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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Msport bulb options?
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      12-27-2012, 11:25 AM   #1
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Msport bulb options?

I'm wondering what you have tried or would suggest be the best option for replacing the stock yellow Msport foglight bulbs. Options I've seen are xenon bulbs, Cree led, and h11 hid kits but didn't know which to get. Xenon were around $10-15 a set and the cree led or hid kit with error eliminator was around $50-60. There are so many hid kit brands also so didn't know which was reputable brand.
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      12-27-2012, 02:14 PM   #2
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Do not even think of the cheap HID kits. DDM and many others offer lifetime warranty on some made in China kits. I bought several kits for my previous car (Infiniti G37x) for the fog lights and they always flickered and one or the other went off after a short period of time. Then you end up uninstalling, replacing, etc. It's a PITA. Does not matter if you have standard, CANBUS, error eliminator etc. I'd go with an inexpensive CREE or blue bulbs of reputable brand, although they do not last too long either.
I'd only go with 5 Series HID Kit made by Philips. Genuine PHILIPS conversion kit ($269.99) plus the Problem Eliminator WRN-CNSLR (HID Problem Eliminator Plugs for 5 Series HID Kit 2011+).
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      12-27-2012, 05:02 PM   #3
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You do know Philips does not make conversion kit, that is Made in Germany. They are all made in China. Therefore, you are paying at least double or triple of the $ for the brand. At least, you are covered with legit warranty from Philips.
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      12-27-2012, 05:08 PM   #4
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I just replaced my stock bulbs with a set of $30.00 Hoen XenonMatch H11 55Watt bulbs. They look great and match my headlights perfectly.
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      12-27-2012, 08:13 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGr8Swami View Post
I just replaced my stock bulbs with a set of $30.00 Hoen XenonMatch H11 55Watt bulbs. They look great and match my headlights perfectly.
Do you mind taking a picture and posting it? I'd love to see how close the color is... Thanks in advance...
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      12-27-2012, 09:16 PM   #6
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I would appreciate that as well. Thanks!
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      12-28-2012, 12:28 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hufington
Do not even think of the cheap HID kits. DDM and many others offer lifetime warranty on some made in China kits. I bought several kits for my previous car (Infiniti G37x) for the fog lights and they always flickered and one or the other went off after a short period of time. Then you end up uninstalling, replacing, etc. It's a PITA. Does not matter if you have standard, CANBUS, error eliminator etc. I'd go with an inexpensive CREE or blue bulbs of reputable brand, although they do not last too long either.
I'd only go with 5 Series HID Kit made by Philips. Genuine PHILIPS conversion kit ($269.99) plus the Problem Eliminator WRN-CNSLR (HID Problem Eliminator Plugs for 5 Series HID Kit 2011+).
Ok. So don't go with DDM tuning? I saw they had good warranty on the h11 hid kit with error eliminator included for $50 or so. After researching on here another member got same ddm kit in 35w 5000k and said color was close to stock hid headlight.
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      12-28-2012, 10:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWF10 View Post
Ok. So don't go with DDM tuning? I saw they had good warranty on the h11 hid kit with error eliminator included for $50 or so. After researching on here another member got same ddm kit in 35w 5000k and said color was close to stock hid headlight.
I have had bad experience. First of all, all their products come directy from China and it took 24 days to receive. Within a week I started having random problems with both sides like one of the bulbs not coming on, flickering at the start which is not supposed to happen at all according to them, etc.

And in the end one was completely out. I had to go get it uninstalled (and paid for it since I have no garage *******. Then I had to send them back to CA. Both ballasts were flickering and one went completely off, but they only exchanged one and sent me one old one back! I did not even bother reinstalling them.

