Brightness: e90 taillights v. e92 taillights

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 09:15 AM

Has anyone realized that at night, the e92's taillights, along with almost all other bmw's that have the unique "rods" in the taillights, is noticeably brighter than that of the e90?

I really love the distinct pattern of the 3 rods on the e90 taillight, but wish it could be brighter [like that in the e92]... Is there any way around this without distorting the light (i.e. brighter uniformity in the rods)?

3thirty5 · 10-16-2007, 11:25 AM

it's the same system as what's used for the angel eyes. and i agree, it does look really neat at night! It's not only our 3 series that have these in the tail lights, the new 5 & 7 (perhaps even the X) have them as well.

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3thirty5

it's the same system as what's used for the angel eyes. and i agree, it does look really neat at night! It's not only our 3 series that have these in the tail lights, the new 5 & 7 (perhaps even the X) have them as well.

yep, along w/ the new x5, z4, and every other model...
however, the light output just seems really dim/weak compared to other bmw models (even in comparison w/ the e92)...

i just wish the e90's output was brighter and more predominant...

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 01:44 PM

Maybe a brighter bulb?

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattscott

Maybe a brighter bulb?

well, yea... i mean, that's the straightforward way to solving the brightness problems, but what i'm actually looking for is whether or not anyone has experimented with it...?

I'm not sure where that bulb would be, and secondly, i assume that putting in a brighter bulb would simply lead to a great disparity in light output at the edges (i.e. light output not uniform throughout rods).

Has anyone experimented with this?

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE3P_to_E90

well, yea... i mean, that's the straightforward way to solving the brightness problems, but what i'm actually looking for is whether or not anyone has experimented with it...?

I'm not sure where that bulb would be, and secondly, i assume that putting in a brighter bulb would simply lead to a great disparity in light output at the edges (i.e. light output not uniform throughout rods).

Has anyone experimented with this?

The light bulb is the middle bulb on the lights. Not the reverse, or halogen bulb on the trunk portion, and not the blinker, or standard brake light bulb on the rear fender portion. I have blacklines, so I have my OEM lights out. I'll go pull the bulb and see what type it is

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 01:58 PM

When you pull the light housings out, it is apparent which bulb is which they are both 1057 bulbs so there are plenty of options out there

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattscott

When you pull the light housings out, it is apparent which bulb is which they are both 1057 bulbs so there are plenty of options out there

im getting my blacklines wednesday, so maybe i'll just experiment...

has anyone w/ an e90 tried to brighten their taillights (the 3-rod portion)

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE3P_to_E90

im getting my blacklines wednesday, so maybe i'll just experiment...

has anyone w/ an e90 tried to brighten their taillights (the 3-rod portion)

I haven't but I would def like to.

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattscott

I haven't but I would def like to.

with over 3x my posts and much more experience on this forum, i think you should go ahead and try!! and let me know how it looks!!!

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE3P_to_E90

with over 3x my posts and much more experience on this forum, i think you should go ahead and try!! and let me know how it looks!!!

I'm going to be out and about today after 1, so I'll pick up some different bulbs and see the difference they make. I can take pictures in my garage so you can see the difference (if there is one) before 8pm

rrandyy · 10-16-2007, 02:50 PM

The E92s and most other BMWs have LEDs as the rear lights. The E90 has regular bulbs. That is why its brighter on other cars.

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrandyy

The E92s and most other BMWs have LEDs as the rear lights. The E90 has regular bulbs. That is why its brighter on other cars.

Stupid BMW saving money. GRRR

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrandyy

The E92s and most other BMWs have LEDs as the rear lights. The E90 has regular bulbs. That is why its brighter on other cars.

thanks for the info!
is the LED red, or is it white (and the actual rods themselves are red)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattscott

Stupid BMW saving money. GRRR

Man, i'm curious what you muster up... do they have LED's for 1057 lights, or whatever you were looking into? i bet you would be the first e90 w/ distinct taillights... and tha would look sick.

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE3P_to_E90

thanks for the info!
is the LED red, or is it white (and the actual rods themselves are red)

Man, i'm curious what you muster up... do they have LED's for 1057 lights, or whatever you were looking into? i bet you would be the first e90 w/ distinct taillights... and tha would look sick.

They do make them. I actually have a set of led 1057 bulbs, they are 26 led bulbs i purchased from JlevisW. But...

They are amber. I will muster up something today!!

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattscott

They do make them. I actually have a set of led 1057 bulbs, they are 26 led bulbs i purchased from JlevisW. But...

