BMW $22, RCP, HID Xenon Bulb Install and Color Comparison.

[@hahnsolo27]

Finally someone that knows what the F they are doing on a M235i !! Bulb just went out this was a huge help !!!! Thank you !

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks! So glad this could help you!

[@pnsmexico]

thank you so much, bro. i was wondering why my M235i headlights turn from blue to near-yellow within 0 seconds when i start the car at night. now im going to buy the same bulbs you have on! thank you!!!!

[@carsinourdna9388]

Hey Mike good to see your video. I did same experiment orderted $107 (sylvania 6000K) from amazon but there shade was like 5000K, compare to RCP 6000k it cost me $22.99 from amazon but light was slight tone of blue white. I love them. Not sure of their longevity. but for now happy to see the difference. Installation is different in 3 series comapre to 2 series. Great video 👍🏼

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks for checking out my channel! These RCP bulbs are still running strong! I'm honestly shocked these inexpensive bulbs lasted longer than a month 🤣

[@dandamanP911]

Solid video. Took me about 10minutes to complete on my 2er thanks to your instructions. I went with the 6k, cant tell a difference just yet, although my headlights are pointed downwards a little. Look forward to driving tonight.

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks for checking out my channel Daniel! Glad the video helped! 👍

[@TheWrenchLab]

Hey Daniel, did you need help adjusting the headlight beam up a little?

[@dandamanP911]

@@TheWrenchLab i was able to get some guidance off the 2er forums. Thanks for reaching out man!

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@dandamanP911 Yeah for sure! I keep wanting to do a video on headlight adjustment... I will eventually.

[@cheshunts157]

Hi Mike great vid , that was something i would not have attempted myself, but you showed and explained it so well, so upgraded the Xenons in no time at all thanks Jim

[@TheWrenchLab]

Glad it helped Jim! Thanks for checking out the channel. 🤙🙏

[@cheshunts157]

@@TheWrenchLab Mike everything looks great at night, and they self level i appreciate that, but as ive raised the K rating if i ever needed to lower the lamps a little is that simple , im in the UK with R/H drive [ m235i 2015] , been watching your other vids now ive found you all excellent and you do give us all confidence to do the jobs THANKS Jim

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@cheshunts157 I make these video with less experienced people in mind. Just because these cars are a little pricey doesn't mean they're difficult to work on. 😊

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@cheshunts157 there are adjustment screws on the headlight housing. I'll have to make a video of that... 🤔 if you have Instagram, I can send you a quick video on there to tide you over until I make a KZbin video of it.

[@cheshunts157]

The Wrench Lab Hi Mike no not on instagram but not a panic just asking for checking pre MOT test. Mike how is it that you can change the Xenons and no coding required, as I watched someone who did a LED upgrade to his M235i reversing light which looked good but he said it needed coding ? , would appreciate your advice / vid at some stage, Also really appreciate you taking time out to reply 👍 thanks Jim

[@kyleperry8833]

Mike. Thank you for posting this. very helpful and great suggestion on the the bulb. Just checked out and arriving tomorrow. went with the 8000k!

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks Kyle! That's why I make these videos. These $20 bulbs are still going strong! Still bright and still love them

[@ArtyYeo]

Straight-to-point vid. Good recommendation. Put the RCPs into my M235xi.

[@TheWrenchLab]

I've had them in since Oct and no issue with them yet! Definitely a good purchase for the price.

[@LeonHarvey-y6c]

Hi Mike great vid. My Question is can i replace the standard halogen Pass bulb in my E90 to a brighter LED and wire it through a relay and switch to use as spot lights when highway driving. We dont really use the overtake flasher here in Australia, we would normally only use it to warn other drivers of speed cameras etc.Cheers. Loving the Lowndesy/Wincup Holden Shirt.

[@anakinandy]

I bought the rcp ones and returned them because the CRI was horrible. The color temperature of the light output was nice but I couldn’t see any color of the objects on the road, like a cheap Florescent light

[@edgargonzalez3896]

You save me in minute 6:50... I don't kwon how remove my d1s xenon lights.. Great video!

[@TheWrenchLab]

That's why I do this! 👏thanks for checking out my channel Edgar!

[@josephverdecia3159]

Just got this car. Your videos are awesome.

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks Joseph! I really appreciate that. I'm about to start making more videos soon, so keep an eye out! Thanks for checking out my channel! 👍😊 These $20 bulbs are still going strong!

[@pnsmexico]

Thanks again!!! It worked! I love the car now!!! Haha

[@josephnaara]

Awesome video buddy 🙌🏼

[@ashuua2909]

Appreciate the content Sir! How long did those RCPs last?

[@TheWrenchLab]

Still going!

[@ashuua2909]

@The Wrench Lab They're nice and bright? Comparable to OEM? My current bulbs are working but I think are old and getting dim. I have philips d4s C1

[@TheWrenchLab]

@ASHUU A I don't have a PAR meter or any way to scientifically measure but I'd say they're about the same.

