-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
E46 HID lights
- Thread starter Kurt Adv
- Start date
Sorted, I fitted an aftermarket ballast some time back but it was eratic, after hearing that BMW want R8k for a new ballast/controller, I cured the problem by shortening the 2 wires between the ballast and the globe, longer wires might have caused a small voltage drop, not really sure, but it now works every time. I bought the ballast and globes from Autostyle, way cheaper than BMW...
My E46 OEM xenon ballast was on the way out, it would power up but switch off after a minute. Also got shocked to see the price of R8k and importing would mean no real after sales support, should something go wrong.
Visited Jabsport last week and he sorted mine out by using his own ballasts and igniters, works a charm now. I even did LED fogs to match the xenons and it still worked out to less than importing 2 ballasts.
Visited Jabsport last week and he sorted mine out by using his own ballasts and igniters, works a charm now. I even did LED fogs to match the xenons and it still worked out to less than importing 2 ballasts.
Last edited:
what is the spread pattern like of those led fogs? I couldnt figure out what would work good for fogs when going LED. So really curious.
The best ones are those morimoto something like that, but they work specifically on the M3 and/or the mtech2 bumper. Still trying to figure out if they can be modded for mtech1.
@Tinuva the LED fogs are bright AF. I was able to drive at night with just the fogs and angel eyes, which was still better than my halogen headlights + halogen fogs. With the xenons on as well, I daresay the total light output is even better than the other cars.
I asked Jabba if there were any options to match the colour output of the xenons and he told me the LED fogs he has would be perfect, I didn't bother asking any more questions and asked him to fit it on. Don't think it is a 'branded' product but I have been using him for over 12 years since I had the Audi, so really trust his recommendations. Plus aftersales support is always a win.
I am actually going to get the X3 fogs upgraded to LED as well, hate the yellow look with the xenons on.
Ok but fogs is not about how bright they are but how they assist you when there is actual fog to see the road surface directly in front of you. Should be very wide and low where normal lights are less wide and reach further. There is reasoning behind how fogs should be different to low beams like low vs high beams.
Sent from my Mi 9T using Tapatalk
Sent from my Mi 9T using Tapatalk
I only fitted them on a few weeks ago and used the car a handful of times, with zero fog here in Durban. I can confirm that it seems to disperse a wide, low beam compared to the xenons, but will revert when I eventually experience some fog.
I just like the way it looks with the angel eyes on.. Rear fogs however will only ever be used in poor weather situations.
ok fair enough. We do have fog here quite a few mornings so thats why I am interested.
Out of interest sake. My fogs are still from factory. Now because this car was fitted with xenon and clear indicators as options, the fogs are actually different. They are still halogen and this you can still order from bmw. When I fixed the car after the accident I definitely noticed a part nr that mentions white fog bulbs.
This is what mine looks like. Excuse the dirt and rain.
Sent from my Mi 9T using Tapatalk
This is what mine looks like. Excuse the dirt and rain.
Sent from my Mi 9T using Tapatalk
Wow! Those LED fogs look cool...I replaced my foglight globes with LED some time back, the effect is good. My lenses got cracked over time, and I couldn't pay the R1600.00 + price each at BMW, removed the glass, cut out 5mm clear perspex and bonded them in, the OEM lens had no light spread effect, so clear perspex gives the same result.
Well your xenon's pattern at least is perfectly aligned
Is all I can see from that. The fogs probably need to go wider for real fog usage.
Haha, I am pretty chuffed tbh, that pic is with the area in darkness. I feel like I need to adjust my xenons though, as they throw too low/close to the bumper.Well your xenon's pattern at least is perfectly aligned
I actually battled with my old halogen lights at night, after getting used to xenons in all the other cars. Feel like I am driving during the day with these now.
