vchris1987

The last few nights I have noticed that my lights are aiming a bit low, and the bulbs are almost 7 years old so I am going to replace them.

Have you guys tried the OSRAM D1S XENARC NIGHTBREAKER? I am between Phillips and OSRAM! What about the H7 the auxiliary one is it possible to fit a whiter bulb because it doesn't match the Xenon ones.

Thanks in advance

vchris1987

Someone?!

driveline

Replaced with osram in my 04 Ctt. Don't know about the Phillips.

Brit6

One of mine is a Philips and one is a Osram. That's what the dealer installed and I don't like it.

I will be buying 2 new bulbs but have not decided on which brand yet.

vchris1987

Are you going with stock bulbs at 4300K? I am thinking to try 5500K which is more bright and white.

Brit6

Stock bulbs, 4300k is the best option if you are looking for pure visability and less eye strain. I'll probably get 2 from suncoast or sonnen.

hahnmgh63

Phillips are OEM suppliers to most German autos but the Osram are a great brand and OEM supplier to some also. Osram is part of Sylvania group.

vchris1987

I still wonder if I should stay with 4300k either Phillips or Osram or try to go with 5500k for the xenon bulbs!! I am a bit confused because with 5500k they promise whiter and better light whereas others say 4300k is the way to go.

hahnmgh63

4300K is OEM for most German manufacturers but if you stay between 4300K & 6000K the light output is very close to the same. Closer to 6000K and you start to see more Blue, especially around the sides of the light output. More aftermarket bulbs go between 6000K & 8000K to get a little more of the Blue look but getting closer to 8000K and you are loosing actual light output (Lumens).

wrinkledpants

4300K puts out the most lumens, or usable light. Anything over this, and you move into the bluer spectrum, but lose lumens. It might look better, but you're sacrificing light output. That said, some bulbs can put out the same lumens as an entry level 4300K bulb, but at a higher color temp because they take a bit more power to operate. Osram's 5000K CBI bulbs are brighter than their basic 4300K bulb, but they require a bit more juice to power. So, an aging ballast might not be able to fire them. The bulbs aren't cheap if you buy them from a reputable seller, though.

I paid $200 for my CBI bulbs, and $70 for the entry level Osram 4300K. I don't have enough miles on the 5000K bulbs to know if they last as long as the basic ones, but they do seem to be brighter and bluer. My ballasts are on their last legs, though, and had to swap back the basic bulbs until I get new ballasts.

vchris1987

Thank you for the detailed info wrinkledpants. I was looking towards Osram Night breaker which are around 4800k, not sure though. From the specs I saw that are all 35w so I can't understand whether they need more power or not. A reputable shop in Greece quoted me €230. For Osram CBI at 5500k asked €190.
And for Phillips X-treme Vision €165

How can I check my ballasts condition? Is there way? Or assuming from the mileage?!

wrinkledpants

It's less about their rated power, and more about the threshold they need for wattage to ignite. A factory 4300K bulb will ignite (turn on) with decreasing power down to a point where they're barely putting out any light (but still turning on). A higher performance bulb won't turn on with anything less than full wattage from the ballast. I'd say 100K miles, and your ballasts are going to be showing their age.

vchris1987

Usefull info there. I am at 120k miles however I haven't seen any problems with the ballast. Guess I have to learn the hard way
Wondering if there is a way to measure the wattage of the ballast before changing bulbs?!

vchris1987

Just found out that the ballasts have an expected life of 2000h.

endless_corners

5000k is the color of light at noon. 4k is a touch towards yellow. 6k is a bit towards blue which can read "whiter" to some people.