E46 M3 Fog Light Replacement

[jmciver]

Just took delivery of a 2005 Imola Red M3. Low option car with only Xenons, HK, Leather & Power/Heated seats.......

But back to the topic.....I am not new to moding (I have a heavily modified E36 M3) but I am definately new to modding an E46 M3. For now, I want to replace the factory fog lights with ones that will better match the Xenons in color and brightness. Not looking for anything too dramatic or difficult to install. Something like the PIAA Sperwhites or XtremeWhites will do.

After a little research, I figured out that the bulbs are 9006 sized. I have yet to get the Bentley Manual for this car so can someone either tell me or point me to a fog light bulb replacement procedure? I could probably figure it out but I would rather not waste the time (I still have 1000 more miles to drive until the car is broken in :D ).

Thanks!

[ronin009]

Its pretty easy. just pull off the trim ring, it just snaps in place. Then behind that you will see one screw, undo that and the the whole foglight housing will pull out of the car. I would recommend the hoen xenon match foglight bulbs. I have them in my car and they match the stock xenons pretty well and they are relatively inexpensive. www.hoen-usa.com

[jmciver]

Thanks for the tip.

[333inlinesix]

Thanks for the tip.
If you want a detailed description w/pics...
www.madrussian.net

[jmciver]

If you want a detailed description w/pics...
www.madrussian.net
Thanks again. Very nice site BTW.

[OneFastM3]

i found that super yellow is great, and if u want to go even farther u can put a layer of yellow laminix, It really looks good a night:)

[Kilawin]

Thanks again. Very nice site BTW.

that is a nice site

[Greg W / Oregon]

For now, I want to replace the factory fog lights with ones that will better match the Xenons in color and brightness. Not looking for anything too dramatic or difficult to install. Something like the PIAA Sperwhites or XtremeWhites will do.

XtremeWhite Plus are rated at 4,000 degrees Kelvin, color temperature. The stock HIDs are about 4,200 - 4,300, so they're close, but a little warmer than the HIDs. I find the Hoen Xenonmatch Titaniums, which are 4,300K, are probably a little closer.

http://www.hoen-usa.com/ti.htm

[markdm3]

Check out www.bimmian.com. I bought the Xenesis Xenon Match fog lights and they look decent.

[jmciver]

Thanks for all of the input. I ended up getting the PIAA XtremeWhites. I didn't feel like waiting so I got them from the local car audio install shop. They are close enough (which is what I wanted) and look a whole lot better than the OEM ones.

However, when looking at those other sites, some mentioned replacing the high beams w/HID matching bulbs as well. How many of you guys have done that?

[Greg W / Oregon]

Thanks for all of the input. I ended up getting the PIAA XtremeWhites. I didn't feel like waiting so I got them from the local car audio install shop. They are close enough (which is what I wanted) and look a whole lot better than the OEM ones.
However, when looking at those other sites, some mentioned replacing the high beams w/HID matching bulbs as well. How many of you guys have done that?
Of course--can't do it half way!

[ronin009]

Thanks for all of the input. I ended up getting the PIAA XtremeWhites. I didn't feel like waiting so I got them from the local car audio install shop. They are close enough (which is what I wanted) and look a whole lot better than the OEM ones.
However, when looking at those other sites, some mentioned replacing the high beams w/HID matching bulbs as well. How many of you guys have done that?

With an 05 you have the bi-xenons which means that your xenons are both your high and low beams. If I am understanding what you are asking about, the inside pair of lights on the headlights, they are only for the daytime running lights and the flash to pass. So unless you have your DRLs set to on it is a waste of money to replace those bulbs when they will almost never be on.

[Greg W / Oregon]

With an 05 you have the bi-xenons which means that your xenons are both your high and low beams. If I am understanding what you are asking about, the inside pair of lights on the headlights, they are only for the daytime running lights and the flash to pass. So unless you have your DRLs set to on it is a waste of money to replace those bulbs when they will almost never be on.
Don't they come on in addition to the xenons going on high beam (I have an
'01 so don't know)? If not, it's easy to wire them so they do for extra light. I did this to my previous ML with bi-xenons, but my '06 ML came like this from the factory.

[ronin009]

Don't they come on in addition to the xenons going on high beam (I have an
'01 so don't know)? If not, it's easy to wire them so they do for extra light. I did this to my previous ML with bi-xenons, but my '06 ML came like this from the factory.

