Blue/White Headlights-good or bad?

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   Hi folks, can anyone tell me of any improvements in night time visibilty after fitting "Blue/white" lightbulbs to the front of an E36. I must be getting on a bit (only 39!) and have noticed slight drop in my night vision capabilities with ordinary bulbs. Yes, the ones fitted at present are new and the contacts are clean, steady 12v as well. I think they look ok on other cars but are there any benefits for the driver? 

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Wonkydog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member II Joined: 29-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 196	Topic: Blue/White Headlights-good or bad? Posted: 24-February-2003 at 19:55
	Hi folks, can anyone tell me of any improvements in night time visibilty after fitting "Blue/white" lightbulbs to the front of an E36. I must be getting on a bit (only 39!) and have noticed slight drop in my night vision capabilities with ordinary bulbs. Yes, the ones fitted at present are new and the contacts are clean, steady 12v as well. I think they look ok on other cars but are there any benefits for the driver?

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Webdunk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Moderator Group M3 GT Register Joined: 16-October-2002 Location: Central Scotland Status: Offline Points: 5245	Posted: 25-February-2003 at 09:41
	I use Phillips Vision Plus which claim to be whiter and brighter. I think they're a little better than OEM but (if you'll excuse the pun) the difference is hardly night and day ;-)


Wonkydog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member II Joined: 29-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 196	Posted: 26-February-2003 at 20:53
	Thanks for the reply, I'm not really sure what to do. Especially since the summer is coming with those long bright sunny days. I commute to work and as it will be light when I get up, and when I travel home I think I will leave the upgrade until the autumn as I do very little night driving. Cheers.

Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Posted: 26-February-2003 at 22:15
	I must be getting old, I hate those blue tinged lights, something about "WHITE" lights to the front in the highway code, also those stupid blue washer jets, and blue lights behind the grill that the kids are fond of these days. Those multicloured thingy's that are fitted to vauxhall omega's etc are good, I've driven a dew, does anyone know if you can put them in beemers??
	Best Wishes Nigel

Webdunk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Moderator Group M3 GT Register Joined: 16-October-2002 Location: Central Scotland Status: Offline Points: 5245	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 09:13
	Quote: Originally posted by Nigel on 26-February-2003 Those multicloured thingy's that are fitted to vauxhall omega's etc are good, I've driven a dew, does anyone know if you can put them in beemers?? What do you mean? The headlights that appear to flip through blue/purple/white and all points in between? If so, they're HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights. BMWs can come with this as factory fit, http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/ (among others) do retrofit kits, but they're pricey.


b318isp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2057	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 13:18
	I have them in my Omega. They are brighter and (supposedly) closer to natural light. In reality, they are only marginally better. My E30 still has one the best lighting of any car I have driven with the ellipsoidal lens. I personally would not spend bug bucks on upgrading.

kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 13:58
	Quote: Originally posted by Nigel on 26-February-2003 I must be getting old, I hate those blue tinged lights, something about "WHITE" lights to the front in the highway code, also those stupid blue washer jets, and blue lights behind the grill that the kids are fond of these days. What about the blue / pink neon underneath?
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

Webdunk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Moderator Group M3 GT Register Joined: 16-October-2002 Location: Central Scotland Status: Offline Points: 5245	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 14:33
	Quote: Originally posted by kbannon on 27-February-2003 What about the blue / pink neon underneath? <spliff>But, like, the car totally looks like it's floating man </spliff>


kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 15:07
	it is becomming increasingly popular over here in Dublin with the boy racers (usually matched by the sporty seatbelt cushions)
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

kdevitt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 27-February-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 904	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 15:59
	I did up a comparison of normal bulbs v the philips bulbs my my site. When I post up the pictures you'll actually be quite surprised at the difference... The bulbs are definitely worth the premium price imho

Rhys Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Coffee addict... Joined: 02-February-2003 Location: from the Latin locātiō Status: Offline Points: 10053	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 17:13
	I changed my bulbs for those extra bright jobbies that Halfords do a few years ago, they were an improvement on the standard ones, made things a lot clearer. I'm now trying the all weather ones they market which are yellowish with a rainbow effect round the edges, not as bright but supposed to cut through the rain and fog a bit better. In the end you drive to suit the conditions. As for those blue lights, I keep thinking theres coppers following me, then again I'm a good boy and only do 69mph on the motorway...
	V reg Rustbucket Merc C220 Cdi estate J Reg Saab 900i 16v '63 Ford Anglia 105e deluxe R reg Honda PC50 moped.. No BMW as yet...

Wonkydog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member II Joined: 29-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 196	Posted: 28-February-2003 at 20:08
	After what you guys have said, I will give the Phillips bulbs a try. Especially as one of my ordinary jobbies has just gone on the way home from work this evening! Does my car know what I am thinking? spooky if you ask me. I agree with Nigel though, those stupid blue washer jets are a joke.