[allan40alt]

Looking at getting replacement H7 bulbs for better vision and whiter beam.

-----------------------


Mac2008 quoted:

Having driven at night a couple of times now the dipped and main headlights are very good.No issue with even having to think about changing the bulbs as far as I could see.



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I suggested these:



<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">These seem the best match for improved vision, whiteness and price.
<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H7-ABD-StyleVision-50-12v-55w-bulbs-NEW-pair.html


------------------------------
burty suggested these:

I fitted a pair of these Bosch +90% bulbs to my bike and they have been excellent so far
<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00347A7F4/ref=pe_217191_31005151_M3_dp_1
<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">They have been in for 6 months so I can't really report on longevity but previously I had a pair of Philips bulbs but they didn't last well.

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">----------------------------------

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">Many makers claim big improvements but these tend to burn brighter and fail quicker. In view of Macs report it probably isn't worth changing until one of the OEM bulbs blow and then replace as a pair.
<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">Burty's suggestion seems the best choice but they are expensive if you're replacing all four (I'm sure they can be found a bit cheaper with a search though).
<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">Al.
<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">

<div style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">





Edited by: allan40alt

 

[burty]

I think I would wait until I see how effective the lights are first. I've never thought I needed to fit upgraded bulbs in any recent car I have had as even with standard bulbs they have been excellent. I fitted the Bosch bulbs to my bike as with a standard bulb they were absolutely hopeless particularly on main beam.

 

[allan40alt]

Yes, I don't think it's worth changing just for 'cosmetic' reasons (IE: to match the LED sidelights).

This is what Bosch say about their H7 PLUS 90:

<h3 ="toggle tobetoggledwn" id="aui_3_2_0_1161" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 11px; font-size: 0.88em; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif; color: rgb33, 95, 139; cursor: pointer; -: http://aa-boschap-de.resource.bosch.com/media/_tech/layout/s/icons/lnkstyles/lnkstyleCnt_sprite.gif; : left; overflow: ; -: 0px 5px; -repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Plus 90 ""“ powerful automotive bulbs for outstanding lighting</h3><div ="toggleof tobed d" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 13px; width: auto; border: none; font-family: arial, 'sans serif'; line-height: 18px;"><div id="text_11" ="cnt col8 " style="font-size: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 10px; padding: 0px; width: 470px; border: none; : left; vertical-align: top; clear: right; overflow: ; : 20; margin-bottom: 14px !imant;"><div ="txtSection" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto; border: none;"><ul ="dash" style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !imant; padding-left: 0px; list-style: none outside; clear: both;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; -: http://aa-boschap-de.resource.bosch.com/media/_tech/layout/s/icons/ico_dash.gif; clear: both; line-height: 24px; -: 0px 10px; -repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Up to 90% greater illumination of the road* for maximum driving safety<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; -: http://aa-boschap-de.resource.bosch.com/media/_tech/layout/s/icons/ico_dash.gif; clear: both; line-height: 24px; -: 0px 10px; -repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Intense white light* for easy, relaxed and less tiring vision even on long journeys<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; -: http://aa-boschap-de.resource.bosch.com/media/_tech/layout/s/icons/ico_dash.gif; clear: both; line-height: 24px; -: 0px 10px; -repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Better visibility whatever the weather and particularly at night<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; -: http://aa-boschap-de.resource.bosch.com/media/_tech/layout/s/icons/ico_dash.gif; clear: both; line-height: 24px; -: 0px 10px; -repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Longer light beam for a greater range of vision and more time to react<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; -: http://aa-boschap-de.resource.bosch.com/media/_tech/layout/s/icons/ico_dash.gif; clear: both; line-height: 24px; -: 0px 10px; -repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Exclusive design featuring silver top (H4 and H7) and blue sectors[/list]

<div ="clear" style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto; border: none; height: 1px; overflow: ;">
<div id="text_12" ="cnt col8 " style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 10px; padding: 0px; width: 470px; border: none; : left; vertical-align: top; clear: right; overflow: ; : 20; margin-bottom: 14px !imant;"><div ="txtSection" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto; border: none;">_{* compared to standard halogen bulbs}I'll probably go for the Bosch when I need to replace....or sooner if someone wants to treat me for Christmas!

 

[allan40alt]

A member on another forum has just recently posted this:

just ordered a set of H7 OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited from metro direct. Sounds like I ll be having fun at the weekend fitting them.




Followed by this:



Went out last night and the difference is amazing. they re a clean white light and my night vision with them is far superior to the standard yellow bulb. They are more powerful and light up more of the road ahead. I d definitely recommend them.




Have to say I drove with the lights on last night in the rain and found the OEM bulbs to be quite good (didn't test the main beam though) so I'll be waiting for one to fail and then probably replace with these:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bXFtorCI6Q

Al.

 

[NEW2008]

nobody upgraded with hid?

 

[allan40alt]

Personally I wouldn't.

Cars manufactured with Xenon/HID also have headlamp washers and I'm not certain they would be legal on our roads here.

In addition I would think you would totally void your manufacturers warranty and risk your insurance also being void as your car should not be on the road with illegal equipment.


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/37127/xenon-test

 

[Don Bernard]

Don't do it!!!! Apart from now being illegal in the UK(unless you have hid specific lenses, self levelling an headlamp washers) they have a history of damaging multiplexed electrical systems due to the sudden voltage spikes as they switch in and out. I know of a case where a lad needed almost an entire new wiring loom for a 207 and a BSI - if the car were much older it would've.been a financial write off.

