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ZHPizza
05-17-2017, 11:37 AM
Info on these from my build thread:



But more importantly...drumroll.gif...the Japanese LEDs work freaking great!

Do you see these sweet ass bitties?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170424/aab219d67e640b1d710ed5938871a248.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170424/5cde0a3ae92832f583ec8915533c6a41.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170424/7bb96cb052c87dee7f7abe382a690748.jpg

They output some hella good light and fill the reflector housing even better than the OE incandescent bulbs! Here's some comparisons with the LED in just the drivers side:

(cue background music while you look at the pics https://youtu.be/lWA2pjMjpBs)

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170424/090a448c4e943c435bbadc3482055fa1.gif

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170424/2a153d54fd7004f53e076334d1d3a93f.gif

And here you can see how much more filled out the housing is with the LED in parking light mode...

Incandescent first:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170424/69173bc07c383696e2162e7d5248ffaf.jpg

And then the boss ass LED:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170424/2da0df349eeb83321e2e3fc1d14049c4.jpg

I had been holding off on posting anything about them for a week while I was testing them, but I've had no issues/errors/hyperflash and installed a pair in Spenser's blue car the other day without issue too. Only thing I would recommend is disabling the cold/hot checks in PA Soft so that they don't flicker when you start the car. These bad boys is the real deal yo.

The catch? They're​ $45 a pair and can only be purchased in Japan. So what did I do? I went ahead and bought 10 sets to bring the cost to a manageable $50 a pair. (Yes, I spent $500 on Amazon Japan and my credit card company didn't even call me)

I'm​ travelling for work this week, but I'll make a separate post when I get back to see who wants me to send them some and the rest will go on eBay.

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND


So I put a set in my car and a set in Spenser's car, disabled the hot/cold checks through PA Soft, and have had nothing but smooth operation ever since. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that I had 8 more sets.

So they're on ebay now (http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/252943720676?) so that I can recoup my late night $500 Japanese LED investment.

But I'll send them to you guys for $55 shipped. PM me!

Edit: Reduced price once I figured out how to ship first class instead of priority mail

ZHPizza
05-17-2017, 11:38 AM
Info on disabling the hot/cold checks so that they don't flicker on startup:


If you go to the LCM coding menu in PA Soft, you'll see these check boxes for hot and cold check. Just uncheck whatever you don't want scanned at startup (cold check) and intermittently while driving (hot check). Those are what give you the flicker.

This isn't my image, but it shows the hot/cold check options as they're preselected from the factory. I only disabled it for the front turn signals and left the BC message box checked, assuming that's your error message when it detects bulb out.

http://www.hoelzer.com/m3/lcm.jpg

holyc0w
05-17-2017, 11:49 AM
How thick is the box? I would probably feel comfortable shipping them in a padded envelope with some extra padding throw in (bubble wrap, crumpled paper). If it's under 16.0 ounces then it goes through USPS first class.

Dual
05-17-2017, 11:56 AM
So I need two pair to fully outfit a car, right? Very interested

ZHPizza
05-17-2017, 12:01 PM
How thick is the box? I would probably feel comfortable shipping them in a padded envelope with some extra padding throw in (bubble wrap, crumpled paper). If it's under 16.0 ounces then it goes through USPS first class.

Padded envelope would probably work since these things are stout (metal frame protecting the LED's). I'll see what they have at the post office in a bit.

http://cdn.mkimg.carview.co.jp/minkara/parts/000/005/562/652/5562652/p1.jpg?ct=c6d87e1a6aaa


So I need two pair to fully outfit a car, right? Very interested

Nope! Just one pair for the front turn signals. Your rears are already LED.

For our facelift coupes, it's only the front turn signals and reverse lights that are not LED from the factory.

Dual
05-17-2017, 12:29 PM
Well, sold, thanks! PM on its way.

holyc0w
05-17-2017, 12:37 PM
Padded envelope would probably work since these things are stout (metal frame protecting the LED's). I'll see what they have at the post office in a bit.

