Mainbeam spotlamps

[GJR]

Hi all,

Hope someone can advise me about the mainbeam lamps. Mine are original Cibie sc spotlamps, unfortunately one has been smashed. I have found little information while searching for a replacement other than some comments about them also being used on the BMW E30. Racetech direct have alternative replacements at around £60 +vat, advising you to buy two as they are not the same as the originals. I only need one.

Does anyone have information on alternatives, part numbers or are the Racetech lamps the only realistic option? The smashed lamp still functions, can they be refurbished? Thanks

[GJR]

Thanks bluezeeland for your help, it seems that unless I stumble upon an original lamp in the next week or so I'll go with the racetech ones. But, will certainly invest in some of those plastic protectors!

[GJR]

Podie said:

I bought replacement ones - much improved and better beam spread..

Podie, did your lights have a part number other than the one from the Racetech site? I'm wondering whether they are available else where, they can't be unique to Racetech. Thanks

[GJR]

Thanks Podie

[GJR]

Hi all,

Thanks to all those that offered help and advice. I just wanted to update the thread with some positive news.

I managed to find replacement Cibie lamps that are still in production. Looking at the beginning of the thread the replacements I found are very similar to those in the images by bluezeeland.



I don't know if anyone from Havant Motor Factors in Hampshire is likely to read these pages, but thank you if you do as you were incredibly helpful. After initially telling me they didn't sell spotlamps they enquired about what I was after. After calling Cibie UK and Valeo for me they managed to determine that the old Valeo part number (082348) had been discontinued, but had been superseded by Valeo part number 082378. They were £55 each inc. VAT.

They are almost identical to the original Cibie SC 0488047's pictured above (new lamp - left, old lamp - right). They have a different glass style, but have the same flat glass face 5 and 3/4 inch (146mm) diameter as the originals. They have Cibie printed into the glass and have the same three locating lugs around the lamp edge that allows them to fit perfectly into the black plastic mounting bracket. Note that this is the lamp fitment for a (97)500. I have no idea if the lamp mounting is the same in the pre- '93 cars?



The only significant difference is the wiring. The original lamps had an earthing point next to the bulb mounting position, however, the new lamps have a plastic bulb mounting point which meant the original wiring needed to be modified. The new lamps have spade connectors on the rubber caps (the original rubber cap doesn't fit so can't be used). The male spade connectors on the new lamps just required some female spade connectors and some heat shrink which cost just a few pounds and about half an hour to modify the original wiring to fit the new lamps.



Also, just thought I'd mention that once completed the lamps fit onto black plastic mounting brackets and are secured in place by a large rubber band, prior to being mounted on the car. Mine were still in good condition and so re-used them. If anyone doing this finds they need to replace them the dimensions are 1.5 by 7 inches, though I'm not sure where you'd find them?

Thanks again for everyone's help and especially bluezeeland's offer of spare lamps, until he found out they wouldn't fit.

[GJR]

No problem. While I was talking to the retailer we were discussing the fact that TVR wouldn't have commissioned bespoke lamps and it was likely that they would have been used on other cars. I think while talking to Valeo it turned out that they were used on some Jaguars, military vehicles and even use as runway lamps. So, there's a fair chance that they won't stop being made any time soon. That said, the part number could always change again if these ones become obsolete in the future.

At least now there is a reasonable trail of part numbers to help in the future. Judging by the response it seems it's getting more common that the lamps are getting smashed, might be worth investing in some clear plastic covers.