Impreza Headlights
Discussion
In my opinion the headlights on my classic shape Impreza are not very good.
I have been meaning to do something about it for ages, but have not got round to it. Last night Mrs Big Dunc commented on them, so they really must be bad.
What is the best way to the improve the lights. Is it as simple as better ( bigger ) lamps ( bulbs ) in them? If so, can the standard wiring take the extra current, or does that need to be uprated as well?
I would prefer to keep the car looking standard so no really wild suggestions please.......
Otherwise I could drive round with the fog lights on, but as other people doing that has always been a pet hate of mine, I don't want to start myself.
I have been meaning to do something about it for ages, but have not got round to it. Last night Mrs Big Dunc commented on them, so they really must be bad.
What is the best way to the improve the lights. Is it as simple as better ( bigger ) lamps ( bulbs ) in them? If so, can the standard wiring take the extra current, or does that need to be uprated as well?
I would prefer to keep the car looking standard so no really wild suggestions please.......
Otherwise I could drive round with the fog lights on, but as other people doing that has always been a pet hate of mine, I don't want to start myself.
I have made sure the glass is clean, not looked at the lenses. No question is a stupid question.
When I had my first Impreza, ( that car was the same year as this one, but I owned it when it was nearly new ) that was also the same. I was always going to get round to fixing it, but never did. The lights are ( in my opinion ) only just good enough, which is surprising as the rest of the car is very good.
This weekend I will check the voltage getting to the bulbs, and clean the lenses ( if required ). Unless I find something wrong it will be off to the PIAA website
When I had my first Impreza, ( that car was the same year as this one, but I owned it when it was nearly new ) that was also the same. I was always going to get round to fixing it, but never did. The lights are ( in my opinion ) only just good enough, which is surprising as the rest of the car is very good.
This weekend I will check the voltage getting to the bulbs, and clean the lenses ( if required ). Unless I find something wrong it will be off to the PIAA website
http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_detail.asp?prod=...
I purchased these from powerbulbs, they're a vast improvement over the standard Impreza bulbs which are woeful. They're not overpowering (long shutter exaggerates their brightness in the pics below) and they also come with a free pair of sidelight bulbs which in turn loses the 'yellow' look. very pleased with the results.
I purchased these from powerbulbs, they're a vast improvement over the standard Impreza bulbs which are woeful. They're not overpowering (long shutter exaggerates their brightness in the pics below) and they also come with a free pair of sidelight bulbs which in turn loses the 'yellow' look. very pleased with the results.
BIG DUNC said:
I have made sure the glass is clean, not looked at the lenses. No question is a stupid question.
When I had my first Impreza, ( that car was the same year as this one, but I owned it when it was nearly new ) that was also the same. I was always going to get round to fixing it, but never did. The lights are ( in my opinion ) only just good enough, which is surprising as the rest of the car is very good.
This weekend I will check the voltage getting to the bulbs, and clean the lenses ( if required ). Unless I find something wrong it will be off to the PIAA website
Are you looking at getting PIAA replacement bulbs or Driving lamps to replace the fog lamps soyou can have a good main beam?When I had my first Impreza, ( that car was the same year as this one, but I owned it when it was nearly new ) that was also the same. I was always going to get round to fixing it, but never did. The lights are ( in my opinion ) only just good enough, which is surprising as the rest of the car is very good.
This weekend I will check the voltage getting to the bulbs, and clean the lenses ( if required ). Unless I find something wrong it will be off to the PIAA website
PIAA bulbs are good but pound for pound benifit you are not going to see much difference. Go for a decent set of Philips supervision +50% bulbs for £30 for the pair otherwise you will be paying £100 for a replacement set of bulbs that are not noticibly different. have a look at
http://www.scoobyworld.co.uk/catalog/product_info....
Ultra power bulbs and read some of the reviews
another thing to check would be how effective is the reflector? is it degraded over time? Many people on Scoobynet change the headlamp for a set of Crystal ones which seem to provide a good upgrade
see http://www.scoobyworld.co.uk/catalog/product_info.... and scroll down for crystal headlamp which retail for £65 each. you may be able to get them cheaper from Ebay.
Steve
PS added pic of upgraded bulbs (left), OEM (right)
Edited by stevieb on Monday 10th September 21:24
stevieb said:
royton have you got the crystal pack on you car???
And what sidelights do you have as they seem bright... the ones on my scoob are so dim that i can hardly notice them!
I have the crystal headlights but the sidelights are still slightly frosted (not the totally clear ones).And what sidelights do you have as they seem bright... the ones on my scoob are so dim that i can hardly notice them!
