OEM headlight bulbs wearing out? Good replacement?
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Maryland
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?
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?

I buy bulbs for my cars from the retrofit source. https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...ts/bulbs.html/
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?

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?


Hands down one of the best aftermarket bulbs out there
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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.
With the age of your car, I suspect they need to be replaced. Your ballasts do not need to be replaced.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,514
Likes: 610
From: Maryland
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
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.
With the age of your car, I suspect they need to be replaced. Your ballasts do not need to be replaced.
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
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
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
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.Vs81tEVHanM
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
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 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.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,514
Likes: 610
From: Maryland
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
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
07. They are in the headlight.






