Sorry sorry sorry... bulb question

A

aythree

Guest
Been reading past posts on this and other forums re: bulb upgrade.

At the moment i've got the standard "yellow'd" bulbs, but would like to get that bright white/blue look to my headlights/fog lights.

Don't want to go down the HID conversion route (or whatever it's called).
Would just like to purchase some new bulbs but would like to know if anyone can recommend any.

Seen Phillips Extreme and Osram Nightbreakers mentioned. Any good??

Actual product number or spec of recommendations would also be helpful if poss. Won't be seeing my car again till later this week, so won't be able to check which type of bulb I need, and would like to buy some before then.

Thanks guys.
 
I have xenons so didn't need to do mine, I did however do the indicators and DRLs. I had nightbreakers in my previous car and upgraded the Mrs' car with them too. Never had any problems so can reccomend those.

If you search the FAQs there is a good thread in there on all the different types and where they go etc.

Powerbulbs have a nice and easy site to navigate although other retailers are available.

Olly
 
Ok, I've read the entire 160+ posts in that thread and now my head is slightly spinning :uhm:


My car is a A3 2004, no DLRs. Just standard headlights with fogs in the bumper - it's a Sport.

Basically I decided I want to go for the bulbs which leave a blue tint when off (my car is silver and I reckon it might look ok), so it's between the phillips x-treme power or the PIAA xtreme white plus.

From what I understand these are the following bulbs I need.

Side lights.... W5W / H222
Dipped beams.... H7
Main beams...... H1

The main beam bulb is confusing me a bit though. On some websites that sell bulbs they say I need H7 from my main beams, which is the same as the dipped beams. Elsewhere I have read I need H1 from my main beams?!?!?!

Which is correct??
Are there differences across the A3 models??

Also, got fogs in the bumper that i'd like to do.
Main beam bulb again..... H1????

:keule:
 
I'd try to go for bulbs with less of a blue tint when off as trust me it will annoy you.
Bit of a lengthy thread that isn't it :laugh:.

I think that a fellow member went for the dip beam PIAA upgrade and had to get H1s, but that was for a later year than yours. It might be worth if someone with ETKA reading this thread could check the part number for us please for a 2004 main beam bulb (or I suppose you could check with your dealer or see if the manual has any info).

If you do go down the PIAA route, the bulbs are not cheap though for the main beam, so if you're looking for a credit crunch compromise, try the Philips bulbs.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the fog lights - don't see the point for the amount they get used.

Can definitely recommend the PIAA bulbs for the sides though - very nice white light they produce.
 
The dipped and mains are both H7 and so are the fog lights, I've made this mistake myself! Do not buy H1, maybe H1 is for the Xenons?
 
redbutcher said:
I'd try to go for bulbs with less of a blue tint when off as trust me it will annoy you.
Bit of a lengthy thread that isn't it :laugh:.

I think that a fellow member went for the dip beam PIAA upgrade and had to get H1s, but that was for a later year than yours. It might be worth if someone with ETKA reading this thread could check the part number for us please for a 2004 main beam bulb (or I suppose you could check with your dealer or see if the manual has any info).

If you do go down the PIAA route, the bulbs are not cheap though for the main beam, so if you're looking for a credit crunch compromise, try the Philips bulbs.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the fog lights - don't see the point for the amount they get used.

Can definitely recommend the PIAA bulbs for the sides though - very nice white light they produce.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
Think I'll go for the blue tint ones though.... always kinda liked them, I think! :think:

Had a look at the prices of the PIAA and yes, the are expensive... for bulbs!! :wtf:

Just ordered the H7 Philips X-treme Power bulbs, from powerbulbs.com, plus free bluevision side lights, delivered for £22.50 (used a discount code). :yes:
 
Hi,

I went for OSRAM Nightbreaker H7's. Very white appearance, bright white balanced beam throw. Same bulb for dipped and main beam. Also got some "blue" (but very white light) 505 side lights so front is now
"all white"! :thumbsup:

Paul
 
Any chance you can post some pics up of them on it the dark? I am also looking for the same results on my 05 sportback.

Cheers
 
H1s are you main beams aren't they? I had halogens on my old A3 there was one lens that contained the side and dipped bulbs and then one that only contained the main beam.

This is an H1 and it's the same as the main bulb IIRC:
DSC03548.jpg
 
audi upgrades
aythree said:
I think H1s are the main beam on the more recent A3s (not sure from what year).

But on a 2004 the dipped, main beams and fogs all use H7s.
Click to expand...

Dipped and mains perhaps but not fogs!
120421_faa9025e.jpg

I assume it has 2 of these, one in each lens yeah? I may have been wrong, I sold the car 18 months ago.
 
Something isn't right here! So you're saying that the fogs use the same brilliance bulbs as the dipped and main beams?! That's very bright fog lights

EDIT: Just had a look on Halfords and they say the same thing. I still can't believe it though!
 
staz1000 said:
Something isn't right here! So you're saying that the fogs use the same brilliance bulbs as the dipped and main beams?! That's very bright fog lights
Click to expand...


Aren't fogs supposed to be bright? Brighter the better I wouldve thought. So they can shine through the fog?
 
aythree said:
Aren't fogs supposed to be bright? Brighter the better I wouldve thought. So they can shine through the fog?
Click to expand...

Yeah but they point to the floor. When I turn my fogs on they light about 2 metres in front of the car, so any light going forward is not the main brightness. That seems a bit of a waste to have powerful H7s only to shine them down.

Compare it to your dipped beam mate. Turn on the fogs with sides, then turn them off and turn on dipped. There's no comparison!
 
staz1000 said:
Yeah but they point to the floor. When I turn my fogs on they light about 2 metres in front of the car, so any light going forward is not the main brightness. That seems a bit of a waste to have powerful H7s only to shine them down.

Compare it to your dipped beam mate. Turn on the fogs with sides, then turn them off and turn on dipped. There's no comparison!
Click to expand...


I didn't even realise that fogs pointed down. Thought they just went straight forward, or maybe only very slightly down.

I'll give what u said a go though.

I've only bought dipped and sides at the moment. Not gonna buy any mains (how often do i really use them!).
The boys in blue :busted_cop: are a bit fussy round here, and like to pull you for driving with fogs on, so i'm still undecided on getting upgraded bulbs for my fogs for now.
 
Fog lamps also have different lenses though which are thicker glass same kind of idea as the old calibra and TT lamps where the glow is magnified,your normal driving beam is the same bulb as the fog lamps as mentioned from what i remember and only did mine last week with the night breakers
 
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