 

[NEW2008]

about illegal I understand but I don't think that hid demage bsi or wiring perhaps he bought a hid china made low cost.I Know many People installing hid with all sort of car made.

 

[burty]

I must say that I am strongly opposed to any aftermarket HID headlights, and as Al and Don have already stated they are not legal in the UK.

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120606172804/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/dft-information-sheets/aftermarket-hid-headlamps.pdf

I've never found the headlights in modern cars needing improvement, this obsession with upgrading regardless of the law and the potential safety impact is unhealthy and justifies more efforts on upholding the law.

 

[NEW2008]

and what about led kit?

 

[Frank Bullitt]

I've used Osram Nighbreakers for about 6 years in my A2 - the standard lights are shocking but with the Nightbreakers they are great although they blow every 12 months, I always buy then from Powerbulbs; I've fitted them in the C4 Picasso too (the standard bulbs are fine) and they are, again, a big improvement.

My mk2 Punto had projector beam headlights which were completely stock and utterly fantastic.

 

[allan40alt]

I just found some 'PowerBlue' H7 bulbs in my garage and I'm not sure whether they are Philips or Powerbulbs.

Anyway, this is the difference between the standard OEM and the newly installed 'PowerBlue':

Above is the original OEM bulb

Above is the new H7 'PowerBlue'




I'm really pleased with the better match to the LED sidelights.



Al.




PS: I think these may be them:

<strike>http://www.powerbulbs.com/product/philips-blue-vision-ultra-h7-499-hid-car-headlight-bulbs</strike>


UPDATE: I actually think they are PowerPlus 499PB PowerBlue bulbs.

I've looked for them but cannot find any reference.

I've sent an email enquiry regarding the 499PB bulb.

The comparison link below is however a good indication of the difference between the OEM and the PowerBlue bulb



PPS: Just found this comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X9AUa8fmI8





NB: These look interesting:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/INTENSE-halogen-headlamp-64210CBI-HCB-double/dp/B005Q0F9PA/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1400180215&sr=1-1&keywords=osram+cool+blue+intense+h7




I've posted the following link so that you can read the reviews; unfortunately the £24 price is high compared to Amazon:
http://www.powerbulbs.com/product/cool-blue-intense-h7-two-bulbs







Extra: Just seen this review and the Philips BlueVision Ultra get a pretty good score:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/44959/tested-blue-bulbs



















Edited by: allan40alt

 

[allan40alt]

It seems the PowerBulbs 499PB is no longer available and they have recommended the Philips BlueVision Ultra.

Hello,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately we do not stock
this item.

If you are interested in a road legal styling product then we
would recommend the Philips Blue Vision Ultra.

These bulbs are designed
to offer a crisp white light with a very slight blue tint to oncoming traffic.



They are £29:49 a pair from PowerBulbs or £23:46 (+free del) from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-0730220-12972-BVUSM-Vision-Headlight/dp/B00440CWE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400245859&sr=8-1&keywords=philips+blueVision+ultra




PS:....then again the Osram Cool Blue Intense does take my fancy; especially at the price you can get them from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/INTENSE-halogen-headlamp-64210CBI-HCB-double/dp/B005Q0F9PA/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1400180215&sr=1-1&keywords=osram%20cool%20blue%20intense%20h7&tag=mokownclu-21






Edited by: allan40alt

 

[allan40alt]

This is the white dipped beam shown against the yellowy main beam:

The almost pure white on the left contrasts to the yellowy main beam on the right.

...now; do I go for the Osram or the Philips?

 

[allan40alt]

Due to the quartz glass and favourable reports I decided to go with these for the main beam.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-0730220-12972-BVUSM-Vision-Headlight/dp/B00440CWE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400245859&sr=8-1&keywords=philips+blueVision+ultra

I don't think these will be quite as white as the dipped beam but they will certainly be whiter than the current OEM ones and a better beam.

I'll take a photo from the same angle as above post for a comparison to see if they're a better colour match.

Al.



PS: I've just found the original packaging and it's a shame PowerBulbs don't do the 499PB any longer.
They're a perfect match to the whiteness of the LED side/position lights. They give a 30% increase in the beam and are road legal.








Edited by: allan40alt

 

[allan40alt]

Even cheaper on ebay:

Even cheaper on ebay




Wish I'd checked there first!!

 

[george2104]

Have ordered OSRAM Offroad 65W bulbs...seems to be the best at light power...Usually i go with Xenon, but the Police is watching very close...
Also stock H7 is awfull, had the impresion that I'am blind...

Anyone knows what type of bulb is on FOG LIGHTS and in CORNER lights? I believe is sepparated corner from fog inside....

 

[allan40alt]

Unfortunately installing off-road bulbs could result in problems both with the police and with insurance issues as the car should not be on the road.

PSX-24W goes in the front fog/cornering lights

You can get LEDs but alas I do not think they are road legal in the UK; you may be ok.

 

[allan40alt]

See here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xpsx24w+led&_nkw=psx24w+led&_sacat=0&_from=R40




NB: You will have to check locally and with your hand book in case of any differences with the specification between Countries.




Edited by: allan40alt

 

[Pilot]

Can I ask a silly question.?What sort of conditions do you drive in that requires a high intensity light? The lights on modern cars are already much brighter than we were happy to use several decades ago and as one who is often on the receiving end of really fierce, badly adjusted headlamps I would urge drivers not to upgrade lights that manufacturers and legislators regard as more than adequate. The only sensible upgrade required on the 2008is the woeful reversing light. Good job I have rear sensors.