GP Thunder 8500K H8 Install Hell...

Sick Speed · 07-19-2008, 02:54 AM

Just installed my GP Thunder 8500K. Very pleased with the results daytime and nighttime.

However...this turned out to be a PIA install. What should have been less than 5 minutes...turned into 45 minutes.

My right side OEM H8 came out with a simple turn and I installed the GP Thunder within 1 minute. No problem.

Went to the left side...popped the cover off...went to turn the OEM H8 and it felt jammed so I had to forceably unscrew it.

Went to install the GP Thunder and for the next 40 minutes I could not get the freakin' GP Thunder to match up with the housing. I thought it was just because I had larger hands and had to work it in with two fingers (no jokes here).

After enough time had passed I unhooked the GP Thunder from the wire harness and compared it to the OEM bulb.

Sure enough...one of the metal supports on the GP Thunder was larger than the OEM and this was the reason it would not seat.

So I pulled out the metal snips and trimmed at least 1/8 off. Went back to seat it...wouldn't fit. Pulled it again...trimmed another 1/16 off...this time it fit.

Anyone else have an issue seating their GP Thunders?

SS

simp0man · 07-19-2008, 04:53 AM

Definitely a sounds like a defect, sucks about aftermarket sometimes.

MOB · 07-19-2008, 07:32 AM

Mine went straight in in under 2 minutes (sorry)

E92-Lighting · 07-19-2008, 01:21 PM

gp thunders should take less than 4 minutes for install, before and after pics please?

simp0man · 07-19-2008, 02:06 PM

Yes, before and after is nice. I don't have that brand but I am happy with mines.

hun77777 · 07-20-2008, 06:44 PM

under 4 minutes? wow...
took me good 30 minutes because these OEM suckers were like glued on and area were just too tight and narrow...

AV9 · 07-20-2008, 09:13 PM

ya i've heard a lot of different stories about fitment issues...that's why i'm so hesitant in getting them...

jeanchristophele · 07-20-2008, 09:18 PM

Hello I also took long on the left side, just gotta be persistent with it and I didn't trim anything. Finally after 15 minutes and alot of sweat I managed to force it in 3 o'clock.. during the process it felt like I was going to break something but I just applied enough force and it locked in. So yeah only the left side you gotta be patient with I dont think the bulbs are defective in anyway

i2iSTUDIOS · 07-20-2008, 09:19 PM

is there a diy for the changeout that you can link me to? The ones that I have seen mean I have to remove a million screws like when I replaced the D1s thanks.

Vacek · 07-20-2008, 10:05 PM

2 minutes per side here .... piece of cake.

Sounds like you had a bumb bulb.

Rafstar · 07-20-2008, 10:41 PM

exact same thing happen to me. I got the left side to fit. The right side wasn't going in and I didnt want to force it too much

E92-Lighting · 07-20-2008, 11:03 PM

thanks buddy

Quote:

Originally Posted by got psi

didnt have that problem here.... VERY happy with my GP's from electronicwoot.

Thanks!!!!!

E92-Lighting · 07-26-2008, 04:30 AM

GP Thunder 8500k = bluer version of 7500k

E92-Lighting · 08-03-2008, 07:41 PM

+!

