sylvania silverstars

[sl55g]

I saw some silverstar headlights online and from waht the pics showed, they looked really good. They cost about $25 each and are supposed to deliver light comparable to HID. Does anyone have any experience with how these perform and any info on the time and difficulty of installation? thanks

[LmtdSlip]

Use the search function. Many threads on this topic.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Buy at Walmart. Much cheaper there.

[Desertnate]

Buy at Walmart. Much cheaper there.

Or Autozone...or O' Reilly's....

$25 is too much.

[sl55g]

thanks for all the info

[tomas3314]

:thumbup: Got a pair at pepboys for $30. Good in my opinion for the cost.

[Bluempower]

Look in the June 2005 Roundel, There is an article on E36 lighting and they compare the Sylvania SilverStar to other bulbs. Good information. The latest article in the August Roundel covers more lighting information.

[deilenberger]

Look in the June 2005 Roundel, There is an article on E36 lighting and they compare the Sylvania SilverStar to other bulbs. Good information. The latest article in the August Roundel covers more lighting information.It's also on line:
http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Let_There_Be_E36_Light

And the second article is also on line:
http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/BMWCCA/roundel/archive/2005/08/EuroSoBright-August2005.pdf

The Sylvania SilverStar wasn't very impressive. You're much better off with a Euro Osram SilverStar (the "real deal") which can be found at http://www.powerbulbs.com (http://www.powerbulbs.com/)

Best,

[Desertnate]

I can't speak for the 9005/9006 bulbs in an E36, but I can provide a testimonial on the H7 Syvania Silverstars in an E46.

I was running Euro spec OEM low beam bulbs since both my US OEM bulbs burned out while I was living in the UK. I purchased these bulbs straight from the parts counter at the dealership. Since the bulbs went at seperate times, I had a chance to compare US to Euro Spec bulbs. The Euro's were a touch "whiter" and brighter than the US OEM bulbs. In driving conditions it wasn't noticable, but when shining the light on a light colored wall at medium range, it was noticable.

When I lost a bulb last fall I initially replaced the bulb with one from the local parts store. Not only was it poor fit, but it was FAR dimmer than the Euro OEM bulb, but the beam pattern from the bulb was very different and I had to make some major adjustments to bring the beam to where it should have been.

Fed up by the poor illumination, I took the bulb back and picked up a set of Silverstars. I swapped out the side which had the held original burned out bulb, I ran it side by side with my Euro bulb for a comparison (after adjusting the housing BACK to where it had been in the first pace :tsk: ). In the side by side, the Silverstar was almost IDENTICAL to the Euro OEM bulb. The Silverstar was only marginaly brighter and only slightly whiter than the Euro OEM bulb. Running the bulbs side by side in the same car you can tell the difference. Running the bulbs on two cars side by side, I doubt you could tell the difference.

Overall I like the bulbs and the illumination is excellent. They aren't the poseur blue and don't glare like some of the oddball bulbs on the market.

[Boile]

Prompted by the Roundel article, I bought a pair of HIR bulbs for my foglights.
I replaced one side first and side by side testing confirms that they put out more light. Worth the price.

[SergioK]

The look (color) of the beam while on a surface is one thing, but interesting enough, as per what deilenberger posted in the link to the Roundel article, the Silver Stars sold here in the US are dimmer (less light) than a regular bulb.

http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/BMWCCA/roundel/archive/2005/06/images/image3_15.jpg

[deilenberger]

The look (color) of the beam while on a surface is one thing, but interesting enough, as per what deilenberger posted in the link to the Roundel article, the Silver Stars sold here in the US are dimmer (less light) than a regular bulb.

http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/BMWCCA/roundel/archive/2005/06/images/image3_15.jpgThat's exactly correct.

They may appear brighter to the eye than a used standard Sylvania bulb, but that's due to two factors:

1. The used bulb is probably putting out 20% or so less than a brand new standard bulb. Bulbs age. They get dimmer. A new identical bulb will be brighter than a used one. Fact of life.

2. Color - the US Silverstar has a blue coating on it - this filters out some of the yellow light component and leaves more blue. The shift towards a blue output may look brighter if you're looking AT the light from the bulb. Reason being the scattering inside your eyeball from the blue(r) light.

The US Silverstar wasn't awful - but IMHO it certainly isn't worth any premium in price since it put out less light than a $5 standard Sylvania bulb.

One thing in doing the testing - with the exception of the bling-blue-bulbs (which are simply awful) - you really cannot judge a bulb by looking at the light. Pattern and output really need to be measured. That's what the other plots (intensity pattern plots) in the articles show. That's really how to judge how good a bulb is.

[LmtdSlip]

I like what I read about the HIR.

I think Ill give them a try.

[SergioK]

One thing in doing the testing - with the exception of the bling-blue-bulbs (which are simply awful) - you really cannot judge a bulb by looking at the light. Pattern and output really need to be measured. That's what the other plots (intensity pattern plots) in the articles show. That's really how to judge how good a bulb is.

I applaud your efforts in doing this comparison. I know it took quite some time to take all those measurements. :thumbup: :clap:

[deilenberger]

I applaud your efforts in doing this comparison. I know it took quite some time to take all those measurements. :thumbup: :clap:If only they knew.. :)

It was about 2-2.5 hours per bulb, taking the measurements and then entering the data and plotting the results. Plus getting the bulbs, doing the setup, all that sort of thing. I'd guess I had about 60-80 hours into the project. It did get a bit bothersome for some of the measurements since my garage is unheated, and at times it was below freezing while I was taking measurements.

I did it because it was the only way I could get the answers I wanted, all the posts I've seen on bulbs have been <!--StartFragment -->anecdotal ("it looked brighter to me") and my background from years ago was in lasers and optical research, so gathering data just seemed a normal thing to do.

I'm thinking about another article for Roundel - comparing all the diagnostic and code reading tools available for use with BMW's. I think it might be an interesting comparison if I can interest the CCA in it.

Thanks the note - It makes things like this worthwhile!

[SergioK]

Sure!

I just noticed your other article in this month's issue. Haven't read it yet since I was away at Cal Speedway this past weekend. You're making me want to spend even more on my wife's E36 than I had anticipated! :D

[deilenberger]

Sure!

I just noticed your other article in this month's issue. Haven't read it yet since I was away at Cal Speedway this past weekend. You're making me want to spend even more on my wife's E36 than I had anticipated! :DI alternate between spending on my REAL BMW (K75S - 2 wheeled version) and the transportation BMW ('98 M3 convertible..) Once in a while I spend some money on SWMBO's BMW - the '03 Touring since that keeps her from complaining too much about the money I spent on my toys..

Just gotta balance things out a bit :)

[01silber]

Where did you guys order your HIR bulbs, How to get ahold of Daniel Stern ?
Is he the one selling the true toshiba ones??
need help

[ctbmw]

Buy them-you'll love them!
I was looking for other info, and saw this post-I think it's been brought up before.
They're great.
-M

[Boile]

ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HIR-9011-9012-BULBS-GREAT-OPTION-FOR-HID-XENON_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33710QQitemZ80092 74791QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[01silber]

40.00 for a pair of new hirs, i bought them from daniel stern for the z3 but they will not work on the euro z headlight.. price includes shipping