Stock HID color temp?

[blkrhyno]

Can anyone tell me the color temp of the stock HIDs on a 04 A6 s-line? I want to order a HID kit for my fogs but I want the color to match as close as possible and i know the fogs should really be yellow but I'm going for looks not functionality.

[Daft]

The stock bulbs are 4200K.

Philips Factory Spec sheet.

[Silverstreak98]

Yep, but I am guessing that you have had your HID bulbs in your car for some time now.

Therefore, they have probably color shifted and are closer to 5000k.

[blkrhyno]

Thanks guys

[Stampy]

a 4300 or 6000K set would probably match your stockers best.

[B7 Projectile]

a 4300 or 6000K set would probably match your stockers best.

I just installed 5000K HID's three days ago, well.. I'm upgrading my headlights to 5000K.. It looks like my headlights are just halogen with the new HID's... Gives a sick blueish tint to the light, sets the car off well.

[c1rca]

I just installed 5000K HID's three days ago, well.. I'm upgrading my headlights to 5000K.. It looks like my headlights are just halogen with the new HID's... Gives a sick blueish tint to the light, sets the car off well.

get some real HIDs. I hate people who have HID bulbs. They blind everybody because there in no cutoff so the light just goes everywhere.

[blkrhyno]

Yes of course I'm gettin the kit, I'm just trying to match them as close to my stock HIDs as possible. I'm thinking of getting the 6000k and hope that matches well.

[c1rca]

i was talking to the guy above me.

[oc-drop]

if you get a "kit" ~ add oem xenon projectors for best results

[speedydragon]

get some real HIDs. I hate people who have HID bulbs. They blind everybody because there in no cutoff so the light just goes everywhere.

the projector should still give the cutoff look.

[PMR2.7t]

Im useing 6000K for headlights and fogs very happy with the look

[East2.7Six]

im using real HID from piaa 6000k with the clear corner bulbs to match next up is the fogs take a look at my profile pic

[blkrhyno]

I wanted to purchase a pair of the projector fogs but they didn't look like they would fit my car, from what I can see the mounting holes don't match.

[blkrhyno]

Sorry c1rca for my misunderstanding

[scot_w]

Older Audi HIDs 4200K, newer Audis 5000K.

[Daft]

Older Audi HIDs 4200K, newer Audis 5000K.

There are no DOT approved 5000K bulbs.

Audi always used the Standard D2S and D1S bulbs from Philips, GE and Osram.

I've looked this up in ETKA to confirm.

As for newer cars from 2007 and onward, they have only switched to a 4200K D3S.

The difference here is that D3S bulbs look just like a D1S. The D3 bulbs are 100% mercury free.

The point is that they still run the standard 4200K color temp and 35W power consumption. Color and brightness has not increased.

[oc-drop]

I'm thinking people are getting confused with the phillips 85122+ that the dealers and various vendors sell. they are NOT 5000k; i think just the filament is a little different that allows the bulbs to (in a way) charge up quicker to match older more burned in bulbs.

all stock xenons come 4200 by law.

[Daft]

I'm thinking people are getting confused with the phillips 85122+ that the dealers and various vendors sell. they are NOT 5000k; i think just the filament is a little different that allows the bulbs to (in a way) charge up quicker to match older more burned in bulbs.

all stock xenons come 4200 by law.

Yes, the 85122+ is definitely advertised all over the internet and Ebay as 5000K bulbs. Unfortunately, they are the same color temp as the standard 85122 Philips bulb.

The difference with the plus bulb is that it has additives inside the gas capsule that help prevent color shift as the bulb ages.

I ran a set of 85122+ bulbs on my old A4 and they barely changed color over a 2 year period (with an hour of use per day and 5 days a week of commutes).

Personally, I've never seen any Federal law that requires any specific color temp. I just know that based on the testing that companies like Philips and Osram conducted in the 90's, the best possible light output/color temp was present in the 4100K-4300K color temp range.

It's pretty impressive how much light the OEM bulbs make at 35W.

Philips 85122 = 3200lm
Philips 85122+ = 3400lm

Philips 85122WX (6000K Ultinon Bulb) = 2400lm
GE Xensation 10000K = 1850lm < What a waste of money...lol.

[Silverstreak98]

There are no DOT approved 5000K bulbs.

Audi always used the Standard D2S and D1S bulbs from Philips, GE and Osram.

