I would say it looks like it is about 20% brighter than halogen and much nicer looking. The beam pattern appears identical to the old halogens. High beam pattern actually looks quite narrow and focused but I haven't checked with any night driving yet.

It is an interesting market for these bulbs as new stuff is coming out every few months. I know they say the chips are Cree and Lummileds but I actually doubt that they really are.

Billfitz · 12-03-2018, 01:11 PM

Do the lows have drivers? I see them on the catalog page for the highs but not the lows. The lack of drivers could explain the flicker.

Hammer Werke · 12-03-2018, 01:58 PM

Do you mean the little canbus dongle things? No, the lows did not have them.
I actually still need to figure out how to secure the ones for the highs. For now I just have that little box loose inside the housing. That housing is now like a rats nest of wires and heatsink cables so it's not like that box has much room to slide around though...but still. My hands are huge. I would need some of those surgeon forceps to do up zip ties inside. I have seen some youtube video where he drills a hole in the circular caps and uses a gromet to take the wires/box through them to secure outside the housing.

Hammer Werke · 12-04-2018, 11:44 AM

Ok yep I noticed some flickering from one low beam on my drive home last night. What the hell am I to do? New bulbs? Resistor?

crimson_king · 12-04-2018, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer Werke

Ok yep I noticed some flickering from one low beam on my drive home last night. What the hell am I to do? New bulbs? Resistor?

Which bulbs did u buy and did u code as well?

Hammer Werke · 12-04-2018, 12:52 PM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The build quality is very nice actually.

Yes I coded as well with Bimmercode.

crimson_king · 12-04-2018, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer Werke

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The build quality is very nice actually.

Yes I coded as well with Bimmercode.

Ok that's interesting since those are bought by many others. Did u make sure you coded out the cold and warm checks and switched the bulb type to led?

Hammer Werke · 12-04-2018, 01:08 PM

Yea, I thought I was in the clear. I coded everything properly. A few times to troubleshoot actually. Fogs are the same brand but h8/h11 style and I don't think they are flickering.

Highs:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm not 100% sure not flickering because I haven't run them long...but these ones have the little driver boxes on them whereas the low beams / fogs do not.

Billfitz · 12-04-2018, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer Werke

I'm not 100% sure not flickering because I haven't run them long...but these ones have the little driver boxes on them whereas the low beams / fogs do not.

I'd say that's your answer.

Hammer Werke · 12-04-2018, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd say that's your answer.

Yea... :/

Did you stuff the driver in the housing with the led? I guess I'll switch bulbs.

10-01-2018, 07:10 AM	#89
scostu Colonel 1621 Rep 2,036 Posts Drives: 2016 F25 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space Coast Florida...aka NASA area iTrader: (0)	Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……new...... https://www.theretrofitsource.com/h7...o-2stroke.html __________________
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10-01-2018, 07:43 AM	#90
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……expensive......
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10-05-2018, 11:38 AM	#92
Wobert Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	It looks like you need an adapter for LCI headlights, I’ve ordered one of these, see how I get on.... https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B073P1PRJH
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2018, 01:32 PM	#93
Wobert Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately the adapter kit doesn’t work with the bulb...time to look again.
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11-28-2018, 11:36 AM	#94
Hammer Werke Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '15 328d Touring Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for putting this write up together. I just ordered most of the bulbs. I also found these for the turn signals: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 More expensive but I don't mind paying for the Osram name and warranty. Shipping from Germany. I got these for the Low beams: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 High beams: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Parking: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 DRL: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 These were way too expensive compared to the ebay versions but in the grand scheme of things all these bulbs are still cheap and I much prefer buying through amazon as their customer service is the best. So that's it. Excited for the upgrade. Have to scout some yellow fog's now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-28-2018, 12:05 PM	#95
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Yellow fogs might work well in actual fog. I so rarely deal with fog I can't say. For general driving stay with white. You can use the H8/9/11 version of https://www.amazon.com/BEAMTECH-Head...H2AWW06WZR664C
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-28-2018, 01:19 PM	#97
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I run these, which are similar: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1 It doesn't seem that particular brand has H8/9/11 at the moment, but the LED bulb market is constantly changing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-03-2018, 11:26 AM	#101
Hammer Werke Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '15 328d Touring Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I did the swap over the weekend. Was easier than I thought it was going to be. Thanks for the instructions! I was very prepared to slice up my hands so I only got a few minor cuts. I coded everything as it should be but I noticed that sometimes my left low beam would flicker. I'm not sure if it still is doing this because it was very intermittent. I'll keep an eye on it. All the bulbs were good choices except for my parking lights. They are sort of a flat, double-sided design and the bulbs lock in at a certain angle so they are not symmetrical when installed. I guess I will be ordering the original recommendations! All in all I am pretty happy with the upgrade. I would say it looks like it is about 20% brighter than halogen and much nicer looking. The beam pattern appears identical to the old halogens. High beam pattern actually looks quite narrow and focused but I haven't checked with any night driving yet. It is an interesting market for these bulbs as new stuff is coming out every few months. I know they say the chips are Cree and Lummileds but I actually doubt that they really are. Last edited by Hammer Werke; 12-03-2018 at 01:51 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-03-2018, 01:11 PM	#102
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Do the lows have drivers? I see them on the catalog page for the highs but not the lows. The lack of drivers could explain the flicker.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-03-2018, 01:58 PM	#103
Hammer Werke Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '15 328d Touring Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Do you mean the little canbus dongle things? No, the lows did not have them. I actually still need to figure out how to secure the ones for the highs. For now I just have that little box loose inside the housing. That housing is now like a rats nest of wires and heatsink cables so it's not like that box has much room to slide around though...but still. My hands are huge. I would need some of those surgeon forceps to do up zip ties inside. I have seen some youtube video where he drills a hole in the circular caps and uses a gromet to take the wires/box through them to secure outside the housing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-04-2018, 11:44 AM	#104
Hammer Werke Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '15 328d Touring Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Ok yep I noticed some flickering from one low beam on my drive home last night. What the hell am I to do? New bulbs? Resistor?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-04-2018, 12:52 PM	#106
Hammer Werke Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '15 328d Touring Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The build quality is very nice actually. Yes I coded as well with Bimmercode.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-04-2018, 01:08 PM	#108
Hammer Werke Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '15 328d Touring Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Yea, I thought I was in the clear. I coded everything properly. A few times to troubleshoot actually. Fogs are the same brand but h8/h11 style and I don't think they are flickering. Highs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I'm not 100% sure not flickering because I haven't run them long...but these ones have the little driver boxes on them whereas the low beams / fogs do not.
	Appreciate 0 Quote