21 replies to this topic

[Dougity]

I have stock fog lights on my 96 850t. They take H3-55 watt bulb. These bulbs are pretty typical and used on a lot of aftermarket fog lights such as Hella models. I use fog lights to improve visibility at night, not just in the fog. The truth is, even though they both work, I cannot tell the difference when driving, when they are on or off.

Any thoughts?

ps. I have tried cleaning the lenses (outside only) and one bulb is new.

[Gregg]

There really is not much you can do. The fog lights on our cars were never meant to do much in terms of actually lighting the road. Your best bet is to get aftermarket fogs (I hear Hella Micro DEs are really good, and should fit well). Other than that, you are pretty much stuck with fog lights for cosmetic appeal only, no real lighting effect.

[StickThatClutch]

I know the Admin put in some Hella Micro DEs in the fog lamp location. He seemed very happy with his upgrade.

Stock ones are useless.

[Zappo]

There really is not much you can do.  The fog lights on our cars were never meant to do much in terms of actually lighting the road.  Your best bet is to get aftermarket fogs (I hear Hella Micro DEs are really good, and should fit well).  Other than that, you are pretty much stuck with fog lights for cosmetic appeal only, no real lighting effect.

Yup. I have HIDs in mine, but for actual usable light it isn't that much better than the stock lights. They do light up the road reflectors much better, but that has more to do with the wavelength of the light.

If you switched to driving lights you would notice a big difference.

[Dougity]

Thank you all for confirming what I suspected and pointing me towards an upgrade.

Doug

[msestina]

Yup.  I have HIDs in mine, but for actual usable light it isn't that much better than the stock lights.  They do light up the road reflectors much better, but that has more to do with the wavelength of the light.

If you switched to driving lights you would notice a big difference.

Ditto that! I used Hella FF50 driving lights on mine. Those babies really light up the road!

[Dougity]

Ditto that!  I used Hella FF50 driving lights on mine.  Those babies really light up the road!

Do those ff50's fit in the bumper / air dam on an 850 so that they are "integrated" and not hanging off?

[Zappo]

Do those ff50's fit in the bumper / air dam on an 850 so that they are "integrated" and not hanging off?

Nope, they are an oval design, 2 9/16"H x 4 5/8"W x 3 3/4"D

[Gregg]

A good read: What are Fog Lamps Really For?

[Gilhuly]

There's already a working assumption out there that drivers of higher end euopean cars are a bunch of self-centered a--holes. Driving around with your fog lights on in good weather doesn't do alot to refute that assumption.

[Gregg]

There's already a working assumption out there that drivers of higher end euopean cars are a bunch of self-centered a--holes.  Driving around with your fog lights on in good weather doesn't do alot to refute that assumption.

what the monkey does that mean...i've seen lots of riced out pieces of stuff driven by low-lifes that have just their fog lights on in good weather

[theunderlord]

There's already a working assumption out there that drivers of higher end euopean cars are a bunch of self-centered a--holes.  Driving around with your fog lights on in good weather doesn't do alot to refute that assumption.

WTF?

[msestina]

Do those ff50's fit in the bumper / air dam on an 850 so that they are "integrated" and not hanging off?

I did not have factory fogs so I bought the switch and
relay and wired mine to factory fog connector.
FF50 fit fit right in the grill opening under the bumper.
mount is angled so I positioned mine to be recessed
back slightly so they are not "hanging off".

[MrWinkey]

What?????

Bypassing the filter?

[Che'_Moderator]

I know the Admin put in some Hella Micro DEs in the fog lamp location. He seemed very happy with his upgrade.

Stock ones are useless.

Yeah they fit and work very well. Their driving lights though not fogs. So if your shopping for fog lights make sure you end up with a suitable beam pattern

[Gregg]

Yeah they fit and work very well.  Their driving lights though not fogs.  So if your shopping for fog lights make sure you end up with a suitable beam pattern

Wait, there are two sets of Micro DEs...

Micro DE auxiliary fog lamps
Micro DE Xenon driving lights

Which ones do you have Charles?

[Che'_Moderator]

Wait, there are two sets of Micro DEs...

Micro DE auxiliary fog lamps
Micro DE Xenon driving lights

Which ones do you have Charles?

I guess they do make fog lights now. Cool. Mine are the HIDs, hence the ballasts

[KLS]

My OEM fogs were a help when they were new. The plastic lenses now have so much pitting from rocks that the beam isn't as good as it was then, and isn't nearly as much help.


Ken