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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
Gaz_E89
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Gaz_E89 » Tue Jun 30, 2020 10:04 pm

Hi Newbie here advice required ☺️ I've an angel eye out and need to replace. Owned the car near a week 😁 can't stop smiling.
Anyway
Has anyone any pros cons preferences to using the HID halogens or LEDs?

Currently has Led, 4 surface mounts 90 degree to each other which in my opinion doesn't look like an even brightness all the way round. The ballast bit gets really hot too.

Would a bright white halogen be better??

Il follow up with a picture give me 10 mins 😁
Gareth
Z4 E89 Sdrive 23i Roadster :D
Vauxhall Meriva :?
Aprillia Rs90 8)

Gaz_E89
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Gaz_E89 » Tue Jun 30, 2020 10:14 pm

To be fair it's the first time I've seen them in the dark lol,
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Z4 E89 Sdrive 23i Roadster :D
Vauxhall Meriva :?
Aprillia Rs90 8)

mcbutler
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by mcbutler » Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:56 pm

You have an aftermarket angel eye led mod in your hand there. Most people upgrade to LED as halogen originals are yellowish.
If its working ok leave it, you will find it illuminates the inner angel eye more than the outer. Personally I like this as the bonnet clips off the top of the inner angel eye and makes the car look like its angry!
As fior HID, only the outer headlight has a lamp in it, the inner is not used. HID do lose brightness over time, how old is your car?
To change the hid you remove a panel in the wheel arch forward of the road wheel.
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather

mcbutler
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by mcbutler » Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:57 pm

mcbutler wrote: ↑Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:56 pm You have an aftermarket angel eye led mod in your hand there. Most people upgrade to LED as halogen originals are yellowish.
If its working ok leave it, you will find it illuminates the inner angel eye more than the outer. Personally I like this as the bonnet clips off the top of the inner angel eye and makes the car look like its angry!
As fior HID, only the outer headlight has a lamp in it, the inner is not used. HID do lose brightness over time, how old is your car?
To change the hid you remove a panel in the wheel arch forward of the road wheel.
I see you are in Hull, I grew up in Willerby, live in Plymouth now. I might be in Hull in a few weeks so pm me your phone number if you like...
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather

Gaz_E89
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Gaz_E89 » Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:44 am

Thanks Mark it's 60 plate, yeah i think they look good now I see them in the dark
One is off though and I'll prob best replacing the pair then do you know what wattage that looks like by pics?

Yeah mate gives a bell, my mate grew up Willerby too he's just bought and e89 last week too we're like kids with new toys :driving:

I assume it's best leaving the outer lamp alone as its dipped and main beam??

Had a play at Bimmercode today, noticed the check control for angel eyes was off, and brightness was unasigned value

If I had a bright white halogen would that not be a better option if its a similar looking white/blue light and then it can be monitored too?
Z4 E89 Sdrive 23i Roadster :D
Vauxhall Meriva :?
Aprillia Rs90 8)

Gaz_E89
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Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2020 10:48 am
Location: Hull

Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Gaz_E89 » Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:46 am

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:driving: :driving:
Z4 E89 Sdrive 23i Roadster :D
Vauxhall Meriva :?
Aprillia Rs90 8)

Silverstar
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Silverstar » Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:01 am

I tried using LEDs in the angel eyes but I really didn't like how only the inner ring was bright and even then it wasn't as bright as halogen bulbs. In the end I went for some white Osram bulbs (can't remember their exact name but I can look it up) although not as crisp white as LEDs I think they are alright and way whiter than the stock bulbs which are really very orange. Also they are brighter than the LED bulbs and both inner and outer ring shine fairly evenly:
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2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

Pbondar

Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Pbondar » Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:24 am

HIDs are a waste of time,even if you could fit them, for Angel Eyes..

