Upgrading the headlights

[mrx]

Doesn't the Skoda come with projector housings for low beam already? That would mitigate the glare of HIDs in a reflector housing, like on other cars...

If they do not change the housing of the lights, it would probably have a space under the housing to fit the ballasts to (usually screws, but cable ties would probably work)

Yes, they do have projector low beam headlights and there is enough room to fit the ballast inside the headlight housing, so it would make for a fairly clean install if you weren't worried about the illegalities of it. There's some pictures of someone doing it on the Briskoda forum.

[backdoc]

If you were in Canberra you could come to my place and I could let you try one out in your headlight to see what you thought. I was happy with them in the twin reflector headlights in my Transporter, and a mate is pleased with the improvement he got in his Mercedes Vito (H7 in both Lo and Hi beams).

Thanks for the offer. Very nice of you. Unfortunately in Melb though. Could you give me an idea of what sort of price these globes may be?

[gregozedobe]

Could you give me an idea of what sort of price these globes may be?

Currently Osram 65W H7s are going for approx $US 20.00 each

The Phlips X-treme 55W H1s seem to be around GBP 22.50 pair

Don't forget to add in currency conversion and freight costs as appropriate.

One of my local Auto electricians actually stocks a good range of the Philips X-treme globes at reasonable prices (but I didn't find this out until I had purchased mine from overseas), so it might be worth looking around to see if you have any local suppliers.

[K1W1]

It's interesting that the official Australian distributor for Philips bulbs has HID conversion kits and even an installation guide available on their web site.

I guess it's another of those stupid situations where it's legal to sell something but may be illegal for the purchaser to use it.

Link here

BTW there is also info about the X-treme Power bulbs and info where to buy locally.

[Maverick]

Why to cars with Xenons need washers to be roadworthy?

They don't. All headlights including halogen with an output of over 2000 lumens require washers.

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2190269&postcount=52

[Maverick]

It's interesting that the official Australian distributor for Philips bulbs has HID conversion kits and even an installation guide available on their web site.

I guess it's another of those stupid situations where it's legal to sell something but may be illegal for the purchaser to use it.

Why is it stupid to sell them? They have many legal uses like off road vehicles, vehicles that are not road registered, rally cars and so forth.

What is stupid is the people that fit them and use them for road use because they don't give a damn about other road users.

[K1W1]

I did not say it was stupid to sell them I said it was a stupid situation.

It's exactly the same as all the electrical and plumbing stuff that you can legally buy in hardware stores but it's technically illegal to install unless you are a licensed Plumber or Electrician.

[backdoc]

Lots of interesting info. Will certainly not be putting in HIDs. Guess I will be trying out those globes. Got my new euro plates delivered today. Now all I need is the car

[Bizi]

Why is it stupid to sell them? They have many legal uses like off road vehicles, vehicles that are not road registered, rally cars and so forth.

What is stupid is the people that fit them and use them for road use because they don't give a damn about other road users.

Back to the earlier topic of Osram 65W halogen bulbs (H7 base with H9 filament): Candlepower is offering these for $19.99 USD but include Aussie shipping and it ends up $80+USD due to extreme shipping costs.

I've found lots of discussion on forums but few recommendations of sources.

No answer at my-gti.com yet, either!

A similar, strong argument for this 65W bulb in existing 55W H7-equipped VWs is from Daniel Stern who gets a lot of recommendations on various VAG forums:

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1941540&postcount=32

Is anyone interested enough for a group buy?
Does anyone recommend a group buy source?

[Maverick]

Back to the earlier topic of Osram 65W halogen bulbs (H7 base with H9 filament): Candlepower is offering these for $19.99 USD but include Aussie shipping and it ends up $80+USD due to extreme shipping costs.

I've found lots of discussion on forums but few recommendations of sources.

No answer at my-gti.com yet, either!

A similar, strong argument for this 65W bulb in existing 55W H7-equipped VWs is from Daniel Stern who gets a lot of recommendations on various VAG forums:

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1941540&postcount=32

Is anyone interested enough for a group buy?
Does anyone recommend a group buy source?

I'm looking at bringing some in that will end up cheaper - have to buy 10+ at a time however and as you said there are not many sources of them.

[gregozedobe]

- have to buy 10+ at a time however

That's what I did (and sold some to a mate, as I didn't actually need all 10). It's the same story with lots of purchases from overseas, you MUST remember to take freight costs into account before deciding to buy (1 click purchases on Amazon are a real trap, as it doesn't tell you what the freight costs will be before you commit to buy).

I'm very happy with these globes.

[Bizi]

That's what I did (and sold some to a mate, as I didn't actually need all 10).

...I'm very happy with these globes.

Thanks for the tip, Greg. Did you ever find a good local source or did you stick with Daniel Stern Lighting or Candlepower?

Bizi

[space-godzilla]

I have used these bulbs in my last five cars and have found them very good:
OSRAM SYLVANIA - SilverStar ULTRA

I have the H7 versions in my Octavia now and they seem to produce a much "whiter" (not a fake bluish) light.

The catch is that I've always just bought them in the US whenever I'm visiting my parents so I'm not sure if they're sold in Australia (or if they somehow do not meet some Australian standard).

[bobski]

Crikey, that comparison looks like they are on high beam. Do you see parklights spear off into the undergrowth as you go past?

[pwcar]

Yes, dramatic comparison indeed, but did you see the disclaimer?
"Claims based on measured comparisons between SilverStar and SilverStar Ultra product families at 100% light output and standard halogen bulbs at 80% light output."
Seems that they turned the standard bulbs down to 80% output and left theirs at full. What a bizarre test methodology.