[gatsojon]

Perhaps it's generally a sign of just how good this F30 330d is, that the mismatch colour of the fog lights had started to really get on my nerves. Not that I ever use the bloody things but there seems a general insistence that one of them should be turned on whenever I'm behind a van where the reflection can be easily seem.

So I ordered these Phillips 5000k replacement bulbs off eBay, as suggested on here (though I can't find now to acknowledge specifically).

Access is straightforward by turning the wheel hard one way then removing 3 bolt head screws to pull back the wheel arch liner.

Unplug the connector first (unlike me) to prevent breaking the plastic lug, then twist the bulb out.

Twist the new bulb in and reconnect. Don't worry if it doesn't come on yet as the turned wheel will prevent that so you can only really test once wheels are in the straight ahead.

Much better white light now to match the LEDs and xenons

I'll nip out and take a pic of the new colour later and resize the installation pics, for what they are worth.

[F30AM]

Prettier, but less effective as fog lights.

[NISFAN]

Already a DIY

Fog lights DIY

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Already a DIY

Fog lights DIY

Yep I know - just couldn't remember where I'd seen it to acknowledge, so thanks for finding

I won't bother with my photos then as they are not as good anyway.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

Yep I know - just couldn't remember where I'd seen it to acknowledge, so thanks for finding

I won't bother with my photos then as they are not as good anyway.

What are the Philips 5000k like? Blue-ish tinge or very white?

[dazzapb]

would still like to see your pics please Jon - more the better as I will be getting these bulbs too.

Which seller did you use also?

Cheers!

[Ab4ay]

This might sound like a stupid question but thought I could hijack the thread - in the new 3 series if the fog light is not installed correctly can it result in the car refusing to start?

I ask this because im looking to buy a used car soon and the one I was looking at refused to start because it said something along the lines of "service fog light"

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Ab4ay

This might sound like a stupid question but thought I could hijack the thread - in the new 3 series if the fog light is not installed correctly can it result in the car refusing to start?

I ask this because im looking to buy a used car soon and the one I was looking at refused to start because it said something along the lines of "service fog light"

I very much doubt it, it will just let you know the light is out.

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

What are the Philips 5000k like? Blue-ish tinge or very white?

A good match for the LEDs I'd say. Perhaps a slight blue if you look for it but then they are coated blue. They must be very similar to your 4,750 ones.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

A good match for the LEDs I'd say. Perhaps a slight blue if you look for it but then they are coated blue. They must be very similar to your 4,750 ones.

Yes the M-Tecs I used are slightly blue on the edge of the beam if you know what I mean, but similar beam colour to the xenons. I don't notice the fogs coming on so much anymore, before you could clearly see the yellow 'dirty' beam when cornering. Well worth doing

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

I very much doubt it, it will just let you know the light is out.

Not the best of pictures but gives an idea of the colour match.

I agree with you, a nice and easy effective mod.

And thanks for your original DIY post which had given me the confidence to do it, though I couldn't then find it this morning!

Edited to note that I copied in the wrong post!

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

would still like to see your pics please Jon - more the better as I will be getting these bulbs too.

Which seller did you use also?

Cheers!

Bought them from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1510986906...#ht_5136wt_900

A few pics then

[DazC]

They seem very expensive. Mtec ones can be had for around £10 on ebay.

Is there a massive difference in the two?

[brommy]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

Not the best of pictures but gives an idea of the colour match.

I agree with you, a nice and easy effective mod.

And thanks for your original DIY post which had given me the confidence to do it, though I couldn't then find it this morning!

Edited to note that I copied in the wrong post!

The colour ('temperature' the of white light) looks a great match if the photo is a true representation.

Am I correct that this mod cost around £40 for the lamps and about 10 minutes of DIY time with no possible warranty/insurance worries?

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by brommy

The colour ('temperature' the of white light) looks a great match if the photo is a true representation.

Am I correct that this mod cost around £40 for the lamps and about 10 minutes of DIY time with no possible warranty/insurance worries?

It's a good match IMO.

It took longer to get the tools out than do the job!

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by DazC

They seem very expensive. Mtec ones can be had for around £10 on ebay.

D'oh

[brommy]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

D'oh

Oh well, £13.45 against £40 - it could be worse.

I wonder if there is a noticeable difference in the white colour between 4750K and 5000K.

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by brommy

Oh well, £13.45 against £40 - it could be worse.

I wonder if there is a noticeable difference in the white colour between 4750K and 5000K.

True.

I don't imagine you could tell the difference. NISFAN has the 4750 ones.

[brommy]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

D'oh

Originally Posted by gatsojon

It's a good match IMO.

It took longer to get the tools out than do the job!

So long as there are no warranty or insurance worries (could always re- fit the original bulbs I suppose?), this is a mod I'm considering. Unusual for me because I'm not one for messing around with things as they came out of the factory.

[brommy]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

True.

I don't imagine you could tell the difference. NISFAN has the 4750 ones.

Wouldn't have thought so either. Maybe very slight if scrutinised side by side. As long as they are both very close to the xenons/LED DRL, I'm inclined to go for the £13.45 4750K ones.

I'm off to search if NISFAN has any pics of them.

[dazzapb]

Nice one thanks Jon for your pics etc

[teaston]

Originally Posted by brommy

So long as there are no warranty or insurance worries (could always re- fit the original bulbs I suppose?), this is a mod I'm considering. Unusual for me because I'm not one for messing around with things as they came out of the factory.

There will definitely be no warranty or insurance worries! They are light bulbs!!

They are a consumable item that are designed to be replaced, just like tyres & windscreen wipers!