Firstfives.org

Large and smaller size are single filament, correct ? No dual purpose.

NAPA, just replace what came out, no big deal, not special or fourteen bucks each, right ?

Never mind.

My $.02
If you can find them..buy bulbs with chrome instead of brass coated bases.

alotawatts wrote:My $.02 -- If you can find them, buy bulbs with chrome instead of brass coated bases.

BMW's $.02 as well, but they are nickel plated, not chrome. The bulbs NOT to use are brass (stated as copper on the E12 newbie FAQ page).

And I have a ton of these, the high output variety. Single and dual filament, 10 W 10 cp tail light as well as 25W 45 cp brake/ turn/ reverse/ rear fog bulbs. Selling thru my on-line BMW lighting business, 'Mo Brighta Mo Betta'.

Yeah, I know, it's silly and spelled wrong -- but it is designed to catch your attention, just like the rear lights that I modify. More about this later in the Tech section... and hey, this is my first post! Glad to be aboard, look forward to contributing, learning, making new friends ... and to helping keep your E12 out of the junk yard.

Got it; like 'Mo Hotta, Mo Betta'! I have a bottle of Rasta Fire Hot Sauce, Crazy Jerry's Dirty Black Bean Dip, Busha Browne's Spicy Tomato Love Apple Sauce & more. Welcome

Yep, tails are all single, front turn signal are duals. 10W bulbs will brighten up the tails considerably, but not enough to melt things. Many swear by nickle bases but the E39 is the only thing I've had get quirky about things like that.

Hey, I couldn't resist, what with all the hubbub these days about drugs and athletes and doping and all that.

So, I see it's been a while since this topic got any love, and I love to talk about bright lights.

I have been working with lots of lights from the venerable 2.5/2.8/3.0 CS coupes, to E39 fives, Volvos, MBs, and VWs, all the way to my wife's 2003 K---, helping the cars by brightening up, enlarging, and boosting reliability of rear and front lights.

Love to get a conversation started on this again, and perhaps help out some member who thinks (probably correctly) the lights are dimmer than he or she would like.

BMW made some really nice aircraft, and so thinking about Air Travel, the FAA requires DUAL BEACONS atop tall structures (like radio towers) for safety - to help pilots avoid these while flying.

I think it's a great idea; bulbs have a statistical probability of failure, but it's not predictable as to when they will fail, just that they will. The odds of one bulb failing is 100%, at some point in time, and of the other bulb, also 100%, but likely NOT at the SAME time, or even on the same day, so the goal of having at least one working clearance beacon on any given day is very, very close to 100%. Safe skies, safe travels.

SO, that's why all my cars (and motorcycles) have been retrofitted with a second (or third, or fourth) tail light bulb in each light fixture. Reliable, big, and bright -- meaning 'very easy to see'. Same with Brake lights.

Is there anyone else on the forum who has done something to modify their rear or forward lighting with this - or some other goal - in mind?
What was the result? Do you have pics?

I'd love to see what you did, and how much better your lights look from another driver's perspective.

I have pics showing the result of my modifications, would love to help you out if you agree that being seen by other drivers is important.

Another benefit - it may help you avoid that sickening crunch when their bumper meets your sheet metal from behind ...

And yet another, may help you and your passengers avoid a trip to the hospital following said crunch.

Will post pics if there is interest.

Have a great day!

Andy