H13 Bulbs. (NON-HID)
As recommended by Daniel Stern Lighting below, I got a pair of Philips VisionPlus H13 bulbs. Highly recommended and affordable mod ($40). Also, many people including me have been adjusting the headlights to aim higher. If you haven't already, check this thread.
> I want to replace my stock halogen lights on my 2007 Mini Cooper. The
> manual mentions type H13 60/55 W. I have read in newsgroups about
> people replacing their Mini Coopers with Sylvania Silverstars. What do
> you recommend?
Sylvania Silverstar is a scam.
Here's manufacturer data, from internal engineering databases, for output
and lifespan at 13.2v for H1 bulbs. The numbers here are a composite of
values applicable to the products of the big three makers (Osram-Sylvania,
Philips-Narva, Tungsram-GE). Each manufacturer's product in each category
is slightly different but not significantly so. I picked H1-type bulbs
for this comparison, and while the absolute numbers differ with different
bulb types (such as H13), the relative comparison patterns hold good for
whatever bulb type you consider. Lifespan is given as Tc, the hour figure
at which 63.2 percent of the bulbs have failed.
H1 (regular normal):
1550 lumens, 650 hours
Long Life (or "HalogenPlus+")
1460 lumens, 1200 hours
Plus-30 High Efficacy (Osram Super, Sylvania Xtravision, Narva Rangepower,
Candlepower Bright Light, Tungsram High Output, Philips Premium):
1700 lumens, 350 hours
Plus-50 Ultra High Efficacy (Philips VisionPlus, Osram Silverstar, Narva
Rangepower+50, Tungsram Megalicht, but not Sylvania Silverstar):
1750 lumens, 350 hours
Blue coated 'extra white' (Osram CoolBlue, Narva Rangepower Blue, Philips
BlueVision or CrystalVision, Tungsram Super Blue or EuroBlue, Sylvania
Silverstar or Silverstar Ultra, which is just a rebrand of the
Silverstar product, also PIAA, Hoen, Nokya, Polarg, etc):
1380 lumens, 250 hours
Now, looking over these results, which one would you rather:
(a) Buy and drive with?
(b) Sell?
The answer to (a) depends on how well you want to see versus how often to
change the bulb. If you want the best possible seeing, you pick the
Plus-50. If you don't care as long as it works and you don't want to
hassle with it, you pick the long life.
The answer to (b) is determined by how rich your company's shareholders
want you to be, and is obvious: You want to sell the bulb with the
shortest lifespan, highest promotability and highest price. That'd be the
blue unit, e.g. Sylvania Silverstar.
Go get a pair of Philips VisionPlus H13 bulbs, if that is what your MINI
takes:
http://aid-auto.stores.yahoo.net/phviplrebu90.html
> manual mentions type H13 60/55 W. I have read in newsgroups about
> people replacing their Mini Coopers with Sylvania Silverstars. What do
> you recommend?
Sylvania Silverstar is a scam.
Here's manufacturer data, from internal engineering databases, for output
and lifespan at 13.2v for H1 bulbs. The numbers here are a composite of
values applicable to the products of the big three makers (Osram-Sylvania,
Philips-Narva, Tungsram-GE). Each manufacturer's product in each category
is slightly different but not significantly so. I picked H1-type bulbs
for this comparison, and while the absolute numbers differ with different
bulb types (such as H13), the relative comparison patterns hold good for
whatever bulb type you consider. Lifespan is given as Tc, the hour figure
at which 63.2 percent of the bulbs have failed.
H1 (regular normal):
1550 lumens, 650 hours
Long Life (or "HalogenPlus+")
1460 lumens, 1200 hours
Plus-30 High Efficacy (Osram Super, Sylvania Xtravision, Narva Rangepower,
Candlepower Bright Light, Tungsram High Output, Philips Premium):
1700 lumens, 350 hours
Plus-50 Ultra High Efficacy (Philips VisionPlus, Osram Silverstar, Narva
Rangepower+50, Tungsram Megalicht, but not Sylvania Silverstar):
1750 lumens, 350 hours
Blue coated 'extra white' (Osram CoolBlue, Narva Rangepower Blue, Philips
BlueVision or CrystalVision, Tungsram Super Blue or EuroBlue, Sylvania
Silverstar or Silverstar Ultra, which is just a rebrand of the
Silverstar product, also PIAA, Hoen, Nokya, Polarg, etc):
1380 lumens, 250 hours
Now, looking over these results, which one would you rather:
(a) Buy and drive with?
(b) Sell?
The answer to (a) depends on how well you want to see versus how often to
change the bulb. If you want the best possible seeing, you pick the
Plus-50. If you don't care as long as it works and you don't want to
hassle with it, you pick the long life.
The answer to (b) is determined by how rich your company's shareholders
want you to be, and is obvious: You want to sell the bulb with the
shortest lifespan, highest promotability and highest price. That'd be the
blue unit, e.g. Sylvania Silverstar.
Go get a pair of Philips VisionPlus H13 bulbs, if that is what your MINI
takes:
http://aid-auto.stores.yahoo.net/phviplrebu90.html
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 895
Likes: 2
From: Canton, GA
I have 4 Osram Silverstars (the plus 50 retina burners) on my motorcycle; they are really bright.
The Phillips Visionplus are a good product when you can find them.
http://www.suvlights.com/product_inf...products_id=99
The Phillips Visionplus are a good product when you can find them.
http://www.suvlights.com/product_inf...products_id=99
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: JAX, FL
Very Easy!
Check the owners manual page 104 for 2007 model.
Trending Topics
Neutral
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: SFV
this thread has been quiet for a while, but here's where you can order Phillips X-TREME POWER Halogen Bulbs.
www.bulbs.com
search h13 and they should come up... good price $18.49 ea (2 per pack).
www.bulbs.com
search h13 and they should come up... good price $18.49 ea (2 per pack).
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Another thing to remember when buying bulbs or lighting systems is that each kind of bulb - halogen, HID etc - tends to produce light at a certain color temperature. 2500 to 3500 for halogen, roughly, and maybe 3500 to 4200 for HID. To get light from a bulb of a higher color temperature than it normally produces means filtering the output - usually, by tinting the bulb. This reduces the output of usable light! So the high color temperature bulbs can always be counted on to put out LESS usable light than the lower CT ones. So decide what you are shopping for - trick looks, or better light - and, if its the latter, then go for non-blue, non-tinted bulbs.
8500K
Neutral
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: SFV
I picked up the Philips X-TREME POWER H13 Halogens and I must say that I'm not very impressed by them; maybe I was expecting too much. They run the same color as stock bulbs and don't seem to give me the quoted "80% more light." Looking into Nokya Cosmic White Stage 1s, it's 5000k crisp white, but idk how bright they'll be cos of the higher bulb temp. Does anyone have any recommendations before I run out and blow another $40 on crappy bulbs? I'm looking to get something bright and aggressive, but not rice blue, pref 5000k - 6000k halogen. Bulb spec is H13 60/55w halogen. Any words of wisdom are appreciated!
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Oak Grove, Virginia
stevenfelix - I really like the PIAA Extreme white bulbs. Have them for my High/Low, fogs and driving lights. Very crisp white illumination. They are a little pricey and may not last as long as others, but I have been very satisfied with the color temp and brightness so I will keep using them.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
stevenfelix - I really like the PIAA Extreme white bulbs. Have them for my High/Low, fogs and driving lights. Very crisp white illumination. They are a little pricey and may not last as long as others, but I have been very satisfied with the color temp and brightness so I will keep using them.
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