[Alpine328]

Yes, I've "SEARCHED" but now confused...

Simply, I want to replace my stock bulbs with something that will provide a cleaner, whiter light, without errors.

What would you recommend for a simple install of ALL the front lights on a 2008 328i (Pre-LCI)???

Here's a pic:



Thanks all!!

[N0Chill 335i]

Which bulbs bro?
Low beam?
High beam?
Turn signal?

[LuxAngelEyes]

No Halogen bulb will be a true white color because its still a yellow filament with a blue coating over it. I know a lot of people that go for a MTEC 4500k bulb and that will make them much less yellow while still providing enough light output.

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by DeMerrisK

Which bulbs bro?
Low beam?
High beam?
Turn signal?

What this guy said, need some more info to help

Okay, you said all...so let's do all shall we?

Your high beam bulb (inner bulb) is an H7 bulb.
Your low beam bulb (middle bulb) is an H7 bulb
Your turn signal bulb (outer bulb) is a 7507 bulb
Your fog light bulb (lower bulb in bumper) is apparently a H11 bulb.

Turn Signal:
Finding a "canbus" bulb that has appropriate light output is going to be difficult. Personally, I would find a regular bulb and then simply wire in an external resistor. I would get these bulbs (couldn't find an onshore dealer with reasonable prices that had them in white). I'm going to be doing several reviews over the next few weeks on international products. You should unscrew the projector cap on them, since the E90 already has a lens to disperse the light from the bulb. I have a similar 7440-type pair in the reverse lights of my truck. Phenomenal visibility in a terrible reflector, I'm sure in an optimal reflector like the front turn signal of an e90 it's going to like BADASS. Just make sure you leave the seller a message saying you want the 7507/BAU15s version!!!

High/Low Beams:
I have the H3 version of the Noyka Stage 2 bulbs in the cornering spots of my LCI Xenons. On the ground the light output looks very, very nice. However, they are 15w more powerful than a standard 55w bulb (consume 70w). This is a difference of a little over 1A per bulb. It is my belief that BMW's electrical system is more than capable of handling this additional load. However, my cornering lights are only on for seconds at a time, so my risk profile is different than yours. If you are UNCOMFORTABLE with this risk, then the MTEC bulbs are a safer (although less bright/slightly less white) bet.

Fog Lights:
Similar deal as above--safe bet is the MTEC Super-White bulb. Higher output/brighter white bulbs are the Noyka Stage 2 Cosmic White bulbs.

[techwhiz]

Why not do an HID conversion?

[McAuley7]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

Why not do an HID conversion?

Not "suppose" to put in reflective housing

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by McAuley7

Not "suppose" to put in reflective housing

Please don't throw an HID kit in there. Not only does it look very, very stupid to see two blobs of light cruising towards you, it actually worsens your night vision.

In short, headlights and photography are quite similar--the proper focusing of light is critical to proper performance.

When HID kits are thrown in halogen housings, the focal point of the HID bulb doesn't match up with the focus point in the halogen bulb reflector, so light is dispersed poorly. It leaves a poorly defined cutoff, too much light in the foreground (causes your pupils to constrict, reducing your long-distance vision!), and scatters light high above the cutoff too. It's just not right.

Not to mention the risk of errors, the ridiculously high startup current draw of HID ballasts, and the flickering/PWM computers decreasing the life of the bulbs.

If you want HID's, by all means DO IT. But do it right. Get projectors retrofitted to your halogen lights.

[Alpine328]

Originally Posted by DeMerrisK

Which bulbs bro?
Low beam?
High beam?
Turn signal?

Thanks to everyone for all the help on this bulb question...

I do want to replace ALL the bulbs.

Think I'll buy these, but is the H7 for BOTH High and Low beam??

If so, then there must be two filaments in each bulb?



Thanks!!

.

[rbtamms]

When I still have my halogen headlights, I changed the bulb to blue coated bulb. It does make the light whittier, but the reflection of the blue coated bulb on my reflective housing during the day is awful because my headlight turned blueish. I replaced it with HID and I love it, but I have to aim down my headlight to avoid irritating incoming traffic. The only thing I don't like is the entire reflective housing is well lit (meaning, if you're on the opposite traffic...the headlight is a one big glowing monster eye thing).

[DF]

I just ordered GP Thunder corning lights to do the same thing.

[TheEd]

Originally Posted by Alpine328

Thanks to everyone for all the help on this bulb question...

I do want to replace ALL the bulbs.

Think I'll buy these, but is the H7 for BOTH High and Low beam??

If so, then there must be two filaments in each bulb?



Thanks!!

.

No, he meant you have an H7 bulb in the low beam and an H7 bulb in the high beam.

[rollinstone157]

Originally Posted by TheEd

No, he meant you have an H7 bulb in the low beam and an H7 bulb in the high beam.

OP, this is correct.