I have seen many threads and ad's advertising both 35 watt and 55 watt HID kits. And most, I have noticed that the 55 watt kits are only slightly higher priced than the 35 watt kit.

My question, If the 55 watt kits are so similar in priced to the 35 watt kits, why are so many people running 35 watt kits in their car?

What are the advantages and disadvantages to running the higher 55 watt HID kits?

Does anyone have side by side comparison pictures between 55 watt and 35 watt HID kits, while using the same lumen bulbs?

I would like to buy an HID for my e34 soon but I am not sure if I should get the 55 kit or what? I do not mind spending extra money for the 55 watt kit if many of you 35 watt kit owners wish they would have wanted 55 watt kits.

How many of your 35 watt kit owners actually wish they purchased the 55 watt kits?? How about your 55 watt kit owners?

why are so many people running 35 watt kits in their car?

because 35watts have been on the market for years and people still are running hid kits they bought years ago and the 55watts are fairly new

that should answer all your questions

I'm pretty sure the 55w bulb is also bigger than the 35w bulb.

because 35watts have been on the market for years and people still are running hid kits they bought years ago and the 55watts are fairly new

that should answer all your questions
They've had 55w kits for like 3 or 4 years now... they used to cost a couple hundred more than you can currently get them for tho, they've dropped signifigantly recently.

and yeah, I think 55w is 1cm longer out back or something.

im going to get a 55w kit this week for my low beam and put my current 35 in my fog light

i was thinking of doing 35w 6k in low beams, and 55w 8k in high beams. then maybe some 3k fogs or something. HIDS EVERYWHERE!!! ... lol

i was thinking of doing 35w 6k in low beams, and 55w 8k in high beams. then maybe some 3k fogs or something. HIDS EVERYWHERE!!! ... lol

your alternator will get really disappointed and will leave your car one day. lol

i was thinking of doing 35w 6k in low beams, and 55w 8k in high beams. then maybe some 3k fogs or something. HIDS EVERYWHERE!!! ... lol
If I were you I would throw the 55w in the lows, there is no need for having them in the highs ( theyre going to be off 95% of the time).
But I agree, the more HIDs the better :stickoutt
-Marcus

I see, for the small additional amount of money, it would more cost effective to just buy the 55watt kit. Thanks

your alternator will get really disappointed and will leave your car one day. lol

I think the setup he is talking about would draw less current than stock.

If I were you I would throw the 55w in the lows, there is no need for having them in the highs ( theyre going to be off 95% of the time).
But I agree, the more HIDs the better :stickoutt
-Marcus
would have three sets really ruin the alt?

also can you get me the tracking number for my m3 bump. lol
paypal email is simon.s.layous@gmail.com

would have three sets really ruin the alt?

also can you get me the tracking number for my m3 bump. lol
paypal email is simon.s.layous@gmail.com

3 sets wouldnt ruin the alternator, he was just being sarcastic
m3 bumpers arent being shipped out until march 4th , so no tracking number untill then at around 4pm
-marcus aka APXDDM

3 sets wouldnt ruin the alternator, he was just being sarcastic
m3 bumpers arent being shipped out until march 4th , so no tracking number untill then at around 4pm
-marcus aka APXDDM

Alright awesome that gives me time to save up for the paint job anyway, Thanks~
Simon

ok well since the question was never answered, what is the difference between the two. I mean yes they are clsoe in price but i am trying to save all the money i can. And if the 35w ones are going to be fine then i am going to go with those, but if there are issues i will fork out the extra cash if i need to.

is it true the 55w don't give LBF?

is it true the 55w don't give LBF?
negative

noob questions, what is LBF, and does the 55w HIDs really puts out more light then the 35w??

for those that have factory xenons... i've heard the 55watts will give you a LBF

noob questions, what is LBF, and does the 55w HIDs really puts out more light then the 35w??
Low Beam Failure

A lot of people use the 35w as a fog light. A 55W is overkill as a fog light. Yes it does put out more light and would be good as a low/high beam

noob questions, what is LBF, and does the 55w HIDs really puts out more light then the 35w??

Low beam failure and the 55watts kit produces more lumens compared to the 35watt. You can compare the numbers on the vendors site.

so the 55w upgrade is worth it?

