Other 70 Problem: headlight upgrades

[slymarbo]

has anybody tried these lights out
http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/product....hFor=&PT_ID=92

just wondering as i think that the standard headlights are pretty useless, tho not as bad as my old vauxhalls

[bazzamac]

I haven't tried these on the V70 yet but was thinking about it as I bought a set for my old disco (H4'S) which I use for off road fun and there really was a difference well worth it IMHO - I'm gonna order a set for the V70.

[michron11]

have got a set in my V70 D5,have replaced both set of bulbs,very very good,crisp white light and on main beam you will give people coming the other way arc eye if you do not drop to dip beam.well worth the money.got mine from autobulb direct ltd.


Mike V70 D5 53plate Geartronic

[TJMurphy]

Mike,
Had you tried the Philips Vision+ before that (50% plus bulbs IIRC). Just curious if they gave a big step up from them.

Cheers
Tony

(PS I can recommend at least the 50% plus though adjusting the angle of the beams did make a bigger difference IMHO!).

[michron11]

Hi Tony could not get the xtreme power +80% inthe HB3 which is the dip beam,have got the osram silver star +50% .the +80% are in the main beam which are H7.have used uprated bulbs before but were the rally 100watt off road bulbs and caused probs with oncoming traffic,these bulbs i have now are great and a lot cheaper than H.I.D AFTER MARKET fittments



Mike V70 D5 53 plate

[TJMurphy]

Originally Posted by michron11

Hi Tony could not get the xtreme power +80% inthe HB3 which is the dip beam,have got the osram silver star +50% .the +80% are in the main beam which are H7.have used uprated bulbs before but were the rally 100watt off road bulbs and caused probs with oncoming traffic,these bulbs i have now are great and a lot cheaper than H.I.D AFTER MARKET fittments



Mike V70 D5 53 plate

Thanks. I've already got +50% in the dipped beams (AKA main / low beam H7 bulbs?). I think from memory that it's running original high beams (HB3 bulb?). In fact I'm not sure I've ever changed these ones - may still be on the originals!

I only change them when they blow and living in West London most of my driving is under street lights so apart from trying out the +50% when the main beams go I've not gone further, I hardly ever use the high beams and they seem fine when I do.

My original thread-hijack question (sorry) was whether it was worth stepping up from +50% to +80% when next I need to change a bulb? I think I have a spare set of the +50% from last time I bought them (from PowerBulbs I think on a special offer) so would not buy any more unless they were a fair bit better.

Tony

[michron11]

Tony:
if most of your driving is in london on dip beam i think you have the best bulbs +50%,also if you have spares i think i would be a wast of money to by xtra bulbs,as you would only get the benifit if you did a lot of b road driving were you could use the main beam that is were the +80% come into there own. Hope this helps and enjoy yolur volvo.

Mike

[b1g1an]

Originally Posted by michron11

these bulbs i have now are great and a lot cheaper than H.I.D AFTER MARKET fittments

Don't kid yourself that any of these bulbs are as good as the quality HID replacements though, I've used several of the better varieties and because of the hassle changing bulbs in facelift cars went for a HID conversion the last time one blew.

Wasn't looking for a big difference but it being like night and day is not a cliche in this instance, if you do drive regularly on unlit roads do yourself a favour and go for HIDs, they're so good you only need dipped beam.

[Infinity]

Originally Posted by b1g1an

Don't kid yourself that any of these bulbs are as good as the quality HID replacements though, I've used several of the better varieties and because of the hassle changing bulbs in facelift cars went for a HID conversion the last time one blew.

Wasn't looking for a big difference but it being like night and day is not a cliche in this instance, if you do drive regularly on unlit roads do yourself a favour and go for HIDs, they're so good you only need dipped beam.

Roughly how much is the conversion?

Justin

[wowbanger2000]

Hello all,

I've used the Philips Vision Plus on my old S40, but changed to Osram on a friend's recommendation for the V70.

Osram Silverstar H7 dip beam (claimed + 50% brighter)
Osram Cool Blue HB3 main beam (claimed + 30% brighter)
Osram Silverstar H? front fog lamps

They're definately brighter than 'standard', but I don't have a comparison to the new Philips + 80% bulbs. HOWEVER, the linky above shows these Philips + 80% at £30 quid plus!! Silverstars will cost you around £10-15 on eBay.

Bottom line - spend a few quid but not a fortune and get something better than bog standard (I guess). I agree with the post above HID effect bulbs come nowhere close to 'proper' HID lights.

BTW - if anyone knows of anything better than Osram Cool Blue HB3 please let me know. I think others have come across the same problem there is a limited range of bulbs available HB3 fitting.

Chris

PS - may be worth keeping the bulb packs/boxes stowed in the car. Having anything higher than 60w is not legal, and if your lights are looking masses brighter than other cars you may get pulled over by traffic division and challenged...

PPS - I don't know of an HID upgrade that's legal for use. Anything from far east, USA etc is not likely to be e-marked - see note above! That said, if I'm wrong someone please let me know.... :-)