New Bulbs
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Regional & Specific Forums
Forum Name: Irish Forum
Forum Discription: where Irish members can discuss upcoming events, etc.
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=43688
Printed Date: 25-April-2024 at 09:28
Topic: New Bulbs
Posted By: Jumbo
Subject: New Bulbs
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 12:30
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Hi
I have a 97 E39 and am doing alot of country night time driving and have noticed that my lights are not very good. Can anyone recommend new bulbs I can get that will improve the lights.
Thanks Brian ------------- Brian... |
Replies:
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 14:32
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Are yours the original light units or did you upgrade? I find mine (upgraded) to be quite good and am wondering if the reflective part is gone in yours ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 14:49
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Check to see if the adjusters in your lights are broken - you can do this by shaking the back of the light units carefully (there shouldn't be any give). If the lights are very loose, replace the broken adjusters, it's a very cheap way of getting the lights to shine on the ground (which is half the battle). It's a fairly common problem on the pre-facelift E39s. Other than that, as Killian suggested, I did the Hella upgrade on my old TDS - worked a treat. HIDs also work well on both pre & post facelift E39s. DO NOT try 100w bulbs - they will melt the reflectors of your lights. I've seen it happen several times. ------------- 
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 15:51
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Night time visibility on mine was similar disimproving. I replaced my headlights (using one of KB's cast off - thanks K Dipped lighting was one of the weak points on an e39 though so if you are comparing with another car it will always likely come out 2nd best. ------------- Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93. Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
) and a new one (broke an adjuster on the other of KB's) and things have improved significantly.Posted By: larzyh
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 17:03
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I use Osram Nightbreakers and find them a very good upgrade. They are 55 watt and not pretend-xenon though their light is definitely much whiter than standard bulbs. Only down sides are that they are quite expensive and don't seem to last long (I do drive with lights on, mind). ------------- Larzyh. Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
Posted By: irelandoffline
Date Posted: 16-January-2009 at 17:50
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I got a set of those Osrams for 18 quid on eBay, including shipping :)
------------- E39 Black, DSG off. http://www.elara.ie - elara.ie - http://www.boards.ie - boards.ie |