uprated bulbs

Bren · Post by **Bren** » 09 Jan 2008, 21:05

Does anybody use better quality bulbs in their xantia headlights that dont require any wiring mods? Any comments would be appreciated.

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 09 Jan 2008, 21:16

I think everyone will say Osram Silverstar or Philips Vision Plus...

PIAA make some powerful bulbs too. 8)

Post by **CitroJim** » 09 Jan 2008, 21:34

As Ross says, The Philips Vision Plus have given me great satisfaction in my 1.9TD.

MK1 Xantia lights are pretty dire but these good bulbs do help considerably. You only realise how bad they really are when you have both a MK1 and a MK2 and in all honesty the MK2 is not spectacular either

I'm not sure what my 2.1 has fitted but they seem pretty good. Perhaps his former owner will come and tell us... Xac?

Anyone tried a HID conversion in a MK1 yet?

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 09 Jan 2008, 23:05

I think Dex's headlights are just misaligned making them more useful.
Cassy's appear far too low for my liking, I'm certain they could be adjusted up enough without dazzling on coming traffic

Post by **CitroJim** » 10 Jan 2008, 08:03

Xac wrote:I think Dex's headlights are just misaligned making them more useful.
Cassy's appear far too low for my liking, I'm certain they could be adjusted up enough without dazzling on coming traffic

I have to agree, Dexs aim is higher than my 1.9TD.

Dex did not raise any lighting concerns during his MOT last week and nor do oncoming vehicles get the 'ump with my lights so I reckon their aim is pretty reasonable. One dark night, sit Dex next to Cassy and set her to have the same aim!

Post by **RichardW** » 10 Jan 2008, 09:29

I've got Osram Nightstars in my MK2 now - supposedly 90% brighter than standard, and whiter too. They really are very very good - as long as you keep the lights clean

Was out in my Sister's 93 Mk1 with Std bulbs the other week - god the lights are rubbish - actually it's her birthday next week -think I will get her a pair of Nightstars for her BP - she lives out in the sticks in mid-Wales

THELABMAN · Post by **THELABMAN** » 10 Jan 2008, 19:30

I've used the bulbs sold by Lidil priced £2.99 a pair in both my last xantia and my current one, they are supposed to give 50% more light and an extra 20m of light and they do make an enormous difference for all they cost.

I had the headlight aim adjusted in both cars prior to fitting and it made a slight a difference but once the new bulbs it was remarkable, I don't do very much driving on unlit roads but with the original bulbs you couldn't see a thing and it was a nerve wracking experience even at slow speeds, once the new bulbs were fitted it was literaly like night and day, I'd recomend anyone to give them a try for all they cost.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 12 Jan 2008, 10:27

I put a set of LIDL bulbs in my last Xantia and I think it did make a difference.

I am sure that the old 7" 45/40W Lucas sealed beam lights lit the way better than and modern lights I have experienced, as long as they were aimed properly and receiving full power. Nobody will ever convince me that having individual headlights for dip and main beam is a good idea.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 17 Jan 2008, 01:43

citrojim wrote:
Xac wrote:I think Dex's headlights are just misaligned making them more useful.
Cassy's appear far too low for my liking, I'm certain they could be adjusted up enough without dazzling on coming traffic
I have to agree, Dexs aim is higher than my 1.9TD.

Dex did not raise any lighting concerns during his MOT last week and nor do oncoming vehicles get the 'ump with my lights so I reckon their aim is pretty reasonable. One dark night, sit Dex next to Cassy and set her to have the same aim!

Stopped at one of the laybys on the A5 coming home from mum's tonight.
Adjusted the headlights up slightly and now they're fantastic

oscarloco · Post by **oscarloco** » 22 Jan 2008, 17:26

If you want very nice ones, go with PIAA. Expensive, yes but worth every penny.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 22 Jan 2008, 17:54

did the wiring mod on Sat, pleased with result.. took about an hour and cost about 10 quid... relays operate both main and dipped beams through decent cable

Brian UK · Post by **Brian UK** » 23 Jan 2008, 11:13

It is certainly worth checking what voltage you are getting at the headlight connector while the engine is running, and comparing this with that across the battery.
The bulbs are designed to work at between 13 and 14 volts, and each volt below that reduces light output by around 10%.
If you do have a poor supply, the worst thing you can do is use the high power (100W) bulbs.

Brian UK · Post by **Brian UK** » 23 Jan 2008, 11:14

It is certainly worth checking what voltage you are getting at the headlight connector while the engine is running, and comparing this with that across the battery.
The bulbs are designed to work at between 13 and 14 volts, and each volt below that reduces light output by around 10%.
If you do have a poor supply, the worst thing you can do is use the high power (100W) bulbs.
The high output ones referred to above use the same 60/55W power, so are much better.

Gammy leg · Post by **Gammy leg** » 03 Feb 2008, 18:42

I bought the Lidl ones last July, made by Tesla. Both went 'pop' this week. Initally cheap, but not when they only last 7 months.

Gammy

Cpt_Spalding · Post by **Cpt_Spalding** » 04 Feb 2008, 09:13

It's generally the way with "unbranded" lamps (bulbs).

I worked in the lighting industry for 10 years & my experience has taught me to almost always buy a branded lamp, i.e. Osram, Philips, GE. Any exceptions to this rule generally involve lamps for more specialist applications.

There are far too many Chinese places producing what look right but just don't perform.

The Lidl/Tesla probably look like they came from Germany but at the price you got them I'd put money on their origin being somewhere further east.

(As a footnote, I'm sure the big brands have production facilities in China too, but they have a market reputation to protect & do this through their quality controls.)