I've looked this up in ETKA to confirm.

As for newer cars from 2007 and onward, they have only switched to a 4200K D3S.

The difference here is that D3S bulbs look just like a D1S. The D3 bulbs are 100% mercury free.

The point is that they still run the standard 4200K color temp and 35W power consumption. Color and brightness has not increased.

You mean D4S......pretty sure there is no D3S.

[Daft]

You mean D4S......pretty sure there is no D3S.

Au contraire, mon frère:

D3S is the mercury free version of the D1S type bulb (igniter built into bulb)

D4S is the mercury free version of the D2S type bulb (igniter built into ballast) Part number: 42402

Here's the D4S spec sheet: PDF File

I've looked at all the new models from 2007 and on. The only car so far that uses the D3S is the A5/S5. The R8 even uses the older D1S.

I have found no Audi vehicles that use the D4S bulb yet. Only the D2S in the older cars (like the C5 A6 and D2 A8 for example).

I bought a set of D4S bulbs several years ago and tried them out in my Hella LVQ-212 D2S ballasts. Again, they were still 4200K bulbs. They had a big icon that showed the Mercury element "Hg" with a big circle and line through it.

I still see the D4S bulbs advertised on Ebay as 4800K and 3000+ lm. lol. Too funny.

[oc-drop]

oh the ever so elusive Philips 85122WX (6000K Ultinon Bulb)

Could never find any under $100 each =(

[Daft]

oh the ever so elusive Philips 85122WX (6000K Ultinon Bulb)

Could never find any under $100 each =(

They're $185 on Ebay. Plus some shipping of course.

But honestly, why bother, they are like 1000lm less that the 85122+.

I'm gonna buy a set of Color Match bulbs one of these days when I have $200 to spare. Those are the best combo out there.

4800K color temp and still makes 3100lm of light.

[Das General]

I think a lot of people assume AUDI stepped there game up to some ballin ass color temps, but I would assume much of the color change has to due with the actual lense and housing itself.

[Daft]

I think a lot of people assume AUDI stepped there game up to some ballin ass color temps, but I would assume much of the color change has to due with the actual lense and housing itself.

Exactly right Derek. The projector lense creates a fair amount of light refraction and since blue/purple are the longest wavelengths for light (most energy), they outreach the yellow/green colors. So as a projector equipped car approaches from 1/4 mile away, it looks like the lights are purple. As you get closer they shift from purple to blue to white to yellow.

The thing that these 6000K bulbs do is make the light blue when you are standing 10 feet from the light. When you are 1/4 mile away, the light is still blue but, significantly dimmer than a regular 4200K bulb.

This is of course when you are sitting/standing lower than the cutoff of the beam and the light is shinning in your eyes....

[Silverstreak98]

Thanks for the info Daft.....I see you are an HID nut! I'm quite into them as well so its nice to learn something new.

I agree the 85122CM are the way to go if you are looking for more color.

[blkrhyno]

I see that you guys have a lot of knowledge when it comes to these cars but can anyone tell me if the projector fogs will fit my o4 A6 s-line?

[oc-drop]

you mean the fogs for 98-01?

They shouldn't fit, totally different size so they won't mount, or even sit flush with the grills.

[blkrhyno]

Thanks oc-drop that's what i wanted to know

[tquattro2004]

If I was to purchase an HID fog light Kit, would the light output match my headlights, since they are not projection as the headlights are? Is this true? I am still a little confused. I found a few 4200k kits that I assume, would fit right in to my fog lights housing.
And not to confuse things anymore but the fog light bulbs for 2004 Audi a6 2.7 are H7 bulbs, which I was told are headlight bulbs. Can they be switched to a H7 hid swap?
Sorry if I am sounding ignorant, but I am confused with all of this.
All I want to do is find HID kit that will match to my OEM HID projector headlights. If anyone can recommend a brand, I appreciate it. Thanks
Here is a picture of what Hid fog lights shouldn't look like( picture 11, 13
http://xenoneyes.com/index.php?page=gallery

[Daft]

Technically, yes you can put an rebased H7 HID bulb in the housing. You will have to cut a hole in the rear cover to plumb the ballast line into the fog light and you will have to find a home for the ballast near by. You can power the ballasts off of the stock fog light harness since it was made for an H7 bulb (bigger fuse and wiring than an H3 or H11 bulb would need) that consumes 55watts.

