S8ilver

Can someone please clarify for me. I ordered some H3 replacement bulbs for fog lights, but then I read somewhere that fog bulbs are same as low beams, which are H7. I won't be home for a few weeks, or else I'd just pop one out and see for myself.

Every database I look at lists H3.

silverd2

That seems to be one of those things that even ETKA has wrong (plus just about all online sellers).
My fogs have H7's from the factory.

Look in there with a flashlight...H3's are MUCH shorter bulbs...H7's will look just like your high beams.
If you have Xenon's (HID'S), those are your low beams.

silverd2

PS Some past threads seem to go both ways, depending on year(?)>>

http://forums.quattroworld.com/a8/msgs/27765.phtml

Yours "should" be H7...but may just have to look to be sure.

S8ilver

Much appreciated. That is the exact same thread I read that prompted the question. If I was home I'd just look. The plan was to match the fogs to the factory HID, but I'd be really bummed if I had the wrong kit when I got home. However, the company I dealt with (HID outlet on Amazon, brand: Zenex) will do an exchange no problem. I've used them for 2 other vehicles and for the price I was surprised at their (good) quality...plus if you get bored you can swap out HID bulbs for around $20/pair. However, I'll keep it a classy 4300k. I was a skeptic at first but they've been burning strong in my Bronco for 2 years now...around $70/kit with balasts, relays and bulbs. Ok now I'm rambling.

S8ilver

Ok finally had a day home to take a look. The fog bulbs are indeed H7. However, the H3 bulbs that came with the HID kit are only just slightly shorter. The biggest difference seems to be the "hat" where the retaining spring holds the bulb to the fog housing. The H3 has much less, and as a result the spring doesn't quite hold it down enough to my liking. I could just place a washer to give a bit more tension, or grab another set of bulbs. The beauty of this kit is the ability to change out the bulb & harness for about $20/pair. Now the fun part will be getting these to work as plug and play. I saw a D2 HID fog DIY where the guy just drilled a bunch of holes in the back of the housing. I don't know why he didn't just used the factory connectors and go for a clean install, but to each their own.

H3 that came with HID kit on left vs OEM H7 bulb on right:

silverd2

Not your normal H3's there.

A standard H3, like ones used in prefacelift A8 fogs (and other OEM apps), look like this >>>

Adjuster

That is the HID H3 replacement bulb.

I'm dealing with this myself, as I uprade the factory HID's from 35 watt, to 55 watt, and add in the HID fog lamps.

Yes, I'm a heritic for using 6000k bulbs... (Over driven on the 55's, they tend to wash out some of the blue, but fogs will be a very nice blue/white light.)

I've used these 6000k setups on many vehicles, and the light quality is amazing.

'01-S8

Isnt the kit plug and play with your existing H7 harness?

- Mount slim ballast
- Plug OEM connector into receiver on ballast
- Plug ballast into HID light
- Mount HID light in OEM socket

done?

Every kit that I have ordered like this take 2 seconds.....

aduggs

I just popped my fogs out last weekend, and to my surprise, I had H3's in my early '00 facelift A8. I now need to exchange the Hoen H7's I ordered...

silverd2

Now I see there was a mid-year change in the 2000 models, depending on you VIN.

ETKA catalog page on 2000 A8 fogs >>