[E90F30er]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accesso...dlight-reviews
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accesso...headlamp-bulbs

Considering upgrading the standard H7s (dipped and main beam?) - what make / product is the best? What about these Xenon style bulbs or the blue tinted variety? (I can never get real Xenons without retro-upgrading to Xenon corona rings.) For public roads and road legal of course. Thank you for your help.

Is powerbulbs.com a good site to buy from?

http://www.powerbulbs.com/blog/2013/...b-test-winners

[MrPogle]

I bought Philips Diamond Vision because they won an Autoexpreas group test. They are fine but the difference is only just noticeable. Be prepared to be a bit disappointed unless you are easily impressed. Anything with coloured coatings is likely to prioritise appearance over performance.

[DMH-01]

I had the Philips Diamond Vision bulbs a couple of years ago and appearance wise they were much better than standard...



I've used Powerbulbs for ages and there is always a discount code for them.

[DuckySpud]

I use Osram Nightbreaker Plus bulbs, better than standard but still not a patch on xenon lights, no halogen lights will get close unfortunately

[Hope]

Have used the Philips Bluevision, Silvervision and Osram Nightbreaker plus and the Osram's were by the far the best in terms of tone and projection.

[Sparky68]

Originally Posted by DuckySpud

I use Osram Nightbreaker Plus bulbs, better than standard but still not a patch on xenon lights, no halogen lights will get close unfortunately

Use to have these on my old GTE, do they still make them? The bulbs not the GTE's

[E90F30er]

Thanks for your replies (so far). Do I get an independent BMW dealer to fit them, a BMW dealer (if I bought them separately) or Halfords? How much do you estimate for fitting?

[Sparky68]

Halfords charge £5 a bulb I think

[Route 16]

I have osram nightbreakers, it is better than oem for sure but philips diamond I heard were better than nighbreakers.

[DuckySpud]

Originally Posted by Sparky68

Use to have these on my old GTE, do they still make them? The bulbs not the GTE's

Yep, bought mine just 2 or 3 months ago. Think they have recently released a new version, "Nightbreaker Extreme" or something like that.

[raj55]

I use philips xtreme vision H7 and am very happy with it. Used to use Osram night breaker H7 before. Both are good bulbs. Bulb changing is a pain in the neck. Use your halfords service to change bulbs and it is worth it.

[E90F30er]

Ok, do I get the main beam H7s changed as well?

[dakhu1]

Originally Posted by raj55

I use philips xtreme vision H7 and am very happy with it. Used to use Osram night breaker H7 before. Both are good bulbs. Bulb changing is a pain in the neck. Use your halfords service to change bulbs and it is worth it.

I use these also and much better visibilty - however and this may just be coincedence - but i put in both our 1 and 3 series 2 years ago and both have recently blown a bulb each - the 1 series a few weeks back and our e90 at 6pm today - anyone else had this happen and would i be better off with something else?

[raj55]

This is the problem with high power bulbs like Philips xtreme power and osram night breaker, they do not last very long. One year is about what u get with them. Try philips eco vision h7 if you want long Lastning bulb.

[ade146]

I have been keeping these a secret for years but the answer is these

65W Osram Ultra High Output (2100 lumen, H9 burner on H7 base, race and special-purpose use):

I find high output bulbs burn the element hotter so burn out quicker. A high output H7 is around 1500 lumen even for the very best and most are 1100. This is a standard H9 so normal life but 2100 lumen. Please go ahead and look them up. The best lighting site I have ever seen is Daniel Sterns lighting. Very thorough and goes into all the pros and cons of upgrading lights. For those who do want better lights and not just a change or colour.

Proper 55w well designed HID are over 3000 lumen.

[a11y]

Originally Posted by raj55

This is the problem with high power bulbs like Philips xtreme power and osram night breaker, they do not last very long. One year is about what u get with them. Try philips eco vision h7 if you want long Lastning bulb.

I've found they last fine.

TBH though I didn't find a huge difference between std bulbs and the osrams or philips xtremes in my e90, but in my VW van the difference was much more impressive.

[creepy coupe]

I've used Philips Xtreme vision on a few cars and the difference is huge.Highly recommend them.

[vexith]

I just bought a set of Philips Xtreme Vision for my car. Feel fairly confident in them since they have a very good reputation.

[raj55]

Originally Posted by ade146

I have been keeping these a secret for years but the answer is these

65W Osram Ultra High Output (2100 lumen, H9 burner on H7 base, race and special-purpose use):
This is a standard H9 so normal life but 2100 lumen. Please go ahead and look them up. The best lighting site I have ever seen is Daniel Sterns lighting. Very thorough and goes into all the pros and cons of upgrading lights. For those who do want better lights and not just a change or colour.

Agree about Daniel Sterns site. It is good and very informative .
BUT, I do not agree with your assessment of Osram 65W H7 2100 lumen in reflector lights of our BMW. It may produce what you claim in projector halogens but not in our reflectors. I used it for about a year and changed to Philps xtreme vision after comparing the two. The Philips xtreme vision is whiter, better focussed light, more uniform light on the road with less fore ground illumination, better reach (longer distance) and very comfortable to the eye. The Osram 65W in my E91 reflectors were less focussed, had less reach, lot of foreground illumination and more stray light with sign posts glare, (the beams were aligned for both before testing) and they were less comfortable to the eye.
Having said that the Osrams will out live the Philips xtreme vision, I am sure. The Osrams are expensive though!

[Dizzle]

Vote for Ring Xenon Ultimas here, preferred them over the nigthbreakers.

You can pickup a set of Osrams for £11.50 - bought some last week

[E90F30er]

Is it feasible to upgrade from halogens to LCI halogens?

Halogens to Xenons?
Halogens to LCI Xenons?
Halogens to LCI White (E92/93 style) Xenons?

What's my best buy / upgrade for my pre-LCI halogens please?

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

Is it feasible to upgrade from halogens to LCI halogens?

Halogens to Xenons?
Halogens to LCI Xenons?
Halogens to LCI White (E92/93 style) Xenons?

What's my best buy / upgrade for my pre-LCI halogens please?

Been covered a million times.