Factory HID question

[Demringstho864]

My car is a 2009 Factory Bi xenon headlights. The low beams dont seam to be as bright as say they were , so I drive with my high beams alot. Do they tend to dim like normal bulbs over time ?? I drive with my high beams on 80% of the time with no complains or being flashed(yes I turn them off when traffic is coming towards me). Recommended upgrades ???

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

My car is a 2009 Factory Bi xenon headlights. The low beams dont seam to be as bright as say they were , so I drive with my high beams alot. Do they tend to dim like normal bulbs over time ?? I drive with my high beams on 80% of the time with no complains or being flashed(yes I turn them off when traffic is coming towards me). Recommended upgrades ???

Replace your bulbs at once, you shouldn't be driving with your high beams on to "make up" for dim headlights.

[Project Quattro]

Check that they are aimed correctly, and if they are and they still aren't bright enough, replace them.

[Demringstho864]

i was reading thru the threads are 5000K or 6000K a good upgrade. im used to white HID lights

[treginginco]

Once you start going higher than 5000k-5500k, you begun to start losing usable light according to everything I've read.

[SejRamkas]

I had a bulb go out in my 2009. Made the light much more dim and a more purplish color when you looked at the light. It gave me a "dipped right headlight" error. Bought a Phillips replacement on Amazon and it matched the stock perfectly.

[dscline]

Do they tend to dim like normal bulbs over time ??

Yes. But even at 70% after 2000hrs, they are still a lot brighter than halogens.

[JeriQo]

I had a bulb go out in my 2009. Made the light much more dim and a more purplish color when you looked at the light. It gave me a "dipped right headlight" error. Bought a Phillips replacement on Amazon and it matched the stock perfectly.

What bulbs are these? I want ones with that purple like this you mentioned.

[dscline]

Pretty much any HID bulb that is towards the end of its life.

[skis4hire]

take a look at the headlight lens - is it significantly yellowed/pitted? You can polish them to get more light out. There are kits for it.

[SDF1]

Where are you guys buying your bulbs from?

I have a 2009 and my lights are getting pretty dim.

[dscline]

I bought some of the Philips Extreme +50% bulbs from HIDconcepts about a year ago, but I just got around to putting them in about a month ago. Personally, I think the "+50%" is more hype than anything, I don't really feel like they're much brighter than the stock bulbs, if at all. But they are whiter w/o giving up output, which you typically do have to sacrifice if going up in color temperature. They are rated @ 4800k, which is a nice white color, not yellow, but not some cheesy blue color either.

[JayCar]

Do yourself a favor and stay at the 5500K range. Like stated above, anything over that range and you start losing light output, there's zero benefit. Plus, they're illegal in most states. In TX, they'll pull you over for it as they aren't DOT approved and make driving at night hazardous.

[Liquid Smoke]

the high beams are the same bulb as the low beams, the only difference is the projector lens aim changes and spreads the light everywhere, rather than the normal cutoff we get. we only have 1 set of headlight bulbs, it acts as both hence the bi-xenon.

so if your high beams are bright but your low beams aren't, then check your alignment that the light is actually aiming high enough to reach enough road in front of you. i still have my original bulbs on my 09 and have recently bought a new set to replace them, they are still decent but could be brighter as they have dimmed slightly over time. i bought some Morimoto bulbs from theretrofitsource.com, prob best deal i found.

[jfo]

Personally, I would stay with the lamps that were spec'd for our car. I believe it's color temp is 4300k and it was chosen to provide the best performance with the optical system in the housing, without undue glare to oncoming drivers. You may get a bit more lumen output with 4800k, but it will also produce more glare.

[SDF1]

the high beams are the same bulb as the low beams, the only difference is the projector lens aim changes and spreads the light everywhere, rather than the normal cutoff we get. we only have 1 set of headlight bulbs, it acts as both hence the bi-xenon.

so if your high beams are bright but your low beams aren't, then check your alignment that the light is actually aiming high enough to reach enough road in front of you. i still have my original bulbs on my 09 and have recently bought a new set to replace them, they are still decent but could be brighter as they have dimmed slightly over time. i bought some Morimoto bulbs from theretrofitsource.com, prob best deal i found.

I did some research on Morimoto and can't find the same story anywhere. How do they compare to the OEMs?

[Liquid Smoke]

I did some research on Morimoto and can't find the same story anywhere. How do they compare to the OEMs?

what do you mean story? i got these here: Morimoto XB D3s bulbs, $70 for the pair. i have yet to install them but i've read pretty positive reviews and they are a known, reputable company. you may get longer lifespan out of Philips/Osram OEM level ones, but they are also twice or more expensive. but i've heard good reviews on these and will be installing them soon, my current bulbs are ok so im not in a rush but overall ive seen positive reviews on these.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/mo...d3s-bulbs.html

[SDF1]

Let me know once you've installed them.

[Demringstho864]

i ordered a set of 6000K for the headlights and some 6000K 55w for the fogs

[treginginco]

I bought some of the Philips Extreme +50% bulbs from HIDconcepts about a year ago, but I just got around to putting them in about a month ago. Personally, I think the "+50%" is more hype than anything, I don't really feel like they're much brighter than the stock bulbs, if at all. But they are whiter w/o giving up output, which you typically do have to sacrifice if going up in color temperature. They are rated @ 4800k, which is a nice white color, not yellow, but not some cheesy blue color either.

I put a set of these in my Touareg --- made a BIG difference. Really happy with them.

[SDF1]

Everyone is replacing their old/burned bulbs with these new Philips Extreme + 50% and see a BIG difference.
I wish someone would purchase one of each and try them side by side.

Because if you look at specs the numbers don't tell you much.
OSRAM D3S XENARC ORIGINAL 66340 3200 lm +/– 450 lm
Philips Xenon X-treme Vision D3S Lumens: 3200 +/- 480 lm
MORIMOTO XB HID 4500K:Warm White (~3500 lm)
DDM Ultra HID Bulbs D3S 3400 Lumens
DDM Apexcone D3S Up to 3200 Lumens using a 4300K bulb