AE bulbs PIAA Northern Star White 4400K

dko3tgk · 01-01-2012, 01:06 PM

So I wanted to whiten my angel eyes. I have no idea why even on the 2012 model with HID's, and LED eyebrows, they use normal incandescent bulbs.

I'm a fan of PIAA bulbs, specifically the Japanese imported models. In my experience the ones made for the US market are pretty dim in comparison. I usually see PIAA getting bashed for not being brighter. But with my E30 I had a pair of H4 Xtreme Force 4700 bulbs as my main headlights and I was very happy with the brightness and color. I think the PIAA detractors are mostly talking from experience regarding the US model PIAA bulbs.

I purchased these Japanese market H8 PIAA Northern Star White Bulbs on Ebay. They are rated at 4400K. There weren't alot of options by PIAA Japan in H8 size.

I left the driver bulb stock, and the new bulb is the passenger side for side by side comparison. As you can see by the pictures below, they are alot whiter than the stock bulbs. And they are less visible in daylight than stock, but still reasonably visible. I've seen some other posts where peoples AE are not visible at all in daylight after changing bulbs.

My main issue is that the LED eyebrow in my 2012 is very blue. And noticeably bluer than the new 4400K AE bulbs. When these burn out I plan on getting a PIAA 4700K-5000K pair.

Pablo. · 01-03-2012, 01:40 AM

Looks great. Do you happen to have any night time shots of the lights?

dko3tgk · 01-03-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo.

Looks great. Do you happen to have any night time shots of the lights?

Thanks

The 2nd and 3rd shots are about 30 min before dark and in the shadows. It is meant to show comparison in color btw PIAA and stock. The last shot is in bright sunlight to compare brightness btw stock and PIAA. I'll try to take shots at night soon and post.

My main disappointment is in the color. The LED eyebrows are noticeably bluer. If I didn't have eyebrows the color of these bulbs match the HID's great. Next time it's bluer bulbs. Maybe the PIAA Precious White in 4800K.

Riley1524 · 01-03-2012, 02:43 PM

Don't know if piaa produces bulbs in the 6000k range, but I bet it would be closer to the LED color of the Eyebrows. Most LED color temps are in the 5500k-6000k temperature range as far as color is concerned

dko3tgk · 01-05-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riley1524

Don't know if piaa produces bulbs in the 6000k range, but I bet it would be closer to the LED color of the Eyebrows. Most LED color temps are in the 5500k-6000k temperature range as far as color is concerned

I think 6000k might be too much. I have found 6000k bulbs in the past to be almost a dark purple. Just by eyeballing it, I would say that the eyebrows are about 20-30% bluer than the new AE bulbs. So I would guess it would be more in the 5000-5500k range.

I'll wait until I find some good Japanese bulbs by PIAA or Carmate or Raybrig, etc. in the range I want to replace these when they go.

P1 · 09-21-2013, 01:21 PM

I realize this is an old thread, but I just purchased some PIAA Precious White 4800K H8 bulbs. Once I receive them and install them on the 135i, I'll post a review.

Marc08EX · 09-21-2013, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

I realize this is an old thread, but I just purchased some PIAA Precious White 4800K H8 bulbs. Once I receive them and install them on the 135i, I'll post a review.

Looking forward to seeing it P1et!!!!! If you recommend it, I will go get it for my car too.

lastMleft · 09-21-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

I realize this is an old thread, but I just purchased some PIAA Precious White 4800K H8 bulbs. Once I receive them and install them on the 135i, I'll post a review.

Great, take a few at night two

P1 · 09-21-2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc08EX

Looking forward to seeing it P1et!!!!! If you recommend it, I will go get it for my car too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rukuss

Great, take a few at night two

Will do. I tried doing some research online and I don't think anyone has bought these or tried these for their BMW angel eyes yet. We shall see!

MightyMouseTech · 09-21-2013, 03:40 PM

Hmm...

I have the PIAA NA Extreme White (4150k) in my AE's right now, they are a little whiter than the stock bulbs.

Thanks for the info, have ordered a set of the Precious White (4800k) Will see if the colour is better.

P1 · 09-21-2013, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Hmm...

I have the PIAA NA Extreme White (4150k) in my AE's right now, they are a little whiter than the stock bulbs.

Thanks for the info, have ordered a set of the Precious White (4800k) Will see if the colour is better.

I have the PIAA Xtreme White 4150K bulbs on my X5 now and they made a noticable difference...

Before:

After:

01-01-2012, 01:06 PM	#1
dko3tgk Enlisted Member 4 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 135i 2012 DCT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SF,CA iTrader: (0)	AE bulbs PIAA Northern Star White 4400K So I wanted to whiten my angel eyes. I have no idea why even on the 2012 model with HID's, and LED eyebrows, they use normal incandescent bulbs. I'm a fan of PIAA bulbs, specifically the Japanese imported models. In my experience the ones made for the US market are pretty dim in comparison. I usually see PIAA getting bashed for not being brighter. But with my E30 I had a pair of H4 Xtreme Force 4700 bulbs as my main headlights and I was very happy with the brightness and color. I think the PIAA detractors are mostly talking from experience regarding the US model PIAA bulbs. I purchased these Japanese market H8 PIAA Northern Star White Bulbs on Ebay. They are rated at 4400K. There weren't alot of options by PIAA Japan in H8 size. I left the driver bulb stock, and the new bulb is the passenger side for side by side comparison. As you can see by the pictures below, they are alot whiter than the stock bulbs. And they are less visible in daylight than stock, but still reasonably visible. I've seen some other posts where peoples AE are not visible at all in daylight after changing bulbs. My main issue is that the LED eyebrow in my 2012 is very blue. And noticeably bluer than the new 4400K AE bulbs. When these burn out I plan on getting a PIAA 4700K-5000K pair. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-03-2012, 01:40 AM	#2
Pablo. Private 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: Evo 8 and 135i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (3)	Looks great. Do you happen to have any night time shots of the lights?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2012, 02:43 PM	#4
Riley1524 Captain 63 Rep 638 Posts Drives: A Slow Ass BMW Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Atlanta, Ga. iTrader: (4)	Don't know if piaa produces bulbs in the 6000k range, but I bet it would be closer to the LED color of the Eyebrows. Most LED color temps are in the 5500k-6000k temperature range as far as color is concerned __________________ 2015 428i Coupe 2009 328i E93
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2013, 01:21 PM	#6
P1 Lieutenant General 11572 Rep 11,136 Posts Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	I realize this is an old thread, but I just purchased some PIAA Precious White 4800K H8 bulbs. Once I receive them and install them on the 135i, I'll post a review.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2013, 03:40 PM	#10
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Hmm... I have the PIAA NA Extreme White (4150k) in my AE's right now, they are a little whiter than the stock bulbs. Thanks for the info, have ordered a set of the Precious White (4800k) Will see if the colour is better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote