headlamp bulb upgrade

[Ac1962]

2002 pfl - my lights are super clear so i dont need new lights but i do find that the bulbs are pretty useless on dipped beam - is there a simple swap option for better performing bulbs? is it an easy job?

[Carolyn]

Not a difficult job:

Remove frunk plastic cover to get at the back of the headlight.  Pull off the connector (can be a bit stubborn but it will pull off). Remove rubber cover. Release the spring clip that holds the bulb in. remove bulb.

Reverse the above procedure to replace.

May I recommend some Xenon lamps - please don't go for the super-bright option (I believe 'HID'?) they are just plain anti-social.  Around £20 -25 for decent lamps.

[1979scotte]

Was it Philips night breakers or something people recommend.

I recommend buying a set of FL lights from a breaker although the wiring can be tricky.
Theyre far superior in output.

[Ac1962]

Not a difficult job:

Remove frunk plastic cover to get at the back of the headlight.  Pull off the connector (can be a bit stubborn but it will pull off). Remove rubber cover. Release the spring clip that holds the bulb in. remove bulb.

Reverse the above procedure to replace.

May I recommend some Xenon lamps - please don't go for the super-bright option (I believe 'HID'?) they are just plain anti-social.  Around £20 -25 for decent lamps.

The H4 and H7 fittings are completely different fittings. The H7 is a single filament bulb that will operate only one headlight beam, where as the H4 is a twin filament bulb that works both the low and high beams in one - so am i right in thiking my bulbs will be H4?

[Carolyn]

Not a difficult job:

Remove frunk plastic cover to get at the back of the headlight.  Pull off the connector (can be a bit stubborn but it will pull off). Remove rubber cover. Release the spring clip that holds the bulb in. remove bulb.

Reverse the above procedure to replace.

May I recommend some Xenon lamps - please don't go for the super-bright option (I believe 'HID'?) they are just plain anti-social.  Around £20 -25 for decent lamps.

The H4 and H7 fittings are completely different fittings. The H7 is a single filament bulb that will operate only one headlight beam, where as the H4 is a twin filament bulb that works both the low and high beams in one - so am i right in thiking my bulbs will be H4?

Yep.

[Petrus]

There are several H4 upgrades from 55/60W.
Hella offers 80/100 to 90/130.
I have the latter fitted.
With the current high power lights they do not stand out anymore. Just check the hight adjustment.

[Jimbo]

There are several H4 upgrades from 55/60W.
Hella offers 80/100 to 90/130.
I have the latter fitted.
With the current high power lights they do not stand out anymore. Just check the hight adjustment.

How does the standard wiring hold out with the extra load? Toasty, or was it overspec'd from the factory?

[m1tch]

Go with some Osram nightbreakers

[Petrus]

There are several H4 upgrades from 55/60W.
Hella offers 80/100 to 90/130.
I have the latter fitted.
With the current high power lights they do not stand out anymore. Just check the hight adjustment.

How does the standard wiring hold out with the extra load? Toasty, or was it overspec'd from the factory?

No issue.
Before trying I calculated from the fuses which are 10 amps for either one.
Remember that the 12V realy is 13.9 or near.
Also found áctual wattage/amps measurements for the bulbs.
The ´130´ rated one thus stays under 9 amps.
I very rarely use those and the 90 is only 6.5 amps.

[abbot]

I've always used Osram nightbreakers on other cars and found them a good improvement. Some people mention shorter bulb life but I've never found it an issue. Those Hella upgraded bulbs look interesting though!

Modern car lights seem crazy bright now, compared to cars even 10 years ago. I'm not sure it's an improvement for us poor people coming the other way!

[Gaz mr-s]

For those that may not have heard of the 80/100W (or more) They are not legal for road use.
I've used them before, in one instance with an Alfa with crap lights. When I was trying to set up the beam alignment on a dark night I covered one lamp with a cloth whilst working on the other, - the heat melted the headlight lens. 
I have Nightbreakers or similar in my pfl.  They are a bit better than stock, but having had an FL I don't think the pfl are near as good.

