Headlight bulb upgrade to HIR2 +30 on 89 635

[achua]

I just upgraded the LOW beam headlight bulbs on my car to the HIR2 +30 bulbs. I had solicited advise from Daniel Stern Lighting last month. He originally pointed me to the Philips HIR2 bulbs but after a brief exchange, he informed me of this HIR2 +30 bulb which is brighter than the HIR2. It turns out to be GM part# 23342527. The actual bulb is a Vosla part# 28432, Made in Germany. It is definitely a huge improvement over the original HB4 9006 bulb, brighter and longer beam. Note that this Vosla bulb is a 9012 bulb which has a slightly different base from the original HB4 - you will have to file down one of the plastic tabs to fit into the bulb socket but that only takes a minute or two.

He directed me to 3 different GM parts websites but none of them have this part in stock and shipping is a little high - avg $13. The local dealers did not have it in stock either and also sell for MSRP at $23.68 each. I ended up buying it from tascaparts.com for $40 for the pair w/ shipping. A couple days later, I found a new listing on ebay for $20 a pair but shipping from Alberta Canada (quoted me $13 to SFO). The seller confirmed the markings on the bulb so I know it is the right one but I had already ordered it. Anyway, if any one is interested, http://www.ebay.com/itm/191730109657?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Looghis]

thanks for the info! im gonna get the ones off ebay for my 1990 535i

[n2bimmer]

Thanks for the info. Since our headlights use H4, was there wiring conversions?

[Looghis]

n2bimmer,

since achua has an 89, it came with elipsod headlights from the factory, like my e34, which use a 9006 bulb instead of an h4. a lot of people say that the h4s are actually way brighter and have a better lighting pattern.

you can convert the sealed beam cars to elipsod but it would involve modifying the headlight buckets

[dcains]

I had a brand-new '88 E30 M3, and since it was an early car it didn't come with the ellipsoids, just the crappy sealed beams. I installed the Hella H4/H1 setup, and of course, was very pleased. Then I saw the newer M3's with ellipsoids and thought I was lucky to find a fresh wreck and bought the ellipsoids from it (not cheaply). Swapped the ellipsoids for the H4/H1's, and after about a week, went back to the Hella's. Maybe it's because the ellipsoids are DOT and the Hella's are E-code, but the Hella's are leagues better, and I still use them on my E24.

[n2bimmer]

Thanks guys