10-05-2015, 10:50 AM | #1 |
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Backlights are modest
I recently bought my 2010 BMW X1 and don't know if lights are supposed to be any better, but I find my backlights to be modest and small when driving with normal lights mode on (see pic).
Is this a coding thing or can I buy different lights? The inner backlights are only lit when I hit the fog light switch. What do people do to get a decent backlight "band" on their car? |
10-05-2015, 11:27 AM | #2 |
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I believe that's a pre-LCI model so it would be different from my setup, but you can try and get some really bright LEDs to replace the bulbs in there.
Otherwise there is probably some code that would increase the brightness but that's not my area of knowledge (not yet at least) |
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10-05-2015, 11:50 AM | #3 |
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Looks like someone put the outer LCI tails on a pre-LCI model...
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10-05-2015, 12:47 PM | #5 |
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pre-lci is before the refreshed X1 where the vehicle received upgraded LED taillights, but NOT brake lights orreverse lighCheck Bimmian.com for LED bulbs or superbrightLED.com.
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10-05-2015, 02:07 PM | #7 |
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I replaced all of my rear lights with LED's. This includes the turn signals, brake lights and back up lights. They are appreciably brighter. I believe I bought them from Bimmian.com
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10-05-2015, 03:19 PM | #8 |
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Sounds just like I would want to do too. People talk about necessary coding afterwards. Did you code? Did you use BMWhat or is this repair shop stuff?
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10-05-2015, 06:03 PM | #9 |
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get the LED bulbs for your brake lights, reverse, turn signals and taillights (pre-LCI) at Bimmian.com. the brand is Weisslicht LED. no coding needed as they include tech in the bulb that prevent error codes from arising. I have them for a year now and they are great. no excess heat and reverse light is as bright as my front LED corona in front. sorry no pics. installation was simple except the inner rear brake lights that were a pnta.
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10-05-2015, 11:54 PM | #10 |
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I picked mine up from eBay. I know they're not the same quality but the price difference is just too big to swallow. I actually just received them so I'll be testing them out tomorrow. Will post pictures and let people know if any error codes show up - these stated "error free" so we'll see if that applies here.
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10-06-2015, 12:15 PM | #11 |
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I'm attaching the parking lights of the my LCI model. This has the lights package (I don't recall if this changes the rear lights at all or not).
One alternative is you can buy the rear lights of the LCI model and replace yours with those. Looks like you would only need to change the inside lights but I might be wrong, search around for a few retrofit threads, I'm sure you'll find some answers. Also, I replaced my right turn signal and right reverse light with the LED's I got from eBay. So far no errors but I'll know more once I take it out for a drive. I don't have pics of the reverse lights yet, so only the turn signal photo uploaded for comparison. The LED's are 30W with CREE chips |
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10-07-2015, 12:00 AM | #12 | |
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I might be wrong but don't thinks so, I have seen it in the vehicles that are missing the lighting package. I also observed in your picture that you have tail lights that are white in the top, and from my knowledge, these are aftermarket, so not sure what is going on in there. |
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10-07-2015, 03:15 PM | #13 |
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Grateful as I am for advice here, changing light bulbs for LED is not really the solution to the main problem. The inner tail lights are plainly dark apart from when the tail fog lights are lit. I want to replace the entire lights preferable with something that includes LED, or at least something that gives plainly more light. I did not find any such thing on bimmian.com. Am I missing something?
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10-07-2015, 03:36 PM | #15 |
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10-07-2015, 04:25 PM | #16 |
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I have the OEM Blackline taillights (I loathe red turn signals) which look like your outer lamps; so perhaps finding a set of those might work for the inner tailgate-mounted lamps?
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10-07-2015, 04:58 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X1-E84-Tail-Lights-Blackline-for-vehicles-with-Xenon-Headlights-GENUINE-NEW-/221313128388?nav=SEARCH |
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10-13-2015, 05:03 AM | #18 |
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This UK website lists available LED and Standard bulbs for the X1.
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/382...rch=&end=front The bottom pack, for the rear: http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/382...-led-bulb.html Mentions that it shouldn't trip the warning from the ECU. Anyone know if these look ok?
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10-13-2015, 10:10 AM | #19 |
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I believe you'd be better off with these. This is what I've got in my car and they're quite bright, plus don't trip any errors.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/1Pcs-30W-CREE-...=1279040428010 Alternatively these will be just about the brightest bulbs you can get... http://m.ebay.com/itm/2Pcs-80W-CREE-...424?nav=SEARCH The ones that you linked to won't be very bright based on the types of LEDs they use. |
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12-06-2015, 05:25 AM | #20 | |
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Do you have instructions on how to replace the bulbs (rear turning signal and the reversr light ) I'd also like to replace the stock halo bulbs at some point. I think you or someone used the OSram brand. |
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12-06-2015, 02:54 PM | #21 |
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Xirsteon it really is quite simple. There are openings in the cover in the trunk that you open with your fingers and you will easily access the light bulbs.
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12-06-2015, 10:48 PM | #22 |
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^ what BMW_Viking said.
The bulb assembly is held on by three push tabs - one at the top and two around middle section that you can squeeze together. Also I know Osram bulbs are really good but I never did anything with my halo's as they're LED already. I do know they're available on eBay - both factory and China versions. |
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