The light source required and the outout are diffuse..so the advanatge that HIDs have of precise focus is lost on Angel Eyes.. asuitable LED at a colour temperature you wan't is the best option IMHO..

mcbutler
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by mcbutler » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:02 pm

Pbondar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:24 am HIDs are a waste of time,even if you could fit them, for Angel Eyes..

The light source required and the outout are diffuse..so the advanatge that HIDs have of precise focus is lost on Angel Eyes.. asuitable LED at a colour temperature you wan't is the best option IMHO..
Not to mention they would probably melt the fitting!
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather

mcbutler
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by mcbutler » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:07 pm

Gaz_E89 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:44 am Thanks Mark it's 60 plate, yeah i think they look good now I see them in the dark
One is off though and I'll prob best replacing the pair then do you know what wattage that looks like by pics?

Yeah mate gives a bell, my mate grew up Willerby too he's just bought and e89 last week too we're like kids with new toys :driving:

I assume it's best leaving the outer lamp alone as its dipped and main beam??

Had a play at Bimmercode today, noticed the check control for angel eyes was off, and brightness was unasigned value

If I had a bright white halogen would that not be a better option if its a similar looking white/blue light and then it can be monitored too?
I bought mine a while ago when I had my 23i, I swapped them to my 35i when I bought it. I am sure some of the guys who have bought recently can point you in the right directiom, just ask a new questin on the forum.

Yes leave the outer lamps alone, aftermarket LED headlamp bulbs are at best generally crap.

I dont have bimmercode but I do have Carly, Angel Eye LED's can be dimmed/brightened etc in carly, its always in my car so if we meet up I can code it for you no problem. Bright white halogens are fine, they just dont stay bright white for that long.

Is your car the red one or the whiute one??
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather

Silverstar
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Silverstar » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:11 pm

mcbutler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:07 pm Bright white halogens are fine, they just dont stay bright white for that long.
I have had mine for a year and they are just fine. How long are they supposed to last before they deteriorate?
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

mcbutler
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by mcbutler » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:13 pm

Silverstar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:11 pm
mcbutler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:07 pm Bright white halogens are fine, they just dont stay bright white for that long.
I have had mine for a year and they are just fine. How long are they supposed to last before they deteriorate?
Depends how much you use them really, the figure would be in hours not days or weeks. All filament lamps dim with age as the filament oxidises.
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather

Silverstar
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Silverstar » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:28 pm

mcbutler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:13 pm
Silverstar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:11 pm
mcbutler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:07 pm Bright white halogens are fine, they just dont stay bright white for that long.
I have had mine for a year and they are just fine. How long are they supposed to last before they deteriorate?
Depends how much you use them really, the figure would be in hours not days or weeks. All filament lamps dim with age as the filament oxidises.
My car is used regularly but the mileage is kept low (so not so many hours), hopefully I will get a good few years out of them before I need to replace them again.
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

mcbutler
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Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by mcbutler » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:54 pm

Silverstar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:28 pm
mcbutler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:13 pm
Silverstar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:11 pm I have had mine for a year and they are just fine. How long are they supposed to last before they deteriorate?
Depends how much you use them really, the figure would be in hours not days or weeks. All filament lamps dim with age as the filament oxidises.
My car is used regularly but the mileage is kept low (so not so many hours), hopefully I will get a good few years out of them before I need to replace them again.
I am sure you will, you sound like me, I am mileage phobic lol
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather

Pbondar

Hid or Led Angel eye??

Post by Pbondar » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:55 pm

Silverstar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:28 pm
mcbutler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:13 pm
Silverstar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:11 pm

I have had mine for a year and they are just fine. How long are they supposed to last before they deteriorate?
Depends how much you use them really, the figure would be in hours not days or weeks. All filament lamps dim with age as the filament oxidises.
My car is used regularly but the mileage is kept low (so not so many hours), hopefully I will get a good few years out of them before I need to replace them again.
250-1000 hours for halogen bulbs depending on how bright they are (not wattage) so the super bright/ high lumens have much shorter lives..

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