Looking for Halogen bulbs upgrade - Xenon look
 

Hi Guys, what bulbs do I need for a 94' PF Audi A8?

Looks like theres H7, H1, H4 to choose from, but I don´t know which my car runs... also, is there more than one set?(high beems, regular beems and so on)

Here they offer the cool blue look of 4000k with Phillips
http://www.autobixen.dk/shop/h7-blue...on-46218p.html

Is there any better on the market?


I am not interested in a real Xenon upgrade... just something that makes my lights more white...

Thanks in advance:)

Jake~

if you want your lights "more white" then you don't really want to be going for the cool blue look ones. Have a look at the recent thread HERE for some advice and very good prices on H7 bulbs from germany (which have since arrived and are excellent) +++

Pure Greatness, thanks Architex_mA8tey:) I´ll have a look at that thread then

just bought 4 bulbs via the link you posted in the other thread (ebay item 261105186752 )

So does these bulbs both do highbeams and lowbeams?(don´t know what normal position is called) seems like there could be different bulbs in there as I don´t have fog lights down low(like on pf models) they are build into the headlamps.

So the question is... does these 2 bulbs cover everything?

Thanks in advance:-)

Jake

You sure I am running H7?

I am getting this from another page(where I choose my car and year) it gives H1, H3, HB3 and H5w

http://share.xboxlife.dk/file/ztexmw...jdhnjq4mty.jpg

Hi Jake,

I'd assume you have the same bulb set-up as mine, mines a PF model? The bulbs (sidelight, dipped beam, main beam and fog) are all within the headlight unit, correct? If that's the case then your main and dipped beams are H1 and HB3 bulbs, I fitted them.

I tried for the same thing you're looking for, a brighter level of lighting without going down the Xenon/HID route, just a change-out of the bulbs. I tried Ring XENON Ultima +120% bulbs, after looking at the options, and they were exactly the same as standard, so don't bother with those. I asked the supplier about Osram Night Breakers (a mate at work swears by them, but he drives a Ford, so not such a surprise ;)) and the bloke answering my call said he'd replaced his Night Breakers with the XENON +120's and these were much better?!? I can only assume that standard Audi bulbs are therefore decent and an upgrade is required, though I'm sure others can enlighten us? +++

Just trying to save you making the same mistakes I did, happy hunting! :)

Ronnie

Thanks fro the update Norretal, I was toooooo quick and ordered the H7(4 of them) already... seems like they do not fit my car:-(

Yes mine has all lights in the same unit

I guess I will have to seach for H1 and HB3 as you mentioned... atleast now I know which type I need:ROFL:

I'll search some more... thanks

Jake

Low beam is H1, main beam 9005/HB3(same thing, different names) and fog is H3. You don't want cool looking blue/white halogen lamps. The way they achieve this is by colouring glass blue which filters out yellow spectrum of light so you end up with less light. High output bulbs have reduced lifespan because they burn at higher temperatures, Philips Premium +30% is a good compromise between light, price and lifetime. Not sure if it is legal in Norway but you might consider updating H1 lamps with aftermarket HID kit like this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-55w-He...item48437eb7a9

Well Xenon would be the ultimate way to go... I have to figure out if its legal in Denmark tho.

Is this an easy install? I guessing it would be wise to fiddle with this AFTER the MOT:D(2 years between MOT's here)

Anyone upgraded to aftermarket Xenons in here? I remember that Carl from A8 Parts wanted to sell me an non-aftermarket Xenon upgrade... I think it included the whole headlamp... which would be the best way to go?

I know in Denmark, you need to have the washers working on the headlamp if you wanna install Xenon... pretty sure mine don´t


Jake~

email the guy in germany and explain that youve ordered the wrong size - he may well have the other sizes you require and at similar good prices, I'm sure it can be sorted. Apologies my H7s and that conversation were for different cars! +++

Thanks for all the answers guys, The Xenon upgrade ainarssems linked to is COMPLETELY illegal here:)

To have Xenons here you need the headlamp itself to be approved for Xenon, self level adjusting of the lamps + wipers/washers for the headlamps... so aftermarket is close to impossible.


Im gonna find some H1 and HB3 that suits my needs+++


Cheers, Jake

Thanks for that info ainarssems, do you know anyone that's fitted these and seen good results over standard? They're not much more expensive than a pair of supposed brighter halogen bulbs so I'd consider trying them if anyone else has benefitted from installing them?

I upgraded my main beams (HB3?) a while back (2 or 3 years now?) to brighter/whiter ones.
Trouble is I'm not sure exactly which brand/model they were. :o

Reasons were twofold:
1. One bulb had failed
2. I have HID (factory) dipped beams and the full beam was pathetic and yellow in comparison.

It's a pig of a job to do because the HID kit blocks access to the bulbholders and you need to take a fair bit of stuff out of the way, so I employed a mobile mechanic with lots of appropriate tools.

