GP Thunder 8500k Fitment issues resolution?

Patricius · 06-05-2008, 07:06 AM

Many of us have had issues with fitment of one or both GP Thunder 8500k H8 bulbs. I was wondering if anyone who ordered them from Techsunny was able to successfully have them replaced at no cost to them? If so, how did you do it?

Techsunny's website requires you to agree to a $25 fee to deal with the manufacturer's warranty on the bulbs if you return them? Plus shipping it back? Fuck that - I only paid $21 shipped for the first set. If that is the case, I'll just buy higher quality bulbs from someone else.

Thoughts?

-P

MDCTFTW · 06-05-2008, 10:48 AM

They fit really poorly, but after I searched on E90post, the best solution is to swap the orange rubber grommet thing from the stock bulbs to the GPs. Fits snugly and perfectly now. Without this they are really loose in the socket.

Hope that works for you.

Patricius · 06-05-2008, 11:06 AM

I will try that, but when eyeing them up it didn't appear that the stock grommets were any meatier. Thanks for the tip. Hopefully it avoids headache!

MDCTFTW · 06-05-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricius

I will try that, but when eyeing them up it didn't appear that the stock grommets were any meatier. Thanks for the tip. Hopefully it avoids headache!

Ya you can't see much of a difference, but it really works. What fitment issues were you having? Were the GP's just loose?

Patricius · 06-05-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDCTFTW

Ya you can't see much of a difference, but it really works. What fitment issues were you having? Were the GP's just loose?

One bulb fits pretty well, the other has some slack to it when in the "locked" position. Not a ton of movement, but enough to be concerned if I travel over any kind of bump.

Rick · 06-05-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDCTFTW

They fit really poorly, but after I searched on E90post, the best solution is to swap the orange rubber grommet thing from the stock bulbs to the GPs. Fits snugly and perfectly now. Without this they are really loose in the socket.

Hope that works for you.

I'm having the same issue with the fit of the GP Thunders (purchased via techsunny as well). How difficult is the orange rubber grommet swap with the stocks? Thanks.

J08M3 · 06-05-2008, 05:02 PM

I just switched my rubber grommet in just a few minutes, very easy just slide the old one off and new one on.

Does anyone think the GP Thunders are a bit too blue? I had a pair of H8s from Bimmian and they were a little whiter and looked good, unfortunately their fit was horrible even with the OEM rubber grommet.

MDCTFTW · 06-05-2008, 05:27 PM

It's really easy to slip them off. Just be careful not to touch the bulbs. That's the same fitment issues I was having and the swap fixed it.

I bought 2 sets ... 8500k and 7500k. I thought the 8500k's were too blue also (although they match the headlights pretty well) so I went with 7500k ... I think they're perfect.

GregW / Oregon · 06-05-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricius

I will try that, but when eyeing them up it didn't appear that the stock grommets were any meatier. Thanks for the tip. Hopefully it avoids headache!

Same here for some Xenesis I bought from Bimmian. They are unusable; but I have not tried the gasket swap.

J08M3 · 06-05-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Same here for some Xenesis I bought from Bimmian. They are unusable; but I have not tried the gasket swap.

I did the gasket swap on the Bimmian ones, just a bit tighter but still not like they should be, that's why I tried the GP Thunders.

nusevad · 06-05-2008, 09:10 PM

They fit perfectly, use the OEM washers, also it takes some elbow grease to really get them to sit right. but they do fit.

badfish · 06-06-2008, 04:02 AM

Gasket swap did nothing for the bulbs I got. I swapped the gaskets, it was exactly the same. The trick was bending the tabs which is not easy but 100% effective. YMMV.

Patricius · 06-06-2008, 08:29 AM

So, I swapped the grommets with no luck. I did discover that, on this attempt, only one of the GP Thunders actually rotated 90* into the assembly. The other one rotated roughly 45* and was still loose. I checked and double checked whether or not all three tabs were properly in place prior to cranking on it, yet with moderate pressure it was not able to be forced in. I'm frustrated at this point, and do not feel like giving techsunny anything else but negative feedback for making it such a bitch to return faulty products.

Anyone offer any better alternatives that won't require bending over and preparing the vasoline?