[1979scotte]

Pfl are terrible fact.
Fl are better but a good bulb like the night breaker helps even more.

[shnazzle]

The dims are mediocre on the 2 but the mains... Brighter than the HIDs on our 2017 Skoda. It must be somethibg about the FL headlight design because the mains on a fully dark road is like bringing on daylight a bit earlier.

Oh and another fan of the osram nightbreaker laser next gen here. They are noticeably better

[househead]

Another vote for the Osram nightbreakers or if they are too expensive / a pain to get, the Philips 150% ones are good. I think they're called "RacingVision".

[Petrus]

´De Kikker´ passed MoT this morning. Yes , the lighting was meticulously checked as always and... the illegal bulbs passed as always.

[Joesson]

Another vote for the Osram nightbreakers or if they are too expensive / a pain to get, the Philips 150% ones are good. I think they're called "RacingVision".

Would you give them 10/10 ? 😉

[househead]

Another vote for the Osram nightbreakers or if they are too expensive / a pain to get, the Philips 150% ones are good. I think they're called "RacingVision".

Would you give them 10/10 ? 😉

They're as good as it gets without breaking the law!

[1979scotte]

Another vote for the Osram nightbreakers or if they are too expensive / a pain to get, the Philips 150% ones are good. I think they're called "RacingVision".

The Osram Night breaker Laser 150% are cheaper than the Philips racing vision gt200 in the quick Google i did. At least in H7 fitting.

[househead]

Another vote for the Osram nightbreakers or if they are too expensive / a pain to get, the Philips 150% ones are good. I think they're called "RacingVision".

The Osram Night breaker Laser 150% are cheaper than the Philips racing vision gt200 in the quick Google i did. At least in H7 fitting.

I've still got a set of the H4 ones (Philips) that I bought in error.

If anyone wants them cheap, gimme a shout. Half of the best price you can find. Not been out the box.

Will probably list them properly at some point when I have a clear out

[1979scotte]

Another vote for the Osram nightbreakers or if they are too expensive / a pain to get, the Philips 150% ones are good. I think they're called "RacingVision".

The Osram Night breaker Laser 150% are cheaper than the Philips racing vision gt200 in the quick Google i did. At least in H7 fitting.

I've still got a set of the H4 ones (Philips) that I bought in error.

If anyone wants them cheap, gimme a shout. Half of the best price you can find. Not been out the box.

Will probably list them properly at some point when I have a clear out

Shame I don't have pfl lights even on my pfl. Should be a standard mod like bracing IMHO.

[Gaz mr-s]

Shame I don't have pfl lights even on my pfl. Should be a standard mod like bracing IMHO.

Did you ever do a write-up on how you did it Scott? 

[1979scotte]

Shame I don't have pfl lights even on my pfl. Should be a standard mod like bracing IMHO.

Did you ever do a write-up on how you did it Scott? 

You're having a laugh mate.
After the epic fail of a turbo swap I did my silver 2 I don't get my hands dirty. Sorry.

[Petrus]

They're as good as it gets without breaking the law!

Just back from collecting two young peacocks. Must have broken the law umpteen times. From stopping on a pedestrian crossing to see traffic around the corner to speeding by over 10% in a 20 km/h zone... Oh, ignored several stop signs too, at tótally empty crossings. Noooo ´street´ lighting anywhere so was ather peased with the lightly law breaking bulbs in the 4x4.
Even háving those peacocks without registering it (fowl) at town hall is breaking the law nowadays. Tant pis; I have registered we have chickens, so I dó try :-)

[Gaz mr-s]

Did you ever do a write-up on how you did it Scott? 

You're having a laugh mate.
After the epic fail of a turbo swap I did my silver 2 I don't get my hands dirty. Sorry.
[/quote]

Lol