[bjp1979]

Hi,

I have a 2 weeks old 2016/17 X3 M Sport and wondered if anyone has tried replacing the standard halogen headlight bulbs with ones which look less yellow as more like xenons/LEDs? I'd also be looking to improve brightness for better night visibility of roads.

Any suggestions welcome. Will likely get Halfords to do this for me as don't like meddling with a brand new vehicle!

[hoho_leung]

I don't know what you can get in UK. But in U.S, I go for PIAA. They make very high quality bulbs. I used to put it on my Japanese cars.

[ba ba boosh]

Originally Posted by hoho_leung

I don't know what you can get in UK. But in U.S, I go for PIAA. They make very high quality bulbs. I used to put it on my Japanese cars.

Yes, PIAA or Philips Crystalvision Ultra

[MichiganMike]

The information in this thread at the link below may be helpful.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1050705

[hoho_leung]

Also consider PIAA LED bulbs. I never bought LED from this brand. But I bought 6 different models of HID, Xenon, etc, and I received the quality I paid for. If you buy their LED, please let us know what you think.

[bjp1979]

Will check out the Osram link thank you.

Hoho_Leung - I was under the impression that you couldn't replace a halogen headlights bulb with an LED one due to the different technologies?

Thanks

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by bjp1979

Will check out the Osram link thank you.

Hoho_Leung - I was under the impression that you couldn't replace a halogen headlights bulb with an LED one due to the different technologies?

Thanks

I have been putting better than OEM bulbs in my cars for the past 10 years. I have always used Philips X-treme Vision H7 bulbs.

As soon as I purchased my BMW F31 320d Sport in 2012 I replaced the stock H7 bulbs with Philips. The light is whiter and gives you more range. My wife's little SEAT Ibiza 1.4 has the same bulbs and we still have the car and these bulbs are far better than OEM bulbs.

Over the years Philips have improved their product. They are now at 130% more light. See...

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/p...on-130-h7-twin

Originally Posted by bjp1979

Hi,

I have a 2 weeks old 2016/17 X3 M Sport and wondered if anyone has tried replacing the standard halogen headlight bulbs with ones which look less yellow as more like xenons/LEDs? I'd also be looking to improve brightness for better night visibility of roads.

Any suggestions welcome. Will likely get Halfords to do this for me as don't like meddling with a brand new vehicle!

You did not state your headlight configuration, so my reply is to replace the main beam bulbs (2 only). As you say, go to Halfords and find out exactly what is involved, but be aware you will pay full price. Should not be a problem for peace of mind.

[bjp1979]

Having looked on Amazon, the Philips Xtremevision bulbs seem to get slightly better reviews. However, for both bulbs there are reviews saying people can't tell the difference to their old bulbs.

Can anyone say from first hand experience that there is a noticeable difference?

[bjp1979]

Peter r - just seen your reply, thanks. I'm a fan of Philips bulbs having replaced all the lights in my house to Philips LEDs.

The configuration by the way - it's just the bog standard 2016/17 post facelift configuration.

What I would ideally like is for the headlights to be replaced but would also favour the daytime running lights being done.

If I buy off Amazon, will Halfords not fit if I just say I bought them from another Halfords store?

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by bjp1979

Peter r - just seen your reply. I'm a fan of Philips bulbs having replaced all the lights in my house to Philips LEDs.

The configuration by the way - it's just the big standard 2016/17 post facelift configuration.

What I would ideally like is for the headlights to be replaced but would also favour the daytime running lights being done.

If I buy off Amazon, will Halfords not fit if I just say I bought them from another Halfords store?

It is not cost effective to replace headlights because of the implications of type approval for the car in the EU and that includes self levelling and headlight washers.

I would say yes to the fitting at Halfords, just show the receipt. As far as fitting goes, bite the bullet and fit them yourself. It is not difficult. Also speak to the BMW Garage from where you purchased the car.

Is the garage local? Ask them if they have the uprated bulbs in stock and are they Philips.

[bjp1979]

I bought from Williams BMW so would probably want to avoid using them as the parts and labour charges will be excessive. If I buy from Amazon, I won't have a receipt to show Halfords so wondered if they might fit if I haven't bought from there (but have got them cheaper off Amazon) and have no receipt?

