Halogen replacement bulb suggestions

[Newjack]

I really don't know a lot about headlights, types of bulbs or lighting in general. I don't really like the stale yellow color that my halogens emit right now, so I wanted to replace those bulbs with a white color. I found some bulbs at khoalty (http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46/lights/e46-halogen-bulbs.html) for pretty cheap. I don't know how good these bulbs are or if there are any better options.

Do different color bulbs have a different lumen output?

Are HID's worth it? Pros cons and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I really wish there was a general lighting thread that explained a lot about the types of bulbs colors and what not. Just like Dane's maintenance guide.

[zj96sc]

You should be able to find loads of information out there about lighting. The tech base here hasn't fully matured yet on certain topics, but e46fanatics for example has a full subforum devoted to lighting.

Yes, different color bulbs will have a different lumen output. A lot of people pursue the color they want for appearance assuming they are brighter because they look whiter when in actuality they are reducing their effective light output.

Yes, in my opinion HIDs are totally worth it. Pros? You will never get the kind of light output from a halogen assembly that you will from a properly set up HID projector. Same rule here applies - lots of folks go for the 6000K to get the cool "blue/purple" light output while this is actually reducing true lumen output from the OEM 4300K.

cons? I guess complexity of getting your car swapped over to HID cleanly is a con. There is no simple plug and play swap (without codes). You'll have to decide between aftermarket assemblies (few hundred $) or OEM AL or ZKW assemblies (over $1000). If you get the ZKW assemblies you will eventually face problems with burned projector bowls, etc.

In your case I would maybe look into the TFX or FXR or whatever retrofit options from lightwerkz. Depends on how much work you can do and are willing to do yourself.

[danewilson77]

Charlie is coming put with Zkw retrofit don this week. Gonna be very good.

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[Newjack]

I will eventually get a projector setup. But I don't have the funds to do that right now. I figure I will get a setup with angel eyes pre installed.

I just don't know a lot about projector setups vs halogens

Would these bulbs from khoalty be a good idea? Is the lumen output from 3500k to 7500 that drastic?

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[zj96sc]

Here's a table I found on audizine (but i think these are for HID bulbs, but gives you an idea anyway)

4300k D2S Philips = 3200lm (lumens)
4300k D2R Philips = 2800lm (lumens)
4300k D2S Philips = 2400lm (lumens) actually 5800k
4300k D2R Philips = 2000lm (lumens) actually 5800k
4800k D4S/R (brand) = 3800 (lumens) ** brightest in the market
5800k D4S/R (brand) = 3300 (lumens)
7000k D2S other = 1790lm (lumens) *(other bulb brand)
7000k D2R other = 1390lm (lumens) *(other bulb brand)
8000k D2S other = 1180lm (lumens) *(other bulb brand)
8000k D2R other = 780lm (lumens) *(other bulb brand)

[Hermes]

FYI, the DRL bulbs are H7's, fogs are 9006's. I used to buy the Sylvania Silverstar, loved the color (lack of yellow, close match to the HID's on my TL). I haven't tried the Silverstar Ultra or zXe but they are apparently even better/brighter

[danewilson77]

I'll leave this here...

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/MXRZ_HID_COLOR_INDEX.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/b8ca1778.jpg

[Hermes]

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/MXRZ_HID_COLOR_INDEX.jpg

Hahahahhahahahhahahahhaha...

[danewilson77]

Hahahahhahahahhahahahhaha...

Wut.

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[Hermes]

The words in the pic

[danewilson77]

The words in the pic

Right mate...

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[az3579]

Snowed again today here in Huntsville. Loving the black ZHP Pyreguy :rockon

It's only a retrofit if you already have ZKW Xenons, FYI. Won't help those with halogens much.

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[zj96sc]

DROIDX thread quote fail :)

I'm not sure why that chart says "no this doesn't work in the fog"...pretty interesting material here:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/light_color/light_color.html

His website is pretty comprehensive. Guy addresses a lot of topics pretty pertinent to this thread.

[Newjack]

Good stuff guys thanks for the tips.

