H7 bulbs to LED

[Naylz]

Hi has anyone replaced their main H7 bulbs with LED ones. I ordered some that said they fit Z4 2003-2009 however because the bit that holds the bulb into the headlamp is part of the wiring loom/block there is no way of securing the bulb into the headlamp due to the design of the led. They work fine when plugged in, ie they come on and there’s no fault/ bulb out dash light, just impossible to fit to the head lamp.

[Thermaltake]

when I fit my LED's I needed these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154352311775 ... %3A2334524

[Zulu4]

when I fit my LED's I needed these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154352311775 ... %3A2334524

Me too, but they took quite a bit of bending to make it all fit.

My low beam LED's are OK but not brilliant (they're just cheep ones), so I'm going to try some Osram LEDriving bulbs tomorrow. I've also got these clips which I hope will fit better as they are less deep: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154358957757
I'll let you know how I get on.

[Zulu4]

I fitted the Osram bulbs.

It wasn't as easy as hoped since the adapter fitting, above, still needed a bit of bending to the lugs. I also wrapped self amalgamating tape around the base of the bulb fitting to allow the adapter to centralise properly.

Hopefully they'll light up the road a bit better than before.

[Zulu4]

For info, the Osram LEDriving HL H7 Gen2 bulbs caused the bulb warning on the dash, so I coded out the "cold monitoring of low beams" using NCS Expert.

They work really well at night and I can see much better than I could with the halogens. The beam pattern seems just as crisp.

I'd like to know how the Philips X-Treme Ultinon LED bulbs compare. The Philips are rated at about 25Watts giving 1750 Lumens, compared to the Osram's 17 Watts and 1250 Lumens, but they are quite a bit more expensive which I couldn't justify. Anyone tried them ?

Today I also fitted Osram LED W5W sidelights. They are white and bright (at 6000k) but also caused the warning on the dash and made the turn indicator lights come on. This time I had to code out "cold monitoring of left/right standing lights" and "hot monitoring of left/right standing lights" (since even when switched on they draw so little current that the car thinks the bulb has blown).
I've also coded them to be on with ignition for daytime running lights.

As is common with low power LEDs, the sidelights stay on very dim for a few minutes after switching the car off (it is the same with my rear number plate LEDs). They draw such negligible current that there is no worry about them causing a battery problem.

[DorsetWurzel]

At some point I’m going to order some Morimoto bi led projectors instead of changing the bulbs (also using Osram Led driving) the only issue I have is MOT time, as they are getting more picky about bulbs.

[Zulu4]

At some point I’m going to order some Morimoto bi led projectors instead of changing the bulbs (also using Osram Led driving) the only issue I have is MOT time, as they are getting more picky about bulbs.

Yes, I suppose I'll be swapping back to standard for MOT day.
Yet another piece of government (EU) legislation that actually makes my car less safe.
I understand they don't want oncoming traffic to be blinded, but there is NO way a sidelight will be blinding and, having carefully checked, I'm sure the beam pattern from the headlights is the same as before.

[CryptoWhale]

I ordered and fitted these - https://www.bevinsee.com/products/bevin ... -tech-2pcs

They are the best on the market (watch this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1L_aFGjmSI)

I managed to fit them with the standard metal clips, took quite a bit of bending and pushing but they do fit and they are very secure. Passed my MOT at Halfruads with them fitted last week too

[Spriteracer]

I have the Morimotos on my E86, changed from Halogens - so no self levelling sensors visible on the chassis. I do have headlight washers.

Had an MOT a month or so ago and no issue at all. Beams checked as normal, but not a mention of anything. Car described as "all good" Garage reputable in my area, and definitely not a "slightly dodgy" hole in the wall.... Worth a try with them in I would suggest. Get a free re-test after changing back if you have to.

[Zulu4]

At some point I’m going to order some Morimoto bi led projectors instead of changing the bulbs (also using Osram Led driving) the only issue I have is MOT time, as they are getting more picky about bulbs.

What does "bi" signify in the bi LED projectors ? (Standing by for some lewd innuendo from certain forum members )
Does one unit do both high & low beam ?

[DorsetWurzel]

What does "bi" signify in the bi LED projectors ? (Standing by for some lewd innuendo from certain forum members )
Does one unit do both high & low beam ?

Yep high and low beam, I keep meaning to pull the projectors out and have a look at them, they could be filthy and that has a massive effect on the light output.

https://www.morimotohid.com/morimoto-m- ... quantity=1

[Zulu4]

Update.
My car passed its MOT today without issues with Osram LED bulbs fitted to the dipped beam and also to the sidelights.

p.s. It was a free MOT offer from Halfords, they also gave me a £5 voucher with which I bought the special offer of £5 for a bucket, sponge, shampoo & cloths. https://www.halfords.com/bundles/halfor ... et-bundle/
Pretty good for no cost at all !

[Scooba_Steve]

Update.
My car passed its MOT today without issues with Osram LED bulbs fitted to the dipped beam and also to the sidelights.

p.s. It was a free MOT offer from Halfords, they also gave me a £5 voucher with which I bought the special offer of £5 for a bucket, sponge, shampoo & cloths. https://www.halfords.com/bundles/halfor ... et-bundle/
Pretty good for no cost at all !

I was going to suggest not bothering - testers are not allowed to disassemble anything so if the beam pattern is correct (unlike the mega chav HIDs in reflectors...) then they have to give the benefit of the doubt.

I've also pretty much exclusively used Halfords for MOT, the first time I thought they might invent faults but they have been nothing but honest.

[Zulu4]

I've also pretty much exclusively used Halfords for MOT, the first time I thought they might invent faults but they have been nothing but honest.

Yes, they seem to get bad press but I've had 3 of our cars go for a free MOT at Halfords recently and they all passed without quibbles. They are all pretty old cars too.

[Scooba_Steve]

Yes, they seem to get bad press but I've had 3 of our cars go for a free MOT at Halfords recently and they all passed without quibbles. They are all pretty old cars too.

I honestly don't think the testers would dare, nor do they really need to. 15 MOTs per day, one or two with some honest work needed? And it's not as if the £ 35 usual fee makes a loss.

Unlike what a flatmate who worked at a Hyundai dealership reported to me. Fault quotas on their cars that came in for free health-checks... "brakes are worn" type shiftiness etc.