Angel Eyes bulbs (E39)

Hi Guys (and girls),

First of all, Merry Christmas and "all the best when it comes"

After the discussion after the AGM Meet in December about Angel Eyes and CCFL rings I came to the conclusion that I preferred the colour of the aftermarket rings on the E46s to the yellow / orangish colour of my OEM Hella units.

Misfortune struck a week or so later when one of my bulbs actually blew and the car looked stupid. I took it to a local accessory place and asked if there was anything he could do to make the Angel Eyes look brighter and whiter. "No" was his reply "but I'll have a look" I explained that on the E39 the Hella Angel Eyes were supplied by a single bulb and not like the rings that can be bought that need voltage inverters. I took the bulb holder out and showed him. he managed to get the bulb loose but it wasn't for coming out and he reconned he'd have to split the holder and try and get it out that way and solder in a bulb that he had lying around to try it. I didn't fancy this and said I'd contact BMW. I did this and they were happy to supply me with a new bulb, complete with holder etc but this took me back to the horrible colour.

I decided to set about splitting the housing myself (nothing ventured eh??)  and got the blown bulb out. the holder is held together with a splodge of melted plastic that effectively welds the two bits together. Its the bit that has the waffle type pattern on it.

After this was chipped away the two halves can be pulled apart.

I was driving back through the town I live in and stopped in at the garage, guess what, they had bulbs that were the same fittment. £1.75 was handed over and I was on my way. The bulb was fitted and guess what???? it looked crap too.

This is because the original bulbs are Halogen bulbs and the ones I bought were normal fillament types, still, it got me legal even if my car now looked like it was squinting at you. original bulb on the right.

A bit of research and I found Xenon tint, Halogen bulbs that were the same size but had a slightly different fitment in that they had pins at 240 derees as opposed to 180 degrees. (guess what I needed) Still, they were the closest I could find that may give me the whiter colour that I was looking for. £15 was duly spent and they arrived. note the bluish tint at the tip.

I had to file one of the ligs to make it go into the holder so the bulb is now held in with 1 lug and a filed down one pressing on the housing to give a snug pressure fit. They're not loose and are working fine.

I'm not sure if the light is exactly what I wanted but I recon its whiter than the originals.

 

 

I recon its better, any comments ??

 

Edited by Cambell

I would prob spend the little extra and get these that everyone is raving about

http://www.umnitza.com/product_info.php?cPath=73_141_178& ; ;products_id=1111

 

or contact Teddy at ssdd-motorsport as he can supply them also for a round £100..Plug and play

Pics are e90,but same idea

 

Edited by Pete330

stevie53 wrote: the outer ring seems to have lost some of their definition or is that just my bleary bloodshot eyes.

I recon it was just the camera not coping with the different light intensity, as you'll know the rings are purely reflective and haven't been changed at all, just the bulbs.

Bigian wrote: Campbell they look good still have not made mind up whether I'm going to do the 540 yet are they you original lights or replacement units if replacements do you still have the headlight adjustment. Ian

Hi Ian,

They are replacement headlights that I installed earlier this year, as I opted for the OEM Hella units, I have full functions, adjusters, self levelling etc.

Hi Cambell,

I like them, looks a lot brighter! I fitted the CCFL rings earlier this year,
Not a good photo as was taken with my phone...




Edited by thepits

LED's are good - except as they draw significantly less current to normal filiment bulbs they confuse the computer into thinking the light isn't working, so producing an error warning.

Can be sorted with a resistor or two - there is a thread on here somewhere about it.

Cambell wrote: Aly, the CCFL's look great, I fitted them to Issys E46 coupe this year aswell.

Thanx.. Only cost £45... Bought myself a spare set just in case!

Hi Cambell
I like both ways,the lights looks perfect.
The other thing is that side lights doesnt have to be so bright.Unless you just wanted a white color insted of yellow.
For example i choose a blue one for my car (ccfl) they are maybe not so bright during day but at night looks nice.And its something different.Did you read an article about headlights with angel eyes in different colors?Like red,blue etc.Something that BMW is going to sell as originals.
The only one thing is i had a warning light on all the time and i dont know if i should fit them again.(i bought a new car,i will post some pics later this week)

Gary525 wrote: Hi does anyone know where i can get a set of replacement bulbs for mine.

for standard ones, bmw dealer

for the other ones, try www.powerbulbs.com

 

thanks ppl and for the pm campbell..


im gonna go out and try take the bulb out. I've heard people say the the holder of the bulb brakes when you try to remove it, did you have any trouble campbell.

Oh and what do i need the file for ?