[@ashuua2909]

@@TheWrenchLab thank you!

[@oscarmusowoya9619]

Thank very much for this video. Quick question does the bmw x1 2012 have the same housing for the lights and is the procedure the same?

[@TheWrenchLab]

I'm pretty sure they're different housings, but the procedure should be the same.

[@peterchasengnou4276]

Hey bro, is there a 2nd bulb in the headlight? I just changed the bulbs as shown here and your video was super helpful! The second bulb in my headlight isn’t working. Are you able to post a video on the same car? Or is there no second bulb? Thanks!

[@TheWrenchLab]

Yeah that's it, there is only the one bulb. The other lens is empty. The one b7lb 8s high and low beam. The empty lens just has the angel eye around it and that's it.

[@Werevertumoto]

You know... I used to work for Hella, one of the top headlights manufacturers in the world, and brightest, is not better, whitest is not better either, you want a nice, warm light, that will allow you to see, sometimes super bright powerful bulbs will create too much reflection and glare, especially with road signs, some say you can get enough light reflected to your eyes that will cause some damage over long term. not to mention the people driving in the opposite way, specially if headlights are not properly aligned, in long trips you will get tired of so much light reflection

[@DearMajesty]

Great video man! Thank you!

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks for checking out my channel! 👍 These bulbs are still going strong! Not sure if they have dimmed at all yet. 🤔 I'll get another set and see if they have...

[@jamesan8156]

saved me from my bmw service rep. thanks

[@TheWrenchLab]

Glad this could help! 👍

[@acroracing]

Love your videos my friend.

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks!

[@luisamartinez3274]

Great video Mike. Do you think the M2 LEDs would fit in the m235? I know the tail lights do fit. I know they are expensive too but they look so good and can be coded with the variable light distribution.

[@TheWrenchLab]

I'm not sure. I don't know what type of LED bulb goes in the LCI M2. The 2015-2017 is the same as the M235. I'll go look it up...

[@luisamartinez3274]

@@TheWrenchLab This would be a great video, haven't come across it but would totally do it if it fits.

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@luisamartinez3274 I can't find any info on an actual bulb in the adaptive LED headlights. Not even looking it up in a parts loacator. I've never researched the LCI LED's but it seems it's all part of the entire headlight housing which... Would run a few thousand dollars to retrofit. 😬😬😬 I'll see if I can find a cost effective LED option for our headlights. I'll post video on it too!

[@luisamartinez3274]

​@@TheWrenchLab I just finished the LCI Euro Spec taillights and they look great, got the bug to find headlights but I agree, not easy. Thanks for the great videos.

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@luisamartinez3274 Thanks Luis! I'll do an LED conversion video for you, definitely! I think I found what I need to make something work. 😎

[@thethom9857]

Thank you from France men 👍👍👍

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks for checking out my channel! 👍

[@TheWrenchLab]

By the way... These $20 bulbs are still going strong!

[@jonathanedwards6366]

I had to replace my HIDs after one blew (violently) in my 2000 BMW 540i. Went with the 5500K and was blown away with the results. I'm not sure why BMW went with such a weak color with those bulbs. Maybe it's close to the color of Halogen? Who knows....

[@TheWrenchLab]

Over a year later and my $20 bulbs are still running strong!

[@tp6857]

Thanks bro.

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thanks for stopping by! 👍

[@john_k1813]

Great instructions!

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thank you so very much!

[@josearroyo4575]

I have a 2009 128i with halogen headlights, will like to change those for led, actually the ones you bring to the video, RCP. But my only concern is this safe for the wiring of the car or electrical wise?

[@TheWrenchLab]

There are a lot of LED replacement bulbs for the H7 bulb in your car. However, they're not all created equal. Check out "Headlight Revolution" for led bulb comparison. Better bulbs are more expensive, but if it's that important to you, it's worth the money. The bulbs are plug and play, easy day. Heres a link to their website. They have a KZbin channel as well. www.headlightrevolution.com/headlight-revolution-perfectfit-led-headlights-h7-bulbs-PF1.H7_2?quantity=1

[@donnys5523]

Does the car throw any codes after installing the RCP D1S6?

[@TheWrenchLab]

No, sure didn't. 😁

[@jay-cee4499]

So the inner circular lights serve no purpose just there for that classic BMW look?

[@TheWrenchLab]

Correct. They really only serve as holders for the angel eyes.

[@slimstylro1960]

On my bmw the inner bulb lights up wile turning

[@seollenda]

Question... by any chance the bulb could be throwing a 'Adaptive Headlight Malfunction' error in my car? I have the error and I notice when my lowbeams are on, the driver side beam doesn't move at all and is stuck is one position (too high up). I've changed the headlight module, adjusted the headlights manually with the allen wrench- but I still get the code and the light is still stuck in place. What's weird is the passenger side light works fine.

[@TheWrenchLab]

Have you tried putting the stock bulb back in? Also, not trying to insult your ability or anything but the bulb might not be fully seated in place. When you turn the headlights on, does that headlight make any noise? That might be a 2 person job, someone turn the headlights on while you listen.

