lkchris
Veteran
Date registered: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque
Vehicle(s): '07 GL320CDI, '06 E320CDI
Posts: 144
| RE: Difference between "USA" and "Imported" Replacement Bulbs
I have a 1984 BMW motorcycle I purchased new and it's never had a burned-out turnsignal, taillight, or brake bulb. I've seen brand new GM cars with still the paper temporary license tag with burned out bulbs. German quality is real and USA quality sucks is the answer you're looking for. Also, the systems (bulb out) in your car expect the resistance values of the bulbs they were designed around. Cheapo bulb designers aren't necessarily trying to match that.
Edited by lkchris 5/22/2007 12:51 PM
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Scheinwerfermann
Date registered: Oct 2006
Location: Budapest
Vehicle(s): Too many to list
| RE: Difference between "USA" and "Imported" Replacement Bulbs
It's only very recently that European-type bulbs have been generally available in North America. Prior to about 2000, it was very, very difficult to find P21W, P21/5W, R5W, and R10W in North American auto parts stores. There are North American standard bulbs analogous to all four of these types (1156 for P21W, 1157 for P21/5W, etc.) , but the critical key difference is that the US bulb types have traditionally had plain brass bases, rather than the nickel-plated bases used on the European-type bulbs. The plain brass bases cause problems in sockets designed around the assumption of a nickel-plated base. These problems were widespread owing to the tendency of US bulb replacement guides to list the US bulb types for use in European cars. Bzzt! Nope.
Nowtimes, it's pretty easy to find the right bulbs at a parts store, and you can even upgrade P21W to P3497 and P21/5W to P3496 for 30-40% more light without fear of vehicle damage or malfunction, since the P3496/7 have the nickel-plated bases.
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