128i love

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

I went through the fender well to access the bulbs. Turn the wheel all the way over and it'll expose a couple screws to unbolt and open it up enough to access the rear.

Can't comment on the fog wiring, but I run 65w low beams with no issues for over a year now

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Vague memories here as I tossed my fogs almost immediately, but IIRC you just push a screw driver into a tab/hole and it releases the fogs from the bumper. At that point you are free to do whatever you want to them.

Careful on running the significantly higher wattage bulbs. You might exceed the load capacity of the wire gauge used.

Wow, hope its that easy!
Thanks!

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Which brand did you end up purchasing?

TIA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/osram-64217-...item4ac7ca223e

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

We both run Osram 65w rallye bulbs.
Currently Aliexpress has the best rates on them- where I bought mine from ( identical to photos of Candelpower purchases from the other forums like VW). There is even a thread here that I updated 3 months back.
And I have a spare 2 bulb set my self, if your interested and dont care to wait for Ali.

Thanks!

Sounds like you got the real deal.

I'm a bit concerned with the bulbs currently being sold on Aliexpress. They claim "Made in Germany" but the seller is in Guangdong and they're selling them for $10.07 per pair, or about 1/3 the price of any others I've found. I find that suspicious.

I might stick with Candlepower, just to be safe.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Thanks!

Sounds like you got the real deal.

I'm a bit concerned with the bulbs currently being sold on Aliexpress. They claim "Made in Germany" but the seller is in Guangdong and they're selling them for $10.07 per pair, or about 1/3 the price of any others I've found. I find that suspicious.

I might stick with Candlepower, just to be safe.

Fair enough.
The bulbs, wherever they are really made, are identical to the photos of candlepower customers. That includes the text on the back and the weld burns marks on the back for the filament

I like you was skeptical, but for $10 I risked it, and got fast 1.5-2 week delivery. I though I would get some 55w knock off that was dim. What I got, was a surprise. I had to lower my headlights because I was blinding oncoming with my Low beams, something that didnt happen with OEM H7 or $75 PIAA 4200 Lumen white light 55w bulbs.
Now here you may say that I got some crazy 100w junk, but the headlight lens is no hotter than OEM H7 factory, the slight increase is barely noticeable.
And the light output has not diminished/dimmed since September. ( I will check periodically against my spare set)
Since then, I bought from that seller the following - 8 sets of the H7 65w for freinds ( VW, Merc) my high beams and set as spare. Currently waiting for H4 in oem Toyota 65/55w spec but the Rallye Osram branding and HB4/9006 70w 12v Phillips Rally for a friends Lancer.

After all this, you may still be skeptical and that is fine, I too have doubts about 90% from china, but so far have not been disappointed in this case.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Fair enough.
The bulbs, wherever they are really made, are identical to the photos of candlepower customers. That includes the text on the back and the weld burns marks on the back for the filament

I like you was skeptical, but for $10 I risked it, and got fast 1.5-2 week delivery. I though I would get some 55w knock off that was dim. What I got, was a surprise. I had to lower my headlights because I was blinding oncoming with my Low beams.
Now here you may say that I got some crazy 100w junk, but the headlight lens is no hotter than OEM H7 factory.

As you say, $10 isn't much of a risk. I may get a pair just for S&Gs.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

As you say, $10 isn't much of a risk. I may get a pair just for S&Gs.

Yeah, its worth a giggle.
If you dont trust/care for Ali, I have my bulbs, but would need to see how much Canadapost would charge to ship to cali

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Thanks!

Sounds like you got the real deal.

I'm a bit concerned with the bulbs currently being sold on Aliexpress. They claim "Made in Germany" but the seller is in Guangdong and they're selling them for $10.07 per pair, or about 1/3 the price of any others I've found. I find that suspicious.

I might stick with Candlepower, just to be safe.

I would. Knockoff bulbs is a HUGE market at this point. $10 is a pretty big risk when the consequences are more than just the money loss.

Here is a wonderful "Made in Germany" "Phillips" knockoff at work:

[chris82]

This is sketchy stuff, the distributors don't even know about it sometimes

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I would. Knockoff bulbs is a HUGE market at this point. $10 is a pretty big risk when the consequences are more than just the money loss.

Here is a wonderful "Made in Germany" "Phillips" knockoff at work:

It must be real bad if a Taiwanese blog site is complaining about Chinese knock-offs.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

It must be real bad if a Taiwanese blog site is complaining about Chinese knock-offs.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=974771

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=974771

I was referring to:
http://blog.brightstar.com.tw/2013/06/28/723/

but the "burned base" images are very popular reference photos. I found them on at least a half dozen sites.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

I was referring to:
http://blog.brightstar.com.tw/2013/06/28/723/

but the "burned base" images are very popular reference photos. I found them on at least a half dozen sites.

Are we debating that China makes terrible products with little regard to safety or quality?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Are we debating that China makes terrible products with little regard to safety or quality?

