Xenon/Xenon plus/Bi-Xenon
 

How do you tell them apart (and what is there likely to be in my 2002 S8?)?

And what's the best (practical DIY - not major refit) upgrade. Narrow B roads in the pitch black of a wet Glasgow morning are a real challenge!

Xenon plus are bi-xenon, same thing.

It basically means that the xenon bulb is used for both the high and low beam.

On a basic xenon, you have xenon low beam and a halogen main beam.

The xenon / xenon plus headlights are quite easy to interchange, I documented it somewhere I think.

Xenon plus:

http://images.a8parts.co.uk/parts/247.jpg

Standard xenon / Halogen (they look identical)

http://images.a8parts.co.uk/parts/2401.jpg

The xenon plus will physically lift the bulb up when you select main beam, if you get someone to pull the light stalk whilst you're stood outside you'll see what I mean.

all Facelift S8's had xenons as standard, and on a 2002 you will almost certainly have the bi-xenon like the top photo...

HTH +++

HTH???

Yep, mine definitely look like the bi-Xenons, but I could still use a little more candle-power. Is there a simple upgrade to bulbs that might light the way a little better?

It means happy to help, I was thinking about this too whilst driving last night.
Could it just be that the bulbs are getting on a bit now and a fresh set will make them brighter?
I think the bulb type is D2S or something and you can pick them up for £40.
My green S8 must have had upgraded bulbs as the Bi Xenons on that were in another league to the ones I have now!

I think my 2.8 was better too.

Need to find some upgraded bulbs somewhere....

Found these
http://www.carbulbsdirect.com/bulb_f..._id=994&bulb=1
Anyone had any experience?

They are the wrong type you need D2S not H1,
They cost £130 each at Audi iirc. I'll find some when on the laptop later and post them, I'm still in bed browsing on the I Phone at the moment!

What about these?
http://www.carbulbsdirect.com/produc...at1=39&cat2=37
But £50-£100 for each bulb - ouch!

And still in bed? Are you sick or was it a good night last night?

Both :ROFL:

I'm sure they are the right type, but now you need to decide if you want 4.3k or 6k bulbs. The K stands for kelvin and is a measure of the colour temperature, 4.3k is factory and is white with a blueish look to it and 6k is a lot more blue. I think 4.3k gives the best light output though, best to ask mkoneman as he changed his to 6k, which is probably what I'd go for if I changed as its a nice blue and not to blue in a chavvy way. +++

Mine are Bi-Xenon too, but not as bright as my old 2001 S4. I've just received a replacement set of 5000k units, will pop out during break and fit them.

I'll see if they're any brighter tonight than the OEM 4300k items, that have probably been on the car from new.