Did a search but didn't come up with much.

I just purchased some Philips D2S Ultinon 6000k bulbs from Amazon because I'm looking for more light output and now I'm starting to have second thoughts about it. I don't like the idea of losing light output due to the higher color temperature.

Does anyone know how the Philips 4300k (4100k I think?) compare to the stock bulbs in terms of actual light output? I do a lot of night driving and sadly my eye sight isn't perfect.

HID fogs I have, however they aren't for normal driving situations.

 

yes, i have had the 4300k, but to be honest your so much better off with 8000k,
it looks so much better and the lighting is hardly effected, i got 8000k fogs and city side lights, so overall looks really kool.
ill post a pic soon.....

 

o

 

 

take a peek!!!

 

8000k is even worse than the 6000k in terms of light output!

I am looking for pure light output and performance, rather than cool colors, thanks though.

 

4300K puts out the most lumens... but it has a tint of yellow

6000K is not as bright but really white... My choice for headlights.

8000K is really blue and really not that bright...

My 540i/6 had 6000K for headlights with bright angel eyes and 8000K for fogs and it would light up a block...

 

Yea as soon as I clicked submit payment for the 6000k's I realized that the lack of lumens would hurt me because my eye sight is far from perfect. Also, I normally live in Southern California but I've been working TDY in Washington for months now and it's always dark and rainy up here so I would like the best option for visibility, color aside.

I guess what I was hoping for was maybe a 4300k bulb that was even brighter than the stock bulbs?? Or maybe a way to adapt a 55w bulb instead of a 35w bulb?

 

Can you please tell me what bulbs you are using in your city lights. Part # and perhaps where you got them? Thanks.

 

get a 55w kit, do not use 55w bulb with 35w ballast, it will blow the bulb quickly.

 

6k is the best.

 

I was under the impression that you can't get D2S bulbs in 55w?? I guess I need to do some more research.

 

Wow a lot of mis-information in this thread.

- Your car comes stock with Philips 4300K bulbs. These bulbs are the brightest 35w bulbs you can buy as far as light output goes.

- Your bulbs should have 85126 or 85126+ labeled on them. 85126 is an older model bulb and will shift in temperature with age. 85126+ does not.

- You can't go 55w without changing your ballast, which, most likely you'll lose BIX functionality in the process.

- If you need more illumination on back roads with no traffic, HID high beams are a great solution.

So IMO, what you want to accomplish is limited by if you want to replace your stock ballasts and go 55w.

 

Thanks for the help. Why would changing to 55w lose bixenon functionality?

 

I'm pretty sure the OEM ballasts also include the wiring for bix functionality as well. Even if it dosen't you can't just unplug the OEM ballast and drop in an aftermarket ballast. The wiring is routed through the headlight housing and then the stock ballast plugs into the bottom of the housing using a non-standard plug.

 

+1

 

I picked up a 55w 4300 kit. Brightest lights I have had on any car (BMW ,Acura, Lexus). Very nice.

 

Assuming this was true, and the new ballast/bulb combo screwed things up; all one would have to do is simply reconnect the original hardware and all would be restored correct?

 

No, in order to use new blubs/ballasts, you'll need to re-wire the whole light housing. I don't think there's any other way. I'm willing to bet that myntk12 started off with out Xenons and upgraded later.

 

Yes, true, no confusion intended. Lights light up the road very well though with the kit.

 

Ok I pulled the passenger side bulb and it was a Philips 85122 bulb; so probably the stock bulb?

Having said that, the best light output possible without trying to modify anything would be a new pair of Philips bulbs at stock color temperature?

 

yes. THhe 85122+ blub will stay at 4300K so that might give you a bit better lighting performance, especially since your 85122's have a couple years on them. 85122's color shift from thier original 4300K to higher in the temperature range over time and thus get a bit dimmer. Hope this helps.

 

i have ultinons 6k bulbs.... not much different from factory...