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Am replacing my crashed MINI and considering not re-ordering the xenon package. Didn't like the illumination cutoff effect. However, have been told that the halogens are 'dim'.
Is there any option for bigger/better/brighter halogen bulbs than come from the factory? The ads on the web are full of promise, but you can't trust that.
__________________ "History is what people remember." RC
I replaced the dims on my '05 with Sylvania Silverstar Ultra halogen bulbs. You can catch them on sale sometimes at places like Autozone, etc. I really like the whiteness of the light. I haven't replaced the ones on the '09 yet.
__________________ '05 JustaCooper, CPR&W, W Bonnet Stripes, CVT, Premium, Sport, Cold, Chrome Line Ext., W Daytona(R-83)Wheels, lots of other stuff.
'09 JustaClubman, PW&B, B Bonnet Stripes, Auto., Premium, Cold, Chrome Line Ext., Fogs F&R, Piano Black, Spt. Seats, Blaster(R-103)Wheels, White Signals (week 38)
I replaced mine with Luminics Ultra White...and did not like them at all...I felt that it illuminated the enviornment..just not directly in front of me and I felt that I was struggling to see the road... I just switched back to the stock bulbs this morning...
PIAA is the brand I am running and I am very happy with them.
__________________ Rowan, 2008 Chili Red/black roof MCSa, Convenience package, Sport package, automatic, Checkered cloth, bonnet stripes, rear fog lamps, auto air, and a few more things! NM springs and swaybar, Bilstein struts, Helix IC, JCW Stage 1 kit and RMW tune.
PIAA's are way over priced for what they are, I would go with the Silverstars for simple replacements.
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2008 BRG/W MCS (retired 4/22/11)
2011 LW/B MCS CM ALL4 Ordered 3/5, Born 3/17, Bremerhaven 3/24, Loaded on the Faust 3/30, Port Newark 4/14, Delivered 4/22
2011 Mazda3 s Sport
how about the Luminics Titanium whites? They are 60w bulbs, do you all think that using these will affect anything?
I just installed these in my headlamps and fogs. They look great, give off a decent amount of light and don't turn my headlamp housing "rice blue" when they are off. Much better than stock.
sorry, they are 65W bulbs, not 60W. Will that affect anything? would they be ok using the factory harness? any melting issues with a 5 watt difference? Thanks for the reply...
I'm not using an upgraded harness, but have only had the lights for 3 days. I would be interested to hear if any other NAM members think this is an issue.
have you noticed anything in the housing? any melting or anything like that? hey thanks for responding, I am just curious and don't want to burn the housing...
I went and checked the car today and there is no visible sign of heat damage. I am going to install the heavy cables anyway (only $37.00) for the extra insurance. I really like the look and the light output of these bulbs.
the only thing that worries me is that the bulb is a little shorter than the factory bulb...if you hold the factory bulb next to the luminics one, you can see the luminics is a little shorter. So the bulb does not sit inside the little housing inside the light. Wonder if it will cause damage....
Don't get the Silverstars since they are only rated for 350 hours. Pick yourself up a set of PHILIPS X-TREME POWER 9008/H13
How many hours are the PHILIPS X-TREME POWER rated for? I can't find this information anywhere.
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2009 "Tiffany" CR/W MCSa Convenience|Premium|Cold Weather|Rear Fogs
Ordered June 10 - Born June 16 - Shipped July 15 - Delivered August 5
Here's the comparison of these bulbs to standard and high-performance 9005
and 9006 bulbs. A "+50" would be a Philips Vision Plus or GE Night Hawk. A
"+80" would be a Philips Xtreme Power.: Low beam stock: 9006, 12.8V, 55W, 1000 lumens, 875 hours
Low beam compare: 9006+50, 12.8V, 55W, 1090 lumens, 300 hours Low beam compare: 9006+80, 12.8V, 55W, 1120 lumens, 275 hours
Low beam new: HIR2, 12.8V, 55W, 1875 lumens, 875 hours High beam stock: 9005, 12.8V, 65W, 1700 lumens, 320 hours
High beam compare: 9005+50, 12.8V, 55W, 1830 lumens, 175 hours High beam new: HIR1, 12.8V, 65W, 2530 lumens, 320 hours
Problem is they seems to forget Philips Xtreme Power is HIR bulb:
From Autoexpress's famous H4 bulb test:
The previous highest output of an H4 bulb (+50% type) was rated at 107 between 50-75m (Halfords Super Brilliance, followed closely by Philips GT150 Power2Night at 102, and Philips Vision Plus at 98). The new Philips X-treme Power H4 (+80%) was rated at an amazing 146, and won the Accessory Of The Year award from Auto Express (a UK company that's done many bulb tests in the past). All bulbs were rated at 55W, safe for OEM applications.
Philips X-treme Power is a new type of halogen bulb, HIR (Halogen Infrared Reflecting). That means it has a reflective coating that makes use of wasted infrared light, reflecting it back at the filament and making it burn more efficiently, allowing more light output than any standard halogen/"xenon" halogen before it (especially the ones with colored coatings). The bulb also has a refined design, with smaller glass casing for higher pressure and improved filament geometry (placing of the filament(s) in relation to the reflector/projector, where most bulbs fail). This captures much of the stray light of previous designs and directs it back at the road where it belongs. It's unconfirmed, but the thin blue strip seems to be for short range lighting due to its position, while medium and long range get the full illumination of the clear portion. The difference in color isn't noticeable on the road.
My point:
Philips Xtreme Power is in theory an improvement in term of life expectancy among usual high output class. But only time will tell how long it gonna last on my car (12th month here) .
Performance wise it's very good. When I drove the loaner with stock bulb the other day, it made me double check the headlight switch twice at night.
Last edited by nickminir56; 09-30-2009 at 10:10 AM.
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2009 "Tiffany" CR/W MCSa Convenience|Premium|Cold Weather|Rear Fogs
Ordered June 10 - Born June 16 - Shipped July 15 - Delivered August 5
Does anyone know where to find the Philips X-Treme power 9008/h13 bulbs to buy in canada? bulbs.com won't ship internationally unless it's over $100, and i can't seem to find any online vendors that will ship here.
rr, I have the Phillips X-Treme in my MCS. About six months now with the standard wiring. I wouldn't think there is any difference in the harness between an MC and an MCS.
Matty, if you can't find a solution and no one closer who can help you, pm me and I'll see if I can help out.
"History is what people remember." RC
'05 JustaCooper, CPR&W, W Bonnet Stripes, CVT, Premium, Sport, Cold, Chrome Line Ext., W Daytona(R-83)Wheels, lots of other stuff.
Rowan, 2008 Chili Red/black roof MCSa, Convenience package, Sport package, automatic, Checkered cloth, bonnet stripes, rear fog lamps, auto air, and a few more things! NM springs and swaybar, Bilstein struts, Helix IC, JCW Stage 1 kit and RMW tune.
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