I need to replace one of my front fog light bulbs. Is this a strictly BMW part, or can I purchase a compatible bulb at the local auto parts store?
Thanks,
-c
You can replace them to non oem such as hoen bulbs or the ones from umnitza try researching thru the threads for further comparison...
__________________ Mods: 91 octane with occasional 100 octane
"Illegitimus non carborundum"
" Despite its supercar attributes, the M5 still doubles as a soberly practical, spacious saloon - only with the ability to scare four passengers in comfort all the way to the local coronary unit". Top Gear
Or just plain old silverstars at the local autoparts that are a better match to the OE headlights.
$27 a pair.
But do they look blue when they're off?
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Ben
2000 Estoril Blue M Coupe [Garage Queen]
2000 Biarritz Blue 528i Touring [Hauler]
1991 Alpine White 318i Sedan [Daily Driver]
1989 Alpine White S50 325i [Fun Machine]
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500HD [Tow Vehicle]
Awesome. That makes life better. I hate seeing blue reflections in headlights/foglights when they're off.
__________________
Ben
2000 Estoril Blue M Coupe [Garage Queen]
2000 Biarritz Blue 528i Touring [Hauler]
1991 Alpine White 318i Sedan [Daily Driver]
1989 Alpine White S50 325i [Fun Machine]
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500HD [Tow Vehicle]
I did end up going with a pair of SilverStars from Sylvania. They seem to match the headlights pretty well, and they are nice and bright. Of course mine cost me nearly $40 for the pair, not $27.
While I was at it I replaced the brake lights as I'm getting the dreaded 'Check Brakelights' message. All were working before the replacement, all are working after the replacement, and I still get the message. I guess I need to comb through the boards and find out what's going on here.
The car is new to me so I'm being pretty careful, but it took me only about 1/2 hour to replace all four lights thanks to the great information I was able to gather from the board. Many thanks to all of you.
While I was at it I replaced the brake lights as I'm getting the dreaded 'Check Brakelights' message. All were working before the replacement, all are working after the replacement, and I still get the message.
Welcome to the board and M5 ownership.
The check lights message for the secondary lights (for example, the tail lights) works by measuring changes in the resistance of the circuit. I've never actually measured the OEM bulbs but non OEM bulbs have been known to have different resistance, and thus keep the circuit thinking a bulb is out when it isn't. This is most annoying. The solution is either to try to match impedence by adding a resistor to the circuit (don't know what you'd do if it's the other way around), or just bite the bullet and buy the bulbs from the dealer (that's what I do). Yes, they're a few bucks more, but you don't get the check light, and they don't need replacement very often anyway.
To be clear, using other than OEM fog lamp bulbs doesn't result in this problem. It's just what I call the "secondary" lights.
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Need4Spd
'01 M5/UUC SSK + Rogue WSR/RE Tranny Mounts+Royal Purple Synchromax/Axxis ULT Pads/StopTech SS Lines/TC Design from BeastPower Anti-roll Bar Brackets/Dinan LtWtFlywheel and Stage 3 suspension/Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics/Vines thrust arms/IATS relocation/10w-60 oil/hardwired Escort 9500i/Euro Armrest/TEC Cupholder/IceLink/PowerChip 91 Gold/TUBIs!/Strong Strut/BSW Stage 1/BT/Angel iBrights 3.0
'05 M3 Imola Cabrio 6MT, Nav, HK
"Is it the sounds that make a BMW a BMW? A BMW is designed to be heard, felt, experienced. So our engines sing. Our steering talks back. And we insist on offering manual transmissions in nearly all our models for drivers who crave them. The result is an almost telepathic oneness with the car. Just as surely as you can hear a BMW, a BMW hears you."
Last edited by Need4Spd; 16th October 2006 at 04:34.
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