It will be cheaper if you buy the envelopes from a different source. Something like this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-6-12-5-x-19-Kraft-Bubble-Mailer-Self-Seal-Padded-Craft-Envelope-Shipping-bag-/182554305261?hash=item2a8115a2ed:g:YF0AAOSwEjFXdzf w), though they come out cheaper in higher quantities. I print the labels through www.paypal.com/shipnow , but Paypal might be phasing that out it seems.

Aeternalis
05-17-2017, 02:09 PM
$7.15 is about right for any kind of residential shipping with some form of tracking or insurance. You can definitely go cheaper with USPS (we're talking like.. $1.50 or so), but you start running the exponentially higher risk of losing bulbs.

Source: I work in a warehouse operation and administer our logistics.

BMWCurves
05-17-2017, 06:02 PM
I don't have that much experience with shipping items but I'd expect taking the bulbs out of the box and suffocating those suckers in a cocoon of bubble wrap and tossing it in a small padded envelope would be sufficient protection and keep the weight/size down of the package.

ZHPizza
05-18-2017, 04:30 PM
I scavenged some bubble mailers, added another layer of bubble wrap, and got a handful of these bad boys ready to go!

$55 shipped. PM me with your info and I'll get them on the mail.

Dual
05-19-2017, 08:21 AM
Got my order in today. Thanks!


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ZHPizza
05-19-2017, 09:29 AM
Got my order in today. Thanks!


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You and William's LEDs are going out today -- 6 sets left!

ZHPizza
05-19-2017, 09:32 AM
It will be cheaper if you buy the envelopes from a different source. Something like this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-6-12-5-x-19-Kraft-Bubble-Mailer-Self-Seal-Padded-Craft-Envelope-Shipping-bag-/182554305261?hash=item2a8115a2ed:g:YF0AAOSwEjFXdzf w), though they come out cheaper in higher quantities. I print the labels through www.paypal.com/shipnow , but Paypal might be phasing that out it seems.

THANK YOU for this. I was so confused when USPS wouldn't let me print labels for first class postage. Paypal worked great!

BMWCurves
05-19-2017, 10:01 AM
You and William's LEDs are going out today -- 6 sets left!

http://i.imgur.com/pmd0wa7.gif

704sw
05-19-2017, 10:08 AM
http://i.imgur.com/pmd0wa7.gif

http://www.lowbird.com/data/images/2013/03/imgur-wjsaxcl.gif

Dual
05-20-2017, 06:47 AM
I've been researching the install procedure for the bulbs, but so far all I find (including my Bentley book) is for the pre-facelift coupes.
It looks like it's going to be quite different with the newer cars and potentially more involved, since I have headlight washers.

Anyone know of a link I might have missed?

704sw
05-20-2017, 06:54 AM
I've been researching the install procedure for the bulbs, but so far all I find (including my Bentley book) is for the pre-facelift coupes.
It looks like it's going to be quite different with the newer cars and potentially more involved, since I have headlight washers.

Anyone know of a link I might have missed?

I can take a couple pictures later today. It's pretty straightforward, but in this case smaller hands are more advantageous than gorilla hands.

You fly a little blind, so Nate and I found it helped to have the hazards blinking so you could see the alignment from outside the housing. It'll be aggravating for a minute until you finally realize https://media.tenor.co/images/fa147adc3a54d0f0e5b025dc918f14f4/tenor.gif

ZHPizza
05-20-2017, 09:16 AM
It's really not that bad. Just frustrating trying to get the alignment.You'll want to move the washer fluid tank out of the way, but that's it. We didn't pull the headlights out or anything. I found it easiest to disconnect the plug and grab the long connector tube with pliers to twist/pull it out.

And we reinstalled them with the parking lights on, not the flashers. That would be maddening.

CarbonZHP
05-20-2017, 03:50 PM
Still have em?

ZHPizza
05-20-2017, 08:09 PM
Still have em?
Yeah dude. 6 pairs ready to go.

CarbonZHP
05-21-2017, 05:06 AM
I'll take a set


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jonnyd330
05-21-2017, 01:29 PM
I'll take a pair 👍🏿

ZHPizza
05-22-2017, 01:15 PM
I'll take a set


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I'll take a pair ����


Two more pairs shipping out to these dudes today -- 4 left

Dual
05-23-2017, 12:26 PM
Installed them today and everything went pretty smoothly. I clipped wire ties on both sides of the car to make it easier to maneuver. And on the washer fluid side I just removed the screw and then pulled the reservoir up and back a bit, holding it in place with tape. Love the look! And they have to be safer with all that output.

