I wouldn't recommend something that I wouldn't run or do for my own car that's for sure.
Do upgraded HID bulbs really work better?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Seoul
2018 E63 AMG
Do upgraded HID bulbs really work better?
I've seen some people list on their sig that they have PIAA or Philips HID bulbs.. like the Philips Ultinon bulbs. My question is I already have HID stock.. but would these PIAA or Philiips bulbs really provide a brighter/better look? or is it similar to the difference between a stock halogen bulb v. one of those blue HID-wannabe bulbs?
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From: Seattle, WA
'09 911 C4S
Will not be as bad as the blue tinted halogens, but the aftermarket HID bulbs that have a higher color temperature (unit=Kelvin, e.g. 4300K, 6000K), will tend to have a lower light output (unit=Lumens). Since your eyes are more sensitive to blue spectrum of light, you will feel that the Ultinon is brighter but in fact it is dimmer than the stock 4300K white bulbs.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 56
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From: Seoul
2018 E63 AMG
Will not be as bad as the blue tinted halogens, but the aftermarket HID bulbs that have a higher color temperature (unit=Kelvin, e.g. 4300K, 6000K), will tend to have a lower light output (unit=Lumens). Since your eyes are more sensitive to blue spectrum of light, you will feel that the Ultinon is brighter but in fact it is dimmer than the stock 4300K white bulbs.
ahh.. thanks for clearing that up. i have heard this before but thought it might be different with HID bulbs.. guess not. thx
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Bay Area
An HID upgrade bulb is definitely something I recommend. You will notice the change in color over the stock 4300k which tends to look a bit yellowish in comparison. Here is the difference between our 6000k (Left) and 4300k (right)
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Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 230
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From: Seattle
S500
but i do understand the point you are making; lighting is an essential part of a car's function and to decrease the amount of light output would not be wise. i am also of that opinion.
that being said, i replaced my bulbs with phillips ultinons , which puts out less lumens than stock according to what i've read here on these forums and elsewhere. i did it primarily because the mod bug was biting hard. i was reluctant at first because of the decreased lumens, colored light not effective in the rain, etc. i had to see for myself.
i was pleasantly suprised; light output is still excellent, with just a hint more color. they are not blue by any means, still pretty white with a tinge of purple. my headlamps are the reflector type. everything on the road does seem brighter though. i'm sure there's a scientific explanation for that.
do upgraded hid bulbs work better? i can say at 6000k, it works better for me.
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From: Bay Area
If you are going for maximum lumens out of your stock xenons, leave the stock bulbs. If you are sick of the yellowish tinge of your stock bulbs, go with the 6000k. With our 6000k upgrade bulbs, you lose about 5% or 200 lumens of light output which is really only noticeable on the fringes of the light pattern. I highly doubt you will notice the difference between the two bulbs. If you go with a bulb above 8000k, you will definitely start losing usable visiblity.
