GP Thunder 8500K vs 7500K (Angel Eyes)

[coco_m3]

DIY instructions please.:biggrin:
i know its the easiest thing youve ever done...
but im used to subarus and i dont want to break anything on this amazing car...

[larryn]

Page 123 of your owners manual has the instructions for you. :smile:

[coco_m3]

:thumbup:sweet thanks!

[Robert]

Ok I just did them myself, and it too me awhile.

One warning, the lamp covers are a bitch to get back on, now I know why the clips are called bitch clips. Actually, the clips aren't that bad, the covers are worse hence I shall name them, bitch covers. It took me forever to align the teeth on the bottom of the cover into the sockets. I seriously spent half hour getting them back on. Once the cover is mounted back correctly the clips slide on without much force. If you are doing this mod, please take the time to make sure the bottom teeth are locked in otherwise you may have condensation.

Review of the new rings:

They aren't as bright as stock and the outter ring aren't nearly as bright as the inner ring. Then I remember their are only 20 bucks compare to the 300 dollar LED system. For 20 dollar this is a good buy, but if you are looking for the badass pure white rings, seen on the freeway, then prepare to step up.

[TP 135i]

Another tip with this "easy" install is Do the drivers side first. It's much easier to do because there is less in the way.
The owners manual doesn't inform you of the two ears on the bottom of the covers. After the clips are disengaged you have to roll back the cover (towards the back of the car) to get the cover to lift out of the ear dogs.
On the passenger's side you have the oil lines in the way (a little) and a group of wires that want to get in between the cover and the housing when you are replacing the cover......Shove those wires well back and out of the way before you try to reinstall the cover. On the passenger's side I had to do most of the reinstall by "feel" as it's very confined and you can't see dick with your hands in there.

[larryn]

Good post, TP_135i. One other thing to note is the clip affectionately known as the 'bitch clip' on the passenger side, can slip out of it's mount and fall down onto the bottom engine shroud. Getting it back on is not fun. There's no trick that I know of.

[TP 135i]

Here are some pics
1. Drivers Side. Cover still on. You can see one of the two wire "bitch clips" near pic center.
2. Drivers side cover showing the two ears at the bottom of the cover.
3. Drivers side with cover off. The bulb we're replacing is almost dead center in the pic with the clear wrapped wires connected to it.
4. Passenger side light with cover on (I'm not taking that one back off). The 2 oil lines are lower right. Just to the left of the left oil line you can see one of the two wire bitch clips.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by cracka

Thanks for the comparo, chriskurn! :w00t:

It appears stock bulbs are good enough..

[Brandon26pdx]

The Sylvania Silverstars would probably look very nice too if you wanted the "pure white" look with no blue or purple.

[joelk]

just installed 8500s. all i have to say is that passenger side cover is an absolute PITA to reinstall. i'm bloodied but it's done.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by joelk

just installed 8500s. all i have to say is that passenger side cover is an absolute PITA to reinstall. i'm bloodied but it's done.

Hahaha I have cuts on my hand as well, and I have small hands.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by robert

Hahaha I have cuts on my hand as well, and I have small hands.

Nice to see others taking the bitch clip challenge and beating it's crusty butt. :w00t:

[TP 135i]

Originally Posted by robert

Hahaha I have cuts on my hand as well, and I have small hands.

I actually put on gardening gloves to re-install the passenger side cover. My hands stayed smooth and soft :wink:

[BMW Dreamer]

So what bulb would be the brightest? And how much dimmer then OEM bulbs? What is the preference?

[ChrisK]

Jeff, I suggest you start at the beginning of this thread.

[dclee1]

TP, thanks for taking the time out to take those pics! They're going to come in handy when I can finally install the bulbs (Bulbs in hand, car is not...)

[RobLS]

If you look at a spectrum, the higher the number gets, the more bluish it gets.

[ChrisK]

The 7500k'ers look perfect on the car. Not tooo blue.

[NY SLC 93]

Yeah, think I'm going 7500...8500 maybe pushing rice status....

[Bizall]

Anyone changed the cornering lights as well(H3)?

[gemini330zhp]

I wonder how yellow bulbs would look??

[vivid]

ChrisK,

those pics are great... I don't suppose you took any comparisons pics with the stock bulbs in did you? I would love to see the stock against either the 7500k or 8500k bulbs to see not only the color difference but also get and idea of brightness... I know brightness might be hard to tell from a pic but it could give an idea.