I guess it is a hit or miss with their products. The 5000K is really bright white and a great match with the headlights, by the way. I'd still definitely go with a reputable and well-made set for a $60K car. That's my opinion.
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      12-28-2012, 10:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobblehead View Post
You do know Philips does not make conversion kit, that is Made in Germany. They are all made in China. Therefore, you are paying at least double or triple of the $ for the brand. At least, you are covered with legit warranty from Philips.
Well, the Philips brand is more important than any unknown brand. They have more to loose in case their products are not up to the expectations.
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      12-29-2012, 11:10 AM   #10
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How did you guys remove the grill to get to your foglights? I've read the post on DIY replacing foglights bulbs but it seems like I'm going to break off the grill because I'm yanking it too hard.
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      12-29-2012, 01:01 PM   #11
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I also replaced my stock foglights with the Philips H11 CrystalVision Ultra for $30 (AMZN). They appear to match the headlights very well.

To remove the plastic grills pull outward very hard. I used two paint can openers but others have used bent coat hangers and you can also just use your fingers. Pull firmly and it will pop out. I would be more careful on an older car since plastic will get more brittle as it ages.
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      12-29-2012, 04:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyser Soze View Post
I also replaced my stock foglights with the Philips H11 CrystalVision Ultra for $30 (AMZN). They appear to match the headlights very well.

To remove the plastic grills pull outward very hard. I used two paint can openers but others have used bent coat hangers and you can also just use your fingers. Pull firmly and it will pop out. I would be more careful on an older car since plastic will get more brittle as it ages.
Crystal Vison is a good option. Also, Höen is a good option with their xenon match bulbs for $39 a set. I don't know the durability of Höen though.
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      12-29-2012, 10:18 PM   #13
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[QUOTE=marsb007]
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGr8Swami View Post
I just replaced my stock bulbs with a set of $30.00 Hoen XenonMatch H11 55Watt bulbs. They look great and match my headlights perfectly.
Quote:
Do you mind taking a picture and posting it? I'd love to see how close the color is... Thanks in advance...
Check http://www.hoen-USA.com and check out the pictures of the BMW's. I've run Hoen bulbs on my W8, and 3.6 4motion Passats and my B7 S4 with BiXenon headlights. Trust me, they look great and last longer than the Sylvania Silverstars! I'll take a picture once I get back home for the holidays.
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      12-30-2012, 01:38 AM   #14
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I think I may get the crystal vision as well. Is there a part#
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      12-30-2012, 03:24 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyser Soze
I also replaced my stock foglights with the Philips H11 CrystalVision Ultra for $30 (AMZN). They appear to match the headlights very well.

To remove the plastic grills pull outward very hard. I used two paint can openers but others have used bent coat hangers and you can also just use your fingers. Pull firmly and it will pop out. I would be more careful on an older car since plastic will get more brittle as it ages.
Thx. Ill try it out tmrw
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      12-30-2012, 11:34 PM   #16
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Hrrrm. So after reading these comments not sure if I want to get the Phillips crystal vision ultra or the Hoen xenon match bulbs. Which is better match with stock hid headlights and last longer? Seems like HID kits are too much trouble.

Had another question in regards to the 35w vs 55w bulbs. I know the h11 bulbs are default as 55w. I just did a msport front conversion so have the msport foglights. Would 55w bulb be compatible with my old wiring? Someone told me that it's different since I use to have the h8 bulbs for non-msport so might not be compatible. This doesn't sound right.
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      12-30-2012, 11:47 PM   #17
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Here are some LED replacement fog lights that match..

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=666582
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      12-31-2012, 09:03 AM   #18
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The DDM tuning kit with error cancellers works on my msport fogs but like others have said its hit or miss with them. I've gone throw two sets already but they are so cheap it didn't bother me. The "life time" warranty is a complete joke. You have to pay to send it back to them then let them "investigate" the problem before they ship anything back out to you. It will cost you half the amount of a new kit just to ship it so you might as well order a new kit. This is what they bank on you doing. Warranty is a joke.

What I recently did was swap out the kit with a morimoto 5five kit from theretrofitsource.com

So far it works great and seems to be better quality stuff all around. The owner Matt is also very helpful and responds to emails. My fog lights are brighter than ever with this setup and they actually help me see the road now.

Alan
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      01-02-2013, 11:33 AM   #19
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Anyone know what is the best bulb for "yellow" fog light?
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      01-02-2013, 03:06 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Anyone know what is the best bulb for "yellow" fog light?
This is the one I was recommended and got:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U3TTN6
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