J08M3 · 06-12-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDCTFTW

It's really easy to slip them off. Just be careful not to touch the bulbs. That's the same fitment issues I was having and the swap fixed it.

I bought 2 sets ... 8500k and 7500k. I thought the 8500k's were too blue also (although they match the headlights pretty well) so I went with 7500k ... I think they're perfect.

I just switched to the 7500k, much better, much whiter at least during the day... we will see how they look at night with the headlights, but at least they aren't blue at all. Putting OEM washers on them makes them fit perfectly, they even snug up better than the 8500k

MDCTFTW · 06-12-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J08M3

I just switched to the 7500k, much better, much whiter at least during the day... we will see how they look at night with the headlights, but at least they aren't blue at all. Putting OEM washers on them makes them fit perfectly, they even snug up better than the 8500k

Sweet! 7500k is the way to go and at $20/set it's a great deal.

PunjabiM3 · 06-14-2008, 09:35 PM

Hmm I did the install today of the GP Thunder H3 and H8 bulbs. It took around 20 min...passenger side H8 was a pita to line up correctly, so it took much longer than the driver's side. I switched the orange rubber grommets over as well from the stock h8 bulbs. The GP thunder's fit very snug for me...no problem on them being loose. It took a bit of effort to get the bulbs to rotate into the "locking" position...fits great for me.

Z4dave · 06-14-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

Hmm I did the install today of the GP Thunder H3 and H8 bulbs. It took around 20 min...passenger side H8 was a pita to line up correctly, so it took much longer than the driver's side. I switched the orange rubber grommets over as well from the stock h8 bulbs. The GP thunder's fit very snug for me...no problem on them being loose. It took a bit of effort to get the bulbs to rotate into the "locking" position...fits great for me.

MDCTFTW · 06-15-2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4dave

There are tons on E90post.

Patricius · 06-15-2008, 04:52 PM

I just ordered new 7500k H8 and H3 bulbs. If someone wants my 8500k H8s, I'll be at the Bear Mountain meet next Sunday. Bend the tabs and make them fit, and you have yourself a free Angel Eyes mod :P

ihyln · 06-15-2008, 05:24 PM

Patricius, how do you like the 7500 compared to the 8500? I can't decide between the two since I just want to make sure it is not washed out during the day.

J08M3 · 06-15-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihyln

Patricius, how do you like the 7500 compared to the 8500? I can't decide between the two since I just want to make sure it is not washed out during the day.

7500k look really good in the day. They look white like they belong on the car, the 8500k looks a little bit blue making it look like they've been changed doesn't look like they belong as well as the 7500 in my opinion.

Patricius · 06-16-2008, 09:19 AM

Well, 4300k (stock) is the best as far as visible light output. As you start getting higher, you go from yellow to white to blue to purple, losing light output the entire way through the spectrum. On my e46 M3 I have 6000k low/high beams and 6000k fogs and they are very white. I would imagine the 7500k will have a slight blue tint and the 8500k will be even more blue.

I'm sure both would look good but I'd prefer a whiter output.

