BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-31-2011, 02:41 AM   #1
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

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?
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2011, 07:39 AM   #2
Lotus7
Major
United_States
68
Rep
1,041
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

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..
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2011, 09:54 AM   #3
NYC_340i
Lieutenant
United_States
207
Rep
547
Posts

Drives: '20 M340i xDrive, '11 X3 28i
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

I personally never turn my fog lights on unless there is fog. Wouldn't bother changing them out.
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2011, 11:33 PM   #4
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

The fog lights come on automatically when you have adaptive lights.
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2011, 04:45 AM   #5
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

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
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2011, 08:25 PM   #6
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

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.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 09:41 AM   #7
XenaBimmer
Captain
XenaBimmer's Avatar
United_States
61
Rep
702
Posts

Drives: '14 328i, '14 320i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (0)

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
__________________
2014 BMW 328i Sportline--Arctic White/Black, 8 speed
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 09:45 PM   #8
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Do you have a link to these Hoen Xeononmatch??
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 10:06 PM   #9
Lotus7
Major
United_States
68
Rep
1,041
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

Google is your friend.
http://www.hoen-usa.com/fog.htm
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 10:35 PM   #10
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

XenaBimmer - Can you confirm the bulbs in yours were H11 or H8?
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2011, 06:07 AM   #11
pokerface
Colonel
pokerface's Avatar
Canada
428
Rep
2,522
Posts

Drives: F25 X3 N20 / F80 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

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?
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2011, 07:35 AM   #12
XenaBimmer
Captain
XenaBimmer's Avatar
United_States
61
Rep
702
Posts

Drives: '14 328i, '14 320i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by roders View Post
XenaBimmer - Can you confirm the bulbs in yours were H11 or H8?
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
__________________
2014 BMW 328i Sportline--Arctic White/Black, 8 speed
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2011, 11:50 AM   #13
509trooper
Staff Sergeant
United_States
6
Rep
138
Posts

Drives: X3 35i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by XenaBimmer View Post
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
Please post where you purchased your bulbs
__________________
AW/BLK leather 35i | premium | tech | sports pkgs | 19" 309 wheels
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2011, 11:59 AM   #14
XenaBimmer
Captain
XenaBimmer's Avatar
United_States
61
Rep
702
Posts

Drives: '14 328i, '14 320i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 509trooper View Post
Please post where you purchased your bulbs

directly from Hoen's website
__________________
2014 BMW 328i Sportline--Arctic White/Black, 8 speed
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2011, 12:34 PM   #15
Marketor
New Member
2
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

XenaBimmer: please keep us posted once it's installed. Pictures and feedback on ease of installation would be appreciated!
Appreciate 0
      08-06-2011, 05:18 PM   #16
XenaBimmer
Captain
XenaBimmer's Avatar
United_States
61
Rep
702
Posts

Drives: '14 328i, '14 320i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (0)

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!
__________________
2014 BMW 328i Sportline--Arctic White/Black, 8 speed
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2011, 10:35 AM   #17
richardchou
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
43
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i M Sport - White
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Edmonton, AB CAN

iTrader: (0)

Could you please post some pictures and instructions? Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by XenaBimmer View Post
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!
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2011, 01:18 PM   #18
xDrive35i
Lieutenant Colonel
xDrive35i's Avatar
United_States
122
Rep
1,781
Posts

Drives: Porsche Macan S
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

I like to activate my fog lights all the time at night because they illuminate the road more directly so I can more readily avoid potholes.
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2011, 09:59 PM   #19
ovrdriv
New Member
1
Rep
16
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 35i -Space Gray
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Louisville, Kentucky

iTrader: (0)

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.
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2011, 01:32 PM   #20
XenaBimmer
Captain
XenaBimmer's Avatar
United_States
61
Rep
702
Posts

Drives: '14 328i, '14 320i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (0)

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.
Attached Images
   
__________________
2014 BMW 328i Sportline--Arctic White/Black, 8 speed
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2014, 01:54 PM   #21
calikine
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW X3 Xdrive 35i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

thanks for this thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by XenaBimmer View Post
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.

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..
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2014, 03:18 PM   #22
pacecapt
Private
9
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3 M40i
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW 435i  [0.00]
2013 BMW X3 28i  [0.00]
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.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:23 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST