I just put on a set of PIAA driving lights that came with 35W halogen bulbs. Would replacing them with 55W bulbs do any harm? I believe they are 35W H3s right now.

 

go for it

 

Everyone has their own guidelines I suppose - for me I do not mess with bulb wattage much. I'd rather be safe staying with the stipulated wattage then sorry; screwed up wiring or what not associated with over taxing it would be a real pain I think. Headlamps and such might be better subjects for upping the watts and heat a bit, but are the super low draw ones able to support the increase as well?

 

I stayed w/ the same Wattage just increased the Lumens and color temp. The lumens is where you get "Brighter" light, color temp is how they look and watts is how they get there, so a lower watt bulb, if it were to as bright or brighter than stock would need signifactly more current or voltage than stock and I'm not sure that you would want to do thaton the stock wires as they were designed specifically for 55W bulbs. The Osram Silverstars are brighter than stock and BMW approved (no warranty issues).

 

I'm no electrical engineer & don't play one on TV, but my feeling is that you'd be fine with 55W bulbs in them. I wouldn't however run 100w in them.

Chuck

 

exactly what model did you buy and are you SURE they are 35w because that is really strange?

 

I got some PIAA 002-X Extreme White driving lights from ebay. I searched google and found people using them on dirt bikes because of the low wattage and on older 993 porsches. I don't think going from 35w to 55w will do any harm, but going to something like 100w might. All the H3 bulbs on PIAAs website are 55w now too.

When I get a chance I'll take a picture of them.

 

Just noticed something, you keep mentioning H3, the MINI uses H7 bulbs.

 

It's a PIAA driving light kit, not stock headlights.

I'd recommend going with 55w as all kits should be made for that wattage (I'm still trying to figure out how you got 35W bulbs). It might be possible with 85W but definitely not 100W.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, I originally understood it as the bulbs were PIAA replacements for the headlamps.

 

PIAA Stated that the wiring harness would work just fine. I've had my 55w installed for 1 1/2 years with no problems.

 

I think I will replace them shortly then. Maybe with these: http://www.shopatron.com/product/pro...PIA13900/353.0

 

The lights I was talking about.

 

Tiny little things. Have you used them yet? Do they throw enuff light for you?

 

I have used them, but I don't think I have them aimed properly yet. I have them shooting downwards so they don't dazzle anyone on accident. I was a little disappointed with how much light they put out, so that's why I want to swap out the 35w bulbs for 55w. The Xenon headlamps overwhelm them, so right now they just add a touch more light. First I will have to aim them right and then I will swap out the bulbs to try to get them to throw more light.

 

Thats why I asked. In the case of auxiliary lighting, Size Counts!

The reflectors just ain't big enuff to do much. Go to 55, its a bit brighter, but the reflector is still small.

Good luck though! It always good to have more LIGHT!