Brighter Headlamp Bulbs

I

IainP

Registered User
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
78
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Has anyone swapped out standard fit headlamp bulbs on an 07 plate for something brighter? Any recommendations on what and where to buy?
 
IainP said:
Has anyone swapped out standard fit headlamp bulbs on an 07 plate for something brighter? Any recommendations on what and where to buy?
Click to expand...

I haven't swapped the actual headlamp bulbs on my B7 as I have Xenon's.

However - if you're thinking of upgrading either your dipped beam or headlight bulb I'd strongly recommend you consider installing a HID Xenon upgrade kit.This is a kit that connects to your existing loom, but replaces your standard halogen bulbs with HID Xenon bulbs.........

However - they're technically illegal because they should be fitted with a self leveling system and headlight washers.

Saying that - I had them on my last car, in both the headlight and dipped beam without either and they passed about 4 MOT's without fail.

If you want the 'safe' route - just replace them with some 'performance' upgrade halogen bulbs, remembering you get what you pay for.

I'd highly recommend PIAA Xtreme white (premium bulbs) or Philips Xtreme Power Bulbs.............just don't buy Halfords!

Rich
 
Great, thanks both, i'll let you know how I get on!
 
Hi,

I bought a set of PIAA H7 Type Chrome Mirror White to use in the A4 but popped them into the wife's Golf instead (easier fit and to see how good they were). So far very impressed, much brighter/clearer light compared to the old lamps and will definitely be doing the same upgrade to main and dipped in the A4.

I got them from http://www.motaman.co.uk as a quck web search showed them to be cheapest. Mega fast next day delivery too despite quoting up to 14 days!
 
Tempted to get some as well now.
XTREME WHITE BULBS
Philips X-Treme Power H7

I have considered these below but they are not E certified! Is that going to cause a problem?

CHROME MIRROR WHITE BULBS

Is it worth getting both low and high beams swapped with these H7s or just the low beams?
 
I found that the Philips Extreme Power, although quite white, gave poorer visibility than Halfords Super Brilliance (which are actually GE Megalight Plus bulbs).

That said I have't tried Osram Night Breakers, which look good.
 
I put the PIAA Type Chrome Mirror White in the Golf for main and dipped - very impressed so have bought a set for the A4. Hope to get them in this w/e if the kids have stopped throwing up by then!!
 
I've just ordered a set of Philips X-Treme Power H7 from Powerbulbs, I also helped myself to a 15% discount code available online through a quick google search.

AutoExpress article

Tempted to video a before and after run down the same route to compare...



 
I was thinking of installing a HID kit, but i don't have projector headlights, so would the light get scattered everywhere and blind the oncoming cars? Is there any aftermarket projector lensed headlights for the B7 or is it just the audi xenons, cos they're pretty rare and probably expensive!
 
jwhat said:
I was thinking of installing a HID kit, but i don't have projector headlights, so would the light get scattered everywhere and blind the oncoming cars? Is there any aftermarket projector lensed headlights for the B7 or is it just the audi xenons, cos they're pretty rare and probably expensive!
Click to expand...

DEPO do an aftermarket projector lensed headlight for the B7.....
http://www.streetwerke.com/xcart/product.php?productid=527&cat=761&page=1 Not sure if you can get it through a uk supplier, but I know that www.sel-imperial.co.uk do depo products.

As for the HID kit into a standard lens - technically it's illegal as you should have washer jets and a self leveling system in there.........

However - we have a set in my partner's Clio and they give stunning output, and when correctly adjusted don't blind on coming drivers, and have passed an MOT without a problem.

Rich
 
I'd assume they would still be illegal even if you got the correct headlights because the vehicle should be fitted with headlight washers and auto levelers too.

That's why I just went for brighter bulbs, the total cost of doing the HID conversion correctly was a bit too much.
 
Ah i know they are illegal without washers and levelers but over here they wouldn't notice. I just wanted some projectors to help woth the beam cut off. yeah i saw the depo ones before but i presume they are set up for left hand drive and i was wondeing if there was anything for rhd, other that oem but i'll keep an eye out on ebay for some. and leave and bother with putting some into the normal lenses.

