VancouverM

I was not really happy with the "look" of the lighting on my beast with the fog lights on. I feel the stock setup actually detracts from the appearance as the fogs produce a much warmer light than the xenons. I was obviously interested in a better colour temperature match between the fog lights and the AE xenons.

I looked around a bit, and decided I would try the "Premium Xenon" fog lights bulbs from www.bimmerxenon.com/. I recently received my order and installed them. I am very happy with the results!


BEFORE - Original OEM foglights



AFTER - New "Premium Xenon" foglights

I would have to say that the colour temperature match seems almost perfect to me! Because there has been a little bit written on removing and reinstalling the foglights, but no pictures (that I could find) I thought I would throw in two pics which I felt might be useful.

Removing the foglights is really straightforward. About the trickiest (and scariest) part is pushing in a screwdriver to depress the plastic retaining tab on the outside of the black plastic trim ring. I used a small flat blade screwdriver wraped in electrical tape. Once it is worked in between the paintwork and the trim, pry it out carefully.


(No idea why the foglights look like this in the photo, actually they were reasonably clean)

After removal of the ring (there are two more tabs on the opposite side of the black plastic housing, but they pull out fairly easily) you remove the retaining screw with a 8mm socket and out it comes. The only possible trick to reinstalling them, is making sure the plastic tab is correctly inserted in the metal retaining tab (circled in red below) or the foglight wont seat properly. The white plastic screw immediately above is for adjusting the aim. It is accessible through the hole in the trim (see above). Do not mistakenly think you need to turn this to remove/reinstall your fog lights - you dont.

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Petey Pop

Looks great. Did you need to install a ballast for these bulbs or was it just a plug and play job?

VancouverM

Thanks!

Nope- just plug and play

Clem

I'm glad you're happy with them. I hope you got a good price.

Also nice DIY writeup.

In case you didn't know www.bimmerxenon.com is owned by www.jimmy540i.com in the late 90s and early he was/is notorious for selling "Xenon" style bulbs for around $120 USD. The same style bulbs which can be bought at any "ricer" shop for $40 to $60 USD. This venture probably helped him in part to finance his 996 and 360 Modena.

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BigNunz6

I also installed xenon matched fog bulbs, but from Hoen.....looks great!!!

Need4Spd

Looks good. BTW, you can get real Xenon fogs from Um*nitza. www.umnitza.com They have a kit with igniter and ballasts for something like $279. It's amazing how prices have come down for real Xenons. Very bright light and should be an easy DIY (did them for my M3 but not for M5, but should be about the same).

BTW, you don't really have to take this risk. If you just grab the plastic housing (the long side opposite the side where the screwdriver is shown in the pic above) and pull towards you and outwards (towards the edge of the fenders), it will snap out. The housing is a bit slippery so the hard part of doing this is getting a good grip on it. It's easier to do this if you have strong fingers or rubber gloves on, or use one of those thin rubber pads you use in the kitchen to give you a better grip to open stubborn jar lids. I learned this procedure early, because within a few months of getting my car, a rock hit my fog lens and I had to replace it. I was totally paranoid about trying to pry that housing loose, and found this trick on this message board.

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Need4Spd
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VancouverM

Am I correct to assume that the true xenon fogs will cast a brighter light farther and wider?


Thanks. They were $USD 85 including shipping etc. I did look at several similar type "bright white" bulbs, and even tried a few. To tell you the truth, I didn't care for the light they put out. I found them a little too cool (blue) and fairly harsh. I realized these were a bit more $, but in real terms its only a couple of bucks.

Now true xenon fogs... can I justify those?

Need4Spd

Yes.

VancouverM

Clearly a man of few words!

Clem

YES!! I have 5000K Xtec xenon lights for foglights and the light output is truely amazing compared to the "bright/super white" halogen bulbs. For a $300 investment it's a good value for the money IMHO.