07-19-2008, 02:54 AM	#1
Sick Speed Speed 68 Rep 407 Posts Drives: 2008 335i E92 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Parallel Universe iTrader: (2)	GP Thunder 8500K H8 Install Hell... Just installed my GP Thunder 8500K. Very pleased with the results daytime and nighttime. However...this turned out to be a PIA install. What should have been less than 5 minutes...turned into 45 minutes. My right side OEM H8 came out with a simple turn and I installed the GP Thunder within 1 minute. No problem. Went to the left side...popped the cover off...went to turn the OEM H8 and it felt jammed so I had to forceably unscrew it. Went to install the GP Thunder and for the next 40 minutes I could not get the freakin' GP Thunder to match up with the housing. I thought it was just because I had larger hands and had to work it in with two fingers (no jokes here). After enough time had passed I unhooked the GP Thunder from the wire harness and compared it to the OEM bulb. Sure enough...one of the metal supports on the GP Thunder was larger than the OEM and this was the reason it would not seat. So I pulled out the metal snips and trimmed at least 1/8 off. Went back to seat it...wouldn't fit. Pulled it again...trimmed another 1/16 off...this time it fit. Anyone else have an issue seating their GP Thunders? SS __________________
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07-19-2008, 04:53 AM	#2
simp0man Not looking 2 SPEED, just looking GOOD 48 Rep 2,513 Posts Drives: 07 328i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stockton, Ca iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	Definitely a sounds like a defect, sucks about aftermarket sometimes. __________________
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07-19-2008, 07:32 AM	#3
MOB Major 61 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: Alpine White M2 LCI Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (4)	Mine went straight in in under 2 minutes (sorry)
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07-19-2008, 01:21 PM	#4
E92-Lighting 889 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	gp thunders should take less than 4 minutes for install, before and after pics please?
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07-19-2008, 02:06 PM	#5
simp0man Not looking 2 SPEED, just looking GOOD 48 Rep 2,513 Posts Drives: 07 328i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stockton, Ca iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	Yes, before and after is nice. I don't have that brand but I am happy with mines. __________________
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07-20-2008, 06:44 PM	#6
hun77777 Brigadier General 201 Rep 4,646 Posts Drives: SG E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA iTrader: (58)	under 4 minutes? wow... took me good 30 minutes because these OEM suckers were like glued on and area were just too tight and narrow...
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07-20-2008, 09:13 PM	#7
AV9 Brigadier General 142 Rep 4,310 Posts Drives: 2009 e92 m3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC/SD iTrader: (7)	ya i've heard a lot of different stories about fitment issues...that's why i'm so hesitant in getting them...
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07-20-2008, 09:18 PM	#8
jeanchristophele Private First Class 23 Rep 171 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2002 Accord EX V6 H ... [0.00] 2008 335i Convertible [0.00]	Hello I also took long on the left side, just gotta be persistent with it and I didn't trim anything. Finally after 15 minutes and alot of sweat I managed to force it in 3 o'clock.. during the process it felt like I was going to break something but I just applied enough force and it locked in. So yeah only the left side you gotta be patient with I dont think the bulbs are defective in anyway
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07-20-2008, 09:19 PM	#9
i2iSTUDIOS Captain 91 Rep 870 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (1)	is there a diy for the changeout that you can link me to? The ones that I have seen mean I have to remove a million screws like when I replaced the D1s thanks. __________________ 2007 E92 335i / 6MT / Monaco Blue Metallic / Gray Dakota Leather / Comfort Assist / Premium / Sport / Heated Seats / Navi / Active Steering / Active Cruise Control / Park Distance Control / Rear Sunshade / Sirius MODS PicoTray / M3 Steering Wheel / Front OEM Aero Lip / Bimmian Aluminum Pedals / CDV / Ram Air Scoops / Painted Reflectors / HID 5000k / LED Angels / M Perf. Shifter / Euro Light Switch / 8500 x50 / Center Armrest Pouch / JB4 / BT
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07-20-2008, 10:05 PM	#10
Vacek Captain 59 Rep 801 Posts Drives: 09 X3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (8)	2 minutes per side here .... piece of cake. Sounds like you had a bumb bulb.
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07-20-2008, 10:41 PM	#11
Rafstar Captain 96 Rep 775 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montreal iTrader: (15)	exact same thing happen to me. I got the left side to fit. The right side wasn't going in and I didnt want to force it too much __________________ E92 M3 Clubsport JRZ \| TE37SL \| AR1\| Stoptech BBK (ST60/40) \| Recaro SPG XL + Schroth 6 point \| Raven Roll Cage \| \| Alex Alpine Tune \| Turner Test Pipes \| AFE Carbon Intake \| Bimmerworld Solid Bushings and more...
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07-26-2008, 04:30 AM	#13
E92-Lighting 889 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	GP Thunder 8500k = bluer version of 7500k
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08-03-2008, 07:41 PM	#14
E92-Lighting 889 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	+!
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