[dogzilla]

I was in halfords today and noticed the headlight section.

It dawned on me to ask :

Has anyone "upgraded" their lightbulbs? Are there any lightbulbs out there that are better than what you get stock? I dont want to look like a jonnyboy chav with some blue lights, but maby a brighter/whiter light would be nice.

Also how hard is it to fit? Halfords do it for like ?8, but i dont fancy letting some retard doing it for ?8 when the cars worth ?17k

 

[-s12lvo-]

You cant get accesses to the bulbs, .. well in fact you can but its Very Very VERY! hard, am getting my dealer to do it for me when I get my spraying done.

They told me that they have to take the hole cluster out and do it that way as there isn't space to do it normally.

In the manual it doesn't even try to give you instructions, it just says take it to your local dealer.

I am getting the blue tint (Xenos replica) bulbs put in.

 

[dogzilla]

what will they charge do you know?

 

[kenl]

It is easy to change the Halogen headlight bulbs (dipped) as I have done it by changing my bulbs to Philips Vision Plus which I had in my MINI. One blew in a month though so changed back to the normal ones. Didn't really notice much difference TBH either in the MINI or the Golf.

Sidelights and indicators are more fiddly than the dipped ones though but should still be possible.

 

[kenl]

BTW Dogzilla. How is your car and the problems you note in your signature?

 

[induct]

Quote: posted by dogzilla on 09/03/2005 21:57:52

but maby a brighter/whiter light would be nice.

I've tried all sorts of bulbs in my cars. My conclusion is that Philips Blue Vision are the best for the effect you want. Even with a slight blue filter they are very bright.

Get them!!

P.S. All the bulbs that Halfords sell are poor compared with the Philips range, especially the xenon immitaions.

 

[col.mc]

All bulbs can be changed fairly easily. I have silverstar diped and main beam huge difference over the stock bulbs. And the sidelights are the ones off shaq's GB.

Drivers side is dead easy and passenger side undo 6 screws, 1 allen key bolt and lift the air filter out of the way to do the main beam and sidelights. 15min job.

 

[kenl]

I bought mine off www.powerbulbs.com - you get a free set of sidelights with the headlamps.

 

[businessboy]

alright dawg, long time no hear!

hows tha golfie keepin

 

[Tooks]

I've tried just about every bulb going recently!

Phillips Blue Vision are great, and give a nice white light.

Although I agree most Halfords bulbs are pants, they have a new range out now and I'm trying the Halfords Laser Blue bulbs at the moment. They are actually GE Super Blue bulbs and have a nice beam cut off and a nice white light that make the stock bulbs look yellow. There's no blue "chav" effect either! [] My local branch had them on buy one get one free so they were half the price of a pair of phillips blue vision...

Re fitting them, it's the work of minutes! You can get easy access to the dipped and main beam and no headlight removal is required - don't let anybody tell you (or charge you!) otherwise. the sides are a bit trickier due to access but you should be ok unless you have Shrek style hands/arms!

Finally, I've tried a set of bulbs that give you a very blue "HID look", as offered by a certain web store, and other places... My advice, be very wary unless you enjoy not being able to see where you're going!

The coating on the bulbs certainly gives a very blue tint to the light, and they do look good. But, bear in mind they're not road legal, the coating drastically reduces the light put onto the road (even though they still blind you looking directly at them!) and the build quality often leaves a lot to be desired leading to a scattered beam and the risk of dazzling other drivers...

Phillips, GE or Osram all make quality CE approved bulbs that are much better than stock so I'm sticking to those from now on!

 

[kenl]

Blue bulbs (ones that have blue light when lit) are actually illegal as well as being chavvy...

 

[Tooks]

That's what I said didn't I?! []

The Halfords Laser Blue bulbs aren't actually blue, more white! They're CE marked anyway so are perfectly road legal.

 

[dogzilla]

The breaking clunk was fixed, so was the AC noise, apparantly a sticker on the fan wasnt removed and it came unstuck thus making a huge ammount of noise.

Regarding the respray, ive been so damn busy with work, and the fact the last two attemps to get a paint inspection check done they have failed to do so. (each time leaving me without a car for 2 days minimum)

I know i really should get it sorted ASAP, but my work comes first and without transport im totally buggered.

 

[dogzilla]

By the way has anyone got a simple guide to fitting the bulbs?

 

[dogzilla]

All done, very easy to do

 

[Tooks]

For dipped headlights, unscrew the big black "lid" at the rear of the lamp and reach inside to remove the bulb carrier. Unscrews anti-clockwise about a 1/4 turn. Remove the bulb from the holder which is just a push fit and replace it with your new one.

Insert the bulb holder back into the headlight (the rear of the holder is helpfully marked "TOP" to guide you!)and turn it clockwise until it stops. You might have to wiggle it about a bit, but just remember what position it was turned too when you removed it.

Screw the black "lid" back on.

For main beam, you need to pull off the rubber cover at the back of the lamp, remove the plug from the back of the bulb and then unclip the bulb from the lamp assembly. The main beams are traditional H7 fittings and the clip is hinged on one side. You need to push the non-hinged end to in and to one side a little before it opens. Just be gentle!! Be careful that you don't pull the whole clip off the lamp as then you'll have a problem!!

Put your new bulb in in the same position as the old one came out and fold the clip over the bulb back to secure it. Re-connect the plug and replace the rubber cover - Done!

It almost takes longer to type than to do! Just pay attention when removing them, and you'll have no problems.

 

[redbutcher]

I changed all my bulbs (except the front fogs) using Shaq's groupbuy. Easier to do than a MKIV. Much better light from the upgraded bulbs - photos don't really do them justice, but still......

CLICKY

 

[Tooks]

redbutcher, how do you find them visibility wise?

Your pics seem to show a marked difference in the amount of ground illuminated in front of the car before and after, after seemingly worse...

It might be down to camera settings etc, but just interested as I'd considered getting some, but once bitten and all that....

 

[induct]

Quote: posted by kenl on 10/03/2005 12:09:42

Blue bulbs (ones that have blue light when lit) are actually illegal as well as being chavvy...

Most yes (Ebay especially), apart from Philips, they are very subtle.

 

[redbutcher]

Quote: posted by Tooks on 11/03/2005 09:32:16

redbutcher, how do you find them visibility wise?

Your pics seem to show a marked difference in the amount of ground illuminated in front of the car before and after, after seemingly worse...

It might be down to camera settings etc, but just interested as I'd considered getting some, but once bitten and all that....

Interesting point Tooks - I think you're right - when it's dusk, the amount of light on the ground is probably not as much as the older bulbs. However, when it is totally dark, the light is loads better and is also a much whiter light. It also is much better distance wise. I'd recommend them, you won't be disappointed.

I've also fitted a set to the wife's A-Class - massive improvement on that as well.