Hi All,
My first post here with some images of my first ever BMW
. Took delivery at the end of November. It's a 2011 X5 35d in Sparkling Bronze Metallic. I'm quite pleasantly surprised with the handling after driving a GL450 for the last few years. The technology is far more advanced as well - love the Google search! I had window tints installed the morning after delivery, 30s in the back and 20's in the front. So far I am averaging 24 MPG City and 26.5 MPG highway at 75:
I also installed the 7500K GP Thunder V2s. Purchased from hid-lights.com for $12.55 plus shipping for the pair. Here's the difference - set the camera to daylight white balance to get the truest color:
They are just slightly dimmer than the OEM bulbs, which is understandable because the GPs are tinted, but the difference is not much at all. The difference in color though is quite noticeable. This is how they look in daylight:
Found that the easiest way to install them is by disconnecting the cable
before taking the OEM bulb out. This makes everything possible using just one hand, which is all that barely (not quite) fits in the hole and the cable is too short to work outside of it. Used a long, thin screwdriver to unhook the gray clips in the image below:
Both bulbs come out by turning them to the left. I then installed the GP bulb
before connecting the cable. Once I figured that out the install took less than five-minutes per side. And yes, I used surgical gloves just in case I accidentally touched the bulbs.
The Daylights dim when the driving lights come on and at that point the Angel Eyes get warmer (yellower) that's understandable as well.
Thanks!
Jose Suro
Tierra Verde, Florida