Side Markers - Which type of bulb?

[Katu]

Looking to replace my side markers.. these seem like a good deal: ($35/pair)

http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46/lights/e46-coupe-m3-side-markers.html

But they have a few options for bulbs and I'm not sure which to choose.

I want to stick with the 'clear' marker color but for the bulbs what do you guys think?

E46 Coupe 04-06 LED (amber flash):

1) LED Pair (Lights up Amber) + $3.00
2) LED Pair (Lights up Hyper white) + $3.00
3) Halogen Chrome Amber Pair (No egg-yolk look, lights up OEM amber) + $7.00 <- Best option?
4) No thanks + $0.00 <- Is this non LED (halogen) aka what I have now?


As you can see my car needs them, they look nasty..

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=874&d=1304755822

[billschusteriv]

I would go with Chrome Amber. That's what I will be doing when I can swing it - probably later this summer.

[spencers]

You can get OEM clear sidemarkers for $15 each at Pelican Parts... Just saying....

[Katu]

You can get OEM clear sidemarkers for $15 each at Pelican Parts... Just saying....

I'm open to any option, just seemed like khoalty had them for a good price. I checked Pelican Parts, does this look correct?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=63-13-6-920-731-M281&catalog_description=Side%20Light%20with%20White%20 Lens%20%28Left%20Front%20Fender%29%2C%20Bulb%20is% 20included%2C%20E46%20325Ci%20Cpe%2FConv%20%28from %203%2F03%29%2C%20330Ci%20Cpe%2FConv%20%28from%203 %2F03%29

Says $19/each which puts them at about the same price. However, is the above link OEM? I know the khoalty brand is DEPO which I think is Chinese so the quality might be so so. Thoughts?

[billschusteriv]

You can get OEM clear sidemarkers for $15 each at Pelican Parts... Just saying....

Good find spencers.

The OEM sidemarkers for Sedans/Wagons are made by FER and sell for $15.50 at Pelican Parts... the OE sidemarkers, "Genuine BMW", sell for $26.75. (click More Info next to the part on Pelican Parts to see this option for purchase)

The OEM sidemarkers for Coupes/Convertibles are made by FER and sell for $19.00 at Pelican Parts... the OE sidemarkers, "Genuine BMW", sell for $31.00.

[Mtnman]

^^ sweet. i just learned something. thanks bill.

[billschusteriv]

Short history: I bought a OEM waterpump for my E30 that crapped out on me after 10k miles. I opted to buy the OE one so I could return it to the stealer should it fail.

Some parts it matters... some it doesn't. It would probably help if we collectively share stories like that or have a list of parts that we recommend each other buy OE or from a certain vendor.

On the other hand, Marcus had the OE high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replaced on the E9x when it failed... only to have it fail again... and again...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Short history: I bought a OEM waterpump for my E30 that crapped out on me after 10k miles. I opted to buy the OE one so I could return it to the stealer should it fail.

Some parts it matters... some it doesn't. It would probably help if we collectively share stories like that or have a list of parts that we recommend each other buy OE or from a certain vendor.

On the other hand, Marcus had the OE high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) on the E9x when it failed... only to have it fail again... and again...

Luckily I didn't buy anything. BMW kept replacing it under warranty. I assume they replaced it with a BMW part. Hpfp that ended in 933.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

[Katu]

Good info about OEM vs OE, but back to the topic of side markers.. anyone that has replaced theirs.. opinions on choices available please! :)

[spencers]

I'm not trying to be a jerk spencers...
OEM = sold by the original equipment manufacturer; and is not interchangeable with OE = BMW original equipment..

What's your point??? I said OEM...
He'd be much better off buying FER than the chinese junk, in my opinion.

[Katu]

He'd be much better off buying FER than the chinese junk, in my opinion.

This is the kind of info I'm looking for. I plan to keep the car a long time, so I'm willing to pay more if it's going to last and there is a difference. I would hate to save a few $ and have the DEPO brand sun fade in a year (I have no idea if this is the case, just an example).

So who here has tried DEPO or FER or OE "Genuine BMW" ?

Thanks for any additional input! :)

[danewilson77]

I have the LED's.

[INDY|UND3RGROUND]

I have the Weislicht, they're awesome! I also have led front turning signals and I love them!

[spencers]

I have FER sidemarkers that I put on my car a couple of weeks ago. Fit is great, they don't leak, and lights work great. They came with amber bulbs.

[billschusteriv]

What's your point??? I said OEM...
He'd be much better off buying FER than the chinese junk, in my opinion.

Sorry spencers - I read too much into your post. I apologize.

I don't have anything to base a comparison off of for Geniune BMW, FER, or DEPO/similar....

I have heard some people think the inside of their aftermarket lenses look melty... I pause only because I have my lights on all the time... if this is an issue... mine would definately melt.

[johnrando]

I bought Khoalty clears and I like the way they look. No issues but I've only had them a few months.

[M0nk3y]

I had depo and then swapped to OEM. I had to trim my depo corners to make them flush and.nearly cut my finger off in doing so.

But I used leds



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[Cadeez]

I too have LED sides & corners, love em. Got mine through Umnitza.