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Old 01-29-2014, 11:02 AM   #17
lkchris
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA
Posts: 744
Good to get terminology straight ...

Only the low beams are "HID," which stands for high intensity discharge, and these units do NOT have filaments but rather are arc lights. They are normally called "burners" and not bulbs.

The high beams are normal halogen lights (H7) and are NOT called HID. Same with the fog lights.

"Plus" H7s are available, but there're really no "performance" substitutes for the HID burners.

You really don't want higher wattage halogens, but rather you want "plus" bulbs still at 55 watts. Only 55 watt bulbs are legal.

Here's what I'll eventually do with my car

High beams will be Phillips Extreme Vision (+100%)
Philips H7 12972XVS2 X-Treme Vision Headlight Bulb (Pack of 2) : Amazon.com : Automotive

Fog lights will be Osram All Weather (yellow)
CP64210AW Bulb H7 All Weather bulb, 55w, 12v - RallyLights.com

Park Lights will be Phillips H6W Blue Vision
Philips Blue Vision Ultra H6W 433c/434 (Twin Pack) | PowerBulbs

Note that although Sylvania owns Osram, there is a distinct difference between Sylvania Silverstars and Osram Silverstars.

The Sylvania versions are PepBoys specials and are noted for short life. They are blue. The Osram versions are normal color and have basically same life as a conventional H7 while being 50% brighter.

Always, always, always know that there's nothing at PepBoys for German cars.

Finally, the reason that the high beams are conventional halogens and not HIDs is that HIDs come to brightness too slowly to be effective flashers. Some cars (not 986) do use HIDs for high beam (bi-zenon) using an electrically moveable metal shield on the same bulb used for low beam. Nevertheless these cars still have a halogen bulb for the flashers.
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