07-13-2017, 02:42 PM | #1 |
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F30 Aftermarket Headlight Upgrade
Hey ppl, I recently bought a 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sedan and, like many others before me, want to upgrade the stock halogen headlights. After painstakingly reading numerous threads and scouring the internet, these are what I plan on ordering:
https://www.umnitza.com/browse-by-ca...ngel-eyes.html $1700 + shipping is a little pricey, but other owners seem pretty satisfied after install. I was hoping to get some feedback from those who have already done the upgrade with these headlights. If you could share your experience and give some tips, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone happens to have a coupon code for Umnitza or would consider a group order, please lmk. |
07-13-2017, 10:01 PM | #2 |
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I hated the halogens too, but no way do I pay $1700 to get LEDs. I did the highs, lows and fogs for less than $200.
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1377259 |
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07-14-2017, 09:15 AM | #3 | |
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I'm also planning on changing the fog lights out with these: http://www.mteclightingusa.com/MTEC_...s_p/mt-471.htm |
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07-14-2017, 10:36 AM | #4 |
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Coding doesn't affect the warranty, and it's much easier than it looks to be at first glance. How tough can it be when you can see the entire procedure on a 12 minute video?
BTW, any and all LEDs require coding out the warm and cold checks, no matter what you read in advertising. As for the blue bulbs, they're less bright than stock, because of the blue tint. |
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07-14-2017, 12:08 PM | #5 |
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I am in the same boat. I should be receiving those lights next week. They claim to be plug n play. I am also going to change the fogs with PIAA iron yellow. I'll let you know how it goes.
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07-14-2017, 05:45 PM | #6 | |
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Def lmk how it turns out and post pics. Do you have a thread? If not, go ahead and post here. |
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07-14-2017, 06:33 PM | #7 |
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It is, due to the difference in how halogen and LED work. Halogens have to heat up to light up. The warm and cold checks, which test if the bulb works, send out power pulses that are too short to heat the bulb filaments enough to light up. LEDs respond instantly, so they do light up. Without coding out the checks they'll blink every four minutes or so.
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07-14-2017, 10:08 PM | #8 | |
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07-15-2017, 09:05 AM | #9 |
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That's a different issue. Most LEDs use driver ballasts that prevent warnings and also smooth the pulse modulated voltage so they don't flicker. Mine didn't throw warnings or flicker. They did blink at start up and every four minutes after that from the warm/cold checks, the reason why I explained in my last post.
The problem isn't in the lighting technology. If it was you couldn't go out today and buy LED bulbs that work in your home with zero issues. The problem is that BMW (and others) have gotten a bit carried away with tech. When they realized that they could use tech to monitor the status of the lights they did, but when they did it had to be optimized to work with incandescent, and only incandescent, bulbs. You don't run into these problems putting LEDs into a '55 Chevy, or a riding lawnmower, or boat, nor any use that doesn't involve a computer. I suppose there are some advantages to the car telling you on the dashboard that you have a blown bulb, but I managed for almost 50 years with the old fashioned method. |
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07-15-2017, 03:29 PM | #10 |
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I would advise you to not get these headlights. There has been several people reporting that their umnitza headlights stop working completely including myself. I purchased my set and after two months the passage side broke. Another guy message me and said after installation the headlights didnt turn on at all. I never got a warranty replacement or anything after emailing them for months about my issue. I would not recommend this headlight!
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07-15-2017, 08:04 PM | #11 | |
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Thank you for the input
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https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/produ...oduct=FLXF3031 http://www.hlautomotive.com/bmw-onde...7-bmw-f30-f31/ |
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07-15-2017, 09:21 PM | #12 | |
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Those are LED on the angel eyes only, with the high (grootlicht) and low (dimlicht) beams halogen. Sprechen Sie Deutsch? |
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07-15-2017, 10:10 PM | #13 | ||
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///437m wheels///Depo Headlights ///3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Interior Wrap///M-Sport Bumper Conversion///Dinan Suspension///M-Style Kidney Grilles
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" |
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07-15-2017, 10:11 PM | #14 | ||
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__________________
///437m wheels///Depo Headlights ///3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Interior Wrap///M-Sport Bumper Conversion///Dinan Suspension///M-Style Kidney Grilles
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" |
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07-16-2017, 09:18 AM | #15 |
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07-16-2017, 10:29 AM | #16 | |
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If you contact Schmeidmann, make sure to get the right part first. Also look out for a hefty shipping fee.
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///437m wheels///Depo Headlights ///3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Interior Wrap///M-Sport Bumper Conversion///Dinan Suspension///M-Style Kidney Grilles
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" |
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07-16-2017, 09:44 PM | #17 |
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Nein
What about 'inclusive motor', I'm assuming that's related to adaptive (auto adjusting) lighting...a feature the halogen base does not include and would need coding out? Figured as much on shipping since from Europe. Right part? I do not see any other options and seems like everything is included. |
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07-16-2017, 09:48 PM | #18 |
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I also would advise against the Umnitza headlights too. I've been lurking here for awhile but will soon post a long term review of those headlights. The quality is not bad but think twice about dealing with that company. I couldn't post any pics with Yelp since I don't review enough places but I'll try to get something on here to save people from wasting their money on these headlights.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/umnitza-con...tm_medium=flsr |
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07-17-2017, 05:44 PM | #19 | |
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07-19-2017, 12:53 AM | #20 |
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I did see brand new LCI LED headlights on eBay going for around $2K (no tax most likely for your state). That's not much more than the $1700 you would spend with Umnitza. It's also OEM, so you know the quality is there. There's a long thread here, but with the correct harness it's as plug-and-play as you can get with already having halogens. I got in on the USR Depo offering, but if I didn't I would go that route. I'm still debating going that route, hearing the issues with the Depo ones, but only if I can re-coup my costs. They've been sitting in a box for a month, hopefully next month I can install them with some nice HID kit.
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07-19-2017, 09:25 AM | #21 | |
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GENUINE-...1WxaPO&vxp=mtr OEM is enticing, but price is pretty steep. I didn't see anything specifically saying it is plugnplay for halogen, so would you need some type of conversion kit? The USR's look nice but are they even in stock? Plus, I've seen a lot of people having problems in other threads. |
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07-20-2017, 02:54 AM | #22 | |
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USR Depos are never in stock. I just happened have my name on the notification list a few months back. |
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