I am curious about adding HIDs to my driving lights. They are the stock driving lights on a BMW 528, 1998. I have read that they have a halogen 35 watt bulb (H7). The driving light itself has a clear glass, with a black diffuser(?) that goes horizontally accross it, covering the tip of the bulb. I have seen some pictures where people just add a D2S bulb and ballast, and remove the diffuser. It seems very bright with a lot of glare. Is this ok to do? Will the beam pattern be ok if the diffuser is taken out??

And I did read the FAQ's, but wanted to get a more precise answer.

Thanks for all your help in advance.

I did not even know that '98 5 series had separate DRL fixtures. I thought DRL function was made by making high beams dimmer. Are you in north america? Maybe u have a picture or two that can enlighten us about this models front end lighting?

It almost sounds like you refer to a fog light application, and that is not a good place to put HID, who wants to use HID lighting in foggy conditions? Fog lights are intended to lit up foreground of car - probably not what u want...

The DRL's are a function of the high beams. I was referring to the fog lights. As I wrote above, I have seen some pictures of people who put a HID D2S bulbs in the fog light. They made it fit by taking out the diffuser. I wanted to do the same, mainly for extra lighting on back roads.

If I do that, do you happen to know if the light could be controlled? Or would it be all over the place and blinding everyone? I assume that the diffuser that they took out plays some kind of role in the light pattern. I'll try to post a picture of my foglight soon. I'd email it to you, but I cant find your email!!

Thanks for your help so far.

HID in a foglamp usually gives too much foreground (0-30 meters) ligthing, weak down the road (30-100 meter) lighting, bright to each side, bright into oncoming drivers eyes, bright up into trees along the road (kinda useless).

If you haven't got OEM HID low beams, I'd suggest you get that first. If you do, what about getting some E-code ones. That will kill to flies in ones:
- better optics
- new front glass (Pitting decreases down the road lighting).

Or you could go all the way and replace high beam fixtures with some OEM HID Bi-Xenons for $3-500. That should create some jaw dropping faces, and keep high beam function alive...