Osram Nightbreaker headlamp bulbs
Discussion
Does anyone on here have Osram Nightbreake headlamp bulbs fitted? My car (Audi A4) has projector lenses but doesn't have xenons. The light from the standard bulbs is pretty poor in my opinion. I don't really want to go down the route of an after market HID kit, mainy because I can't be bothered to fit them.
The Osram Nightbreakers are about £30 so before I buy them I thought I'd see if anyone here has them and how much of an improvment over the original bulbs they are? Alternatively, it would be good to here of any other non HID suggestions.
Thanks
The Osram Nightbreakers are about £30 so before I buy them I thought I'd see if anyone here has them and how much of an improvment over the original bulbs they are? Alternatively, it would be good to here of any other non HID suggestions.
Thanks
You could fit 100W bulbs and upgrade the wiring by fitting a relay to each lamp, ensuring the bulb gets a full 12V direct from the battery. You'll need thicker wiring from the relay to the bulb and there is a risk of the extra heat melting the lamp body, but I've done this a to a couple of cars in the past (last one was my mk2 Astra GTE) without any problems.
Decent bulbs, always heard good reports (plus always decent write ups in Auto Express bulbs tests).
Also worth considering the newer Philips X-Treme Vision. I believe they are supposed to be rated even higher (+80%).
Should be able to get them cheaper than £30 online though I would have thought? What type of fitment is the A4?
Also worth considering the newer Philips X-Treme Vision. I believe they are supposed to be rated even higher (+80%).
Should be able to get them cheaper than £30 online though I would have thought? What type of fitment is the A4?
I tried nightbreakers on a previous car, better than standard bulbs. I have now tried Phillips x-treme +100% and find them slightly better than the nightbreakers, but it is hard to tell as they are in a different car.
None of these replacement bulbs are anywhere near as good as the factory HIDs I had in my old Audi though. I am not keen on retro fit HIDs and also the rumours about the new MOT rules would put me off as well.
None of these replacement bulbs are anywhere near as good as the factory HIDs I had in my old Audi though. I am not keen on retro fit HIDs and also the rumours about the new MOT rules would put me off as well.
TallPaul said:
You could fit 100W bulbs and upgrade the wiring by fitting a relay to each lamp, ensuring the bulb gets a full 12V direct from the battery. You'll need thicker wiring from the relay to the bulb and there is a risk of the extra heat melting the lamp body, but I've done this a to a couple of cars in the past (last one was my mk2 Astra GTE) without any problems.
Sounds like a bit of a faff for me. I'm just after a straight swap of bulbs that give the best results short of fitting HIDs. g3org3y said:
Decent bulbs, always heard good reports (plus always decent write ups in Auto Express bulbs tests).
Also worth considering the newer Philips X-Treme Vision. I believe they are supposed to be rated even higher (+80%).
Should be able to get them cheaper than £30 online though I would have thought? What type of fitment is the A4?
I think the A4 is H7 fitment. £30 was just the first price I saw via Google. I've seen some much cheaper prices from sellers on places like ebay and Amazon but worried they might be fakes! lolAlso worth considering the newer Philips X-Treme Vision. I believe they are supposed to be rated even higher (+80%).
Should be able to get them cheaper than £30 online though I would have thought? What type of fitment is the A4?
I'll look into the Philips version too.
I use Philips X-Treme bulbs on my car, I got a set for dipped and main beams. Very very good headlights, it could be just in my head but i definitely thought they looked better after a good few hours run-in.
Bad points, my dipped bulbs only lasted a years.
Good points, my main beams have lasted 3 years.
I have a set of Halfords Advanced superdooper bulbs at the minute as my dipped lights and they are truely awful.
Bad points, my dipped bulbs only lasted a years.
Good points, my main beams have lasted 3 years.
I have a set of Halfords Advanced superdooper bulbs at the minute as my dipped lights and they are truely awful.
Edited by Jamz3k on Wednesday 26th October 23:18
I've had the Philips X-Treme bulbs fitted along with Vision Plus bulbs for dipped beams and they are both noticably better expecially in bad weather where I felt the standard bulbs seemed a bit lacking in distance and intensity. As Jamz3k said they did seem to take a few trips out to reach full brightness though, at first I thought they were a waste of money but after a short period of use they were clearly an improvement.
blearyeyedboy said:
Remember that VOSA are cracking down on HID kits that don't self-level, and they will be checked in MOT's from 1st Jan 2012.
Totally incorrect.The 2012 issue Tester's Manual states:
Manual said:
Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Manual.pdfWhere such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
There is no compulsion within the upcoming MOT changes for self levelling suspension or headlamp washers to be fitted to HID equipped cars.
If such systems are fitted they must work but even then self levelling must be given the benefit of the doubt if it is not observed to operate as it is impractical to check it's operation during an MOT test.
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