jlast Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Well, I have read nearly every post on here regarding the upgrading of the standard Halogen bulbs for Xenon ones from either Philips Vision Plus or Osram Silver Stars. This has left me well confussed as to what to do I want to 'see clearly now the rain is gone' Questions are: What is the latest situation with the best bulbs for the job? Which of the bulbs need to be changed for best improvement, Main, dipped, side and fogs? What difficultcies are invlolved in fitting the differennt types? What sizes do I need for each? Thank you in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 You cant just change the bulbs to Xenon, theres a whole lot more to it than that,... or ar you just talking about putting better bulbs in? The Philips or Osram you mentioned aren't Xenon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlast Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Sorry I meant to upgrade the BULBS only from Halogen to 50% Brighter Xenon Style ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Right, thats easy then... just find out which fitment the bulbs are, H7 I think, then get em and slap em in. Easy as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlast Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Is it needed to replace more than just the Main beam bulbs? e.g. side and fog as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 I think you are getting confused. You can buy bulbs which are xenon effect and simply replace the standard halogen bulbs. They burn hotter as the element is surrounded by a xenon gas, hence why they can call them xenon bulbs. BUT, do not confuse these with xenon discharge bulbs, which work in an entirely different manner and are visually superior - hence the high cost for xenons as an option on a new car. If you were to fit xenon discharge bulbs, you would need a levelling device (ballast) and a washer jet - and probably some new wiring. So, to be clear, you want to go for xenon bulbs, e.g. osram silverstars, not xenon discharge bulbs! The xenon effect bulbs look brighter to the eye as they are more white. the colour is dependent on the temperature of the filament inside the bulb. Halogen gas allows it to burn hot but yellow, xenon gas it burns even hotter and appears whiter. Oh, and don't be fooled by the bluevision standard ones. They are 30% brighter than standard halogens but are blue as the glass is coated. This means you loose some power but have the nice blue colour. I would go for the best of both - philips power2night - 50% brighter and blue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Hold on a sec... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Is it needed to replace more than just the Main beam bulbs? e.g. side and fog as well? [/ QUOTE ] I have some xenon effect bulbs in the fogs and also some philips bluevision sidelights to match. See the essential collection for which bulbs you need. If you have normal lights (not xenons) for the B7 you need : W5W sidelights H7 mains and dipped H11 foglights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 See here bulbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 For changing them see here! web page For sure it is worth the change!!! First time it takes a while to change them but you will manage. If I remember rightly you need a fairly long extension for the star screw when doing the left hand light. The whole headlamp unit comes out so it is easier to do. But the manual says to take it to the stealers!! ANy probs, just post!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlast Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Thanks for clearing that up. So is it best to use the same manufacturer/range of bulbs for all replacements or are some bulbs better for certain use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 OK, cut to the chase. Recommendations are : 1. Osram Silverstars - 50% brigher ones; 2. Philips visionplus - 50% brighter ones; 3. Philips power2night - 50% brighter and blue! I'd stick with these and no others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Dito! I have had to change the bulbs a couple of times now, but it is worth it. Maybe it's because I touch the bulb itself when fitting but it's hard not to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlast Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 The Philips 'Blue' ones how much light is lost compared to the other 50% ones? Blond moment here! So to make sure I have fully understood, to upgrade bulbs I need: 4 x H7 2 x W5W 2 x H11 4 x PY12W Indicator 120º Bayonet All from one of the 3 ranges you have recommended Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 You won't get the H11's I bought mine from e-bay, but they weren't a well known make! You won't need the indicator bulbs either as the yellow reflector is in the way on the B7 You might find www.powerbulbs.co.uk have free sidelights again! Oh and BTW they offer a TSN discount of 5 or 10%! Also, the blue ones gain 30% over normal halogens, not lose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlast Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Flipping good information from you guys here The Philips GT150 power2night are these ones as bright as the Osram Silver Stars? From the 3 types you mentioned is the light cast similar? How do you get the 5/10% discount? I really have nearly finished asking silly questions of bulbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d3fy Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 I have the Osram Silver Stars fitted to my A3 and I had them on the last car. Nice cheap upgrade, they have a pink/white light and are a lot better than the OEMs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 ALso Power bulbs offer side lights for free!!! They are more white than previous ones and are well worth it too!!!! They make the old ones look really old and brown. A brown light I mean..... You will love them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Philips power2night are expensive but are 50% brighter - i.e. same brightness as osram silverstars, but have the blue-white tinge. However, they are twice the price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 I found Ebay to be considerably cheaper for the Osram Silverstars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlast Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Philips GT150 seem to be about £8/£9 more per pair so looking at £56 for 4 of them versus £40 for 4 Osram Silver Stars. Is it worth the extra £16? Both offer the same amount of light, the Philips offer it bluer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 I do not know from experaince of the expensive bulbs but, remember that from my experiance these bulbs do not last as long, but that may be my fault. Try the Osram Silver first I would say! By the way.... I have not heard of anybody changing the full beam or fog light bulbs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 I've changed ALL mine, including the fogs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Why did you change the fogs? And what about the full beam? When you light up I might be able to see you from up here in Aberdeen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Changed the fogs for the hell of it - H11's! Main Beam and dipped beam both Philips GT150 power2nights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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