[Ash_BCFC]

Hi everyone,

I picked up my E90 LCI last week. Absolutely loving it at the moment and already looking to make some subtle changes over the coming months before getting myself some summer wheels ;-)

I've searched the forum for an answer to my following question but can't find an answer... I have the LCI halogen headlights (would have loved xenon) with the angel eyes. I want to replace the angel eye bulbs for some white, better performing bulbs. I've seen some on eBay that are 40w but look like they have they have small ballasts like HID's. The only thing that worries with me these is that they won't work with the auto headlight and the stop start technology? As when I've had HIDS on previous cars the engine has needed to be on for them to work. I have visions of them forever turning on and off every time the car turns itself off in traffic?

If anyone has any knowledge of this that would be great. Along with any opinions on the best angel eye bulbs to get?

[IanS100]

I've had both 20w & 40w LEDs on LCI halogens without any problems, they switched on and off as expected using auto lights & stop start, and I can't see why either would make any difference. Be warned however that they can be a pig to fit, and although they look good in dim light they're next to impossible to see in sunlight, you certainly won't see anything like the bright halo ring of later cars. If you want halos that are visible under all conditions the standard incandescent bulb with the yellow glow, is arguably better, although admittedly, not so pretty

[Ash_BCFC]

Thanks for the info.

Did you use a specific brand?

[Sbm007]

Just make sure the angel eyes bulbs you get are compatible for the halogen LCI headlights, as the xenon ones are H8 and won't fit the halogen LCI lights (I made this mistake when ordering mine initially).

I can confirm there are no issues at all with respect to auto start/stop or the auto light sensor. In fact, they don't have ballasts at all, what you're probably getting confused with is the heat sink which normally mounted to these units to help dissipate heat.

Also, Ian is sadly right, these angel eyes are nowhere near as bright as the xenon counterparts But I still think it's a worthwhile change. I got mines off eBay a year ago and they are still running fine. I would say pay a bit extra and get decent ones, I have seen some E90 drivers with cheap bulbs that appear as a green-ish dim blue colour. Lastly, some sellers sell 10W bulbs, or 20W ones and a few 40W, I don't know if this makes any difference, I have read accounts from users on this forum that claim 20W and 40W both looks the same. Personally I have 20W bulbs.

[Ash_BCFC]

Thank you again.

From your pic it looks as if your running HID low beam bulbs? Do you have any mentioned issues with those?

[Sbm007]

That's just my phone's camera that makes it look a bit over exposured. Tbh, I wouldn't put a HID kit in a reflector style headlight, it would just dazzle other road users and look ricer-ish.

I just have standard H7 halogen bulbs that produce more whiter light. If I remember correctly they are MTEC Super White's (check my build thread I think I have it on there somewhere), they cost about 15/20 quid for a pair.

[Ash_BCFC]

Nice one.

I know low beam are H7 fitment but what are high beam?

[Sbm007]

They are H7 as well