So in summary, you're saying not to bother replacing the headlight bulbs but yes to the daytime ones? I rarely use main beams living in the city so would probably avoid them

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by bjp1979

I bought from Williams BMW so would probably want to avoid using them as the parts and labour charges will be excessive. If I buy from Amazon, I won't have a receipt to show Halfords so wondered if they might fit if I haven't bought from there (but have got them cheaper off Amazon) and have no receipt?

So in summary, you're saying not to bother replacing the headlight bulbs but yes to the daytime ones? I rarely use main beams living in the city so would probably avoid them

No I did not say do not replace the bulbs! You should not replace the headlights and that is a different statement. Never fit Xenon after market HID bulbs in the UK for many reasons that I will not go into here. I think it makes sense to replace the stock bulbs with the better ones from Philips. Go to Halfords and ask their advice. Some cars have four bulbs. Two for dipped beams and two for main beams.

Many main dealers will fit the bulbs free of charge if you purchase the uprated ones from them. The uprated ones could well be Philips Xtreme bulbs.

If you purchase from Halfords on Amazon you should get a receipt.

[hoho_leung]

Originally Posted by bjp1979

Will check out the Osram link thank you.

Hoho_Leung - I was under the impression that you couldn't replace a halogen headlights bulb with an LED one due to the different technologies?

Thanks

Some bulb manufacture make led with ballast to replace halogen. PIAA is one of those.

[Peter_R]

UK site with contact details:

http://www.piaa.co.uk/bulbs/bulbappl...e=BMW&model=X3

The above link might be for the previous X3, so you would need to check it out.

Dealership list:

http://www.piaa.co.uk/dealers/dealershow.asp?country=uk

[ba ba boosh]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

Never fit Xenon after market HID bulbs in the UK for many reasons that I will not go into here.

I'll say it, it's illegal if the xenon is installed with out the projection housing because it will blind other drivers. In the US it's also illegal to do this.

[Crassus]

I bought the extremevision bulbs several months ago but also replaced the DTRLs with LEDs + Resistors from Halfords. Visibility and clarity at night has significantly been improved and I couldn't be happier.

[bjp1979]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Crassus - I have the Extremevision lights in my Amazon shopping card right now. Assuming that Halford will fit them for me if I haven't bought them off them (think this should be ok?) I will go ahead.

Curious about your LEDs for the daytime running lights and resistors... what make of bulbs are they and how much did Halfords charge for them?

[Iowa X3]

I ordered a set of LED H7's through OPT 7 on Amazon. I'll see if I can post some before and after pics once I get them installed.

http://www.opt-7.com/fluxbeam-led-headlights/

I realize they mention that these don't fit newer BMW's but I done some googling and it seems that other owners haven't had issues installing these into the X3 housings. We'll see how it goes.

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by bjp1979

Thanks everyone for your help.

Crassus - I have the Extremevision lights in my Amazon shopping card right now. Assuming that Halford will fit them for me if I haven't bought them off them (think this should be ok?) I will go ahead.

Curious about your LEDs for the daytime running lights and resistors... what make of bulbs are they and how much did Halfords charge for them?

Both the LEDs and resistors were from Halford and there were only one option. Fitting the was a plug and play affair they only took 5min, and no tools or coding was required.

It's a no brain upgrade that also makes the car look fresher when unlocking it when its dark outside. No more ugly yellow DTRLs.

[bjp1979]

Thanks - definitely the way forward.

Not confident with coding though. Did you do that yourself?

Going to order myself some of the Philips Extremevision bulbs

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by bjp1979

Thanks - definitely the way forward.

Not confident with coding though. Did you do that yourself?

Going to order myself some of the Philips Extremevision bulbs

I made a typo which I corrected. No coding was required. Without the LED DTRLs half and full beam will remain yellow-ish.

[ridgetopboy]

Upgrade to full HID (not just HID or LED bulbs) www.theretrofitsource.com. Full projector Bi-Xenon retrofit kits, great quality. Lots of work to do the deed but if you want to see at night to drive worth the effort.