07-31-2011, 02:41 AM | #1 |
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HID Fog Lights with Adaptive Headlights?
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone else has considered changing their standard fog lights to HID? I have Xenon's with Adaptive Lights (so the left / right fog lights come on as you turn left / right), but the fog lights are just normal halogen and are yellow rather than matching the Xenons. Only concern is the HID's wont have time to start up before they need to be turned off as your turn the steering wheel back. Anyone?? Also can anyone confirm the they bulbs are H11 or H8? |
07-31-2011, 07:39 AM | #2 |
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Believe that the X3's with adaptive lights use H-11's and those without adaptive lights use H8 lamps since the BMW specs. list; "Fog Lights: 35 watts, 55 watts with Adaptive lights", although the spec sheet does not list the bulb numbers.
Why not just use a "Ultra Blue" style, high color temperature halogen lamp if you're concerned by the color "mis-match" between the fog/cornering lamps and the headlights? The slow start-up of HID's would probably be distracting, not to mention the reduced life expectancy of the HID's (In this application) since the start up cycle causes the most "wear" to the lamps and once started up, they should be allowed to warm up completely for best life. Additionally, for use in fog (don't know if you get much fog in Perth), a lower color temperature actually penetrates better. The longer wavelengths reflect less from the water vapor droplets. Years ago, virtually all "fog" lights were deep yellow and those definitely create less reflected glare in real fog. Last edited by Lotus7; 07-31-2011 at 07:45 AM.. |
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08-01-2011, 04:45 AM | #5 |
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Would be better to just switch off the adaptive light function (if you can) and then only use the fog lights for driving in fog.
It obviously depends on where you drive at night but I can't remember a situation in 5 years of driving with xenons where I thought I wish I had more illumination when turning corners, so i can't see the benefit of adaptive headlights. Maybe if I had them I'd see the light
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08-01-2011, 08:25 PM | #6 |
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Gotta try them on a twisty road at night. It's really pretty cool. Not at all like you're blind without them, but the improvement is notable. Turning at a four way stop or the like is no big deal as far as the adaptive headlights. The cornering lamps are more useful there.
OP sounds as though they think adaptive headlights means activating the fog lamps as turning lights. Not so. Two different things.
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08-04-2011, 09:41 AM | #7 |
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I just purchased a set of Hoen xenonmatch bulbs for the foglights (I have xenon headlights w/ adaptive light control) and will post up a review once I install them. The bulbs were only $30 and I was only interested in better matching the color to the HID low beams
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08-04-2011, 10:06 PM | #9 |
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Google is your friend.
http://www.hoen-usa.com/fog.htm |
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08-05-2011, 06:07 AM | #11 |
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adaptive headlights typically mean headlights that swivel on horizontal axis and turn with the steering angle. the foglamp thing seems to be cornering light control (whatever bmw calls it) and might not switch on in all situations (on my friends mb they were triggered by turn signals or hard turns past a certain angle) are we referring to the same function here?
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08-05-2011, 07:35 AM | #12 |
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I believe they are H11's, but will have to double check when I install them. In the owners manual under the light bulbs section it states which fog bulbs are for xenon and non-xenon, but I don't have that handy currently
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08-05-2011, 11:50 AM | #13 |
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Please post where you purchased your bulbs
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08-05-2011, 11:59 AM | #14 |
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directly from Hoen's website
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08-06-2011, 05:18 PM | #16 |
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Install is finished! They are H11 bulbs for the fogs with the xenon option. Hardest part is removing the fog housings from the bumper. There are instructions in the manual, but they aren't helpful. There is a clip that is hard to reach which has to be released in order to pull the fogs out. I took some pics of the clip with the fogs out of the bumper, so hopefully it will be easier to do for everyone else. I haven't taken pics of the fogs on with the new bulbs, but so far in the day they look like a bright white so I'd say they are worth the $30!
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08-24-2011, 10:35 AM | #17 | |
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Could you please post some pictures and instructions? Thanks!
Quote:
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08-24-2011, 09:59 PM | #19 |
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Fog Lights
Fog lights are for FOG and a "yellow" light works best. I have bulbs on order from Bimmian.com
XEYAAA1YY Xenesis Yellow Bulbs For All Vehicles H11 Style Bulb Pair I would like to see the pictures of the fog lights removed. I agree the instructions seem a little vague and I would hate to damage the lens. |
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08-25-2011, 01:32 PM | #20 |
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Sorry for the delay. I have added a few pictures of the passenger side foglight removed, notice that I'm showing the metal clip that you have to press down on to release the foglight from the bumper (There are 2 pics, a side view to show how you press down on it, then a front view so you will know what to look for in the bumper), then you pull out the foglight with the black plastic clip that I'm pointing to in the last picture. I used the screw driver from the tool kit in the X3 because the manual acted like that was the only tool that would work, but Im sure you could use any old screwdriver that is long enough.
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03-02-2014, 01:54 PM | #21 | |
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thanks for this thread
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Local BMW wanted $380 to replace my left driver fog light. Said he had to remove tire and go in through the wheel well. I set appointment and then found this. Removed the light and ordered new light for $140 in less than 10 mins. Hate a dishonest shop makes me want to go in and talk to manager. Thanks again.. |
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03-02-2014, 03:18 PM | #22 |
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I discovered an easy solution to removing and reinserting the fog lights. Attach a suction cup (I use a Garmin GPS suction cup) to the front of the lens then it is much easier to use your other hand to disengage the retention clip.
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