I didn't realize what temperature bulbs produced what color light. I'm gonna check out some Sylvia 5000k bulbs when I get back home.

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[LTCMontana]

Another great reference and great prices...

http://www.rallylights.com/

[Newjack]

So I tumbled across These Bulbs (http://www.carlighttrends.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MTEC2xCosmo) from This Thread (http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=712870). They look promising. But I don't know a lot about them.

I have used Sylvania bulbs in the past and have never experienced any problems. I'm just looking for a bulb color (white) that will match my angel eyes.

[Hermes]

those look like a good match to me (i've never seen anybody sell 4750k bulbs, random number...)

[Newjack]

Yeah I thought it was a little odd. But that temperature is about as white as you can get before turning yellow or blue. I'll browse around later and see what kind of reviews I can find.

[UdubBadger]

I always used the PIAA Extreme Whites as replacement bulbs

[Newjack]

I always used the PIAA Extreme Whites as replacement bulbs

Do you have them on your car now? Can I see pics? How white do they look?

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[UdubBadger]

no they were in my 328, they looked good though.

[Newjack]

no they were in my 328, they looked good though.

I've used PIAA products in the past and loved them. I think I'm gonna go this route. I trust PIAA more than the other random brand in my above post.

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[UdubBadger]

Yeah GP Thunder was one I was skeptical about because it seemed a little too 3rd party knockoff but those were also pretty good. Can't go wrong with PIAA though.

[Hermes]

I've used PIAA products in the past and loved them. I think I'm gonna go this route. I trust PIAA more than the other random brand in my above post.

+1 - I'm looking at the PIAA Plasma Ion Yellows to finish of my frenching project. They just make such high quality products

Side note - does anybody know WTF PIAA stands for, I've never been able to figure it out

[quikryptonite]

+1 - I'm looking at the PIAA Plasma Ion Yellows to finish of my frenching project. They just make such high quality products

Side note - does anybody know WTF PIAA stands for, I've never been able to figure it out

I love that sig pic.

[billschusteriv]

I've been using Osram Rallye 65w Ultra High Output H7 halogens. I like them so far.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3470-Osram-Rallye-65w-Ultra-High-Output-H7-Special-Service-Bulb

Do. not. get. Sylvania Silverstars.

[Newjack]

I've been using Osram Rallye 65w Ultra High Output H7 halogens. I like them so far.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3470-Osram-Rallye-65w-Ultra-High-Output-H7-Special-Service-Bulb

Do. not. get. Sylvania Silverstars.

Are the Osrams a genuine white color, or are they tinged yellow or blue?

Whats so bad about the Sylvania Silverstars?



Sidenote: Good to see you around again Bill!

[Hermes]

Osram and Sylvania are the same company... Like I said earlier, they were on my TL, not my 3er so I dunno about matching the color on our bulbs

[billschusteriv]

Are the Osrams a genuine white color, or are they tinged yellow or blue?

Whats so bad about the Sylvania Silverstars?



Sidenote: Good to see you around again Bill!

Thanks! :)

I (and several others) have experienced very short lifetimes on the Silverstars. I have a thread on it... Sorry I didn't post it earlier. Its in the lighting subforum. I'll post it up later.

Blackberry. Tapatalk.

[billschusteriv]

I'm trying to snag a link in Tapatalk and can't get it.

The thread title is something like "Sylvania Silverstar H7 - Fail"

Blackberry. Tapatalk.

[danewilson77]

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3428-Sylvania-Silverstar-H7-FAIL&highlight=Sylvania

[Newjack]

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3428-Sylvania-Silverstar-H7-FAIL&highlight=Sylvania

Beat me to it again Dane. Touché.

[danewilson77]

The entire family wins regardless....hehe.

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[billschusteriv]

I love you guys. :biggrin


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[spoonerDee]

I will throw this bit of knowledge out there, Sylvania is garbage, as most of you are learning. If you want silver stars buy Osram. Sylvania is like the reject bulbs from Osram under a diff name basically.

[Hermes]

^ good to know