End result is good. The new bulbs are still somewhat yellower (and dimmer) than the dipped beams but they do at least have some value/effect and don't just look like stupid yellow candles.

Edit: Found the packaging which has the old working bulb in as a spare.
HB3/9005 "6500K Xenon Upgrade" from Autobulbs Direct Ltd. "Ice Blue Light and Style".
Of course they're not that colour still being yellower than the HID which are probably around 4500K, but they're not bad.

Yes me , Mike and couple of others. I used them with good results on PF S8 and C5 A6. Not so good on Freelander in H4 dual beam bulbs. There is a thread somewhere on the forum. Only problem was water getting in one of the ballasts so I have resealed all of them.

Cheers, I will bear that in mind. I'll fit them and make sure they're well sealed.

I've read all the threads but the detail and differences of opinion makes the decision even harder, I've got to start somewhere and these seem like a good option, thanks for the advice +++

Well, I bought the HID's recommended and eventually fitted them and I'm very happy with the results, much better than "upgrade bulbs" that I tried for a similar cost. The only problem now is the poor sidelights, as discussed on other threads. There seems to be much debate about the preferred option, based on reliability mainly, has anyone tried any LED's or an alternative upgrade that has proved reliable, and satisfactory in terms of looks, and is also reasonable regarding cost?

Thanks in advance +++

Norretal

I used to have projection headlights and I swapped mine for standard xenons rather than xenon pluses as I prefer the look of the headlight.
my sidelights are stacked LEDs off ebay and I'm very happy with the brightness/look -

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...9&d=1350100371

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...0&d=1350100371

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1350100371

More pics and a discussion is also on THIS THREAD +++

Thanks very much, that was the particular thread I was talking about. The photos look great and I'd be keen to try those if possible. It's when you start getting into the detail of standard xenons, xenon plusses and projection headlights that I start to get lost in the detail. I'm assuming that my PF would have the most basic so I'd appreciate it if anyone could confirm and I'd look using that information. If photos or details are needed to confirm than I'd gladly supply. It hasn't had a headlight upgrade as they're still the seperate headlight and indicator units so maybe that is all the detail required?

Thanks in advance +++

OK so on a Pre Facelift car do you even have sidelight bulbs? the workshop manual is calling them "fog light" bulbs which they may well have been prior to facelift as the fog lights then dropped down into the lower bumper

ELSAWEB PF Headlights

Mine is slightly different like THIS ONE

Of course you do! :ROFL:
(And yes, the foglights ARE in the headlight cluster which makes life very tricky with Xenons. :( )

Are they a combined dipped beam and sidelight bulb then?
I dont see a seperate sidelight bulb anywhere is what I meant

No!

we are talking about side lights here not indicators arent we? :Confused:

Sorry, I'm losing the plot. :Confused:

In my Xenon (dipped only) unit they are a separate bulb top centre above the fog light bulb.

I thought Norretal said that he didnt have Xenons though which is why I was struggling to understand where his sidelight bulbs were!

The gas discharge version you will have are those shown HERE which clearly show sidelights, but the more basic headlights do not show any at all!

I thought the basic structure of the lights was the same Xenons or not.
In mine the ballasts are sort of bolted (very inconveniently) on the back and the units otherwise look VERY similar to non-Xenons.
But we need someone who has standard headlights to confirm.

My drivers manual illustrates standard headlights and also shows the sidelight above the fog light.

Sorry for the delay and confusion caused fellas, I had to go out and check for myself, just to be sure. There are in fact four bulbs, sidelight, dipped, main and foglight, which is as the last diagram you added Neil. My confusion was what type/ headlight set-up I actually had, I suspect they are non-xenons after the advice offered by HPsauce as there are no ballasts bolted on either.

I've concluded from further research that they're push fit 501 bulbs, I'll see what's available out there.

Thanks for the advice and drawings, most helpful +++

I bought some nice 501 wedge LED sidelight bulbs for my Focus.
Similar-looking to these, though possibly not canbus (not needed): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-T10-W5W-.../270798558593?

I found the simple circuit-board design was easier to fit than the more bulb-shaped ones.
Edit: Checking back I did actually buy the canbus type, but only because they fitted better. It doesn't matter if you use them in a non-canbus fitting.

I use ones like these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1408595805...84.m1497.l2649

They are tight fit and there is a risk they could come out of plug and fall in headlight when pulling out. I know because one fell into mine.

One set is stil going strong after 3-4 years other failed within year so I guess it's down to luck how long they last

That happened in my Focus with that type, that's why I prefer the other sort.

Bought, fitted and very happy with the results, they look much better (whiter) alongside the HID's than the standard bulbs.

Thanks again for your advice guys, much appreciated. That's the dipped beams replaced with HID's, sidelight bulbs replaced with LED's, front indicator lenses renewed and "silver" bulbs fitted, and the orange side repeater lenses replaced with white items fitted with "silver" bulbs, giving the car a much better look from the front end on at least. All due to information found on here. +++

Now where was that post about a manual gearbox conversion...........;)