What xenon temps are people running?

[ryankokesh]

Was just over at khoalty.com, and saw some xenon bulbs for $25! Mine aren't the brightest bulbs on the road, as I'm assuming they probably haven't been replaced in about 8 years now... (wow, I have an old car!)

There are a range of temps available, and I have it narrowed down to 4300k (stock) and 6000k, which should be a little bluer. The only thing I'm worried about is looking too cheap with the blueness.

Does anyone have experience with these bulbs from khoalty? They seem really freakin cheap...almost like I'm worried about them they're so cheap. lol. Worth a shot I guess, right?

Link to the bulbs: khoalty.com (http://www.khoalty.com/halogen-led-bulbs/d2s-xenon-replacement-bulb.html)


Note: I screwed up the poll, because I am a loser. 5000k should be 6000k. 5000k is not an option. If someone doesn't mind fixing that for me, I'd really appreciate it...

[danewilson77]

I'm winning.

[johnrando]

Just tied you Dane. I'm running OEM as I haven't had to change mine, but if I do, I'll go OEM color.

[ryankokesh]

Not a contest, dane... sheesh. You'd be super winning though if you could do me a solid and fix my gaffe in the poll... :D

[danewilson77]

Just tied you Dane. I'm running OEM as I haven't had to change mine, but if I do, I'll go OEM color.

:shifty

[jayjay_dee]

my ZHP didnt come with xenons originally, i retrofitted it with mini H1s projector with 6000K, not blue, not cheap....

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=840919

and oh btw, i also bought 5000K bulbs just in case i didnt like the 6000K, but looks like they are staying...

[Stu]

Whatever stock OEM color temp is. I love it, personally. Wouldn't change a thing about it.

[ryankokesh]

This isn't helping... everyone has equally different opinions :( lol

I'm kinda leaning towards 6000k though...

[pleasecorrupt]

i have 6000k and visibility is definitely an issue at times. 4300k is optimized for best light output and visibility. when my 6000ks go out, ill be putting my oems back in.

[pleasecorrupt]

though i gotta admit, they go very well with my AEs which was what i was going for.

[az3579]

I have 6000k. Going back to 4300k. Thought I'd get used to it but the more I drive with them, the more I want to go back.

OEM color had the cleanest output.

Sent from my Droid Charge 4G on Verizon.

[Whitexi]

I want 4300k the 6000k are not so good in rainy conditions.

[ryankokesh]

Hmm...ok, now leaning towards 4300K...

[cakM3]

I have 6000k. Going back to 4300k. Thought I'd get used to it but the more I drive with them, the more I want to go back.

OEM color had the cleanest output.

Sent from my Droid Charge 4G on Verizon.


BP if you are going to switch out then I want your 6000k bulbs :)

I'm running 6000k D2S and 9006 and like them. :thumbsup

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/photo-17.jpg

[nike001]

I voted 5k because I"ll be running 5k soon. But for now.. its 4300k.

I had 55w 6k in my e39 and those were the brightest freaking things ever. I wish I can get 55w ballasts in this car but I've read that it's pretty much impossible.

Would anyone like to post pics of their 4300 vs 5000?

[az3579]

You got it, Charlie.

[M0nk3y]

Ran 6000k in my E46. Didn't like the output results. Have 4300k in the E86 now, obviously...and I love it.

5000k may seem brighter, but doesn't contain as much lumens as 4300k

[coby1]

I have the 4300 (retrofit kit + fogs) really dont know how much i like them they have been sitting in a box next to my desk for like 6 months ( guess i need to make the time to fit them) i got them in trade for a wheel so the $$$ paid motivation is not there (maybe the "shame" on me for being lazy motivation will kick in) lol.

[Hermes]

OEM Phillips 4300k, the Osram ones that they gave me at the dealer seem to be maybe 4500k because when I had it in just one lamp they were definitely a different shade. I still have that one in case I need it. I guess I'll have to order a second one at some point so they match but I don't need to yet

[M0nk3y]

OEM Phillips 4300k, the Osram ones that they gave me at the dealer seem to be maybe 4500k because when I had it in just one lamp they were definitely a different shade. I still have that one in case I need it. I guess I'll have to order a second one at some point so they match but I don't need to yet

Usually there is burn-in time associated with new lamps...as in a 4300k lamp would appear like 5000k for 15-20 hours until the color drops. With that being said...all lamps don't look 100% exact...that is why they suggest replacing in pairs

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

makes sense, maybe those are 4300k then. they're in a corner of my garage and I don't feel like going out there to check

[billschusteriv]

I haz no Xe.