Not debating anything. Just observing that the problem is so bad that that particular image has been re-posted on many sites.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Not debating anything. Just observing that the problem is so bad that that particular image has been re-posted on many sites.

Ah, same page then.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I would. Knockoff bulbs is a HUGE market at this point. $10 is a pretty big risk when the consequences are more than just the money loss.

Here is a wonderful "Made in Germany" "Phillips" knockoff at work:

That is nasty. China HID retrofits FTL

Just so you guys know the Osram 65w photos I saw from candle power honestly look like knock offs. I can dig up and compare side by side with my set. That was why i chose to risk.

Here - Candlepower ugly looking bulbs= http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...86223&page=all

Here is official looking Amazon page - http://www.amazon.com/Osram-Sylvania.../dp/B00LE1UJLO
Notice the roughness of the black part of the base - the ceramic

Maybe an alternative for Candlepower- http://www.pmxtec.com/Bulbs.htm

[andrey_gta]

HAPPY NEW YEAR

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

That is nasty. China HID retrofits FTL

Just so you guys know the Osram 65w photos I saw from candle power honestly look like knock offs. I can dig up and compare side by side with my set. That was why i chose to risk.

Here - Candlepower ugly looking bulbs= http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...86223&page=all

Here is official looking Amazon page - http://www.amazon.com/Osram-Sylvania.../dp/B00LE1UJLO
Notice the roughness of the black part of the base - the ceramic

Maybe an alternative for Candlepower- http://www.pmxtec.com/Bulbs.htm

Candlepower's response to the Bob's the Oil Guy thread link:

"Hello Everyone.

Just thought I would add to the conversation, especially when Vikas and mine ongoing conversations about his "counterfeit" concerns were
thought as being private and not being "aired" out on a public forum. The matter was resolved much quicker than is depicted in this thread
when we decided to give him a new bulb and even paid the postage for him to send back the "defective" bulb...

Candlepower Inc. has been in business for 37 years and we supply the major warehouse distributors in North America, Japan, and Western
Europe with varying quality degrees. The Wagner Bulbs displayed in his pictures are Korean, and were supplied to Federal Mogul (Wagner)
by us. The Osram bulbs are genuine Osram, straight from Osram Netherlands and the serpentine finish with the gray writing and is used for
counterfeit prevention.

Comparing two manufacturers on two different type bulbs is like comparing a Lexus to a Toyota. Both Toyotas, but one is "cheaper" than is
the other. However, in this case, this comparison is similar to comparing a Yugo to a Lexus.

Please note the cheap (Korean) Wagner brand is three pieces stamped and solder-stitched together whereas the Osram has a single plane,
including the reference tabs in which the bulb and burner assembly are seated together forming a whole piece and providing a much much
higher quality bulb. In other words, the Osram filament is most likely to always, always, always, be placed in the optimum focal point of the
lens reflector. The filament in the Korean made lamp is rarely in tolerance for filament deflection and angles BECAUSE the reference plane
(the part that fits against the reflector housing) is soldered to the base and comes in many cockeyed configurations. But hey, that is what
Wagner (Federal Mogul) wants and that is what they get. Of note, Wagner also supplies Narva/Philips vanilla 9003 types for sales to
manufacturers whom follow a very stringent manufacturing / inspection process and would not tolerate ANY Korean bulb. They also do not
sell this type to the general public like we do.

The "rust" he describes and that shows on his photos is NOT the orange-red coating that forms on metal surfaces because of the oxidation of
the iron in their contents due to exposure to air and water. Look closely at his pictures again to see that the overspray from high temperature
soldering on the temperature proofed-impregnated phenolic plastic. We do NOT sell used bulbs.

The Osram Rallye Bulb is a 'high performance' bulb as well as a 'higher wattage' bulb and does not share the same 300/150 hour life of a standard H4, but based
on return customers, the life hours seem to be on the order of 200(ish)/100(ish) - Osram does NOT list the life hours for this type, but my data
is confirmed by those that have nightly commutes of 10 hours (yes, we have several ATM and Printer/Copier repairmen that purchase replacements every three to
six months - and each one has a special discounted rate).

Life hours is the moment when I should have 80% of the original lit bulbs still burning, but at a greatly reduced efficiency.. that means that 2 of
the 10 bulbs originally lit are presumed burnt out (less than avg. life hours). The others do not last much longer than this. Although one or two have sludge for filaments
and may burn for months; these are like Grandma's 40 year old toaster in that you have to turn the knob to 'dark" and press the toaster lever
down twice.... Take a look at your old bulbs the next time you replace them."

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Candlepower's response to the Bob's the Oil Guy thread link:

Always amusing when a highly knowledgeable vendor crushes an armchair expert.

[Gray_Panther]

^owned hahaha

[pj.rodriguez]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Wow, hope its that easy!
Thanks!

I was under the car and took off the belly panel and you can get the fogs that way also. Might be easier kgolf way though!

[mrvco]

is there a way to have this bulb discussion moved to its own thread?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mrvco

is there a way to have this bulb discussion moved to its own thread?

Why? Only the 128i has fog lights.