Headlight Bulbs

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:14 pm

Hi all

I know there have been topics on this before, but wondered if anyone has more light (sorry) to shed on the subject.

When I first got my car, I thought the headlights were a little weak and decided to buy some upgraded bulbs. In a bit of a rush, I went to Halfords and spent a small fortune on their Extreme Brilliance (+90% bulbs) which are supposedly even better than their Super Brilliance (+50%) bulbs.

Hmm, well, the difference is negligible to the complete standard bulbs I removed - most disappointed. I have always been tempted to try out the Philips X-Treme or the Osram Nightbreaker as they seem to do favourably in reviews.

Has anyone had experience with these, or other bulbs, which they can pass on to me? I am after a brighter light for safer driving and NOT a bluer light to look "cool" !

Many thanks, guys.

chriskay · Post by **chriskay** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:25 pm

Recently fitted Osram Nightbreaker & there's a definite improvement. Cheap enough on e-bay too.

esta · Post by **esta** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:17 pm

I forked out for those bulbs as well! The packet showed some boy racers dream car with light almost white lights, fitted them onto Lula and .... well, I am pretty sure there ws no difference from the half-the-price-Volvo-ones!

So if I want bright lights I would rather save for an HDI kit I think (did i get the letters the right way round?!?!

)

Iroll480 · Post by **Iroll480** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:19 pm

I've fitted the Philips Xtremes. I'm very pleased with them, much whiter and brighter light than the original ones.

esta · Post by **esta** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:21 pm

Iroll480 wrote:I've fitted the Philips Xtremes. I'm very pleased with them, much whiter and brighter light than the original ones.

thats interesting to know!...

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:55 pm

main problem being the head lights are too small to start with. I fitted 80/100 and then 90/130 and these made a big change.

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:58 pm

see http://volvo480.dragons.org.uk/forum/vi ... =headlight

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:45 pm

Thanks guys. Not sure I fancy going down the 80/100w bulbs... not because I'm worried about their legality but more because I dare not risk it with the 18 year old electrics!!

Think I'll keep an eye on the Osram/Philips prices around ebay and see if I can grab a bargain..

Frantic · Post by **Frantic** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:50 pm

I always go for Philips'
The are very reliable and last longer
Haven't tried the extreme ones though

akroto · Post by **akroto** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:24 pm

I've been thinking about changing the hedlight bulbs too... Way to little light for Norwegian coutry roads. I'm even considering HID conversion, but I'm a bit sceptical about light dispersion and tacky looks... Also it's highly illegal.
So I've been reading here that some uses 80/100W bulbs.
Talked to someone about 80/100W and they told me that I would likely fry the reflector and quite possible crack the headlight glass at the same time, IF I didn't blow the fuses and/or fry the wires.
To be frank I really don't think that headlights are an issue, but frying wires actually worries me a bit as I don't really want to rewire the headlights.
So my real questions:
- Is it safe to use 80/100W bulbs in these small headlights?
- Will the wires be able to handle the extra power needed from a 80/100W bulb as opposed to 55/60W bulb?
- Have anyone here ever tried HID conversion on a 480? If, how are the results?

esta · Post by **esta** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:35 pm

akroto wrote:I'm even considering HID conversion, but I'm a bit sceptical about light dispersion and tacky looks... Also it's highly illegal.

Is it?!?!

glasgowjim · Post by **glasgowjim** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:43 pm

esta he is in norway!

esta · Post by **esta** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:55 pm

glasgowjim wrote:esta he is in norway!

lol i know!

just figured if it was legal here, why wouldnt it be in a country that has a lot of winter?!?!

akroto · Post by **akroto** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:26 pm

HID (or Xenon, if you want to call it that) conversion is illegal in most countries. Mostly because the headlights it is fitted in isn't created for HID bulbs and the way it casts light. In new cars with HID they use projector technology instead of a normal lenses and reflectors. The way a HID bulb creates and casts light is different from halogen bulbs, and the light gets reflected wrong and can dazzle other motorists.

This is where I should have some pics and links, but I can't post URLs, so it became a bit shorter post.

Even if it illegal, I've ordered a HID conversion set for my long range lights. I'd rather have to drive with illegal lights than to hit a moose or something...