Headlamp upgrade (pictures)

[Bigchewie]

Those look good, stupid question, thats just New halogen bulbs in a new projector, Was very impressed with the results of cleaning the projector lens last month, though strangley I have the same prohectors in my e46 m3 and they didnt cloud up anywhere near as much and the car is 7yrs older than the v50, though the difference may be the halogen rather than bi-xenons.

Originally Posted by Welton

Nice sharp beam there, most of our stock units will be suffering from the chrome plating blistering on the projector 'mirror'

I find it strange that this is an issue, i have no issue with it on my 15yr old m3 and no mention of it I have seen on the m3 boards, as above i wonder if its an issue due to halogen rather than xenon d2s bulbs, (the m3 units are made by AL also, (a Bosch/Magnetti Marelli joint venture from what i understand)

[T5R92011]

Originally Posted by Bigchewie

Those look good, stupid question, thats just New halogen bulbs in a new projector, Was very impressed with the results of cleaning the projector lens last month, though strangley I have the same prohectors in my e46 m3 and they didnt cloud up anywhere near as much and the car is 7yrs older than the v50, though the difference may be the halogen rather than bi-xenons.



I find it strange that this is an issue, i have no issue with it on my 15yr old m3 and no mention of it I have seen on the m3 boards, as above i wonder if its an issue due to halogen rather than xenon d2s bulbs, (the m3 units are made by AL also, (a Bosch/Magnetti Marelli joint venture from what i understand)

I think it's because Volvo's dipped beams are ALWAYS on as Daytime Running lights, so the silvering wears away much much faster due to constant heat exposure.

I the final years of the P1 Volvos, they changed DRLs to LEDS that replaced the fog lamps and the headlights gained an automatic setting. So the headlamps in those ones will be much better.

[Bigchewie]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

I think it's because Volvo's dipped beams are ALWAYS on as Daytime Running lights, so the silvering wears away much much faster due to constant heat exposure.

I the final years of the P1 Volvos, they changed DRLs to LEDS that replaced the fog lamps and the headlights gained an automatic setting. So the headlamps in those ones will be much better.

I guess that makes sense, it was the MY2011 onwardscars that got that, i would rahter have foglights, that those DRLs right enough, hardly see any new cars with foglights these days or at least i dont notice them. but thats another discussion

[andy_d]

For those of you debating the replacement / upgrade
The following photos show How bad the reflectors can get (and im Sure there are Worse than these out there)





04 plate V50 reflectors as removed from mine

I will do a full "build" thread inabits with lots more photos and how to words, but honestly it is Simple
T25 - 3 screws ,, undo take the old unit out, put the new in, 3 screws fit Quality H7 bulb, headlight back into the car, then align them