[@seollenda]

@@TheWrenchLab Oh man, I threw out the stock bulbs 🥲 I’ll check the bulb possibly, I hope that’s the issue, and it’s not too much of a hassle to get to it

[@tmgator14]

@@seollenda my car has the same error and the same issue of the headlight not moving, luckily it's stuck straight ahead. I had a similar problem happen a couple years ago under warranty and the dealer had to change out the entire headlight. Took my car to the shop the other day and they told me they couldn't fix it because the module has to be coded by the dealership to work with your car. Dreading taking it to the dealer for this, but I am very tired of the malfunction message on the cluster that never goes away.

[@2002SLPSS1991]

HID’s are a consumable, 2,000 hours. Then time to replace. Since you bought your vehicle used with unknown amount of hours, not at the tell you the hours of the headlights however your new head lights will slowly get worse. Purchasing $20 HIDs I do not feel bad for you now, Lucky they’re easy to replace some cars are not so accessible

[@kingming869]

That's cheap as heck for 6000K bulb. Which one did you end up installing?

[@TheWrenchLab]

I did the RCP 6000K bulb. Still going strong to this day!

[@QRWASUPER]

Video helped me alot!

[@TheWrenchLab]

Thank you so much! This video hasn't gotten a lot of traffic which is surprising because there aren't many videos at all for this car. I am currently working on a straight LED Plug and Play bulb because I'm still not happy with the brightness of the RCP bulbs. Which are still working just fine by the way. I hope you subscribed! Are there any other videos you want to see?

[@QRWASUPER]

@@TheWrenchLab The led conversion would be a nice video. I was considering koito led kit but the lumen amount aint that much greater then the xenon bulb. Also leds need the fan to cool them. What if the fan stops? Will my led just overheat and die ? That is what bothers me. Cheers from Poland.

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@QRWASUPER I'll cover the pros and cons of the LEDs and if it's even worth it. dzięki jeszcze raz!

[@TheWrenchLab]

I don't know if that translated correctly in Polish. I tried to say "thanks again" hahaha

[@mariuscelbun]

How I can install this in another car who doesn’t have that kind of connection cable 🌞

[@TheWrenchLab]

I'm sure you can find a patch cable on Amazon. But... Fitting the square box in a round hole might be difficult! 😁

[@jeffe4432]

How has the rcp bulbs lasted? I see alot of the reviews say they died in 6months

[@TheWrenchLab]

Mine are still going strong!

[@jeffe4432]

@@TheWrenchLab awesome! I'm gonna place my order

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@jeffe4432 definitely worth the $20!

[@cesargodinez2450]

How long did your bulbs last? Do you have DRL lights as well?

[@amauryjay4]

Will a D1S and D1R interchangeable?

[@TheWrenchLab]

No, they're not. There are different fittings on the bulbs to fit in the sockets and the D1R has a painted section to make the light pattern reflect in a specific way. The D1R is made for reflector housings where the D1S is made for projector a housing.

[@ro43805]

How do you adjust the light beam horizontally?

[@TheWrenchLab]

There are two adjustment screws on the top of the headlights. One for vertical and the other for horizontal. Shoot me a DM on instagram and I'll take a pic for you. 👍

[@ro43805]

With Mikey! Will do! I found the one for the vertical adjustment, but can’t quite find the other one. I appreciate all your videos!!

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@ro43805 my insta is WithMikey

[@JS-bn4hp]

Is the RCP still working good with no issues? Im not sure if my lights are aftermarket but it seemed brighter than your original light for some reason. I bought my car used so idk if they’re oem lights or aftermarket.

[@TheWrenchLab]

Still working just fine! You can see what yours are on the square back panel.

[@JS-bn4hp]

With Mikey! Thanks for the reply. I’ll check what it says and see if its oem

[@kylesm235i4]

I just put in some 8k. I'll get a pic tonight

[@TheWrenchLab]

Gonna look a dope blurple! Throw the pic up on your insta!

[@kylesm235i4]

@@TheWrenchLab for sure, ya I will when it gets dark out

[@danillobrunosoares1128]

I have no that conector

[@eddiep6910]

will this work even with stock headlights? i have halogen lights that i want to switch out of

[@TheWrenchLab]

What year and model car do you have?

[@eddiep6910]

Bmw 228i 2014

[@TheWrenchLab]

@@eddiep6910 I'm pretty sure your halogen bulbs are an H7 so these particular bulbs won't work for you. You should be able to find an HID kit. I think Morimoto makes one that should be somewhat affordable (don't quote me on that). If you have projector lenses stick with an HID bulb because LED's suck with projectors. To do a conversion from halogen to true HID you would need to get a kit that has the ballast for the bulbs. I've bought an HID kit from xenonhids.com that was the whole kit, ballast bulbs amd wiring. It was complete plug and play and a huge improvement in color and brightness over the stock halogen lights. That was in a 2011 Honda that had projectors. I think it was $80 or $90 for the kit.