The sidelights are the free pair (see below) which come with the bulbs mentioned above, they're blue but they emit a crisp white light (not blue). The pics above are very bright because I used a a long shutter on my camera because it was very dark outside when I took them, the sidelights are quite bright (not too much though) and look a lot better than the yellow-ish standard ones. A vast improvement IMO.
http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_detail.asp?prod=...
Ps: The wiring is still standard, just a straight swap for the bulbs.
I was thinking of bulb upgrade, and leaving the fogs as standard.
Thats the kind of thing I was thinking of. I assume ( those of you that have done it ) that it does give a noticable real world improvement.
The last owner fitted clear indicators and repeaters, so I don't need those in crystal.
Thats the kind of thing I was thinking of. I assume ( those of you that have done it ) that it does give a noticable real world improvement.
The last owner fitted clear indicators and repeaters, so I don't need those in crystal.
I got philips uprated bulbs on my civic and they have made a huge difference. Give off a white light which works very well even on dipped beam!
What about a HID kit? In this months classic car restorer magazine (I think i just a quick flick of my mates) there is one for £119.00 and is approved for MOTS. It is also guaranteed to last for the lifetime of the car - how they manage this i do not know.
They also stated it uses 50% less energy than normal bulbs! Whether thats just sales balls or fact i don't know, but i did see a set of HID's on a CRX and they look amazing. Well worth it!
What about a HID kit? In this months classic car restorer magazine (I think i just a quick flick of my mates) there is one for £119.00 and is approved for MOTS. It is also guaranteed to last for the lifetime of the car - how they manage this i do not know.
They also stated it uses 50% less energy than normal bulbs! Whether thats just sales balls or fact i don't know, but i did see a set of HID's on a CRX and they look amazing. Well worth it!
Stevieb,
I am confused now. You say they are crap, but can get them cheap!!
Your price is a LOT cheaper than on the websites I have been looking at. I am concerened about the comments re MOT failure, and dazzling other cars.
Are these the blueish lights seen on BMW and the like? Anyway, can you e mail me a few more details via my profile. Thanks.
I have had a good look at the following websites:
scoobyworld
PIAA
powerbulbs
All I can say, is that there is plenty of choice.
I think I will print the relevent pages from each website, leave them sitting in a pile on my desk for a week, and see which piece of paper keeps catching my eye the most. Many a good choice made like that ( and a few bad ones, Doh! )
I am confused now. You say they are crap, but can get them cheap!!
Your price is a LOT cheaper than on the websites I have been looking at. I am concerened about the comments re MOT failure, and dazzling other cars.
Are these the blueish lights seen on BMW and the like? Anyway, can you e mail me a few more details via my profile. Thanks.
I have had a good look at the following websites:
scoobyworld
PIAA
powerbulbs
All I can say, is that there is plenty of choice.
I think I will print the relevent pages from each website, leave them sitting in a pile on my desk for a week, and see which piece of paper keeps catching my eye the most. Many a good choice made like that ( and a few bad ones, Doh! )
BigDunc
I didnt say the HIDS were crap! The Classic Headlamp do not work well with the HID bulbs! On a new age they work quite well if they are adjusted properly but it is border line if they will pass the MOT we will see next year if mine pass!.
On some applications they are very good.
Steve
MEail me the info you are after and i will see what i can find for you!
I didnt say the HIDS were crap! The Classic Headlamp do not work well with the HID bulbs! On a new age they work quite well if they are adjusted properly but it is border line if they will pass the MOT we will see next year if mine pass!.
On some applications they are very good.
Steve
MEail me the info you are after and i will see what i can find for you!
Edited by stevieb on Tuesday 11th September 21:57
BigDunc
I didnt say the HIDS were crap! The Classic Headlamp do not work well with the HID bulbs! On a new age they work quite well if they are adjusted properly but it is border line if they will pass the MOT we will see next year if mine pass!.
On some applications they are very good .
Steve
MEail me the info you are after and i will see what i can find for you!
I didnt say the HIDS were crap! The Classic Headlamp do not work well with the HID bulbs! On a new age they work quite well if they are adjusted properly but it is border line if they will pass the MOT we will see next year if mine pass!.
On some applications they are very good .
Steve
MEail me the info you are after and i will see what i can find for you!
Edited by stevieb on Tuesday 11th September 21:58
BIG DUNC said:
I will check the voltage ( just in case ) but I don't think that is the problem.
I have read that some bulbs give out more light and draw less current ( could that be those blueish ones ) which seems too good to be true ( getting something for nothing ).
PIAA website looks good.
I checked the voltage on mine today as I was convinced that that would be the problem but it's only a 1/3 of a volt down from the battery and is still 13.5v ish which is plenty.I have read that some bulbs give out more light and draw less current ( could that be those blueish ones ) which seems too good to be true ( getting something for nothing ).
PIAA website looks good.
I do need to get rid of the headlight protector the previous owner put on though as they won't be helping.
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