Thanks for the quick replys lads:thumbsup:
 
Ooh the bulbs are waiting at the post office! Can't wait for tomorrow (which is in a minute)
 
I've finaly fitted the PIAA Type Chrome Mirror White - very impressed.
 
Ordered the below yesterday, hoping they arrive today :thumbsup:

1 x PIAA H7 Type Chrome Mirror White 55.99
1 x PIAA W5W Chrome Mirror White Sidelight Bulbs 19.99
Sub Total 75.98
Shipping Amount 0.00
Total £75.98
 
I too ordered the Philips X-Treme Power H7 from Powerbulbs last week with the 15% discount code. Also got a set of Philips Blue vision side light bulbs free of charge.

I am pleased with both of these.... My sidelights are 100% better without a doubt as when I took my old ones out they had gone black at the ends. As for the dipped beam ones, I can notice they are better than my old ones for sure but there not 80% brighter as the description/product suggested they would be!

Like you say you get what you pay for! The reason I didn't go down the HID route was that I didn't want any bulb failure warning errors on the dash and the only kit I found which guaranteed not to give you that was £190 but I have since found one for £75 so I may well get that in the end now anyway.

So if any more of you are thinking about doing this and you have the projector headlights spend the extra £50 and get the HID's.
 
pjmspeedy said:
Like you say you get what you pay for! The reason I didn't go down the HID route was that I didn't want any bulb failure warning errors on the dash and the only kit I found which guaranteed not to give you that was £190 but I have since found one for £75 so I may well get that in the end now anyway.
Click to expand...


which kit is that?
 
I already have Xenons as standard in my B6....but would love to change the main beam bulbs to something a little brighter - to get my own back on the twats who insist on driving with their badly adjusted foglamps on - in particular large 4x4's and anything french
 
I bought some of these for mine:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDI-A4-from00-H7-Xenon-Car-Light-Bulbs-Lamp-100W_W0QQitemZ140294426759QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item140294426759&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

Obviously they are 100w and I have considered both the legal and wiring inplications. But they match the 6000k HID's perfectly and are pretty bright.
 
OK..to change the Main Beam bulbs from 55W (I am assuming they are 55W) to 100W will hav ethe following effect :
12V @ 55W = 4.6 Amps
12V @ 100W = 8.3333 Amps

With a 10A fuse you have 54% headroom....but only 17% headroom with the 100W bulbs, so the wiring will get warmer as will the fuse.....

Question is can you get 75W bulbs ?
 
Johnboy: the car runs at somewhere around 14.1v with the engine on (thats the optimal charging voltage for a 6 cell lead acid battery)

Also, re: the mentions of depo lamps above, steer clear. The projectors they use are awful, and give a horrendous beam pattern. If you want to upgrade to projectors then keep your eyes on ebay and find a set from another B7.

I'm quite surprised the cooking spec B7's didnt have projectors tbh, especially as the B6 had them as standard as did 99> model B5's
 
btcc2000 said:
Ordered the below yesterday, hoping they arrive today :thumbsup:

1 x PIAA H7 Type Chrome Mirror White 55.99
1 x PIAA W5W Chrome Mirror White Sidelight Bulbs 19.99
Sub Total 75.98
Shipping Amount 0.00
Total £75.98
Click to expand...

Fitted mine yesterday and christ what a difference. I had read that to do it you need to remove the bumper to get the light units out - what a load of tosh!! Also de-badged it which looks great. Now for the re-map...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

goodwoodgreens3
B7 headlamp protectors
Replies
2
Views
617
goodwoodgreens3
goodwoodgreens3
smokeymike
Headlamp upgrade
Replies
1
Views
1K
goon
G
jdp1962
Headlamp Question
Replies
3
Views
901
jdp1962
jdp1962
darrenmarky
Headlight bulbs
Replies
10
Views
662
Gazwould
Gazwould
Tomwelshy
Headlight bulbs
Replies
2
Views
661
Tomwelshy
Tomwelshy
Top
Back