Fog lights - White vs "White" (halogen/OEM) vs Amber/Selective Yellow

[astroboy]

The problem with local parts seller is they don't stock the complete range of the product... being business conscious, most will only stock fast moving items. I'm no surprised if they don't have stock for even OEM H11 or 9006 bulb, let alone HID or high lumen or yellow ones..

ENEOS is one place I like to patronise because they buta buta stock almost everything one or you may say dead stock else where are all placed there.. so its really an eye opener for a motorhead like me.. sell sell all sorts of funny petrol additive and fuel line magnets there... I can spent hours there... gazing at the large collection of bulbs..

Your alternative? Try Stuttgart lor.. if they have the bulbs u want, then good lor... just relax there and get ready your credit cards.. alternatively, u can check out ENEOS and hand pick yourself, then bring to my place I DIY for u for a price of 6-packs.. :wink:

This morning, before heading to office, I just washed my air filter element sleeve... getting ready for CNY vroom vroom!

 

[loafer]

If I'm not mistaken they don't tax. The bulbs get shipped direct to your door so it's cheaper compared to buying it locally.

There was a discussion and cost comparison in bimmersclub if you want to have a read.

http://bimmersclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4436

The prices are for E36 bulbs so maybe it's cheaper compared to E90 ones.

 

[loafer]

Interesting idea. Get a HID but with low temp (3000K = Selective Yellow). But to do that, I would need to have a projector housing (I think the Msport fogs are reflector, but I will check later), so I don't blind oncoming cars. Hmmm.. perhaps I should go the cheap way first, and get brighter yellow bulbs, and if not satisfied then only I will go for the HID yellow projector option. Ok now, to find them bulbs..... shesh.. I've never done any aftermarket changes to my cars before (except for adding CD changers or the head unit, and even those, paid someone to do it, lol). Whats a good place/shop to go look for these bulbs? Or should I just head over to Stuttgart and get everything done in one go (planning to add some Performance items, a few LED light changes)?

I don't switch on my fogs often actually. My headlight with HID is bright enough to illuminate most of the road in front of me. The best use I have for the fogs is when I'm in a hurry and I wanna make sure the cars in front of me know I'm coming, fast. LOL.

 

[Traveler]

Ok I think this long weekend, I will do some online searching and maybe order a few things... Am keen on a bunch of little things from www.bimmian.com which look pretty nice. Most of what I am after are lighting-related and not engine related, so no issues of US-spec vs Euro-spec, etc.. (I hope!!!).

 

[Traveler]

Eneos has Michiba 9006 55w 3300K yellow bulbs for RM138/pair. I think they also have H11s. Will post a pic when I get back to my PC, now posting from my phone.

 

[sharp]

i also switch my fogs to whiter bulbs, but non HID yet

 

[astroboy]

Special dedication to Traveler..

Tributes to the YELLOWs.. !!

Isn't it FUNKY!!

 

[azeL_Inc]

wow..nvr found myself 2 b interested 2 yellow bulb b4

 

[astroboy]

wow..nvr found myself 2 b interested 2 yellow bulb b4

Wait till u see a yellow tinted car.. you'll fall in love! :love:

No need to wear these glasses anymore.. :wink:

This is a green tint though.. seen a yellow tint on a white EG6 before in the mag... sexy!

 

[Traveler]

Ok, I've ordered some parts from bimmian.com, including a set of Xenesis Tru-Match (white) 9006 bulbs for my fogs. I haven't given up on the yellow ideas yet, since I can get yellow bulbs at Eneos.

Decided to try out the whites after noticing in recent heavy rain episodes, the headlights from other cars are still quite visible (including xenons). So decided to go for the option of brightening up my view of the road instead. If this doesn't work out to my satisfaction, then I may consider going for the yellows or other bright halogens. Luckily the Xenesis bulbs cost around RM120/pair so if its a wasted investment, then it won't hurt so badly.

I am getting bimmian to ship the items to Singapore (cheaper shipping vs Malaysia, by a huge amount), so I do have to pay the 7% GST but won't have to worry about import taxes.

On that note, anyone know where I can find Osram Nightbreakers or Philips Xtremepower bulbs? I keep reading on how they are very bright (at the expense of a shorter lifespan, about 40% of the life of normal bulbs). A shorter lifespan for my fogs or high-beams is acceptable as they are usually off most of the time.

Also, does anyone know if it's worth the effort to change our high beam bulbs (H7 55W) to something brighter/whiter? Our high beam halogens look like the same colour as our fogs and while it does the job, I notice it is not as bright as our Xenon low beams (especially obvious on super dark roads like Simpang Pulai to Brinchang at night). If I do change the high beam lights, I am sticking to halogens due to the faster response time and the repeated on/off usage (flashing, and when dipping due to oncoming traffic).

 

[astroboy]

Halo! Don't simply change the watts of the bulb, your OBC will scream at u everything u do that.. license plate bulb for us going LED also the OBC will know.. don't play play..

If the OEM is 55w, make u get a replacement 55w.. material regardless as long as current draw remain the same.

 

[Traveler]

The Osram Nightbreaker and Philips XtremePower are 55w bulbs. I would have looked for 9006/HB4 versions of these bulbs but apparently they don't make them in those sizes, so for my fogs I went for the Xenesis which is also 55W.

Licence plate LEDs - apparently there are some that won't give OBC errors. Will know soon enough You are welcome to come and take a look when they arrive... you are the DIY sifu

 

[Traveler]

Did some research and it seems that Osram NB's are priced around RM120 while Philips XP are around RM210 (both are for one pair of bulbs). Based on what users who have them for low-beams are saying, NBs appear brighter/whiter with a bro. ader throw, while XPs have a narrower throw, with better distance. So perhaps XPs may be better for high-beams than NBs. For normal low-beam use, both appear to last

 

[rafamr]

Halo! Don't simply change the watts of the bulb, your OBC will scream at u everything u do that.. license plate bulb for us going LED also the OBC will know.. don't play play..

If the OEM is 55w, make u get a replacement 55w.. material regardless as long as current draw remain the same.

AB, my E39 fog bulb with ' ZOOMLITE HB4 9006 12V 55W' wording on it blown and need to be replaced;

I have bought OEM one with 12V 80W..but now not sure want to use it or not ( due to different wattage)?

 

[astroboy]

AB, my E39 fog bulb with ' ZOOMLITE HB4 9006 12V 55W' wording on it blown and need to be replaced;

I have bought OEM one with 12V 80W..but now not sure want to use it or not ( due to different wattage)?

If its 12v 80w, that means its not OEM. OEM should be 12v 55w 9006.

1. Hella

2. Osram

If I were u, I won't use the 80w. It will be brighter, but may burn your parabolic reflector, cook our polycarbonate lamp cover and make it turn yellow, if not melt... Alternator more load, FC goes up, car more drag because alternator work harder, battery life span also shorter, in exchange for a spur of the moment brightness.. some think its worth it.. :wink:

 

[rafamr]

Thanks.. i dare not to take the risk... not for a spur of the moment brightness as you said.. erm.. i will look for that hella or osram as recommended...