R36 Needs Xenon Bulbs!

[XXX-1.8T]

My left Xenon light went Pink so i need new Xenon Bulbs.

Which ones are the best?

Heard good things about the Philips X-Treme Visions 4600K?

What do i need to get is it a D1S 35w?

Do i need to take the bumper off to install?

[kamold]

I got these:
2 x D1S Replacement HID XENON Bulbs 4300K 5000K 6000K 8000K 10000K-in Light Source from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-x-D1S-Replacement-HID-XENON-Bulbs-4300K-5000K-6000K-8000K-10000K/1667662954.html)

In 6000K for my Octy and R36. Very happy with them and you can't beat the price...they say genuine on them, made in Germany though I suspect they may not be. But I've had them now for over 6 months and no issues in either car. Very happy with the crisp white appearance and the level of light output over the stock 4300Ks.

And yes you need to remove the bumper to get them out.....ridiculous I know. On my Octy its a 5 min job as the headlight assemblies just slide right out. Not so with the R36 :(

Buy two pairs just in case you have a failure, thats still about 80% less than market price for those bulbs.

[brad]

autobulbsdirect.co.uk

or

powerbulbs.com/au

[XXX-1.8T]

I got these:
2 x D1S Replacement HID XENON Bulbs 4300K 5000K 6000K 8000K 10000K-in Light Source from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-x-D1S-Replacement-HID-XENON-Bulbs-4300K-5000K-6000K-8000K-10000K/1667662954.html)

In 6000K for my Octy and R36. Very happy with them and you can't beat the price...they say genuine on them, made in Germany though I suspect they may not be. But I've had them now for over 6 months and no issues in either car. Very happy with the crisp white appearance and the level of light output over the stock 4300Ks.

And yes you need to remove the bumper to get them out.....ridiculous I know. On my Octy its a 5 min job as the headlight assemblies just slide right out. Not so with the R36 :(

Buy two pairs just in case you have a failure, thats still about 80% less than market price for those bulbs.

Yeah dont feel comfortable with buying no name brand bulbs.

Also 6000k looks whiter but produces less lumens than 4800K / 5000K bulbs

Any other suggestions on where i can get a good deal on these Philips bulbs?

[kamold]

They are Philips Xenarc globes, just can't vouch for their authenticity, only their performance. Have range of colour temps available.
I know there are fewer lumens but it's all about perception and I find 6000k easier on drivers eyes and provides better contrast, so for me it's better performance. Each to their own.

[snerlo]

Yeah, I have been asking myself these very questions of late because I really don't think that the performance of the standard xenons is really special. Hell, even my standard old XR8 had better vision than the xenons in the R36. When you pull up next to something like an audi, or beemer, or merc, or Honda, our bulbs really do seem quite pi$$ weak!! I am interested in getting some more light output from these things but not necessarily whiter, although, that may help too as Kamold has said. Bit of a tough one isn't it, and they aren't cheap to purchase either. I have heard that you should change them in pairs as well, because if one has gone, the other one will not be far behind. Interested to hear your response whichever way you decide to go mate. Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

[snerlo]

I just had a look at the link Kamold provided. Geeze, give it a go mate. Never know and for around $20, I think it is worth a shot, even if it is to check out the colour temp because I know that even Super cheap sell single xenon bulbs for about $100 a piece!!

[brad]

Yeah dont feel comfortable with buying no name brand bulbs.

Also 6000k looks whiter but produces less lumens than 4800K / 5000K bulbs

Any other suggestions on where i can get a good deal on these Philips bulbs?

Did you look at the links I posted? Genuine items & you'll have them in < 1 week.

re: colour temp of bulbs. I had 6000k & now have 4300k. 6000k is my preference but I'd be willing to give 5000k a shot. 4300k is really insipid

[kamold]

I just had a look at the link Kamold provided. Geeze, give it a go mate. Never know and for around $20, I think it is worth a shot, even if it is to check out the colour temp because I know that even Super cheap sell single xenon bulbs for about $100 a piece!!
That was my thought too when I found them. Nothing to lose at that price compared to everywhere else and I've been really happy with both sets.