06-05-2008, 07:06 AM	#1
Patricius Lieutenant 17 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 04 325xi, 05 M3 cpe, 08 M3 cpe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	GP Thunder 8500k Fitment issues resolution? Many of us have had issues with fitment of one or both GP Thunder 8500k H8 bulbs. I was wondering if anyone who ordered them from Techsunny was able to successfully have them replaced at no cost to them? If so, how did you do it? Techsunny's website requires you to agree to a $25 fee to deal with the manufacturer's warranty on the bulbs if you return them? Plus shipping it back? Fuck that - I only paid $21 shipped for the first set. If that is the case, I'll just buy higher quality bulbs from someone else. Thoughts? -P
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06-05-2008, 10:48 AM	#2
MDCTFTW Lieutenant Colonel 123 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: E92 DCT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	They fit really poorly, but after I searched on E90post, the best solution is to swap the orange rubber grommet thing from the stock bulbs to the GPs. Fits snugly and perfectly now. Without this they are really loose in the socket. Hope that works for you. __________________ MDCT ... so you can drive and eat a hamburger at the same time.
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06-05-2008, 11:06 AM	#3
Patricius Lieutenant 17 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 04 325xi, 05 M3 cpe, 08 M3 cpe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	I will try that, but when eyeing them up it didn't appear that the stock grommets were any meatier. Thanks for the tip. Hopefully it avoids headache!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 05:02 PM	#7
J08M3 Major General 285 Rep 6,007 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEW YORK iTrader: (8)	I just switched my rubber grommet in just a few minutes, very easy just slide the old one off and new one on. Does anyone think the GP Thunders are a bit too blue? I had a pair of H8s from Bimmian and they were a little whiter and looked good, unfortunately their fit was horrible even with the OEM rubber grommet. __________________
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06-05-2008, 05:27 PM	#8
MDCTFTW Lieutenant Colonel 123 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: E92 DCT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	It's really easy to slip them off. Just be careful not to touch the bulbs. That's the same fitment issues I was having and the swap fixed it. I bought 2 sets ... 8500k and 7500k. I thought the 8500k's were too blue also (although they match the headlights pretty well) so I went with 7500k ... I think they're perfect. __________________ MDCT ... so you can drive and eat a hamburger at the same time.
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06-05-2008, 09:10 PM	#11
nusevad O! So Sour!! 552 Rep 15,615 Posts Drives: Fast 240z / Slow M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 'Merica! iTrader: (24) Garage List 1971 Datsun 240z [0.00] 2008 M3 [9.60]	They fit perfectly, use the OEM washers, also it takes some elbow grease to really get them to sit right. but they do fit. __________________
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06-06-2008, 04:02 AM	#12
badfish Major 100 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Gasket swap did nothing for the bulbs I got. I swapped the gaskets, it was exactly the same. The trick was bending the tabs which is not easy but 100% effective. YMMV. __________________
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06-06-2008, 08:29 AM	#13
Patricius Lieutenant 17 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 04 325xi, 05 M3 cpe, 08 M3 cpe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	So, I swapped the grommets with no luck. I did discover that, on this attempt, only one of the GP Thunders actually rotated 90* into the assembly. The other one rotated roughly 45* and was still loose. I checked and double checked whether or not all three tabs were properly in place prior to cranking on it, yet with moderate pressure it was not able to be forced in. I'm frustrated at this point, and do not feel like giving techsunny anything else but negative feedback for making it such a bitch to return faulty products. Anyone offer any better alternatives that won't require bending over and preparing the vasoline?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-14-2008, 09:35 PM	#16
PunjabiM3 Colonel 253 Rep 2,091 Posts Drives: M5 CS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Flower Mound, TX iTrader: (1)	Hmm I did the install today of the GP Thunder H3 and H8 bulbs. It took around 20 min...passenger side H8 was a pita to line up correctly, so it took much longer than the driver's side. I switched the orange rubber grommets over as well from the stock h8 bulbs. The GP thunder's fit very snug for me...no problem on them being loose. It took a bit of effort to get the bulbs to rotate into the "locking" position...fits great for me. __________________ 2012 Audi R8 V10TT\| 6MT\| Suzuka Grey 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale\| Rosso Scuderia 2020 BMW X7\| Mineral White 2024 718 GT4 RS \| Arctic Grey
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06-15-2008, 04:52 PM	#19
Patricius Lieutenant 17 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 04 325xi, 05 M3 cpe, 08 M3 cpe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	I just ordered new 7500k H8 and H3 bulbs. If someone wants my 8500k H8s, I'll be at the Bear Mountain meet next Sunday. Bend the tabs and make them fit, and you have yourself a free Angel Eyes mod :P
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06-15-2008, 05:24 PM	#20
ihyln Banned 85 Rep 3,384 Posts Drives: M3post sucks Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: M3post sucks iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00] 2002 530i [0.00]	Patricius, how do you like the 7500 compared to the 8500? I can't decide between the two since I just want to make sure it is not washed out during the day.
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06-16-2008, 09:19 AM	#22
Patricius Lieutenant 17 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 04 325xi, 05 M3 cpe, 08 M3 cpe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Well, 4300k (stock) is the best as far as visible light output. As you start getting higher, you go from yellow to white to blue to purple, losing light output the entire way through the spectrum. On my e46 M3 I have 6000k low/high beams and 6000k fogs and they are very white. I would imagine the 7500k will have a slight blue tint and the 8500k will be even more blue. I'm sure both would look good but I'd prefer a whiter output.
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