Electrical Installing Yellow HID Fogs, LED Running Lights on R60
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 524
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From: Birmingham Al.
NAM members are the BEST!!!! for sure
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 17
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Theta, thank you for this write up. From the first time I turned on the factory "fog lights", I knew that they were going to need an upgrade in order to be useful to any significant degree.
I realize that you pieced yours together, but do you have any brand recommendations for those needing to buy a HID kit? I have heard about some poor performance from some the cheaper kits and would like to spend my money wisely.
I realize that you pieced yours together, but do you have any brand recommendations for those needing to buy a HID kit? I have heard about some poor performance from some the cheaper kits and would like to spend my money wisely.
Theta, thank you for this write up. From the first time I turned on the factory "fog lights", I knew that they were going to need an upgrade in order to be useful to any significant degree.
I realize that you pieced yours together, but do you have any brand recommendations for those needing to buy a HID kit? I have heard about some poor performance from some the cheaper kits and would like to spend my money wisely.
I realize that you pieced yours together, but do you have any brand recommendations for those needing to buy a HID kit? I have heard about some poor performance from some the cheaper kits and would like to spend my money wisely.
As far as bulbs go, that's really subjective. Again, brands don't matter a whole heck-of-a-lot because most of the bulbs are still made in China (most likely at the same facility). As far as colors go, it takes quite a while to find the color you want from bulb sellers. It took me 6 sets to find a deep yellow set that I loved, which I ended up using in these.
Sorry if I've confused you even more, but that's really the truth out there. Even people selling Philips 'German' kits have been busted recently, as they're just Chinese clones. Everything's about the same now.
I'm probably going to pick up the DDMTuning kit
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W
Several on here recommended them.
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W
Several on here recommended them.
So where do I find these bulbs?
special Philips OEM bulbs called 'Ultinons' that posses a closer-to-6000K look without any reduction in brightness. they give a purple-ish look that a BMW projector lens is supposed to put off. they are an approved Philips bulb. They are in the Xenarc/XenStart family,
Countryman-s, thanks for the compliment! The HID lights for the mains are not really blue, but they're not factory, either. They are special Philips OEM bulbs called 'Ultinons' that posses a closer-to-6000K look without any reduction in brightness. They are used on several high-end euro sports cars. More importantly, they give a purple-ish look that a BMW projector lens is supposed to put off. Most importantly, they are OE, and street-legal. They're also A-OK for warranty work on the factory ballasts, since they are an approved Philips bulb. They are in the Xenarc/XenStart family, and thus supported by Mini. It's good peace of mind, even though they're expensive.
A quick note, they're nowhere near that blue. Because of the ludicrously-bright 85w yellow bulbs in the Black Magics, I'm sure the colors are way off. I can digitally correct them to show you what the eye sees (it's more purple-ish white):
special Philips OEM bulbs called 'Ultinons' that posses a closer-to-6000K look without any reduction in brightness. they give a purple-ish look that a BMW projector lens is supposed to put off. they are an approved Philips bulb. They are in the Xenarc/XenStart family,
Countryman-s, thanks for the compliment! The HID lights for the mains are not really blue, but they're not factory, either. They are special Philips OEM bulbs called 'Ultinons' that posses a closer-to-6000K look without any reduction in brightness. They are used on several high-end euro sports cars. More importantly, they give a purple-ish look that a BMW projector lens is supposed to put off. Most importantly, they are OE, and street-legal. They're also A-OK for warranty work on the factory ballasts, since they are an approved Philips bulb. They are in the Xenarc/XenStart family, and thus supported by Mini. It's good peace of mind, even though they're expensive.
A quick note, they're nowhere near that blue. Because of the ludicrously-bright 85w yellow bulbs in the Black Magics, I'm sure the colors are way off. I can digitally correct them to show you what the eye sees (it's more purple-ish white):
They're generally available from European dealerships - we have several here that stock these for MBs and such. Our Lotus dealer also sells them, as does the Lambo/Maserati dealership.
If you're going online, there are several places to pick some up, and can even be purchased on Amazon. They run anywhere from $100-130 per bulb.
Make sure they're the actual bulb (not the common knock-offs) - they are retail packaged and labeled under the Xenarc/Xenstart Philips branding.
If you're going online, there are several places to pick some up, and can even be purchased on Amazon. They run anywhere from $100-130 per bulb.
Make sure they're the actual bulb (not the common knock-offs) - they are retail packaged and labeled under the Xenarc/Xenstart Philips branding.
None of those, sadly. I believe all of our cars use D1S bulbs with the igniter (ballast) on-board. D2S bulbs are made for other cards with outboard ballasts, and are much cheaper to boot.
If it helps, I can take a picture of the back of the bulbs (thought they'll just say Philips Xenstart, etc).
If it helps, I can take a picture of the back of the bulbs (thought they'll just say Philips Xenstart, etc).
There appear to be a set of Ultinon 6000k at the bottom there for $185, but I can't speak to their authenticity.
The labels look correct, but as always, 'let the buyer beware'. Never heard of that seller, so I obviously can't endorse it.
On Amazon, they have a listing for $119.99 per bulb from a reputable seller. That way, you have Amazon backing the return policy, authenticity, etc. Just a suggestion.
The labels look correct, but as always, 'let the buyer beware'. Never heard of that seller, so I obviously can't endorse it.
On Amazon, they have a listing for $119.99 per bulb from a reputable seller. That way, you have Amazon backing the return policy, authenticity, etc. Just a suggestion.
so do the lights look better?
its alot of dough
so does the difference make the lights pop? I always wanted the Mini to look a little more like the purplely Audis comin at ya
so does the difference make the lights pop? I always wanted the Mini to look a little more like the purplely Audis comin at ya