Higher Wattage Lamps Okay? - MINI Cooper Forum

elliot42 · #1 (**permalink**) Nov 23rd, 2011, 08:41 PM

Just a quick boring question, I have the original bmw fitted mini spotlights on my mini with the h3 lamps they supplied. I have seen OSRAM H3 HYPER WHITE lamps for sale that are 70Watts which should be a bit brighter. Will these damage anything as they are slightly higher wattage?

Cooper S Jon · #2 (**permalink**) Nov 24th, 2011, 04:12 PM

more than like eventually burn the coating off the reflector..

checking that the wiring can take the added current..

Defender · #3 (**permalink**) Dec 3rd, 2011, 07:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by elliot42 (original)

Just a quick boring question, I have the original bmw fitted mini spotlights on my mini with the h3 lamps they supplied. I have seen OSRAM H3 HYPER WHITE lamps for sale that are 70Watts which should be a bit brighter. Will these damage anything as they are slightly higher wattage?

Hmm, interesting question, it's an additional 15Watts, so it's an additional 1.25 amps being drawn.
In theory it would probably be OK, how ever you need to take into account the age of the wiring and the amount of time you're going to use them?
If it were me I'd go for a premium bulb, which in it's self will be brighter than an OEM bulb and at the standard 55W rating the switch and wiring will be fine.

Hope that helps?

ATB,

Defender.