LED brake lights - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

MAH · 1st September 2001, 20:10

All,

After much experimentation and testing, I have found true LED replacement bulbs that fit into the sockets for our M5's. They are a super bright red . They cost $48 for two, kind of expensive, but interesting none the less. they do look great. Posting pics will not do this upgrade justice.

I am trying to retrofit one of the LED bulbs into the third brake light, but I am not done with that yet. I will probably have to sand a little off the top of the socket to make this one work.

I am still testing the turn indicators. The problem that I am having there is that with the LED's installed, the turn indicators flash twice as fast as the regular bulbs. Any suggestions?

If you are interested in a bulk purchase or you would like to order direct, let me know and I will make it happen. This manufactorer has the best LED replacements I have seen and I have looked at over 25 different LED solutions.

The red LED's are a deeper red than stock. The turn indicators are a brighter yellow as well, but are more concentrated to a single point than the regular bulbs.

Let me know if you have any interest. I am going to try and replace all of the incandecent bulbs on my car with LED's.

Mark

BostonRocket · 1st September 2001, 20:53

Mark,

I would be very interested in changing the bulbs to LED.. Is there any way you could hook me up with the contact to at least first get the brake lights?? I am interested in the turn signals as well, but I think the blinking problem would have to be solved first! Thanks in advance!

'Rocket

raland9 · 1st September 2001, 21:13

MAH, Which manufacturer? I've been trying to find LEDs for
a while and have tried quite a few. The lights need to be clear
and not red or amber and they need to have a provision for
reflecting the light as opposed to directing it into a concentrated
circle. LEDTRONICs is one of the manufacturers. Others, from which I have a few samples just don't have it right yet.

Thanks.

Rick

Gustav · 1st September 2001, 21:36

MAH, I tremember the LED Flashlight you had around President's House. Cool. If you find the brake lights will be that strong? Also, you'll only have two LED per brakelight?

Say hi to your Mr Vette friend

atomic80 · 1st September 2001, 22:45

Mah,

Could you hook me up too...I'd be interested in getting a set for my brake lights too. I already have the silvervisions in the turn signals so unless you know of a LED solution that's also "silver" then I'd be inclined to keep what I have in there except for the brake lights of course!

jgtang@mindspring.com

Thanks!

Jason

MAH · 1st September 2001, 23:40

Quote:

Originally posted by raland9
MAH, Which manufacturer? I've been trying to find LEDs for
a while and have tried quite a few. The lights need to be clear
and not red or amber and they need to have a provision for
reflecting the light as opposed to directing it into a concentrated
circle. LEDTRONICs is one of the manufacturers. Others, from which I have a few samples just don't have it right yet.

Thanks.

Rick

Rick,

I thought the same thing, that the lights would have to be clear because that is what is in there now. I was wrong. The LED's are super red which makes the light a little bit darker, but it would be more pinkish if it were left white. I did try this so I am spealing from experience.

LEDTRONICS is where I ordered from, but they have a distributor called Netdisty that is familiar with the problems that I had. You cannot buy in small quantities from LEDTRONICS.

Netdisty's # is 310-326-5806. Check out www.LEDTRONICS.com for the specs on the lights. The specific number for the bulb is AUT1156-ER-014V.

These LED's not only have LED's projecting rear ward, but on the sides as well for reflecting purposes.

I hope this answers a few questions. We could still order in quantity if you would like. And just a reminder, these LED's do work, I have them on the car.

One last thing, because LED's are white or clear when they are not on, you will not need silver turn signal bulbs anymore. That is until I find the right solution for the LED replacement for the turn indicators.

Mark

MAH · 1st September 2001, 23:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Gustav
MAH, I tremember the LED Flashlight you had around President's House. Cool. If you find the brake lights will be that strong? Also, you'll only have two LED per brakelight?

Say hi to your Mr Vette friend

Gustav,

It was good to meet you and spend a little time in Monterey. Yes the LED bulbs are almost as bright as that flashlight. You can see the flashlight I am talking about on www.pszone.com. That is Popular Science Magazines website.

You will actually need three LED's if you are going to replace the third brake light as well. It is amazing how much faster the LED's react than the regular bulbs. I still have the third brake light bulb in and it goes on a split second slower than the LED's down in the lower light housings.

The Vette guys name was Gregg and he has a 2002 Z06 on order. I understand you had an interesting discussion with him while we were at the table for dinner that evening.

Glade you had a good time in sunny California. You just won't be allowed to drive any more Porsche's in the states again

LOL.

Talk with you later,

Mark

atomic80 · 2nd September 2001, 00:05

Mark,

So we all need to get all three bulbs that are exactly the same to replace all three brake lights or does the third light use a different type of bulb?

Thanks so much for the tips! I can't wait to try them out!

Jason

Dallas Spikes · 2nd September 2001, 01:00

I'm confused/ignorant on this issue. Could someone explain the benefits of LED lights. I guess I've never seen them before and so I don't know what they look like. I assume the benefit is cosmetic, but I can't picture what they would look like.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

raland9 · 2nd September 2001, 03:24

MAH --

I found the same thing with LEDTRONICS. You
found the distributor, which is better. Sounds
like you found the right bulbs and I'd be interested
in buying them (including the amber). You may
be right about the clear shining through a little
pinkish. The main problem with most of them
is that they are in a concentrated circle and
don't reflect properly. If the ones you found take
care of this issue, you've probably got the right
ones. LEDTRONICS can provide any of their
lights through the dealer and most come in
a variety of colors.

Chris, among the advantages is that they
consume not much more electricity than your
electric clock. They are very bright and are
either on or off. Normal bulbs turn on and
off "gradually" whereas these are much quicker,
for what that's worth.

Rick

Gustav · 2nd September 2001, 04:06

Have a look on the new S Class, CL or SL when braking, lights up faster and looks VERY cool

Also, faster brakelights reduce the risk of people crashing into you from the back because they see it faster

Quote:

Originally posted by Dallas Spikes
I'm confused/ignorant on this issue. Could someone explain the benefits of LED lights. I guess I've never seen them before and so I don't know what they look like. I assume the benefit is cosmetic, but I can't picture what they would look like.

Thanks in advance,
Chris