Looking for Halogen bulbs upgrade - Xenon look

Jake242 · #1 16th November 2012, 10:59 AM

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

I'll search some more... thanks

Jake

ainarssems · #2 16th November 2012, 11:10 AM

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

Jake242 · #3 16th November 2012, 11:24 AM

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

(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~

Architex_mA8tey · #4 16th November 2012, 11:49 AM

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!

Jake242 · #5 18th November 2012, 08:35 AM

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

Norretal · #6 18th November 2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ainarssems

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

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?

HPsauce · #7 18th November 2012, 07:57 PM

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.

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.

ainarssems · #8 18th November 2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

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?

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.

Norretal · #9 18th November 2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ainarssems

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

Norretal · #10 5th December 2012, 07:54 AM

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