Dipped beam headlight bulbs for 03 WRX. Any recommendations?

[peter8171]

One of my dipped beam bulbs has blown and so need a new one, but thought I could maybe put in an upgraded set. Anyone have any recommendations for an improvement over the OE bulbs?

[ScoobieWRX]

You can go upgraded and perhaps not pass the MOT if your bulbs are illegal (too high wattage rated) or stick within the limits to pass your MOT and try a set of Halfords Extreme Brilliance H7 bulbs. They are a pretty reasonable improvement over the standard Halogen. I have them fitted on my Bugeye (awful standard lighting) and my toyota surf truck, and they've made enough of a difference for me to happily recommend them.

They are £25 each, and i was lucky enough at the time to get a deal (2 for 1). don't know if they are still running this deal, it was a little while ago now. Hope this helps.

[peter8171]

Cheers for the advice. According to the manual, the standard bulbs are H1's, so would H7's fit? Would want to make sure of MOT pass having looked at how to change the bulb! Is is easier to take the headlight out rather than remove the battery or cold air intake?

[scoobydude]

Osram night breakers are the only way to go buddy, had cheep 80watt bulbs off eBay. They lasted 3 weeks and gave an awful pattern, next up was some 80watt halfords ones which were ok but still gave an awful pattern. Then got some osram night breakers off eBay,superb ,much brighter than the 80 watt ones and there legal at 55 watts. Gave a great pattern ,wouldn't buy anything else

[peter8171]

Thanks, will look them out.

[ScoobieWRX]

Sorry if they are H1's my mistake. My bugeye and toyo truck both use H7's. I wasn't sure of blobs have two separate bulbs or just one. I assumed you ran H7's too. I stand by the Halfords Extreme brilliance bulbs though. I got a deal and went for it but i'll probably go for Osram night breakers or something like that next time just to try them out.

[JohnoVR6]

ScoobieWRX said:

Halfords Extreme Brilliance H7 bulbs...

...They are £25 each, and i was lucky enough at the time to get a deal (2 for 1). don't know if they are still running this deal, it was a little while ago now. Hope this helps.

I've just fitted these to my car too. Can confirm the deal is still on as well, cost me £25 for the two, plus £6.99 for fitting. Managed to remove most the skin from the back of my hand on the battery whilst trying to jiggle in to the passenger side unit, so thought I'd pay someone to rip their hands to shreads instead

This was also after the inconvenience of having to head back and exchange the H4 fitment bulbs that the in-store guide, Subaru forum, and sales assistant all recommended.

[peter8171]

OK, have got some Osram night breakers to go into the wagon. £21 for a pair, but haven't fitted them yet. Went to have another look under the bonnet and it was obviously going to to be as awkward as I originally thought. Also, have realised I don't have the right tools for the job Will pay someone this time to change them tomorrow and then get more tools when funds allow.

Will report back what I think once I've driven in the dark tomorrow night.

[Scooby72]

Recently fitted Osram Nightbreakers to my Blobeye, and they lasted 6 weeks !!

Have gone back to some standard type Bosch bulbs from Halfords.

Fitting is not actually that hard, but you do really need to remove the battery, and the air intake, which is not difficult.

Would also recommend you replace in pairs, have always found that if you replace one bulb the other side will go soon after.

[peter8171]

Can't thank the guys at Roger Clark Motorsport enough as they fitted the bulbs for me and when one bulb exploded* after about 10 minutes, CAS in Hinckley provided a replacement FOC and Roger Clark fitted the new one FOC. Hope the replacement lasts longer.

• it blew the glass casing off, leaving only part of the filament still attached!