I have 55w 5k. Its brighter than even the 4300 35w.

Thats only because I'm using 55w ballasts.

My lights light up the ground so much I dont even use my fogs anymore.

 

4300k is the brightest

 

Be careful with 55w HID's, they can burn up the bowls of the headlight reflector and yellow the plastic headlight lenses over time. While the actual bulb temperatures of HID bulbs are lower than that of halogen, most aftermarket HID bulbs emit very high IR and UV rays which can and will damage plastics and reflectors.

 

im aware of the possibility. however, i have owned a bunch of kits and have experienced no issues with various cars

 

Actually this is correct. In terms of output, 4300K provides the most visibility, that's why OEMs choose this temperature.

My guess is John probably meant what it appears.

 

ok so i should just go with a 4300 d2s since its HID. this look right .is there a better brand i should run?

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-39659-D2S-HID-Intensity/dp/B00265FXFY/ref=au_pf_pfg_s?ie=UTF8&Model=530i|187&n=15684181& s=automotive&Make=BMW|31&Year=2004|2004&carId=001

 

Just order it from John, he'll get you squared away.

 

+1


"The Kelvin (K) is the unit of color temperature. 4100K is the brightest, most natural white light similar to that of daytime sunlight, and therefore the HID color temperature used most in the OEM automotive industry. When you look at the light coming directly out of an HID headlight, it possesses a bit of a blue or purple hue which most people recognize as the expensive, elegant look characteristic of HID's. For this reason, some HID kit manufacturers produce 5400K, 6500K, 8000K, etc. bulbs that give an even more distinct blue hue but at the expense of overall light output. "

-Jason Neal, University of Southern Mississippi

 

I meant to the naked eye. If you drive in pitch black, 6000K will definitely appear brighter than 4300K. Some researches have shown the same amount of lumens with 4300K and 6000K. It's weird.

 

That's what I figured you meant John.

However, my personal experience has indicated that 4300K is definitely more illuminating than 6000K. Before I got my kit from you, I had the uber expensive Mtec kit, and those were 4300K, and they really lit up the road like insanity.