Are the halogen headlights on a 2012 F30 replaceable with LEDs

beej · 08-26-2021, 10:41 AM

I have a 2012 328i with the stock halogen headlights which are terrible, I haven't been able to find any LED lights compatible with it. Does anyone know any good LED headlights that are compatible and don't require coding?

Billfitz · 08-26-2021, 11:22 AM

All LED lights require coding. There's no such thing as plug and play LED for BMW, no matter what the advertising claims. But coding is a simple matter with Bimmercode, so don't let that stop you. You'll find many LED threads in the lighting forum. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=430

Desertnate · 08-27-2021, 09:19 AM

Are there any after market LED fixtures designed to be used in a reflector light housing (vs a projector)?

The one thing I've noticed with cars running aftermarket HID or LED fixtures in the stock reflector housings is how useless the lights are. The bulbs are really bright, but due to the location of the lighting element and the design being meant for a projector housing, light is scattered all over the place with a terrible illumination pattern. You get less effective lighting AND blind on coming traffic with glare.

Billfitz · 08-27-2021, 11:35 AM

I don't have that problem with my LED, as I made sure to get bulbs that place the LED elements in the same position within the housing as the H7 bulb filament did. It's also critical that they don't have any light aiming forward, the same as H7 bulbs. As for the glare, the brighter LED usually requires lowering the aim of the headlights to prevent it. That takes five minutes. I actually had more glare with halogens, because I had to raise their aim to see where I was going.

AndrewC1989 · 08-28-2021, 08:59 AM

I use these for my headlights and they work great:

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

If you want to change your high beam bulbs as well you'll need something that's fanless like this due to the limited space in the compartment:

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

08-26-2021, 10:41 AM	#1
beej Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: bmw 328i Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: daytona beach iTrader: (0)	Are the halogen headlights on a 2012 F30 replaceable with LEDs I have a 2012 328i with the stock halogen headlights which are terrible, I haven't been able to find any LED lights compatible with it. Does anyone know any good LED headlights that are compatible and don't require coding?
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08-26-2021, 11:22 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,079 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	All LED lights require coding. There's no such thing as plug and play LED for BMW, no matter what the advertising claims. But coding is a simple matter with Bimmercode, so don't let that stop you. You'll find many LED threads in the lighting forum. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=430
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08-27-2021, 09:19 AM	#3
Desertnate Captain 391 Rep 849 Posts Drives: BMW 435i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Swansea, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 435i [0.00]	Are there any after market LED fixtures designed to be used in a reflector light housing (vs a projector)? The one thing I've noticed with cars running aftermarket HID or LED fixtures in the stock reflector housings is how useless the lights are. The bulbs are really bright, but due to the location of the lighting element and the design being meant for a projector housing, light is scattered all over the place with a terrible illumination pattern. You get less effective lighting AND blind on coming traffic with glare. __________________ Stop by and check out my blog: The Car Geek
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08-27-2021, 11:35 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,079 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I don't have that problem with my LED, as I made sure to get bulbs that place the LED elements in the same position within the housing as the H7 bulb filament did. It's also critical that they don't have any light aiming forward, the same as H7 bulbs. As for the glare, the brighter LED usually requires lowering the aim of the headlights to prevent it. That takes five minutes. I actually had more glare with halogens, because I had to raise their aim to see where I was going.
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08-28-2021, 08:59 AM	#5
AndrewC1989 Brigadier General 10931 Rep 4,551 Posts Drives: 2015 328d xDrive Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 328d xDrive [8.90]	I use these for my headlights and they work great: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 If you want to change your high beam bulbs as well you'll need something that's fanless like this due to the limited space in the compartment: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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