How To Install BMW Angel Eyes – Stock vs. LED Comparison (335i, 330i, 328i)
LED angel eye bulbs are one of my favorite BMW modifications. They’re relatively cheap, easy to install and greatly improve the look of any BMW.
Over the years, I’ve installed many different styles and brands of LED angel eyes. From cheap eBay lights to more expensive name-brand products. LUX H8 189 LED angel eyes are my favorite. I installed a set in my BMW 135i many years ago and they are still shining bright without an issue. It was a no-brainer to get another set for my 2009 BMW 335i!
Buy LUX LED Angel Eye Kit
- 3-series Sedan & Wagon (2009-2012)
- 3-series Sedan & Wagon (2006-2008)*
- 3-series Coupes & Convertibles (2007-2010)
- M3 Coupes, Convertibles, Sedans (2006-2013)
- 1-series & 1M (2007-2013)
- 5-series Sedan (2008-2010)
- X1 (2010-2012)
- X5 & X5M (2007-2012)
- X6 & X6M (2008-2012)
- Z4 (2009-2012)
*The 2006-2008 E90/E91 kit is different, with a different installation procedure.
Installation Guide
The installation guide below will apply to most BMWs. If you have a 2006-2008 BMW 3-series Sedan, the process is different and I have a separate YouTube video for that installation.
The first step to installing your new LED angel eye bulbs is to open the hood and locate the back of the headlight housing. You will see a round cover that looks like a fan with fins on it. Turn the cover counter-clockwise to remove it.
Once the cover is removed, you will have access to the angel eye bulb. Inside is an H8 bulb with a yellow cover (right side of the photo below). Again, twist the bulb counter-clockwise to remove it. Once it’s loosened, you can pull it back and remove it from the housing.
After pulling the bulb out, you will need to make a non-permanent adjustment to a tab inside the housing. Simply take a screw driver and slide off the plastic cap from the tab below.
With the old bulb removed, plug the new LUX harness in. Before inserting the new bulb, take a look at the three prong bracket that secures the light into the housing. You will notice that two are bigger and one is smaller. The housing is the same, so you must line up the tabs correctly. Once you’ve noted the orientation, insert the bulb and secure it by turning it clockwise.
With the new bulb properly secured, it’s time to carefully insert the rest of the wiring harness and ballast into the headlight housing. It’s a tight fit, but there is enough room.
Once the the wiring and ballast are tucked into the housing, you can screw the headlight cover back on and test your lights!
See LUX official installation guide for more information.
LUX LED Angel Eyes vs. Stock
I was eager to see the difference, so I turned the angel eyes on after completing one side.
The LUX LED bulb is much brighter and whiter! Just the look I was going for, making it look a lot more modern.
You might notice that the inner angel eye is brighter than the outer, but that is not the fault of the LEDs. The difference comes from the design of the headlight housing. Only one bulb is used to illuminate both angel eye rings, and the bulb sits right below the inner ring.
If you look closely, you’ll notice the stock bulbs on the right have the same effect. It’s only emphasized with the LEDs because they are brighter. The photos make it appear worse than it is in person, especially in the day light. Once you are a few yards away from the car, it’s hard to notice the difference outside of a dimly-lit garage.
E90 LED Angel Eye Results
After completing the install on one side, I quickly followed the same process on the opposite side. The results speak for themselves.
Be sure to watch the video at the top of this post to see what they look like outside in the daylight! For best light visibility, you should have clear headlight lenses. If your headlights are yellow, foggy or oxidized, follow my headlight restoration guide to bring them back to life!
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