hids or upgrade bulbs?
 

I have a ph2 with twin lamp headlights and im considering my options.

Id go for osram or philips bulbs with smd side lights if i keep the current setup but what about hids?

Iv researched and it seems the reflectors are better suited than most for hid and provide a fairly decent beam pattern within reason.

I was thinking of just getting dipped beam and leaving the high beam as a halogen.

Thoughts....

I bought the volvo xennon headlights for my v40
Wouldn't go back to anything else
And bought a different set of bulbs and now have hid fog lohhts

It's worth checking the legality of a HID conversion, particularly if you don't have headlight washers fitted:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/Xenon-head...8856492/g.html

In general high output bulbs do not last as long as normal ones. I tried two types (Philips Nightbreakers and Halfrauds) and they both blew within about 3 months of daily use (Every sensible Volvo owner keeps his headlights or DRL's on when driving during the daytime). I then fitted GE Megalight upgrade bulbs and they have now lasted nearly one year, also a German car mag that tested them rated them as the best ones available.

I've got hids in mine Pete they are great just stick to 5000k or 6000k for optimum light performance, I had 11k's in mine although they look cool because they are really blue they don't put out much light. http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps5428620b.jpg there's mine with hid upgrade also mount vision rider has done his. Never been pulled by da cops either ;)

HID looks amazing, but if you're sticking with halogen, I can heartily recommend two Philips bulbs.

I have one White Vision and one Xtreme Vision in mine at the moment, the WV is slightly whiter, but also slightly less light output, but it's not too noticeable unless you're staring straight at them, and then you'll have spots in front of your eyes so you won't notice the difference anyway. X-Treme are a bit cheaper and unless you really want the white look I'd go for them.

X-Treme Vision* colour temp 3350K
X-Treme Vision 130+ colour temp 3700K
WhiteVision colour temp 4300K

I have "white" LED sidelights and although they're clearly a completely different shade to both bulbs, I've passed MOT without any mention. If you do want to match that, then HID/Xenon is the only way forward.

EDIT: some more info, I didn't know about these new 130+ versions
http://www.powerbulbs.com/blog/2014/...eme-vision-130

*previously known as X-Treme Power

Personally, i'm more bothered about how much light is projected on to the road, rather than how "cool" some people think they look !
I was given some blue halogen headlamp bulbs, which were absolutely rubbish, they were so bad it was almost as if they weren't switched on & when some local boy racers told me they "looked cool" i decided it was time to bin them !

I now have osram nightbreakers in all four units & they do give a significant improvement over standard bulbs.

Strictly speaking, it is illegal to fit HID's to standard halogen headlamp units, but in reality it is often difficult for Plod to do anything about it & it is easy to swap back to halogen bulbs for the MOT.

Great technology that makes hid with just a globe and no ballast

It is quite helpful that the drivers to be avoided make it so obvious

Magnuz aslong as you stick to 5-6k they put out a decent amount of light ;) they are head and toes over the filament bulbs I.m.o they look more modern and don't blow either. Those up above are 6k. They show cats eyes and road signs up a lot better also hi viz jackets. I'm going out in a bit I will take some pics of what they are like on the road ;).

Hids are looking like a good option, plod around here seem too busy rounding up lowered corsas and noisy fiestas to take any notice of my bog stock s40. That said ill take a the consequences on the chin, my main concern is i dont want to be the tosser whos lights dazzle every passing vehicle going the other way.

Which brands have a good reputation for longevity?

Cheers

Are these any good for replacing the sidelight bulbs?

231214621470

350700062066