[Rovert]

I'm using Philips Ultinon 6000K. Those bad boys 3 years ago were $300/pair. When I compare them to my stock 4300K Philips setup...lumens on the ground suffers only slightly when wet out at night time. 6000K isn't that good for using bi-xenon since higher temperatures don't project as far. But when it's dry I love the color laid on the ground and the intensity of true color reflection. It maybe because I spent $300 on these bulbs. Or it maybe a placebo effect that I spent $300 on the bulbs. LOL. I had one light prematurely die before the 1 year warranty ran out and color shift differences were not even an issue. I know that's what you get with an expensive bulb that has gone through extensive R&D just like a BMW does. I used a cheap 6000K bulb before and it surely didn't have the same output and longevity that this Ultinon bulb has offered me.

Next time though, I'd get 5000K from GE if Philips doesn't offer that temperature. I just like how true everything at night seems, color wise that I miss when I drive my Dad's 540i with my OEM bulbs installed. Good luck on your search!

[SoloEuro]

lol...mines not an option, but I'm running 3K :thumbsup

here's a few pics of them. And I'll admit it, first thought is that they woudn't be good for driving, but actually, i have the same output as I did with OEM (no loss of vision distance) and they come in handy for foggy/rainy conditions. :) ....just a thought and add another option for you to think about! If i didn't have 3k, I'd probably do 5k. (<-- Planning on doing that when I buy a 135i.)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3092/5822370461_891d944b63_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digital-hd-imports-photography_bmw330ice/5822370461/)
e46 330Ci &amp; e46 ///M3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digital-hd-imports-photography_bmw330ice/5822370461/) by Center SpotLight Media (SoloEuro) (http://www.flickr.com/people/digital-hd-imports-photography_bmw330ice/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5298/5527908514_984dd10027_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digital-hd-imports-photography_bmw330ice/5527908514/)
e46 Black &amp; Yellow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digital-hd-imports-photography_bmw330ice/5527908514/) by Center SpotLight Media (SoloEuro) (http://www.flickr.com/people/digital-hd-imports-photography_bmw330ice/), on Flickr

Hope this info helps in your decision! :hi

[Rovert]

3000K is no lie. It projects farther and penetrates deeper. :)

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2180/animatedlights.gif

[Mtnman]

I runn 6000 in my depos. Compared to my old zkw's, it like friekin looking into the sun! Lol. I personally love the color. Everyone does that I have asked about it. Its just a touch bluer than oem's......but not ricey blue.

On tapa or I wld vote ur poll that way.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk

[sna77]

I'm confused--you had OEM ZKW bi-xenons and now you run Depo single xenons instead?

BTW, If anyone is looking to replace their OEM Philips bulbs with, well OEM Phillips bulbs, I've bought from this site a few times. Bulbs are legit, and a pair for $95 is a great deal:
http://www.autogoody.com/servlet/the-PHILIPS-XENON-HID-BULBS/Categories

[Mtnman]

I'm confused--you had OEM ZKW bi-xenons and now you run Depo single xenons instead?


Yup. Sure do. I did a big lighting write up a long time ago about it, but basically at the time that was the only solution to the burnt bowl issue on the zkw's. I couldnt see at all at night, so i had to do something. All in all im happy with them for the amount of $ i put into them fwiw.

[az3579]

Yup. Sure do. I did a big lighting write up a long time ago about it, but basically at the time that was the only solution to the burnt bowl issue on the zkw's. I couldnt see at all at night, so i had to do something. All in all im happy with them for the amount of $ i put into them fwiw.

You did the right thing. Bi-Xenons are overrated; most of the time you can't use your highs anyway because there are others on the road. Necessity over luxury. :thumbsup

[Rovert]

+1 halogens reign king over distance & penetration while HID is great for short distance.

[ryankokesh]

Yeah, I programmed my halogen highs to stay on when the brights are on, in addition to the xenon eyelids opening. (My halogens were set to only come on when you "flashed" the brights) Very happy with that decision.