The items that I would like to point out in this plan is that:

a. The stock reflector fog housing will not create a suitable beam pattern for an HID bulb. You will spray the light in alot more places that you wanted and the beam will not be focused like a projector so your actual beam will not be as bright on the road surface.

b. HID lighting is whiter and brighter than halogen. This is not ideal for actual fog/rain/snow situations since it tends to create alot of unwanted glare, much like using your high beams in those weather conditions.


In a nutshell, I don't see any value in using an HID system in your fogs unless you purely want it for appearance and do not care whether you can see in inclement weather or not. (or care about blinding others)

You could possibly do the projector fog lamp install like blkryhno is thinking of but, it will still create alot of extra glare in acutal fog. (and they only fit H3 bulbs) One way to counteract that glare would be to use the yellow 3000K bulbs which create alot of contrast on the road surface and can give you more depth perception in fog. In that case though, it would be cheaper and much easier to use Lamnix yellow film sheets to turn your fog lenses yellow.

[tquattro2004]

Daft, your knowledge is scary in a good way. My goal was just for looks, not functionality in bad weather driving. (Planning on picking up early- late 90's A4 for the bad days). My goal is not to blind other drivers, but retain that stock look, with adding a little style.
I was commenting on the H7 bulb as the fog light bulb. I wasn’t planning on using that as an HID replacement.
So the true way to does it right, would use and HID projector housing, with Hid bulb, hide the ballast, and fabricate a new grill. That would accomplish having your fog lights matching your headlights exactly.
Thanks for the info. Looks like this will not be a simple 2-3hrs, under $300 flip.
Daft maybe you know this. The hi beams on Audi A6 are they HID?
Here is a picture of what Hid fog lights shouldn't look like (picture 11, 13)
http://xenoneyes.com/index.php?page=gallery

[blkrhyno]

I'm thinking of purchasing the projector fogs anyway and then fabricate a base to fit housing to my car. I know that it might be a little work getting them to aim right but it might be a fun project for me. What kind of bulbs do you have in your fogs daft?

[Daft]

Daft maybe you know this. The hi beams on Audi A6 are they HID?

The headlights on the 2000-2002 cars are low beam HID only. These car purely rely on their halogen high beam lights.

The headlights from 2003+ are Bixenon. Projector opens fully to allow unrestricted lighting to the entire roadway. It also runs the high beam H7 reflector as well.

[Daft]

I'm thinking of purchasing the projector fogs anyway and then fabricate a base to fit housing to my car. I know that it might be a little work getting them to aim right but it might be a fun project for me. What kind of bulbs do you have in your fogs daft?

I have stock H7 bulbs. I had a set of Sylvania Silverstars on my old A4 for the fog and high beams (both used H7 bulbs) and it really wasn't any better than the plain jane H7 bulbs. Nor did it come close to matching the color of my OEM HID hardware.

[blkrhyno]

oh ok, did any of you ever purchase anything from the Vag Team store on ebay? I'm a little weary about ordering something from Hong Kong.

[East2.7Six]

i did and i got the exact item i wanted and it worked i order 3 items from them so far and no complaints yet

[blkrhyno]

Thanks east2.7six, I think that I'll go ahead and purchase the projector fogs from them.

[wofman]

This is a helluva thread! But I have to admit my ignorance on color temp and light output ratings, and I'm obviously in need of a primer if anybofy (Daft?) has patience to offer it or point me to right source.

I just had low beam headlight go out a few days ago. I have 2000 2.7t I got in February (now at 110K mi), clear lenses (a little milky, actually), presumably stock bulbs everywhere. Fogs lights are also out. So timing of this thread is great.

What do folks recommend? I want very good light performance, presumably strong blueish. I presume I have HIDs(?). Also want fogs that are functional, not projector type.

Has anybody switched fogs to come on with both settings: parking lights and full lights? Can fog lights be both good for fog and additional value as driving lights?

Thanks in advance to any help.

wofman

[East2.7Six]

yea there's a mod for the fog light to come on with the parking lights... very very simple mod.For your lens i would suggest getting a lens restoration kit they work great! It gets rid of the old acrylic material that makes your headlight foggy.. for HID blubs i would suggest getting 6000k for getting that blue you want just click on my avatar if thats the kind you want. Look up Stoneys Links for the fog light mod.