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Old 07-17-2007, 02:12 PM
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Default Headlight bulb advice

The e36 needs a new headlight and I thought I might upgrade. Anyone have a recommendation for SilverStars or any other 'upgraded' bulb? I dont want to blind oncoming cars and am not a fan of the blue headlights.

Better to just stick with stock bulbs, or are they good upgrades, without springing for HID's, out there?

Thanks
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Old 07-17-2007, 02:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmartin View Post
The e36 needs a new headlight and I thought I might upgrade. Anyone have a recommendation for SilverStars or any other 'upgraded' bulb? I dont want to blind oncoming cars and am not a fan of the blue headlights.

Better to just stick with stock bulbs, or are they good upgrades, without springing for HID's, out there?

Thanks
For the money, SilverStars are a very good compromise. Obviously not as good as HID's, but improved lighting over OEM; cast is more whitish than yellow. I started using them on all our cars, and been quite happy. Plus, being a major brand item, you can periodically find on sale, and stock up at that time.
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Old 07-17-2007, 02:32 PM
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Stick with stock wattage bulbs, so you don't run the risk of burning out the lamp housing and/or stock wiring.

If you do a lot of night driving, HID's are fantastic. I just installed them in our Civic and the difference is HUGE. And they actually run cooler than stock bulbs. No modifications...just replace bulb, mount ballasts and plug factory wires to HID ballasts.

I'll post pictures later. HID's have come down in price lately too.
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Old 07-17-2007, 02:53 PM
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Good info

I didnt realize HID's have come down in price so much. $220/pair? http://www.automotivelightingusa.com...oducts_id=1450
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Old 07-17-2007, 02:58 PM
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fwiw, if a car (beemer) has factory hids available out there, even if a little more, i'd go for those. on a car where there are no factory options, aftermarket would be next best thing.

and to specifically address your question, silver stars are not bad. certainly nicer than stock bulbs.

to make sure there aren't even better bulb options out there, i'd check out daniel stern's website to see what he offers for your type of lights. (sometimes he even has a full-on replacement unit w/ better lense/mirror/specs etc. )
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Old 07-17-2007, 03:06 PM
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First I've heard of Daniel Stern, thanks }{

Found this place from bimmerforums, http://www.ddmtuning.com/hidkihidbuhi.html

$125??
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Old 07-17-2007, 03:12 PM
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yeah, no prob chris. that guy sure takes his lighting seriously
for the record, here's his home page: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
and here are his offerings: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html
they may not all be w/in the dot but i won't tell if you won't.

i'm running narva 120's in my h4's and they're spectacular (when aimed correctly) which brings me to another point. if anyone wants to know TOO MUCH about aiming your headlights, here is your place: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

sorry, i'm no help w/ hids b/c i'd just go w/ the factory ones if it was my choice, though you *should* read the +'s and -'s of throwing hids into a housing that wasn't designed for them: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...s/Hid/HID.html
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Old 07-17-2007, 03:19 PM
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I got these guys' H7 kit for my bike, $179 delivered. Best money I ever spent.

http://www.cqlight.ca/
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Old 07-17-2007, 03:22 PM
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btw, rl, no matter what lights you got on the bike, even though i think they all now have daytime running lights, i suggest in daylight you run w/ high beams instead.
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Old 07-17-2007, 03:27 PM
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I agree with }{...OEM is the way to go...if offered

Here's the kit I bought:

http://www.neverburnout.com/HID-Xeno...p/kit-9006.htm

I got the 6000K temp.
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