Bulbs - 150% Brighter Worth It?

[anotheruser]

Just bought a 66 plate V40 and was working out which bulbs in my spares box would fit.

Used Halfords website to help me and I wondered what people think of their bulbs that are "150% brighter" or whether branded bulbs work better than the normal Halfords ones?

The only thing I'd expect brands to do would be to last longer but in terms of use, are they better?

[Bonefishblues]

Lots of bulb threads, worth a search on site.

[DSK]

Generally a lot depends on lamp design as well.

E.g. my 2013 Astra GTC, 1998 BMW, 1995 Supra, 2000 Volvo's all work great with standard halogens. My 2007 Mercedes CLS with halogen, correctly aligned lights and perfect lens is shocking terrible with standard halogens (not even Nighbreakers made a difference).

As for bulbs themselves, bulbs from a reputable brand such as Philips and Osram will last and work well. Osram Night Breakers tend to be the favourite but, I have found Philips to offer the longest life span.

[anotheruser]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

Lots of bulb threads, worth a search on site.

Yes, lots but not any that ask this question directly.
I searched thread titles for "bulbs".

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by anotheruser

Yes, lots but not any that ask this question directly.
I searched thread titles for "bulbs".

I'm sorry I misled you. I think there are 2 questions:

Brighter bulbs are significantly brighter, yes, but compromise on longevity*, and are more expensive. I no longer use them as a result, others see sufficient benefit to use them.

*6 months or so IME with Osram Nightbreakers.

I see no discernible difference between regular Halfords bulbs and branded bulbs.

[ITSv40]

With my previous V40 - permanent daylight running lights - I was always popping into Halfords to buy bulbs. It seemed the car lights were like fairy lights on a Christmas tree, impossible to keep a full set of working bulbs for any length of time. I knew I should have bought better bulbs, but just couldn't be bothered.

When I bought the current V40 - same daylight running lights - I was determined to buy better bulbs. I checked all bulbs fitted as bought and without exception they were all Osram. Osram being original equipment and the car having full Volvo history. I fitted a complete set of replacement Osram bulbs - front and back - and 70,000mls later have only replaced one rear sidelight bulb.

[bornmiddleaged]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

.... but compromise on longevity*, and are more expensive.

*6 months or so IME with Osram Nightbreakers.
bulbs.

Absolutely this. I also had a set of Nightbreakers on my old Skoda Octavia. One lasted about 8 months and I got that replaced under warranty, IIRC the other side lasted just over a year. That is with annual mileage of around 11,000.

It will depend what sort of driving you do, I am generally either in town with streetlights, or on the motorway during rush hour when there are plenty of other cars about and therefore did not see any benefit from the brighter lights.
If you drive a lot on quiet, unlit single carriageway roads, then they may be of benefit.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by anotheruser

Just bought a 66 plate V40 and was working out which bulbs in my spares box would fit.

Used Halfords website to help me and I wondered what people think of their bulbs that are "150% brighter" or whether branded bulbs work better than the normal Halfords ones?

The only thing I'd expect brands to do would be to last longer but in terms of use, are they better?

Yes you might find an 8% to 10% improvement ! anything better is good ...

[DaveNP]

I did buy 'brighter' bulbs for my V70 and there is a difference. I don't recall the brand but I think I arrived at them by checking a few comparison tests online for bright bulbs and got the ones that seemed the best. The life of an individual bulb can vary quite a bit and some of the big name big price brands were not that much better than the cheap ones.
Ultimately I know my problem is the deterioration of the reflectors in the headlight and I expect dealing with that will make a more significant difference.

[Brimfull]

I fitted a pair of Phillips xtreme bulbs to my 2006 Seat Leon. When looking at the headlights, the Phillips bulbs produced a more white light than the standard bulbs but when driving you could not tell any difference.