Which bulb for US Ellipsoid?

[aworthybrother]

Which bulb is well recommended for US Ellipsoid? and where to get the best deal.

Thanks!

[Boomerang]

osram silverstars, buy them on ebay, really bright. Im using high beam bulbs in my low beam sockets and they are bright, but in no means do they interfere with other drivers views and blind them due to the design of the ellipsoid.

[erik325i]

osram silverstars, buy them on ebay, really bright. Im using high beam bulbs in my low beam sockets and they are bright, but in no means do they interfere with other drivers views and blind them due to the design of the ellipsoid.

No, the Osram Silverstars won't work in the US ellipsoids.

The US ellips use a 9005/9006 bulb. You can get Sylvania Silverstars in that size, but not the Osrams. Osram Silverstars are only available in H-sizes (H1, H4, H7)

-Erik

[atomic]

I use PIAA XTREME WHITE(4000K) bulbs in my ellipsoids and fogs although a bit pricey but well worth the money IMO. I have been using them for years in other cars and just wish they would make them for my truck as the Sylvania Silverstars just are not as good as the PIAA's.... www.ltbmotorsports.com has been the cheapest I have found them at so far and have purchased from these guys as well so they are worthy of doing business with....

[e34john]

I had the PIAAs before, they are good but with the prices of retrofit HIDs now they arent even worth it because a set of bulbs for the lows and fogs, are just about the same as a set of HIDs. I would just get regular hella replacements and do a 9005 conversion on the lowbeams.

[aworthybrother]

osram silverstars, buy them on ebay, really bright. Im using high beam bulbs in my low beam sockets and they are bright, but in no means do they interfere with other drivers views and blind them due to the design of the ellipsoid.

how sure is it that it will not blind other drivers?

[Boomerang]

thanks for correcting me Erik, i could have made the guy buy the wrong thing hahah as for the highbeam bulbs in the low beam sockets, that was the biggest improvement i saw, they cant blind other drivers due to the design, there is the cutoff inside the housing that only allows dispersement to the lower half of the eye, and then the lens again disperses that, you can just adjust them anyways. I like the ellipsoids better because the looks than the regular lamps where you can see the bulb. If you take the assembly apart, you'll see what im talking about... these are less blinding to other drivers than the open lens and sealed beams and i no longer get highbeamed, people thinking that my highbeams were on even though they were properly aimed.

[aworthybrother]

thanks for correcting me Erik, i could have made the guy buy the wrong thing hahah as for the highbeam bulbs in the low beam sockets, that was the biggest improvement i saw, they cant blind other drivers due to the design, there is the cutoff inside the housing that only allows dispersement to the lower half of the eye, and then the lens again disperses that, you can just adjust them anyways. I like the ellipsoids better because the looks than the regular lamps where you can see the bulb. If you take the assembly apart, you'll see what im talking about... these are less blinding to other drivers than the open lens and sealed beams and i no longer get highbeamed, people thinking that my highbeams were on even though they were properly aimed.

is the socket for the high beam the same for the low beam? can i use the same low beam socket if i convert to high beam? if no, where can i buy the socket?

[Boomerang]

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/More_light.htm This site shows EXACTLY what you need to do, takes like 10 mins... i used a DREMEL drill bit (small size) to bore out the inside plastic nubbies and the little DREMEL cutoff wheel to cut the plastic outer part and it fits perfectly.

[ian e30 318is]

No, the Osram Silverstars won't work in the US ellipsoids.

The US ellips use a 9005/9006 bulb. You can get Sylvania Silverstars in that size, but not the Osrams. Osram Silverstars are only available in H-sizes (H1, H4, H7)

-Erik

Isn't Osram and Silvania the same company?? go to www.sylvania.com. I think Osram is the company that produces sylvania.
Ian

[erik325i]

Isn't Osram and Silvania the same company?? go to www.sylvania.com. I think Osram is the company that produces sylvania.
Ian

Yes, Osram and Sylvania are together.
There is a different Osram Silverstar and Sylvania Silverstar though.

The Osram Silverstar is the bulb that everyone raves about. It is normal wattage but very bright.
They are available in H1, H4, and H7
Ohh, also these are not sold anywhere in the US

The Sylvania Silverstars are available in 9005/9006 and other sizes. The bulb has a blue coating with a silver layer over the blue to give it a whiter look. This coating will reduce light output though.

-Erik

[ian e30 318is]

Yes, Osram and Sylvania are together.
There is a different Osram Silverstar and Sylvania Silverstar though.

The Osram Silverstar is the bulb that everyone raves about. It is normal wattage but very bright.
They are available in H1, H4, and H7
Ohh, also these are not sold anywhere in the US

The Sylvania Silverstars are available in 9005/9006 and other sizes. The bulb has a blue coating with a silver layer over the blue to give it a whiter look. This coating will reduce light output though.

-Erik

Good to know. thanks.