Thanks!


iPhone/Tapatalk Pro

ZHPizza
05-23-2017, 02:55 PM
Installed them today and everything went pretty smoothly. I clipped wire ties on both sides of the car to make it easier to maneuver. And on the washer fluid side I just removed the screw and then pulled the reservoir up and back a bit, holding it in place with tape. Love the look! And they have to be safer with all that output.

Thanks!


iPhone/Tapatalk Pro
Very nice.

I forgot to mention that the bulbs are polar, so be sure to test them before you go through the struggle of reinstallation. If one doesn't work, pull it out and flip it around.

Guessing you didn't run into this or have worked with LED bulbs before.

3 sets left after today

Dual
05-23-2017, 05:06 PM
The brown wire is negative. Yes-definitely used to LEDs


iPhone/Tapatalk Pro

FungShui
05-24-2017, 08:08 PM
Pm sent

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CarbonZHP
05-24-2017, 08:46 PM
Seems like mine aren't working? Both leds tested on both sides in both polarities


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ZHPizza
05-25-2017, 02:08 AM
Seems like mine aren't working? Both leds tested on both sides in both polarities


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Well that's concerning. The only thing that made them not work in my testing was when I adjusted the PWM values too low. Now that I think about it, they stopped working completely when that happened, even after I reset the values/error codes. I believe I had to turn off the car, reinstall the incandescent bulbs, cycle them a bit, then go back to the LED's. Actually, I'm pretty sure this happened with some cheap-o LEDs and not the nice ones.

Sorry for the rambling. Try replacing with incandescent and reinstalling?

CarbonZHP
05-25-2017, 06:54 AM
Standard bulbs work fine. Haven't done any pa soft work yet. Would that stop them working completely?


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jonnyd330
05-25-2017, 08:09 AM
Got mine thanks buddy.

ZHPizza
05-25-2017, 01:11 PM
Standard bulbs work fine. Haven't done any pa soft work yet. Would that stop them working completely?


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I'm really not sure what's going on with them as I haven't seen any issues in coupes and can't imagine the wiring to be any different with your headlights. Play around with them some more and, if you can't get it sorted, I'll send you another set and we can see if you somehow got two bad bulbs. I'm highly doubting it's a bulb quality issue, though.

Dual
05-26-2017, 12:00 PM
Really liking the look of those LEDs in the car!


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ZHPizza
06-02-2017, 06:41 AM
CarbonZHP had to adjust the pins inside the bulb socket to get them to contact, but they're working for him now. Anyone else had to do this? Everyone's bulbs working well?

I have two sets left to ship out for whoever wants em

jonnyd330
06-02-2017, 06:49 AM
I haven't had time to install mine yet

BMWCurves
06-02-2017, 08:41 AM
I haven't had time to install mine yet

+1

T minus 10ish days.

CarbonZHP
06-02-2017, 08:44 AM
Got mine working. Had to bend the contacts inside the plug to work. With my blacked out corner bowls, these are the only way to go


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Dual
06-02-2017, 08:52 AM
FWIW: I found that with my late-model ('06) coupe, there was no need to go into PASoft. These LED's, like all I've installed in my coupe, just work.

ZHPizza
06-02-2017, 09:03 AM
+1

T minus 10ish days.
https://i.imgur.com/KWl6pqT_d.jpg

Got mine working. Had to bend the contacts inside the plug to work. With my blacked out corner bowls, these are the only way to go


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That sounds interesting. Do you have pics with the blacked out bowls somewhere?

FWIW: I found that with my late-model ('06) coupe, there was no need to go into PASoft. These LED's, like all I've installed in my coupe, just work.
Oh they're definitely plug and play as far as functionality. The only thing I had to do in PA Soft was disable the hot and cold checks that flicker the bulbs for a second. Do yours not flicker a bit when you turn the car on?

