Trying Morimoto Xenon Bulbs
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
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I bought a pair of Morimoto XB35 6K xenon bulbs to replace the (probably) 12 year old original Philips D2S bulbs in my 2002. I bought them from TheRetrofitSource.com and they cost $50 for the pair. I took some pictures as I went along so that you can compare the original Philips with these. Obviously since I've just put them in, I can't speak to longevity but the bulbs look well made and came very well packaged.
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/41FAEFFB-6153-480D-8E61-16E89D6146D6.jpg)
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/801997EB-EAD5-4FA8-BE55-A38275AE4042.jpg)
I worked on the driver side headlight first (right side of picture) You can see what it looks like compared to the original Philips on the passenger side (left side of picture) The shot below was taken with the exposure set for the white box:
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/box_meter.png)
This one was taken with the exposure set for the Morimoto bulb:
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/bulb_meter.png)
Here's a shot showing the beam from the Morimoto on the white box:
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/D9F22724-3A15-4C1A-BD14-868E89A1565B.jpg)
Here's another showing the beam from the Philips on the white box (same distance):
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/6ADF4F5B-54C8-4CD4-A2DB-9283469AF4D0.jpg)
There was more chromatic fringing from the Philips, less even illumination and it didn't "look as bright." Of course, the Philips is a 12 year old bulb (probably) and has a different color temperature.
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/41FAEFFB-6153-480D-8E61-16E89D6146D6.jpg)
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/801997EB-EAD5-4FA8-BE55-A38275AE4042.jpg)
I worked on the driver side headlight first (right side of picture) You can see what it looks like compared to the original Philips on the passenger side (left side of picture) The shot below was taken with the exposure set for the white box:
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/box_meter.png)
This one was taken with the exposure set for the Morimoto bulb:
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/bulb_meter.png)
Here's a shot showing the beam from the Morimoto on the white box:
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/D9F22724-3A15-4C1A-BD14-868E89A1565B.jpg)
Here's another showing the beam from the Philips on the white box (same distance):
![](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/dsayed/6ADF4F5B-54C8-4CD4-A2DB-9283469AF4D0.jpg)
There was more chromatic fringing from the Philips, less even illumination and it didn't "look as bright." Of course, the Philips is a 12 year old bulb (probably) and has a different color temperature.
#2
Pro
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Great post. I have been considering an upgrade as well. The stock bulbs are pretty underwhelming.
Supposedly the D2S: Osram Xenarc 66240 CBI are some great bulbs per reviews but they are not cheap =0
Supposedly the D2S: Osram Xenarc 66240 CBI are some great bulbs per reviews but they are not cheap =0
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
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Thanks - I figured I'd try something cheap. So far so good. Drove at night for the first time yesterday and got good illumination although the through was not as far as I might like.
#4
Rennlist Member
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Great comparison shots, I've never seen someone take the time to take shots with the metering done like that.
6000k is starting to get into the blue range, so the fact the light doesn't throw as far as you'd hoped is caused by that, as the lumens drop quickly once you move above 5000k.
6000k is starting to get into the blue range, so the fact the light doesn't throw as far as you'd hoped is caused by that, as the lumens drop quickly once you move above 5000k.
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
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They are also available in 4300K and 5000K with 3200 lumens and 3050 lumen respectively. I may try one of those sets at some point. Replacing them really is very easy: once the headlights are out it is just two screws and the holder flips right off. TheRetrofitSource shipped them fast as well so I recommend them and they have the Osram Xenarc 66240 CBI and the Nightbreaker but those are almost $200... Maybe BAD.TAG will buy some and post a report
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#13
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Were the old bulbs not working anymore (no lights), or just not as bright as when new?
I'm asking because both of mine stopped working at the same time. Turned-off the car to put in gas and when re-started/turned-on the lights they stopped. This is strange as usually only one will die.
I'm asking because both of mine stopped working at the same time. Turned-off the car to put in gas and when re-started/turned-on the lights they stopped. This is strange as usually only one will die.
#15
Racer
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Were the old bulbs not working anymore (no lights), or just not as bright as when new?
I'm asking because both of mine stopped working at the same time. Turned-off the car to put in gas and when re-started/turned-on the lights they stopped. This is strange as usually only one will die.
I'm asking because both of mine stopped working at the same time. Turned-off the car to put in gas and when re-started/turned-on the lights they stopped. This is strange as usually only one will die.