LED city lights

[CorvallisBMW]

Guys with euro headlights,

I'm looking in to a nice LED bulb for my city lights, the 158 bulbs are too dim and yellow for my taste. I've ran across lots of options but am unsure about what kind of lumen output I should aim for, given that LEDs throw more of their light forward (where it's useful) as opposed to incandescents which scatter it everywhere and rely on the reflector to pick it up.

A 158-base 12W bulb is about 25 lumens @ 3100K. I've ran across LEDs that range from 7-60 lumens @6000K. I'm unsure about just how much light would be best... any input?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2FcompWLED.htm%23group1

[nando]

I'm not sure what you're expecting, but city lights aren't designed to light up the road. but I suppose you can try the brightest and go from there, they're generally cheap right?

[CorvallisBMW]

I don't want them to light up the road, just look better than the sickly yellow that the 158s put out. Crisp & white without being overpowering.

[EN318isPDX]

I just did abunch of superbrightled in my car, didnt do the city lights (but probably will) but the interior lights and dome lights work the best, the tail light/brake light type are actually dimmer than the stock bulbs

[CorvallisBMW]

Is there a good way to shut off the city lights while the headlights are on? I'm sure they're unnecessary and I'm worried the heat generated by the headlight could damage the LED if it's left running.

[nando]

I don't think it will matter if the LED is on or not if it's getting overheated by the main bulb. I also don't think it will get all that hot.

[CorvallisBMW]

I ordered a few different kinds, ranging from 11 lumens to 60. I'll try them out and see how I like them; anything I don't use I'll put up for sale.

I also got a few of their festoon-type bulbs for my interior light (convertibles have only 1) and license plate lights.

[EN318isPDX]

I also got a few of their festoon-type bulbs for my interior light (convertibles have only 1) and license plate lights.

These were the only ones i was impressed with. Really lit up my interior on my coupe. License plate ones took a little bit of love to keep them from shutting off

[psyber_0ptix]

I have a set of LED's in my city lights and they dont reflect in the housing/ring as normal bulbs do. It just creates two small spots. At least they are white though lol

[straight6pwr]

yeah, the problem with most of the small LED replacement bulbs is that they project the light outwards, unlike incandescent which is a point light and has basically 360 degree light projection (accept where it is blocked by the bulb holder).

some people wont mind it, but it will render your reflector basically useless. however, the city-light reflector is rendered useless on smoked euro headlights anyways.

[Van Westervelt]

Just get the silver or hyper white 158s. LEDs create a nuisance hot spot like staring into a projector.

[EndreM]

I like the yellowish look in the interior. Makes it warm and cosy.
I bought some LED city lights on eBay. One pair of yellow (just to try), and one pair of white.

Uploading pics...

[CorvallisBMW]

Just get the silver or hyper white 158s. LEDs create a nuisance hot spot like staring into a projector.

I looked for those but could never find any :(

[EndreM]

To bright and blueish for me :(

[Van Westervelt]

I found some a few years back, havent seen em since then though.