CarbonZHP
06-02-2017, 09:20 AM
I have the clear plastic piece inside the headlight removed and the bowl is plastidipped

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170602/40fd8a6f0cc1cbb3539e6d35386647cd.jpg


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704sw
06-02-2017, 09:21 AM
https://i.imgur.com/KWl6pqT_d.jpg

Needs a monocle.

BMWCurves
06-02-2017, 01:34 PM
https://i.imgur.com/KWl6pqT_d.jpg

Pretty much. Although that uncomfortable and heavy breathing might be due to having eaten a breakfast hash, a cheeseburger, a slice of cheesecake, some sushi, and very large bowl of pho today...

anandoc
06-02-2017, 05:48 PM
Oh they're definitely plug and play as far as functionality. The only thing I had to do in PA Soft was disable the hot and cold checks that flicker the bulbs for a second. Do yours not flicker a bit when you turn the car on?

I think he might have a SW 4.5 LCM, which does not need the hot/cold checks to be disabled for LED bulbs. Just a guess...

Dual
06-03-2017, 05:50 AM
Made me look, LOL. It's 4.0. I haven't noticed a flicker, but I'll be looking

704sw
06-03-2017, 06:04 AM
Made me look, LOL. It's 4.0. I haven't noticed a flicker, but I'll be looking

It's subtle. I replaced the side markers on my (2007) X3 with LEDs and they do it too. I wouldn't have caught it had I not known to look for it.

ZHPizza
06-05-2017, 10:32 AM
Pm sent

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I just saw your sig pic on a post in another thread and wanted to come here to say that you need to update it now that you don't have that orange yolk in your front corner lights.

Swap in some clear reflectors and your car will look frosty.

ZHPizza
06-14-2017, 08:42 AM
Bumping this because I have two sets left in the garage that are sad because they're not out in the world getting their blink on

BMWCurves
06-14-2017, 09:13 AM
Bumping this because I have two sets left in the garage that are sad because they're not out in the world getting their blink on

If only my tail lights and side markers were made of them.

ZHPizza
06-14-2017, 09:14 AM
If only my tail lights and side markers were made of them.
It would be like indicating your turns with the sun

BMWCurves
06-14-2017, 09:17 AM
It would be like indicating your turns with the sun

http://i.imgur.com/ilhDzhS.gif

ZHPizza
07-17-2017, 05:46 AM
The last set just sold on ebay and couldn't have come at a better time.

I thought that I had killed one of my bulbs last night when I noticed that the left one was totally unresponsive. No parking light, no hazards, nothing. I'm thinking "shit...I played too much with the battery and somehow fried a $50 set of LEDs."

Turns out the bulb had just fallen out of the socket...I could see it laying in the reflector bowl...shiiiiiiiiiit

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170717/d87c82d470ad61a551528d669f640cab.jpg

Spent half an hour attempting to surgically remove that little bastard and said I ain't playin no more games wit yo ass and put a spot of flexible glue on the non-contact sides of the bulb before putting it back in the holder.

It's a secure fit and I don't think that it just fell out from vibrations. Probably unseated it during install and it eventually worked its way all the way out...but still...getting that little shit out of there was awful enough that I didn't want to take any chances...so glue.

Dual
09-03-2017, 05:00 AM
This was discussed somwhere else in this forum a few days ago but I can't find it. If I want to reset my LCM for these bulbs rather than disable, what would be a good value. I moved from 25 to 45 and still see flicker.*


*It took literally months for me to be in a situation where I could see the flicker reflect off a car in front of me as I restarted.

ZHPizza
09-03-2017, 05:48 AM
This was discussed somwhere else in this forum a few days ago but I can't find it. If I want to reset my LCM for these bulbs rather than disable, what would be a good value. I moved from 25 to 45 and still see flicker.*


*It took literally months for me to be in a situation where I could see the flicker reflect off a car in front of me as I restarted.The flicker at startup is the cold check where the car just runs a small amount of current to the bulb to check for continuity. It'll also do this while you're driving as a hot check. Best thing is to disable the cold/hot checks for those lights.

The PWM value is what you were adjusting, right? I played with that to try to reduce the flicker while running, but it's nearly impossible to see with the human eye so I stopped chasing it and put the values back to stock.

Dual
09-03-2017, 06:03 AM
Thanks for this! Will do