Headlights

[Kev0607]

Hi chaps,

Now that the evenings are getting darker earlier, I've come to the conclusion that my headlights aren't particularly bright. They're standard halogen bulbs, but my Dad has xenon lights in his V70 & they produce much better light in comparison to mine. I don't want to go to the extent of that, as I presume maybe I need to order new headlight clusters, or some kind of adaption kit to do it?

To keep things as cheap as possible, I'm looking for suggestions of halogen bulbs that will light up the road better at night. The lenses on the headlights themselves are clear with no cloudiness.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[100K+]

This was the topic of a thread on the P2 section of this forum (pre 2007) I did a quick search but could not find anything. IIRC the upshot was that you could get a brighter halogen bulb ( ie Osram night breaker???) but they were expensive ( relative to std H7 bulbs) and they did not due to daytime running last long either. This last point is more mute in the P3. I do recall there was a fair bit of "discussion" as to which of several options was the best.
I run a P2 with Xenons and a P3 with Halogen. I didn't want the agro of Xenons on the P3, when they eventually decide they don't wish to play, and sulk pointing only 3 feet down the road.
I adapted in the P3 by using mainbeam more often outside of urban areas and its worked well.

Cheers Bob.

[Kev0607]

Thanks for your reply.

I do a lot of urban driving, so using the main beam isn't really an option. I'm just looking for something that will illuminate the road better (dipped beam) & won't cost too much, hopefully. I know the xenon's are far better in that respect, but my car isn't equipped with them unfortunately.

Are these the Osram ones you're referring to?

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/osram...-box-48177022X

Halfords sell these, which look similar to the Osram's?

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bu...ck-718753.html

[Bashy]

I have read on here about these being good, deffo cheaper than ya Halfords

[100K+]

I cannot be 100% sure about the bulb name except I do remember the name Osram... to me they make 240v house lights not H7 bulbs, hence the name stuck. Many manufactures are selling +150% bulbs and I suspect they will all be much of a muchness. I do know life of these bulbs were considered an issue in the discussions. ( still can't find that thread).
You much be a young chap, cos I remember driving around on side lights in urban (30mph) areas with no issue, and being amazed when I swapped my tungsten bulbs for sealed beam units in my '65 Mini. Its what you are used to I suppose. Lets know what you decide and how successful you think they are.

Cheers
Bob

[Yettie]

Hi I`ve run the Osram Night Breakers +150 in my 2007 S80 before and whilst they do shine brighter they don`t last very long. During the summer after the last blew I fitted some standard bulbs. Now its always dark I`ve gone for some +120 So will see how long they last.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by 100K+

I cannot be 100% sure about the bulb name except I do remember the name Osram... to me they make 240v house lights not H7 bulbs, hence the name stuck. Many manufactures are selling +150% bulbs and I suspect they will all be much of a muchness. I do know life of these bulbs were considered an issue in the discussions. ( still can't find that thread).
You much be a young chap, cos I remember driving around on side lights in urban (30mph) areas with no issue, and being amazed when I swapped my tungsten bulbs for sealed beam units in my '65 Mini. Its what you are used to I suppose. Lets know what you decide and how successful you think they are.

Cheers
Bob

The previous owner turned off the daytime running lights on my car, so I control my lights manually & bulbs tend to last longer. Generally with it being pretty dark most of the day due to the weather & being in the winter season now, I've been driving around with the dipped beam on all day (as if I had daytime running lights basically). The only time I use just side lights on their own would be in an urban area on a summer evening when its not fully dark & its not raining etc. Apart from that, its dipped beam anyway.

Thanks for your replies.

Originally Posted by Bashy

I have read on here about these being good, deffo cheaper than ya Halfords

Thanks Bashy.

Originally Posted by Yettie

Hi I`ve run the Osram Night Breakers +150 in my 2007 S80 before and whilst they do shine brighter they don`t last very long. During the summer after the last blew I fitted some standard bulbs. Now its always dark I`ve gone for some +120 So will see how long they last.

Cheers for the heads up regarding the Osram's.

[Tannaton]

If you look at www.powerbulbs.com they have a lookup tool and you can find upgrade bulbs for your car. They also state clearly whether the options are fully compliant or off-road use only. I’ve used Osram Nightbreaker for years and they are a good improvement but short lived, especially on cars where the headlights are the day running lights. I’m now using PIAA Hyper Arros and I think they are longer lived whilst still a significant upgrade.

[apersson850]

What about the rules for these lights in the UK?

Here (in Sweden) DRL of some sort is mandatory. Either dipped headlights or special DRL light. No parking lights can substitute.

Also, Xenon lights require active levelling control, as they are so bright.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

If you look at www.powerbulbs.com they have a lookup tool and you can find upgrade bulbs for your car. They also state clearly whether the options are fully compliant or off-road use only. I’ve used Osram Nightbreaker for years and they are a good improvement but short lived, especially on cars where the headlights are the day running lights. I’m now using PIAA Hyper Arros and I think they are longer lived whilst still a significant upgrade.

This. I gave up tbh, as I seemed to get 6 months max out of them, now using longlifes and driving more slowly!