Question about brightness of lowbeam

Photosapiens · 02-07-2011, 05:38 PM

Hello,

Before my e92, I drove a Mazda RX-8. I didn't like the factory low-beam
color (I wanted it more white), so I swapped the lowbeam bulb to some
chinese brand one. And I noticed that the brightness of the new one is so
much lower than the factory one.

I know 4300k is generally brighter than 5000k or 6000k, but the brightness
of new one was too low.

Can it happen if I bought weaker ones in watts
(I wasn't sure about watt of the new one)

or

It can just happens because I bought some cheap one?
(even if watt is same)

I'm planning to swap my e92's lowbeam bulb as well but I'm afraid of
losing factory one's brightness, which is pretty bright enough.

Thank you for reading.

SIEAIN · 02-07-2011, 06:38 PM

what year is your E92? if you have LCI E92 (with Xenon headlight), I highly suggest you NOT to change the color of your low beam. If you decide to change, get the Phillips ones.

I changed mine to 6000k, don't really see a different in color much...so unless you are trying to go for the blue look, you need 8K and above

Photosapiens · 02-07-2011, 07:23 PM

I have a 08 e92 335i and I see some yellow-ish color from the lowbeam.

If I change them to 6000k, will I see pure white color?

SIEAIN · 02-07-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photosapiens

I have a 08 e92 335i and I see some yellow-ish color from the lowbeam.

If I change them to 6000k, will I see pure white color?

that is correct. it should be a straight swap...don't yours already come with Xenon's? or am I wrong?

1QuikWS6 · 02-07-2011, 07:55 PM

6000K is prolly the closest to white you'll get.

And yes, the quality of the capsule/ignitor used does effect the output. Sometimes the old addage 'you get what you pay for' rings true...

hipnotic · 02-07-2011, 08:17 PM

get white fogs

Photosapiens · 02-07-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIEAIN

that is correct. it should be a straight swap...don't yours already come with Xenon's? or am I wrong?

Mine came with xenons but its a bit yellow-ish.

a4moda · 02-07-2011, 10:40 PM

Xenons will phase shift after the first 100-300 hours, where it will remain stable for the next few thousand hours. After about 2.5-3 years or so, color will be noticeably different than when you first fired them up.

You can definitely get replacement bulbs. New 4300K bulbs will look more white than your current setup. 6000K will also be very very nice.

Choice is up to you.

"yellow" is a matter of subjective taste. But if you don't like them, then you can consider getting new bulbs.

GL on whatever you decide.

02-07-2011, 05:38 PM	#1
Photosapiens Private First Class 31 Rep 120 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Question about brightness of lowbeam Hello, Before my e92, I drove a Mazda RX-8. I didn't like the factory low-beam color (I wanted it more white), so I swapped the lowbeam bulb to some chinese brand one. And I noticed that the brightness of the new one is so much lower than the factory one. I know 4300k is generally brighter than 5000k or 6000k, but the brightness of new one was too low. Can it happen if I bought weaker ones in watts (I wasn't sure about watt of the new one) or It can just happens because I bought some cheap one? (even if watt is same) I'm planning to swap my e92's lowbeam bulb as well but I'm afraid of losing factory one's brightness, which is pretty bright enough. Thank you for reading.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-07-2011, 06:38 PM	#2
SIEAIN Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	what year is your E92? if you have LCI E92 (with Xenon headlight), I highly suggest you NOT to change the color of your low beam. If you decide to change, get the Phillips ones. I changed mine to 6000k, don't really see a different in color much...so unless you are trying to go for the blue look, you need 8K and above
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2011, 07:23 PM	#3
Photosapiens Private First Class 31 Rep 120 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	I have a 08 e92 335i and I see some yellow-ish color from the lowbeam. If I change them to 6000k, will I see pure white color?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2011, 07:55 PM	#5
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1627 Rep 8,495 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	6000K is prolly the closest to white you'll get. And yes, the quality of the capsule/ignitor used does effect the output. Sometimes the old addage 'you get what you pay for' rings true... __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2011, 08:17 PM	#6
hipnotic Major General 153 Rep 6,603 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 335i coupe [7.00]	get white fogs
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2011, 10:40 PM	#8
a4moda Private 4 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Xenons will phase shift after the first 100-300 hours, where it will remain stable for the next few thousand hours. After about 2.5-3 years or so, color will be noticeably different than when you first fired them up. You can definitely get replacement bulbs. New 4300K bulbs will look more white than your current setup. 6000K will also be very very nice. Choice is up to you. "yellow" is a matter of subjective taste. But if you don't like them, then you can consider getting new bulbs. GL on whatever you decide.
	Appreciate 0 Quote