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      09-10-2013, 07:55 PM   #1
GreenThree
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BMW High Performance Light Bulbs

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/39...CE-LIGHT-BULBS

For those that have direct experience with these: How much is night visibility improved versus the standard H7 halogens?

Thanks
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      09-10-2013, 10:22 PM   #2
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I was also considering these. I am between these and the Osram 65w bulbs people have recommended
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      09-11-2013, 02:04 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenThree View Post
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/39...CE-LIGHT-BULBS

For those that have direct experience with these: How much is night visibility improved versus the standard H7 halogens?

Thanks
I do not expect much, it's still 55w Halogen bulb. Maybe a bit whiter color.
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      09-11-2013, 02:12 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kapkanimd View Post
I was also considering these. I am between these and the Osram 65w bulbs people have recommended
I'm sure you know that your car's light housings designed for 55w; 10 extra watts over 12 V, draws almost extra 1A of current. Since it's connected to your electrical and electronic systems, modified lights can also void the warranty.
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      09-11-2013, 04:28 AM   #5
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I've got them in the UK, since I didn't get a car with Xenons. They come recommended on other forums, and they seem pretty good.
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      09-11-2013, 05:32 AM   #6
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For anyone else that's interested, there's pics and a review at this thread:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11441084
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      09-11-2013, 07:50 AM   #7
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It's not about the aesthetics, but simply getting better light performance from the halogen setup. I'm going to do this. I wonder if you need to replace the high beam bulb at the same time? Without that, I wonder if turning on the high beams will still result in the same light improvement?
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      09-11-2013, 09:41 AM   #8
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I didn't replace the high beam, only low beam. I didn't bother as I only have high beam on for a small proportion of the time at night, and the low beams seem pretty capable.
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      09-11-2013, 11:44 AM   #9
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As mentioned in the above link, these HAVE to be the Philips Xtreme halogens.
Look at the similarities in the packaging:


I have the Philips Xtreme Vision on my E46 for both the lowbeams and fogs... very happy with them. An excellent upgrade over standard halogens.
Just an FYI, though, depending on how much you drive at night, with DRLs, etc..they could last only about 2 years. YMMV.

Also, you can get the Philips version MUCH cheaper on Ebay (shop around)...in brand new packaging.
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      09-11-2013, 01:10 PM   #10
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I don't understand why these are just not standard equipment. BMW trying to bleed you for everything we have.
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      09-11-2013, 01:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KANdaddy View Post
I don't understand why these are just not standard equipment. BMW trying to bleed you for everything we have.
Because they don't last long, about 6-18 months. And BMW does not want to replace them for free. Makes sense to me!
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      09-11-2013, 01:32 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by philbake View Post
It's not about the aesthetics, but simply getting better light performance from the halogen setup. I'm going to do this. I wonder if you need to replace the high beam bulb at the same time? Without that, I wonder if turning on the high beams will still result in the same light improvement?
You're not going to get much better performance, you will get somewhat whiter color and very marginal performance increase, not even close to basic HIDs (I'm not even talking about Xenons)
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      09-11-2013, 03:19 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 328AL View Post
You're not going to get much better performance, you will get somewhat whiter color and very marginal performance increase, not even close to basic HIDs (I'm not even talking about Xenons)
The review says doubling wouldn't be an exaggeration, and projection / intensity is improved. I'm looking for input from members who have the performance lights. Thanks
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      09-11-2013, 03:20 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichReg View Post
As mentioned in the above link, these HAVE to be the Philips Xtreme halogens.
Look at the similarities in the packaging:


I have the Philips Xtreme Vision on my E46 for both the lowbeams and fogs... very happy with them. An excellent upgrade over standard halogens.
Just an FYI, though, depending on how much you drive at night, with DRLs, etc..they could last only about 2 years. YMMV.

Also, you can get the Philips version MUCH cheaper on Ebay (shop around)...in brand new packaging.
Good point about shorter lifespan
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      09-11-2013, 03:20 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spacer View Post
For anyone else that's interested, there's pics and a review at this thread:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11441084
That's really helpful, thanks!
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      09-11-2013, 03:58 PM   #16
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How difficult is it to change bulbs in an F30?
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      09-11-2013, 04:34 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenThree View Post
The review says doubling wouldn't be an exaggeration, and projection / intensity is improved. I'm looking for input from members who have the performance lights. Thanks
I'd agree with the review about the improved projection.
Absolutely MUCH better.
The intensity....not so much... but yes, improved.
As 328AL stated, don't expect HID performance.
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      09-11-2013, 06:07 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 328AL View Post
Because they don't last long, about 6-18 months. And BMW does not want to replace them for free. Makes sense to me!
Ahhh....I see. That does make sense. Of course, all could be avoided if xenons were standard equip on all their cars. Just saying...
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      09-11-2013, 07:47 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenThree View Post
The review says doubling wouldn't be an exaggeration, and projection / intensity is improved. I'm looking for input from members who have the performance lights. Thanks
The review OP is also selling it
Quote:
The bulbs set retails at £45.90 inc VAT. I am offering an introductory price which includes a 20% discount making these £36.72 inc VAT until 4pm Feb 17th 2012.
I personally tried Philips X-treme on my e90.

But, it doesn't hurt to try, you may like it better than I did, there are undeniable benefits.
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      09-12-2013, 06:20 AM   #20
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And I think we are all agreed that HIDs are better, but some of us are stuck with what we have! I'd love HIDs on my car, but the deal was simply too good to turn down, so normal bulbs it is.
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      09-12-2013, 09:47 AM   #21
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I've seen pics of the lights projected onto the wall. Spacer, or anyone else with BMW performance bulbs: How bout some night pics of the front of the car??
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      09-12-2013, 11:54 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spacer View Post
And I think we are all agreed that HIDs are better, but some of us are stuck with what we have! I'd love HIDs on my car, but the deal was simply too good to turn down, so normal bulbs it is.
I'm too well familiar with this approach, I bought my e90 of a dealer's lot and stuck with it for 3 years with halogens.

All I'm trying to do is to manage expectations about these upgrades, because not everyone is going to be satisfied with improvements and trade-offs.

Some of the videos and photos are misleading at best and some are outright doctored. Take the picture from OP from another thread where he compares 2 lights; he took all his pictures from the driver's side (instead of from a center of a car), so the angle was favoring the replaced bulb. Anyone who are familiar with photography knows that closer objects would appear lighter on a picture.

As I said before, in my personal experiment Philips lights were marginally whiter and more intense, but it was not enough for me (personally) relatively to a prospect replacing them every 6-12 months (I'm living in hot climate); it simply was not appealing to me.

Thus, I do encourage people to try them out and make their own conclusions, as long as they know what to expect, and have an option to take the lights back if they don't like them w/o wasting their money.
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