Re: Using high wattage bulbs in E36

[alex.fadeev@xxxxxxxxxxx]

"Alan Leung" <alanleung100@domain.elided> wrote:
> I am shopping for fog light bulbs for my 95 M3 and notice that some
> places advertise higher wattage applications. E.g. 100W instead of the
> stock 55W H1 bulbs. Will using high wattage bulbs do any harm to my
> electrical system, connector, or fog light assembly? 

Alan,
How do you define harm?
Your wires will run hot, but *probably* will not melt. Your current fog 
light fuses will blow unless you seriously upgrade them (55W/12V*2 ~= 
9.2Amp vs. 100/12V*2 ~= 16.7 Amp constant draw). And finally your fog 
light housing may or may not melt. 
All of the above will do little harm to the car since the fog lights are 
absolutely useless for anything other than catching rocks, breaking either 
the lens or the housing and requiring perpetual replacement. 

> Please comment on the same question on headlights also. E.g. 80W/55W 
> for low beam and 100W/60W for high beam. Thanks in advance. Alan L.