They are amber. I will muster up something today!!

coool!

while you do that,
I'll be taking off my beloved OEM 199 rims (to get ready to sell them), and will now put on my fall/winter set of rims... OEM 197's

Mattscott · 10-16-2007, 03:09 PM

I'm trying to sell a set of 162's just got my CSL reps.

Queenskid24 · 10-16-2007, 03:23 PM

i have noticed that the newer 5 series models really distinguish themselves from all other taillights.

SE3P_to_E90 · 10-16-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queenskid24

i have noticed that the newer 5 series models really distinguish themselves from all other taillights.

yea, it reminds me of the Japanese Sun... the red w/ all the rays emitting outward... it looks sweet~

Mattscott · 10-17-2007, 12:56 AM

okay so i tested it out right now, sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys. But GOOD NEWS. Our cars do not monitor that light for a bulb out error. I put in the LED bulbs that I have from JLeviSW and they worked with no eroor message, but they are amber, so the 3 rods lit up amber, HAHA looked wierd. Turns out any 1156 bulb will work for the three rods, so now my missions is to find REALLY bright either regular bulbs or have someone ( Marc

) see if they can design some bright led bulbs for the three rods. There ya go take the information and do with it what you will

GuyOh · 10-17-2007, 01:33 AM

i'm sure the e90 will also get LED rear lights in the facelift..

scanboy · 10-17-2007, 02:06 PM

Sorry, can someone tell me what are "rods"?

10-16-2007, 09:15 AM	#1
SE3P_to_E90 Banned 243 Rep 3,030 Posts Drives: E90 Msport + E83 Msport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MD iTrader: (29)	Brightness: e90 taillights v. e92 taillights Has anyone realized that at night, the e92's taillights, along with almost all other bmw's that have the unique "rods" in the taillights, is noticeably brighter than that of the e90? I really love the distinct pattern of the 3 rods on the e90 taillight, but wish it could be brighter [like that in the e92]... Is there any way around this without distorting the light (i.e. brighter uniformity in the rods)?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-16-2007, 11:25 AM	#2
3thirty5 Major 167 Rep 1,041 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (5) Garage List 2025 BMW X5 xDrive40i [10.00] 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	it's the same system as what's used for the angel eyes. and i agree, it does look really neat at night! It's not only our 3 series that have these in the tail lights, the new 5 & 7 (perhaps even the X) have them as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2007, 01:44 PM	#4
Mattscott Major General 110 Rep 8,327 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beaumont, CA iTrader: (2)	Maybe a brighter bulb? __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2007, 01:58 PM	#7
Mattscott Major General 110 Rep 8,327 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beaumont, CA iTrader: (2)	When you pull the light housings out, it is apparent which bulb is which they are both 1057 bulbs so there are plenty of options out there __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2007, 02:50 PM	#12
rrandyy Captain 32 Rep 799 Posts Drives: E92 328 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California iTrader: (0)	The E92s and most other BMWs have LEDs as the rear lights. The E90 has regular bulbs. That is why its brighter on other cars.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2007, 03:09 PM	#17
Mattscott Major General 110 Rep 8,327 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beaumont, CA iTrader: (2)	I'm trying to sell a set of 162's just got my CSL reps. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2007, 03:23 PM	#18
Queenskid24 Colonel 86 Rep 2,897 Posts Drives: With 1 Fly Girl shotgun. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Queens, NYC iTrader: (9)	i have noticed that the newer 5 series models really distinguish themselves from all other taillights.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-17-2007, 12:56 AM	#20
Mattscott Major General 110 Rep 8,327 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beaumont, CA iTrader: (2)	okay so i tested it out right now, sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys. But GOOD NEWS. Our cars do not monitor that light for a bulb out error. I put in the LED bulbs that I have from JLeviSW and they worked with no eroor message, but they are amber, so the 3 rods lit up amber, HAHA looked wierd. Turns out any 1156 bulb will work for the three rods, so now my missions is to find REALLY bright either regular bulbs or have someone ( Marc ) see if they can design some bright led bulbs for the three rods. There ya go take the information and do with it what you will __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-17-2007, 01:33 AM	#21
GuyOh Colonel 1253 Rep 2,344 Posts Drives: 2016 LB M2 / 2020 X5 40i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver B.C. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M2 [9.75] 2020 Bmw X5 40i [9.75]	i'm sure the e90 will also get LED rear lights in the facelift..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-17-2007, 02:06 PM	#22
scanboy Lieutenant 16 Rep 458 Posts Drives: E90 Montego Blue+Black Int. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Torrance iTrader: (0)	Sorry, can someone tell me what are "rods"?
	Appreciate 0 Quote