I have the 55w kit, when I pull up next to Infinity's and Lexus's with stock HIDs there is a lot more light on the ground from my car, and just on the ground, the cut offs remain sharp. I would pick the 55w kit every time. I finally drove my car at night on back roads and the difference is amazing. I never had to turn on my brights. I will never go back to Halogens.

+1^^^^ I have 6k 55w hids in the lows n there is a big difference than the 6k 35w hids in my fogs....but I love em both. I think a great pair of quality bulbs in the highs are good enough. FYI - If a person runs DDE/AE's, they'll have to ground them separately, if they run HID in the high beam. My Apexcones run the DDE ground thru the highbeam. Just my $.02. Peace. PG

I have seen many threads and ad's advertising both 35 watt and 55 watt HID kits. And most, I have noticed that the 55 watt kits are only slightly higher priced than the 35 watt kit.

My question, If the 55 watt kits are so similar in priced to the 35 watt kits, why are so many people running 35 watt kits in their car?

What are the advantages and disadvantages to running the higher 55 watt HID kits?

Does anyone have side by side comparison pictures between 55 watt and 35 watt HID kits, while using the same lumen bulbs?

I would like to buy an HID for my e34 soon but I am not sure if I should get the 55 kit or what? I do not mind spending extra money for the 55 watt kit if many of you 35 watt kit owners wish they would have wanted 55 watt kits.

How many of your 35 watt kit owners actually wish they purchased the 55 watt kits?? How about your 55 watt kit owners?

cuz 35w HID kits are blinding and bright enough anyway

cuz 35w HID kits are blinding and bright enough anyway

only for the dummies running them in freeforms:rolleyes

I recently switched from a 35W to a 55W

The difference is worth the money for sure.

cuz 35w HID kits are blinding and bright enough anyway
This was the impression I was getting. In Depos, would they not blind other people?

well this could answer some of my questions as well. i want to run HIDs in low and fogs as well. now i know what to run in each!
thanks.

I can't believe that in 2 pages of response the question has not been answered. Guys lets stay focused and answer the question. LOl I asked Jim this question yesterday and this was his reply hope it helps.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jattah View Post
Jim which one do you recommend for Bosch Headlights got lucky and scored one. While on the subject do you know where I can get new glass covers for my bosch at a good price. Last question, what really is the difference between the 35w and 55w HID kits. I apologize by the way, I think I may have started all that bickering on the other threads.
Good advice on getting the lenses. There are several ones listed on BMW's parts list. Be sure to choose Bosch and its also always a good idea to ask the vendor to second guess you instead of just giving them a number to order. They may have extra knowledge on the subject.

As far as the difference between the HID kits, its just the ballasts. All of our bulbs are rated for up to 60W. It would be impossible to duplicate 148 distinct bulb fitments and colors with both 35W and 55W bulbs. So, we just stock the higher wattage. Between you and me (and the other 100,000 people reading this), I think all the bulbs on the market now will stand up to high wattage. I've also had the luxury other vendors do not have of spending weeks at a time at the bulb factories watching assembly, speaking to the employees and examining the product. I see where the components come in from, I watch the assembly and I even get to wave goodbye to lots and lots of bulbs for ourselves and other vendors. Counting boxes and reading some of the orders and shipments is enlightening. The Chinese people (all of the bulbs from everyone are coming from China now for the most part) are a warm friendly people and about as naive and uncaring about what you see or read as a people can be. Amazing situation.

Anyway. The bulbs have no effect on the wattage output. All they can do is light up or blow up. The ballast drives the output entirely. That is not to say that you CAN'T manipulate the output, you can. Stupid vendors will do this. But that's why things fail and is the explanation for some specific failure types. Its not a great idea for a retailer to ask his supplier to make his bulbs have crazy levels of output. But some people do this.

For your Bosch lights, I recommend the "generic Angel Eyes" we sell on our site, not the Titaniums. The reason is the shape of the front bezel doesn't leave as much room in front as a ZKW. We really only recommend Titanium for E46 and ZKW applications.

Jim

Check out this link, it gives you a good comparison.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=553455