Hey everyone, just wondering what would be some reliable and great looking aftermarket bulbs? I heard of some that would only last half a year and less and i'm just wondering from those who have some aftermarket bulbs, which would last the longest and look great? I'm looking for parking light replacements, reverse light replacements and license plate light replacements all in hyper white. Also, some fog light replacements. If anybody has some great long last bulbs, please let me know! Thanks a lot everyone.

- Jon

 

kreskin!!!

help us.

beers

 

PIAA

I've used them on two cars now, and have never had one bulb go out.

-hS

 

ive had bad experiences with PIAAs.. didnt even last a month.. my eurolites were better.

 

well, i've replaced every possible 194 on my car w/ an LED 194. that includes parking lights, corners, interior, & licence plate. unfortunately, for some reason my LED's from autoillumination tend to die out every month or so... don't know if anyone can shed some light on this... i've lost a door map light & several corners like this.
on the other hand, i have PIAA's for all my turn signals & they look great. i also have them on my reverse lights & fogs... can't complain about he PIAA's. at one point i had the 194 xenon bulbs everywhere but they were still too yellow for my liking.
hope that helps...

 

Not too much experience with the LED bulbs from autolumination.com, however their version of "stealth bulbs" are very reliable. I've had mine on all corners, since I've bought the car (1+ years), and no burn-outs yet. I stand by their products, inexpensive, and quick shipment.

 

Thanks everyone, if anyone still has more to say about this topic, let me know! I want the best and most reliable. I always have to tell people on the road that their aftermarket bulbs are out and so forth because they aren't able to notice it themselves and i just wouldnt want that to happen to me. But thanks for all your opinions everyone!

 

REALLY?! Wow... you are the first person i ever heard that had a bad experience with them, are you sure your harness wasn't messed up?

I myself and many other PIAA user had ZERO problems with our PIAA's. I also ran the H3's Plasma's in my 2k2 Max ,(used just about everday of the week)and they lasted exactly 1 year and 4 months before 1 of them blew out. I used the H3 PIAA Hyper white in my TTZ and they never burned out, they lasted from the day i bought the car till the day i sold her, exactly 3 years.

I am sorry you had such a crummy experience. There expensive , but by the time you spend the dime on some cheapo bulbs 2-3 times a year, you could have used the money to buy the PIAA'S.

For clearance , side marker, dome bulbs, etc, i stick with Polarg bulbs. These bulbs really last, a great price and great longevity! There japanese bulbs and they last!


Right now i am using the Nokya H11(fogs) in my RX-8. Currently PiAA doen't run the Plasma in H11's as of yet. So far 3 months exactly and no problems....there close to fog HIDS in apearance, the PIAA's Plasma were a dead on look alike to HIDS . I am running Polarg hyper whites in my clearance and side markers. Check the pics out for yourself.

 

PIAAs are good,

BUT... only if you find a reputable source.

There are many many many many fake PIAAs out there. Especially on ebay.

but really, for the price of PIAAs why not just retrofit in an HID kit?

 

I agree. there are a lot of fake piaa vendors. i bout another 194 set from ebay. They came in a zip lock bag, and looked nothing like my real piaa bulbs.

BTW, piaas are A LOT CHEAPER than an HID Kit.
Piaa Bulbs - $60-80
HID Kit - $300-$500

 

I spent around $7-8 for the super white fog light (H11) bulbs from www.autolumination.com . I also got a pair of the super white 194s for about $6. Had bulbs from them in my mazda6 for 2 years with no problems and the ones on my 8 have been fine for a year now.

 

I don't know much about lighting so yeah, but what are the advantages/disadvantages of having an HID kit over bulbs? I'm interested because i remember HID's a few years ago being close or over $1000 or something so yeah. Are the HID's more reliable or look better? but yeah, for my 194 bulbs, the vast majority has good raves over the PIAA and i guess ill try them out for myself. Any reliable place to get them other than ebay?

 

you can get a decent HID kit for around $250 from a GB, there are plenty on different forums, just make sure its the correct bulb. Plus its getting so competitive, they even offer lifetime warranties. I'd recommend getting these HID kits because of the warranty and longer lasting bulbs which often outlast your vehicles life. PIAAs, have many fakes as stated, and if you get it through non-authorized resellers, oftentimes its difficult to get stuff replaced from their 1 year warranty. Besides PIAAs are just for color as they produce less output light than stock bulbs... i don't care what they advertise. A tinted bulb is going to produce less light than a non-tinted one.

Sure you'll pay a little more for HIDs but for lifetime warranty, coolness factor, and SUPERIOR lighting... its worth it.

 

HID's rule!

 

Okay so PIAA's are good.

Now can someone point me in the right direction to a place were i can buy some 194 PIAA bulbs?

I orginaly bought a pair from www.autolumination.com but they sent me 2 hyper whites that looked noting alike in color. So i need to find an alternative other than autolumination for my lighting needs.

Unless they are willing to work with me and help me get a set of matching lights.

 

if you are getting 194's.. just get LEDs

6led superwhites for parking lights
5led matrix for sidemarkers

All from superbrightleds.com

 

autoillumination is a good company but i've had too many problems w/ their 194's. it seems that they tend to have a lot of duds. the quality is not the greatest at all...

 

Thanks everyone! Anymore places i could get some reliable bulbs, HID kits and so forth?

 

check HIDplanet forums for GREAT info on HIDs, now those guys know their stuff. Plus lots of stuff for sale from them, good deals on retrofits and whatnot.

 

THANKS!