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OEM headlight bulbs wearing out? Good replacement?

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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 09:17 PM
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OEM headlight bulbs wearing out? Good replacement?

Seems like my OE bulbs are getting pretty dim.. is this even a thing with HIDs? I don't really remember if they used to be brighter, but i can hardly see a damn thing now. Today there was a really bad rainstorm and it was sketchy as hell in the pitch black.

Now, as for changing them... Can you just swap in a new bulb? Or do you need to replace the ballast as well? Get OEM bulbs or are there a better alternative?
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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 09:32 PM
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You can swap in new compatible bulbs.Have you tried cleaning the headlight bulbs? There should be a DIY on this site.
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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 11:33 PM
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cleaning the bulbs? no I didn't even know you were supposed to do that. My actual headlight lenses seem to be clear though. No haziness.
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 03:21 AM
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I buy bulbs for my cars from the retrofit source. https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...ts/bulbs.html/
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 07:49 AM
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diode dynamics....
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by PongSanity
diode dynamics....
Diode dynamics switch back leds with resistors
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by iCrap
Seems like my OE bulbs are getting pretty dim.. is this even a thing with HIDs? I don't really remember if they used to be brighter, but i can hardly see a damn thing now. Today there was a really bad rainstorm and it was sketchy as hell in the pitch black.

Now, as for changing them... Can you just swap in a new bulb? Or do you need to replace the ballast as well? Get OEM bulbs or are there a better alternative?
Morimoto xb35 D2S bulbs from theretrofitsource.com

Hands down one of the best aftermarket bulbs out there
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 10:10 AM
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No need to clean the HID bulb. It can't get dirty as it is almost 100% sealed inside the headlight assembly. Generally when HID bulbs are starting to go, they will have a red tint when looking at them.

With the age of your car, I suspect they need to be replaced. Your ballasts do not need to be replaced.
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by PongSanity
diode dynamics....
Originally Posted by main_shoby
Diode dynamics switch back leds with resistors
Well those are LEDs right... Not HID headlights?

Originally Posted by SonicVQ
No need to clean the HID bulb. It can't get dirty as it is almost 100% sealed inside the headlight assembly. Generally when HID bulbs are starting to go, they will have a red tint when looking at them.

With the age of your car, I suspect they need to be replaced. Your ballasts do not need to be replaced.
This is what I was thinking.. The car is nearly 9 years old so it wouldn't surprise me if they are going bad. They don't look redish but they seem to project a more amber light, not the super bright white i expect from a HID.

Originally Posted by Ricio1991
Morimoto xb35 D2S bulbs from theretrofitsource.com

Hands down one of the best aftermarket bulbs out there
Is it this?
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/mo...ght-bulbs.html

And that'll work on the OE ballast?

Also, found this. Which seem to just be OE bulbs but i'd like to get the brighter / better morimotto if its direct fit.
D2S AGT HID Bulb 85122C1 [D2S-PH-] - $29.95 : Philips Xenon HID Lights Bulbs Ballasts Kits
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by iCrap
Well those are LEDs right... Not HID headlights?This is what I was thinking.. The car is nearly 9 years old so it wouldn't surprise me if they are going bad. They don't look redish but they seem to project a more amber light, not the super bright white i expect from a HID.Is it this?
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/mo...ght-bulbs.html

And that'll work on the OE ballast?

Also, found this. Which seem to just be OE bulbs but i'd like to get the brighter / better morimotto if its direct fit.
D2S AGT HID Bulb 85122C1 [D2S-PH-] - $29.95 : Philips Xenon HID Lights Bulbs Ballasts Kits
Nope this is what you need! The g37 headlight bulbs are hids, they come in 4500k, 5500k, 6500k. The color chart is on the page I showed you, I would say go with 5500k or 6500k
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.Vs81tEVHanM
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 12:13 PM
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Also yes these will work with the oem ballast plug and play nothing else required
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 12:55 PM
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Awesome, i'll probably get those then. Might pick up some new fog bulbs while im at it.
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by iCrap
Well those are LEDs right... Not HID headlights?

Also, found this. Which seem to just be OE bulbs but i'd like to get the brighter / better morimotto if its direct fit.
D2S AGT HID Bulb 85122C1 [D2S-PH-] - $29.95 : Philips Xenon HID Lights Bulbs Ballasts Kits
I wonder how legit this website is. They use the Philips name but does not to be truly associated with the manufacturer. Those Ultinon bulbs are $30 (each?) while Retrofitsource sells them for $175 a set.

I have the "famous" Osram CBI's 5500k and am unfortunately not that impressed. They are closer to the stock "tinge of yellow" than a true white or even having any "tinge of blue" at all. There is a touch of blue on startup but it changes pretty drastically once warmed up.


Someone else posted that they got these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171652670727?var=470627939178Which is what I might try to get closer to 6000k color

Last edited by bri; Feb 25, 2016 at 02:05 PM.
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by iCrap
Awesome, i'll probably get those then. Might pick up some new fog bulbs while im at it.
What year is your g? Fog lights in headlight or in the bumper?
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by bri
Someone else posted that they got these:
New Genuine Onyx HID Xenon Pair D2S D2R for OSRAM or Philips Headlight Bulbs | eBay
Which is what I might try to get closer to 6000k color
Those seem waaayyy to cheap to be legit

Originally Posted by Ricio1991
What year is your g? Fog lights in headlight or in the bumper?
07. They are in the headlight.
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