2012 BMW Z4 Angel Eye H8 Bulb Replacement

[Kaneda]

Hey guys,

So I just recently purchased some H8 LED replacement bulb for my 2012 Z4 angel eyes. I want to convert the full yellow color to a vibrant white that you see in the new 3 series. My question is....

Does anyone know how I can get into the housing to replace the bulbs? Do I have to remove the whole headlight assembly? If so, how? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[ZheHbKa]

No, if you look at the headlight with hood open u can see the two caps(twist off) on the top. remove them and reach in to remove the bulb.

Its real easy compared to 3 series

if u search the forum u can find few DIY for bulb replacement

[fre2bpowerless]

• Open the plastic cover on top of the headlights
• Twist off the old bulb & unplug
• Plug in the new bulb
• Put the cover back on

Its a 10 minute install, do it when the car is cool. Fairly simple.

[--]

My how to

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewto...p?f=46&t=39792

[Kaneda]

Thanks will try tonight when I get home and try to post pics......

[fre2bpowerless]

Originally Posted by Z4-35i

My how to

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewto...p?f=46&t=39792

Wish i'd seen this before I installed mine, I was a bit stuck at the different rotation between left/right bulbs. Great guide.

[javol]

Originally Posted by fre2bpowerless

Its a 10 minute install, do it when the car is cool. Fairly simple...

Kaneda, my experience: 10 minutes is a bit optimistic... especially if you have great hands...

It's not difficult, but patience is a fundamental quality in this task

[oldkingdom]

If you've ever done it on an e92, this is a much easier install because of the access. I did it on the new Z4 today, both sides in about 90 seconds.

[snk]

What kind of bulbs did you get? Can anyone recommend something and post some pics

[oldkingdom]

I got the MTEC ones ($199) and while I wasn't sure what to expect, I'm quite pleased. We'll see how they hold up, they did come with a 1 year warrantee, so hopefully all will go well. I happen to be in Los Angeles, so went to pick them up in person and installed them with Steve in about 1 minute or two. He took some photos as I was installing them and he's going to send them to me on Monday. I'm happy to post then.

[Z4@Phuket]

http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs...olesalers.html
The design looks similar to LUX angel eyes (may be their supplier) but the price only one-third

[Ultimatespeed]

I saw the reviews on Lux. They aren't as bright as a couple other ones I saw.

Has anyone solved the issue of controlling the brightness of the inner crona ring? I have seen the inside ring is brighter than the outter one.

[javol]

Originally Posted by Ultimatespeed

I saw the reviews on Lux. They aren't as bright as a couple other ones I saw.

Has anyone solved the issue of controlling the brightness of the inner crona ring? I have seen the inside ring is brighter than the outter one.

The outer ring is illuminated indirectly by a unique bulb set in the inner one. Crap (or better said, OLD) engineering. Furthermore, our angel eyes are born to be fed by an halogen bulb.
Switching to a LED one and, at the same time, increasing the color temp from the stock 3000k to 6000-7000k results in a loss of brightness.
With any kind of LEDs (even with Lux, probably the best LED solution) the outer ring is barely visible under direct sunlight at high angles views.
If you look directly at the car (0º angle view) the situation improves, but the inner ring is ALWAYS brighter than the outer. At dusk they look fine.
On the other hand if you go with HID xenon they turn TOO bright, loosing the ring shape, bobbling and blinding the other vehicles.
The only solution to have gorgeous AEs is to go with OSS, or.... trade the car in and buy the MY 2013... coming with full LED stock AEs

[oldkingdom]

Originally Posted by javol

The outer ring is illuminated indirectly by a unique bulb set in the inner one. Crap (or better said, OLD) engineering. Furthermore, our angel eyes are born to be fed by an halogen bulb.
Switching to a LEDs one and, at the same time, increasing the color temp from the stock 3000k to 6000-7000k results in a loss of brightness.
With any kind of LED (even with Lux, probably the best LED solution) the outer ring is barely visible under direct sunlight at high angles views.
If you look directly at the car (0º angle view) the situation improves, but the inner ring is ALWAYS brighter than the outer. At dusk they look fine.
On the other hand if you go with HID xenon they turn TOO bright, loosing the ring shape, bobbling and blinding the other vehicles.
The only solution to have gorgeous AEs is to go with OSS, or.... trade the car in and buy the MY 2013... coming with full LED stock AEs

Exactly.

I ended up going with the MTEC's because they were local and were (IMO) at least 90% of the brightness of LUX while being a bit cheaper. I love the look and hope they last. If not, the new 2013's appear to maintain the same shape as ours, so there's always that upgrade in 5-6 months but I'd imagine you're talking a couple grand to replace both light assemblies.

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by javol

The only solution to have gorgeous AEs is to go with OSS, or.... trade the car in and buy the MY 2013... coming with full LED stock AEs

Unfortunately 2013 doesn't have the new AEs yet. There are a few dealers that have 2013 in stock and still have the same yellow colors....Looks like we have to wait until 2014 which will probably start arriving in spring 2013 as 2014 perhaps?

[javol]

Originally Posted by flpnout

Unfortunately 2013 doesn't have the new AEs yet. There are a few dealers that have 2013 in stock and still have the same yellow colors....Looks like we have to wait until 2014 which will probably start arriving in spring 2013 as 2014 perhaps?

Yes that's true, the Z4 E89 LCI (with the new AEs) is not the MY 2013. It will arrive at the beginning of 2013, don't know as MY 2014 or simply E89 LCI.

[motobike]

Has anyone here tried this AE from CREE? ($149) -
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/328i-335i-5...-p/sku-s10.htm

I'm curious how this compares to the one from Burgertuning ($129) -
http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_LED_angel_eyes.html

[javol]

Originally Posted by motobike

Has anyone here tried this AE from CREE? ($149) -
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/328i-335i-5...-p/sku-s10.htm

I'm curious how this compares to the one from Burgertuning ($129) -
http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_LED_angel_eyes.html

I'm waiting for the 20W per side version of CREE to arrive. Hope next week to share a review . Here the link to eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BMW-H8-4...0610be&vxp=mtr

[javol]

Got the LEDs installed last week... nothing special... They look fine only without direct light. The outer rings are barely visible in daylight conditions. Seriously thinking to test the HID solution.

[Hoa]

i guess ill stick with the stock bulbs in this case

[BMWE934me]

Originally Posted by motobike

Has anyone here tried this AE from CREE? ($149) -
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/328i-335i-5...-p/sku-s10.htm

I'm curious how this compares to the one from Burgertuning ($129) -
http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_LED_angel_eyes.html

I installed the LED-BMW-Angel-Eyes-S7 from iJDMtoy.com cost $92.17 shipped with a 15% off coupon regularly $99.99. My stock ones are so yellow, but these are super white and alot brighter too. I had to send one back because the lenses broke.

Here is what the stock on the left side of the car (rt side of picture) and the iJDMtoy one on the oposite side (Nice and white bright).

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by javol

Got the LEDs installed last week... nothing special... They look fine only without direct light. The outer rings are barely visible in daylight conditions. Seriously thinking to test the HID solution.

After all the different brands and types of bulbs shown here on this forum, none look as good as Alpine HID. I wish I could show you a picture of mine, but they're so white and bright they flood the photo.