[benoa]

Some updates on my turn signal LED swap : since I had to order a couple of other LEDs for the rear (PY21W/BAU15S for the front and P21W/BA15s for the back), I tried another type and what a positive difference ! While there was nothing wrong with the previous ones, those new ones definitely look better, even surpassing the brightness of the original bulbs, but not in an overwhelming way. So, those new ones are CREE 30W XB-D5 LED. There are many CREE LEDs out there but only the latest ones, XB-D5, produce a lot more light per Watt used (in that respect, if available, only pay attention to the lumen rating of the LED, not the power alone as it can always be wasted in heat or wrongly focused). Please note that I also used amber LEDs for the back even though the rear bulbs were originally white (unlike in the front). Using white LEDs for the rear would have resulted in having too much light cut-off by the casing : it is best to spend all power on a wavelength that goes through.

Here is a video of my car featuring those new CREE LEDs :

The car looks so much better... why isn't BMW mounting LED by default

For reference, I also attach a picture of how those LEDs are advertised here in Japan.

[M3LOLJK]

That looks great ! Where can we get these rear LED bulbs in the US ?

The bulb numbers for the brake lights and the rear turn signals arent the same, are they ?

[carzaddict]

i too would love to know where we can get this in the US

did you need to do anything from keeping it from hyper blinking? does it flicker every minute like the other LEDs do?

[Presario]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

i too would love to know where we can get this in the US

did you need to do anything from keeping it from hyper blinking? does it flicker every minute like the other LEDs do?

Benoa has found a code that deactivates the cycling bulb test which eliminates the flicker issue. It's posted in another thread.

Great work benoa!

[benoa]

Originally Posted by Presario

Benoa has found a code that deactivates the cycling bulb test which eliminates the flicker issue. It's posted in another thread.

Great work benoa!

Thanks And yes, there's no way around the coding - unless you want to cut wires to insert a resistor.

[JoinTheRace]

Originally Posted by benoa

Thanks And yes, there's no way around the coding - unless you want to cut wires to insert a resistor.

Can you PM me the link to purchase the rear ones. I found the ones for the front but can't find the right type for the rear turn signals. Different bulb from the front.

[Manoj72]

Originally Posted by benoa

Some updates on my turn signal LED swap : since I had to order a couple of other LEDs for the rear (PY21W/BAU15S for the front and P21W/BA15s for the back), I tried another type and what a positive difference ! While there was nothing wrong with the previous ones, those new ones definitely look better, even surpassing the brightness of the original bulbs, but not in an overwhelming way. So, those new ones are CREE 30W XB-D5 LED. There are many CREE LEDs out there but only the latest ones, XB-D5, produce a lot more light per Watt used (in that respect, if available, only pay attention to the lumen rating of the LED, not the power alone as it can always be wasted in heat or wrongly focused). Please note that I also used amber LEDs for the back even though the rear bulbs were originally white (unlike in the front). Using white LEDs for the rear would have resulted in having too much light cut-off by the casing : it is best to spend all power on a wavelength that goes through.

Here is a video of my car featuring those new CREE LEDs :

The car looks so much better... why isn't BMW mounting LED by default

For reference, I also attach a picture of how those LEDs are advertised here in Japan.

Please can you let me know where I can get these bulbs from for the front and rear. I've found the website but it's in Japanese. Are these available from another supplier who will ship them to the UK. Thanks.

[IndotagSwizz]

Originally Posted by benoa

Some updates on my turn signal LED swap : since I had to order a couple of other LEDs for the rear (PY21W/BAU15S for the front and P21W/BA15s for the back), I tried another type and what a positive difference ! While there was nothing wrong with the previous ones, those new ones definitely look better, even surpassing the brightness of the original bulbs, but not in an overwhelming way. So, those new ones are CREE 30W XB-D5 LED. There are many CREE LEDs out there but only the latest ones, XB-D5, produce a lot more light per Watt used (in that respect, if available, only pay attention to the lumen rating of the LED, not the power alone as it can always be wasted in heat or wrongly focused). Please note that I also used amber LEDs for the back even though the rear bulbs were originally white (unlike in the front). Using white LEDs for the rear would have resulted in having too much light cut-off by the casing : it is best to spend all power on a wavelength that goes through.

Here is a video of my car featuring those new CREE LEDs :

The car looks so much better... why isn't BMW mounting LED by default

For reference, I also attach a picture of how those LEDs are advertised here in Japan.

so they do blink when the lights are just on without coding?

[benoa]

Sorry guys, have no idea where to find them outside of Japan.
I posted the product sheet thinking this could help - cannot do much more.

[miretni]

I changed mine to the WeissLicht LED, it is amber(same color as the mirror turn signal strip) but i think the orange looks better

[capt_slow]

Originally Posted by miretni

I changed mine to the WeissLicht LED, it is amber(same color as the mirror turn signal strip) but i think the orange looks better

I installed the Weisslicht blubs on front and rear as well (amber). The rear bulbs are SUPER bright, to the point that it hurts my eyes. Otherwise, no complaints.

[therealm3]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

I installed the Weisslicht blubs on front and rear as well (amber). The rear bulbs are SUPER bright, to the point that it hurts my eyes. Otherwise, no complaints.

do these require coding?

[mcli]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

I installed the Weisslicht blubs on front and rear as well (amber). The rear bulbs are SUPER bright, to the point that it hurts my eyes. Otherwise, no complaints.

Same, in front only. No coding.

[carzaddict]

even after coding to disable the system checks every minute....theres no way to disable the check that it makes every 5 minutes? or am i wrong

[capt_slow]

Originally Posted by therealm3

do these require coding?

There's no way to get around the flicker w/o coding. These will flicker every 5 minutes or so, but it's less of a flicker and more of one short, low intensity, pulse. So not as intrusive as some are led to believe. No errors w/ or w/o coding.

I coded the front and back to LED-mode using these instructions. This will disable the cold check (on start) and warm check (every 5-minutes).

http://blog.benoa.net/2013/12/f30-f3...n-signals.html

[Philipangoo]

Where can I get these in Japan ? Will be in Tokyo for 8 days in April!

[Philipangoo]

nm I just saw on ur blog that you posted a link =) Domo

[miretni]

Originally Posted by therealm3

do these require coding?

Not exactly,
If u dont want the flicker, u have to keep the LED turn on. Like, if your headlight is on auto mode, in the day(Only angle eyes turn on), flicker, in the night, no flicker
if u dont want flicker at all, u have to code the computer

[mcli]

Some nighttime shots of these LED turn signals:

[wdeerfield]

these look great. have there been any improvements in LED turn signals for the F30? i cant believe this car doesnt have led turns signals front and rear yet my e90 lci did. also, how can i get these turned off when the headlights are on. i want just the angel eyes and xenon headlights on.

[CntryClub007]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

these look great. have there been any improvements in LED turn signals for the F30? i cant believe this car doesnt have led turns signals front and rear yet my e90 lci did. also, how can i get these turned off when the headlights are on. i want just the angel eyes and xenon headlights on.

F30 LCI has them, standard cost cutting measure Pre-LCI.

I do like the Weisslicht bulbs from Bimmian, Amber in the rear especially.

Coding will help take care of turning them off when not being used.

[BMW3291]

I swap to this LEDs.