A4 Poor headlights

[leosayer]

The dipped beam my recently purchased 2002 A4 Avant is pathetic. Can anyone recommend a replacement bulb that works better?

I don't really want to stretch to a HID conversion kit unless absolutely necessary.

[IOLAIRE]

leosayer said:

The dipped beam my recently purchased 2002 A4 Avant is pathetic. Can anyone recommend a replacement bulb that works better? I don't really want to stretch to a HID conversion kit unless absolutely necessary.

There must be something wrong with your lamp units Leo; these are normally great headlights.
Check the aim and alignment and make sure the bulbs are correctly located in the holders, and also don't use cheap and nasty bulbs; I find they are seriously sub standard. There's a lot of crap on the market these days, avoid it like the plague.
Due a voltage check at the bulb sockets as well to make sure there isn't any undue resistance in the line somewhere.

[yertis]

I'm surprised IOLAIRE thinks the head lights are OK - Audis headlights seem to be generally quite shite unless HID - the dipped beam on my S4 is also rubbish. Normal solution I believe is to rewire to take 100W lamps off a direct feed and use the original wiring for the relay.

I'll be doing this on my ur as soon as...

[IOLAIRE]

yertis said:

I'm surprised IOLAIRE thinks the head lights are OK - Audis headlights seem to be generally quite shite unless HID - the dipped beam on my S4 is also rubbish. Normal solution I believe is to rewire to take 100W lamps off a direct feed and use the original wiring for the relay. I'll be doing this on my ur as soon as...

Yertis,
there is a collosal difference between an old UR and an A4.
The problem with most of the old Audis was the headlamps were direct wired through the dipswitch on the steering column and as it got worn the resistance went up, dimming the lamps; that was why I suggested that he check the voltage at the bulb socket.
What you are suggesting about your UR is the right way to do it; I used to take four separate feeds, each with line fuses, straight from the battery to a wee bank of relays and then to the headlamps; then use the original wires just as switching feeds for the relays.
The difference was collosal.
I've never had to do that with a modern Audi mind you.
I think half you buggers are blind out there; and we all know what causes that!

[leosayer]

I've got no idea how to do a voltage check, but I'll look at how they're fitted and then probably try some replacement bulbs (eg Silverstars).

The headlights on my recently sold '99 A4 were much better.

I used to have an '81 Audi Coupe with the twin-square headlights - now they were not far from useless!

[leosayer]

Just to follow this up in case anyone's interested. I bought some Osram Silverstars and fitted them today.

They are noticeably better than the previous pair but not fantastic. Only problem is I dropped the screw-bit into the engine bay and can't find it.