A6 C6 headlight bulb change

[rayyan171]

Hi guys,

A6 headlights are looking dark, colour is going, so want to change the pair over Christmas break, alongside its service. Audi wanted a silly amount, so looking to source parts and get it fitted privately. Which bulbs are needed for a 2009 A6 C6 3.0T with the Adaptive Xenons? Any good recommendations? Would like either OEM bulbs or something that has very good, white light.

Thanks

Edit: whilst I'm here, is it worth doing a gearbox/diff change? Car is at 80k miles, does about 2-3k per year.

Edited by rayyan171 on Saturday 1st December 01:08

[blueg33]

Can’t recommend bulbs as mine had halogens.

It’s a right faff of a job especially if you have the 3.0. I had to remove the power steering reservoir to do the near side.

Enjoy!

[annodomini2]

They're D2s

Osram nightbreaker

[rayyan171]

Cheers

[Adrian E]

I think you'll find they're a D3S, not the older D2S. The online sites suggest D2S but I think for the adaptive headlights it changed in 2008, so you need to be careful and possibly check with Audi first.

These offer one of the best performing bulbs, if it is a D3S:

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-xenarc-ni...

Also the cheapest I've found for these with the 25% code at the top of the page. They also have the older version 'night breaker unlimited' for quite a bit less.

Failing that, these are also very good (but note these are priced each, not as a pair)

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/philips-xenon-x...

Fitting is a pain - bumper off and requires measurement of a gap between the bottom corner of the headlight and a spacer to be able to reset on refitting before starting.

Edited by Adrian E on Monday 3rd December 20:55

[bimjim]

I had the same car and can confirm they are D3S bulbs.

Have fun fitting them...

[rayyan171]

Adrian E said:

I think you'll find they're a D3S, not the older D2S. The online sites suggest D2S but I think for the adaptive headlights it changed in 2008, so you need to be careful and possibly check with Audi first.

These offer one of the best performing bulbs, if it is a D3S:

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-xenarc-ni...

Also the cheapest I've found for these with the 25% code at the top of the page. They also have the older version 'night breaker unlimited' for quite a bit less.

Failing that, these are also very good (but note these are priced each, not as a pair)

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/philips-xenon-x...

Fitting is a pain - bumper off and requires measurement of a gap between the bottom corner of the headlight and a spacer to be able to reset on refitting before starting.

Edited by Adrian E on Monday 3rd December 20:55

Think I'll be getting the local indy to fit the bulbs, seems too much of a job! Nightbreaker unlimited's are quite cheap as well.

What is the correct colour temperature? 4300K?

[AI1694]

I’m sure the bulb will be D3S. I think pretty much all Audis moved over to D3S circa 2008.

I replaced both in my old A3, absolute PITA job. Went through arch liner in the end. I know the Osrams are cheaper but ended buying the OEM Philips ones - 4300K. You can get a genuine pair off eBay for about £90.