Stealthy_S2K

I got a catalog from my BMW parts supplier. In the catalog, there is a section for Hella Optilux bulb. Appreantly, this bulb is filled with Xenon gas and it runs on 12V power.

From Hella's website, these are the available size for the bulb.
Optilux Bulb 9004 12V 65/45W
Optilux Bulb 9004 12V 100/80W
Optilux Bulb 9005 12V 65W
Optilux Bulb 9005 12V 100W
Optilux Bulb 9006 12V 55W
Optilux Bulb 9006 12V 80W
Optilux Bulb 9007 12V 65/55W
Optilux Bulb 9007 12V 100/80W
Optilux Bulb H1 12V 55W
Optilux Bulb H1 12V 100W
Optilux Bulb H3 12V 55W
Optilux Bulb H3 12V 100W
Optilux Bulb H7 12V 55W
Optilux Bulb H7 12V 100W
Optilux Bulb H4 12V 60/55W
Optilux Bulb H4 12V100/80W

What is our highbeam size? Anyone tried it? Does it look like Xenon? I hope these are better than our stock highbeam. I would love to try a set. Maybe even a GB

Jimmy325

Hey Perry,

I have personal experience with the Hella Optilux Light bulb. I got a set in H1 fitment, 100watt. I saw pics of those light output and it's supposed to be somewhat whitish blue as compared to the regular halogen. But, when I put mine in, it was still same color as the halogen. I was so disappointed. What I suggest is you try 100watt halogens, make sure the light housing won't melt and your wiring harness is for 100watts.

I put them in my low beams on the euro lights for my 325i. After a while, I took them out. The regular Halogen 100watt is still the brightest. The next step up would be true xenon/HID.

Jimmy

Stealthy_S2K

I was hoping the bulb will somewhat looks like Xenon. so, it will match my low beam xenon. Guess I better save the money and put it else where.

Jimmy - What kind of bulb are you running in your BMW? I have to get something for my BMW also. It is just too dim at night. I am looking for some other way to improve my lighting other than Euro Headlamp. Any suggestions?

Jimmy325

Perry,

I'm running the euro projector light setup with H1s for both lows and highs. I think I'm currently running 55watt since all my 100watt bulbs pretty much burned out so fast. I forgot what I have in my high beams.

Anyway, aside from the euro lights, there really isn't any way to improve the lighting on the stock US lights. They pretty much kinda suck, if you ask me. The euro lights is the only way to increase light output on the 3 series. People had tired higher wattage bulbs on the US light housing, even HID in the US light housing, but the light is so scattered, it's just not effective.

Jimmy

Takashi KazuMori

The correct highbeam size, voltage and wattage for the S2000 is no doubt - H1 12V 55W. While if you use a higher wattage bulb like 100W ... You risk blowing the bulb which is the common case or even drastic, the entire bulb exploding inside the casing ... Just imagine the clean up is like.

To safely run a higher wattage bulb over 55W ... You need to upgrade the power cables, you can get them at PIAA easily. Which will allow you to run higher wattage bulbs correctly and safely for long periods of times. Other than which if you find that troublesome, just stick with a conventional 55W bulb to have the highest lifetime possible for the bulb and not risk blowing bulbs or burning up your electrical cables.

Stealthy_S2K

This is what I got from BMW UUC Digest. So, I guess these bulbs will not do as advertised. Damn.
[QUOTE]
Perry:

Scott forwarded your question to me.

AusS2000

I replaced my highbeams with several different H1 bulbs. The PIAA 55->80's were a complete waste. The best result was from some 100W'ers from 4IG. that's what I run these days and they are much brighter and whiter.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...light=high+beam