H11 in 01+ Fogs ???

[LuvMy328is]

I want more light from my oem fogs which are stock 35 watt H8. I have learned that H11 bulbs are the same size and dimensions and the same filament placement. I am aware of having to trim the top tab a hair. Has anyone tried this?
P.S. I don't want to go HID in the fogs due to difficulty in access plus I don't feel the OEM housing would provide the correct optics as to not blind other traffic.

Pics courtesy of Rally Lights (http://www.RallyLights.com)

H8
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/hella%20images/H8.jpg

H11
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/hella%20images/H11_Diag.jpg

Or am I about to be the guinea pig???
~Phil

[98M3_4]

I wonder if they would seat correctly in the housing

[Wicked A2]

I would like to know this as well so I can order the correct hid kit for them :)

[Steve530]

I want more light from my oem fogs which are stock 35 watt H8. I have learned that H11 bulbs are the same size and dimensions and the same filament placement. I am aware of having to trim the top tab a hair. Has anyone tried this?
P.S. I don't want to go HID in the fogs due to difficulty in access plus I don't feel the OEM housing would provide the correct optics as to not blind other traffic.,,,

Phil,

I think you need to be concerned with overheating the fog light assemblies and maybe the wiring with the increase for 35W to 50W.

Also, the H11 bulbs output 1350 lumens and the H8 output 712 lumens. Since the fog light assemblies seem to have simple optics, I would be concerned with glare from the H11 bulbs, too.

The 35W H8 fog lights are little more than decoration IMHO. But you probably need to find a fog light assembly that fits if you want more light. Maybe you could retrofit a rectangular (pre-2001) fog light assembly.

Steve

[Orxan4ik]

go HID, u wont be blinding anybody

p.s. rectangular ones wont fit and btw they handle hid bulbs like mofos, with minimum glare. I dont see why urs wouldnt, especially being on the bottom and pointing very close

[PJB]

+1 to Steve530.

I think you should be concerned with putting out too much light, but more importantly, I think you should be more concerned with melting your housings. BF.C member xxpanipuri's fog light harnesses melted when the previous owner of his car spliced in some 55w connectors. Check the following threads:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=855087
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10975230#post10975230

Damage done:
http://www.shailen-patel.com/fogs/IMG_2373.jpg




If you're considering installing a 50watt bulb you might as well bite the bullet and install HIDs. A 50watt bulb will be putting your car in danger and you will still have to worry about too much light. You may as well worry about too much light from a 35watt HID bulb. That way, you won't have to worry about an unsafe electrical situation.

And your worry about too much light is an over statement. With HIDs in your fogs, you'll be fine if you manage the light output and take the time to adjust the bulb and the aiming of the housing.

[LuvMy328is]

I am quite aware of current draw and tolerances, but WOW, I didn't expect that difference to damage the socket like that...hmmm :( Guess I'll pass. Thanks for the real world examples :wave
~Phil

[84685268]

Get the M5 Bumper Kit with the round Fogs...Then add the HID Kit.

[LuvMy328is]

I already have the round fogs. 01+ has them :)

http://members.myactv.net/~philscars/530i.jpg

~Phil

[PJB]

I already have the round fogs. 01+ has them :)

~Phil

Correct, 01+ e39s have round fogs, but they're different than M5 fogs. Different part number. A few members have tried to swap them and found out the hard way.

[LuvMy328is]

Correct, 01+ e39s have round fogs, but they're different than M5 fogs. Different part number. A few members have tried to swap them and found out the hard way.
Ah ok, gotcha....Still new to the E39 world ;) Thanks
~Phil

[Jason5driver]

Great thread!
I thought about using the H11's...