Nope, on the 01s and 02s and maybe the 03s you dont have the bi-xenons so the inside lights are your high beams and your xenons are only your regular headlights. Where as on the later cars the inside lights are only flash to pass and DRLs, there would be no reason to have both on as the light from the bi-xenons is much brighter and you would not be able to tell that the halogens are on.

[Greg W / Oregon]

there would be no reason to have both on as the light from the bi-xenons is much brighter and you would not be able to tell that the halogens are on.
I disagree--as I said, my '06 ML does activate both the bi-xenons and innner halogens in high beam mode, and the contribution of the halogens is significant. Here is a link I for the older ML on how to wire the halogens to come on with the bixenons. I did this on my '98 ML I retrofitted with '03 bixenons. Should be similar to do most cars.

http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=67

[ronin009]

I disagree--as I said, my '06 ML does activate both the bi-xenons and innner halogens in high beam mode, and the contribution of the halogens is significant. Here is a link I for the older ML on how to wire the halogens to come on with the bixenons. I did this on my '98 ML I retrofitted with '03 bixenons. Should be similar to do most cars.
http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=67

What does it look like when both lights are on? I mean the yellowish light from the halogens what kind of beam do they throw, is it wider than the xenons?

[Greg W / Oregon]

What does it look like when both lights are on? I mean the yellowish light from the halogens what kind of beam do they throw, is it wider than the xenons?
I replaced the lamps in the halgoens with Hoen Xenonmatch Titanium, so the color is virtually the same (remember, that's what we were disucssing?:) ) I haven't tried masking one set to distinguish pattern differences, I can just tell you there is a whole lot of light on high. Very impressive.

http://www.hoen-usa.com/

http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/52_1530470_7122005112712AM.jpg

[ronin009]

Ah, I see now.

Not to get even more off topic, but how are you liking the new ML? I have driven the previous generation ML320, but have yet to drive the new one.

[Greg W / Oregon]

Ah, I see now.
Not to get even more off topic, but how are you liking the new ML? I have driven the previous generation ML320, but have yet to drive the new one.
We love it. I had one of the original '98s before it (much modified), and this is a whole lot more refined. Smooth, quiiet, good cargo room, fast, etc. If you doj't need 3rd row seating, I would recommend it. The Airmatic air suspension is great--leave it on Auto mode most the time, put it on Sport for the twisties, or my wife can put it on Comfort. Plenty comfortable even with 19s on it.

Alcantara and aluminum interior with the Apperance Package:

http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/52_1525783_772005112342AM.jpg

[ronin009]

The interior looks nice, I am not sure that I like the exterior though. I guess I need to see one in person.

[jmciver]

I disagree--as I said, my '06 ML does activate both the bi-xenons and innner halogens in high beam mode, and the contribution of the halogens is significant. Here is a link I for the older ML on how to wire the halogens to come on with the bixenons. I did this on my '98 ML I retrofitted with '03 bixenons. Should be similar to do most cars.
http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=67
Actually, ronin009 is correct. On my car, which is an 05, the only time the inside lights come on is when I use the "flash to pass". If I put the high beams on, the Xenons flip up (to allow more light) and the inside lights remain off. I verified this personally when I was testing the PIAA XtremeWhites I installed a few days ago.

I can't speak for the DRL functionality since it is not turned on in my car nor do I plan to turn it on. As someone else mentioned earlier in this thread, I may go ahead and replace the inner bulbs just to be consistent with the other lighting in the car.

BTW, what type of bulb is the inner light?

[Greg W / Oregon]

Actually, ronin009 is correct. On my car, which is an 05, the only time the inside lights come on is when I use the "flash to pass". If I put the high beams on, the Xenons flip up (to allow more light) and the inside lights remain off. I verified this personally when I was testing the PIAA XtremeWhites I installed a few days ago.
I can't speak for the DRL functionality since it is not turned on in my car nor do I plan to turn it on. As someone else mentioned earlier in this thread, I may go ahead and replace the inner bulbs just to be consistent with the other lighting in the car.
BTW, what type of bulb is the inner light?
I didn't mean I disagreed that they are not on with the high beams, I meant I disagreed that they would not be beneficial to be on with the bi-xenons, as they are in my ML.
The inner lamps are H7s.