[tboooe]

I am going to replace my stock Xenon bulbs. After searching this forum, it seems that the Osram CBI is most popular and the best price is from the retrofit source ($185 for two)? I just want a whiter light, not interested in anything with a blue tint so it seems its best to stay around 5000k? Anyway, would greatly appreciate people's input as well as pics if you have them.

Thank you.

[Robby29]

I got a pair from the retrofit source for about $140. The CBI are definitely whiter than the stock bulbs we have but they were still a little yellow for my taste. I ended up exchanging them for the Phillips 85410 WX Ultinon 6000k. Best upgrade on my car =) I also coded away the side amber lights from which I learned from your build thread and the angel lights matches the color output of the bulb. Visibility is Great!

[tboooe]

Thank you Robby29. Do you have an pics of the Philips lights? My concern is I don't want the lights to look blue. Did you buy them from the retrofit source as well?

[Robby29]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/633351.../shares/x7737i

Bought from the retrofit source as well

Pure white

[tboooe]

Thank you! So you dont see any blue-ness to the lights? Even the product description says
"slight tinge of blue". I also noticed the light output is little bit less than OEM (3000 vs 3400). Do you notice any less light output?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by tboooe

I am going to replace my stock Xenon bulbs. After searching this forum, it seems that the Osram CBI is most popular and the best price is from the retrofit source ($185 for two)? I just want a whiter light, not interested in anything with a blue tint so it seems its best to stay around 5000k? Anyway, would greatly appreciate people's input as well as pics if you have them.

Thank you.

Now that you've brought this up, I remember seeing a site where they sold OE bulbs and also improved OEM bulbs. More light output, not higher temperature.

[963mw]

I have the Osram Xenarc Nightbreaker Unlimited 4350K. The name is very long but so is their range. Amazing light output. I know it's not white but thought I'd throw it in if you're upgrading due to visibility issues.

[aktif8]

I had Ultinons on my last car, and ended up replacing them with cbi s. The Ultinons are show before go (slight bluish tinge for looks, lumens sacrificed vs stock) while the cbi bulbs are go before show (greater lumens vs stock while still a more white look, and great color flicker.)!

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by nickhelou

I have the Osram Xenarc Nightbreaker Unlimited 4350K. The name is very long but so is their range. Amazing light output. I know it's not white but thought I'd throw it in if you're upgrading due to visibility issues.

That's the name I was looking for. There was a competing Phillips bulb....

[963mw]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

That's the name I was looking for. There was a competing Phillips bulb....

Silverstar? I had something like that from Philips installed stock and they were utterly terrible.

[Chris93]

The standard Xenons are either Philips Xenstart or Osram Xenarc and these have a quoted 4300K colour so i don't think the nighbreakers will be that different in colour? They also quote 3200lumen for the night breaker ultimate and the same for the standard ones so i struggled to justify the cost.

nickhelou is the colour and performance really that different in real life?

[Robby29]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Thank you! So you dont see any blue-ness to the lights? Even the product description says
"slight tinge of blue". I also noticed the light output is little bit less than OEM (3000 vs 3400). Do you notice any less light output?

I had it on my car for about 4 months now and I have not notice any blue tinge. Yah, its a bit less output than stock but I came from a TLX with bright white LED output and I prefer these over the yellow output from our stock bulbs.

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by Robby29

I had it on my car for about 4 months now and I have not notice any blue tinge. Yah, its a bit less output than stock but I came from a TLX with bright white LED output and I prefer these over the yellow output from our stock bulbs.

I am sure a little less light output is probably fine for driving around Socal. If we lived in a more rural area with less overall light, then I wouldnt want any less light output.

[tomvu1606]

So if I want the output just like the LED headlights which one should I go with? And since my car is a lease, do you have some better deal for the headbulb like less than $100 or something? And does it need a ballast?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by tomvu1606

So if I want the output just like the LED headlights which one should I go with? And since my car is a lease, do you have some better deal for the headbulb like less than $100 or something? And does it need a ballast?

Not sure if the output will be "just like" LEDs. However, there should be an improvement over stock.

I don't think HID bulbs are cheap either. You won't need a ballast if you already have HIDs.

[tomvu1606]

That's what I figured I just wanted a white bright look better than the OEM of my current 15' 428. I saw one on eBay and it costs like $40 for a pair but I'm not sure about the quality.

So my car comes with the Xenon headlight will I need a ballast?

[tboooe]

No ballast needed if you already have HID, its just a bulb swap.

[thatg20guy]

I have the Osram CBI's and they're fantastic! Much better light output compared to the stock xenons on the F30 and the light is slightly whiter than stock as well. Though when compared to the full LED headlights, the white color isn't as "pure". Would highly recommend the CBI's!

[Gabreigns]

Question. How do you replace bulbs on an HID? My manual tells me to get it changed at an authorized stealership because of high voltage concerns.

[smithf80]

What about these?

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.Vk3P5YTpUk8

5500K and ~3400 lumens

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by smithf32

What about these?

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.Vk3P5YTpUk8

5500K and ~3400 lumens

Thanks man! This is exactly the ones I am referring too!