LED Bulbs?

Polarbert · 12-13-2016, 01:22 AM

Has anyone swapped out the brake lights and indicator lights for LEDs? I have been quite tempted to do but was always put off by the fact that I may get an error light on the dash due to the low voltage they run. I know there are some which can get around that but wondered if they were any good.

StickMon · 12-13-2016, 11:34 AM

See this thread for lots of info.
I pulled the trigger on LEDs in post #47, with pics in post #60.

Some tips:
Turn signals and brake lights are monitored, so the LEDs must be "error free", which means they have parallel internal resistors to up the current.
Back-up lights are not monitored.
Try to get red LEDs to replace the brake lights. The whites are 6000K, but the lens is made to light a nice deep red with incandescents of maybe 3500K.
6000K brake lights will come out pink.

Oh, and the LED trunk light mod is a must-do:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=772680

racerbruce · 12-21-2016, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polarbert

Has anyone swapped out the brake lights and indicator lights for LEDs? I have been quite tempted to do but was always put off by the fact that I may get an error light on the dash due to the low voltage they run. I know there are some which can get around that but wondered if they were any good.

This looks bitchin'....
https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-...-Signal-Bulbs/

After much research and WeissLicht's claim of no codes, I purchased and installed the amber LED rear turn signals yesterday.

A five minute process; perfect fitment, incredibly bright (3X), crisp on-off.

The WeissLicht product integrates no code issues, well designed heat sync, lower wattage yet mega-brighter than OEM.

I called Bimmian and asked why there isn't an app for the front turn signals on their site; they said they reality-checked all types, and cannot find one that does not throw codes or does not fit.

The crisp LED on-off and brightness is absolutely awesome.

Polarbert · 01-23-2017, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerbruce

This looks bitchin'....
https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-...-Signal-Bulbs/

After much research and WeissLicht's claim of no codes, I purchased and installed the amber LED rear turn signals yesterday.

A five minute process; perfect fitment, incredibly bright (3X), crisp on-off.

The WeissLicht product integrates no code issues, well designed heat sync, lower wattage yet mega-brighter than OEM.

I called Bimmian and asked why there isn't an app for the front turn signals on their site; they said they reality-checked all types, and cannot find one that does not throw codes or does not fit.

The crisp LED on-off and brightness is absolutely awesome.

I'm very tempted by these. 100 dollars is a lot for a couple of bulbs though. Would you say they were worth the 100 dollars? I think I'd be more likely to pay that much for the brake light bulbs if they were available.

StickMon · 01-25-2017, 05:00 PM

I thought they recently added Red P21W/1156 brake light bulbs?
I sure can't find them now.
They list amber and white, but as I wrote above, you won't like the white in the brake lights.

I can attest that the turn signals are totally awesome.

Polarbert · 01-27-2017, 01:43 AM

Do you have the brake lights as well? Was wondering if it would look odd to have the led turn signal but not brake lights.

I think I may bite the bullet and get some turn signal bulbs in the near future.

StickMon · 02-01-2017, 07:41 PM

I have the white WeissLicht brake light bulbs. Not recommended. Need to be red.
They're 1156/7506/P21W style. Did a Google search.
Philips has some, as do some others, but not sure how bright they would be in our housing.

Aries326 · 03-16-2017, 12:58 PM

Do they make LED bulbs for the headlights?

racerbruce · 04-22-2017, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

I have the white WeissLicht brake light bulbs. Not recommended. Need to be red.
They're 1156/7506/P21W style. Did a Google search.
Philips has some, as do some others, but not sure how bright they would be in our housing.

The OEM brake lights are LED.

StickMon · 04-24-2017, 01:42 PM

Only the third.

racerbruce · 05-11-2017, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

Only the third.

06-08 Z's brake lights are incandescent??

StickMon · 05-16-2017, 05:49 AM

Yeppers.
Tail lights, 3rd brake light, and rear markers are LED. Everything else is incandescent.

12-13-2016, 01:22 AM	#1
Polarbert English Member 25 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M Roadster Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	LED Bulbs? Has anyone swapped out the brake lights and indicator lights for LEDs? I have been quite tempted to do but was always put off by the fact that I may get an error light on the dash due to the low voltage they run. I know there are some which can get around that but wondered if they were any good.
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12-13-2016, 11:34 AM	#2
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	See this thread for lots of info. I pulled the trigger on LEDs in post #47, with pics in post #60. Some tips: Turn signals and brake lights are monitored, so the LEDs must be "error free", which means they have parallel internal resistors to up the current. Back-up lights are not monitored. Try to get red LEDs to replace the brake lights. The whites are 6000K, but the lens is made to light a nice deep red with incandescents of maybe 3500K. 6000K brake lights will come out pink. Oh, and the LED trunk light mod is a must-do: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=772680 __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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01-25-2017, 05:00 PM	#5
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	I thought they recently added Red P21W/1156 brake light bulbs? I sure can't find them now. They list amber and white, but as I wrote above, you won't like the white in the brake lights. I can attest that the turn signals are totally awesome. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2017, 07:41 PM	#7
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	I have the white WeissLicht brake light bulbs. Not recommended. Need to be red. They're 1156/7506/P21W style. Did a Google search. Philips has some, as do some others, but not sure how bright they would be in our housing. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
	Appreciate 1 TRiCC264.50 Quote

03-16-2017, 12:58 PM	#8
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	Do they make LED bulbs for the headlights? __________________
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01-27-2017, 01:43 AM	#6
Polarbert English Member 25 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M Roadster Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Do you have the brake lights as well? Was wondering if it would look odd to have the led turn signal but not brake lights. I think I may bite the bullet and get some turn signal bulbs in the near future.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-24-2017, 01:42 PM	#10
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	Only the third. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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05-16-2017, 05:49 AM	#12
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	Yeppers. Tail lights, 3rd brake light, and rear markers are LED. Everything else is incandescent. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
	Appreciate 1 TRiCC264.50 Quote