[kamold]

Did you look at the links I posted? Genuine items & you'll have them in < 1 week.

re: colour temp of bulbs. I had 6000k & now have 4300k. 6000k is my preference but I'd be willing to give 5000k a shot. 4300k is really insipid
I'm not saying mine aren't genuine, am just suspicious at that price.
Happy to show them to anyone in Sydney as taking a photo is pointless.

[XXX-1.8T]

Did you look at the links I posted? Genuine items & you'll have them in < 1 week.

re: colour temp of bulbs. I had 6000k & now have 4300k. 6000k is my preference but I'd be willing to give 5000k a shot. 4300k is really insipid

Hi Brad,

I looked at the links but these guys are over priced.

I found the genuine article from Ebay for $208 shipped from the USA

May have to organise a meeting Karmold hmmmmm

Osram make Xenarc's as Philips rival.

[kamold]

Sorry I was confused. My Octy had one Osram and one Philips in it from the factory, hence my confusion ;)

Philips Xenstart are apparently largely counterfeit online, some reports up to 80% are not genuine.

While I understand the need to protect IP, I really can't fault the quality of these bulbs 6 months into using them. Have performed really well and look good. So the salts they use are probably not up to the same standard as the real deal but have a look at them in use and you'll wonder why the genuine ones cost so much more...

You're welcome to have a sticky beak whenever you want.

[XXX-1.8T]

I got in touch with the seller on Ali Baba and he couldnt confirm the Lumen output so for me i decided not to go with them.

They may be ok for the price but you get what you pay for like with all things in life.

I decided to go with the Osram 5500K Xenarc Bulbs from Germany as I got them for $140 shipped.

They measure at 3200LM just like the Philip's but at $70 cheaper went for these.

Keep you posted on how they go.

[snerlo]

Good stuff mate. Really interested to see the difference between the standard bulb and these mate so it would be good to hear your views on them, or see the difference if there is any (ie. photos). Like I said in my post, the light output from the standard xenons is not really that great. I'm after something that brings the light output up with the other premium cars driving around!!

[XXX-1.8T]

I know most of BMW's, Audis, and Mercs are at 3000 Lumens so these rated at 3200 should be nice and powerful.

Cant wait!

[dannyjak]

Where did you get these from?


I got in touch with the seller on Ali Baba and he couldnt confirm the Lumen output so for me i decided not to go with them.

They may be ok for the price but you get what you pay for like with all things in life.

I decided to go with the Osram 5500K Xenarc Bulbs from Germany as I got them for $140 shipped.

They measure at 3200LM just like the Philip's but at $70 cheaper went for these.

Keep you posted on how they go.

[XXX-1.8T]

This is where i got them from:

2 X D1S Osram CBI Cool Blue Intense XENARC35W Xenon HID Bulb 5500K Best Quality | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-x-D1S-OSRAM-CBI-COOL-BLUE-INTENSE-Xenarc35W-Xenon-HID-BULB-5500K-BEST-QUALITY-/301251965861?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item46240433a5)

[profrat]

I am led to understand that to increase the light output, the globe is not changed, the ballast output is increased.

Is it possible to get higher output ballasts for the R36.

My experience is the same as Snerlo. My BA XR6 turbo has FAR better headlights than the Xenon R36. Especially on high beam!

I have been trying to work out how to fit some HID driving lights but finding some solid steel bodywork somewhere near the nose to mount a light bar too has beaten me. :(

[snerlo]

Keen to hear how the new bulbs are going mate. Any review coming?

[XXX-1.8T]

Bulbs are great much brighter than standard.

The issue i had was with the seller.

First batch that came one of the bulbs were flickering.

Took it to my mechanic to install and he said it was the igniter.

So took it to VW and they said they couldnt diagnose the problem as i wasnt using Genuine VW Bulbs - WTF?

Messaged the seller and he sent me another bulb to test.

It solved the problem but pissed off that one of the bulbs was faulty in the first place.

Great bulbs highly recommend them as the output is much stronger than standard.

Maybe buy from someone else as he may have a bad batch.