Make a donation

Author Topic: Xenon replacement bulbs  (Read 2147 times)

Offline Rossimac

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 78
  • -Receive: 33
  • Posts: 579
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,90767.0.html
Xenon replacement bulbs
« on: December 04, 2019, 09:16:01 pm »
See post below about how the bulb is okay and was just badly seated, the bulls are grand!

So I replaced the passenger side's faulty xenon bulb (Philips 85122 4300k) with an OSRAM (6000k) Cool Blue.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/XENARC-INTENSE-discharge-66240CBI-HCB-Duobox/dp/B0068M1DRS


Here are the comparison shots and I think the OSRAM is lacking to say the least, both in overall brightness and how the beam is getting shone onto the ground and cars in front.







I had read that this would be a good one to go for instead of the £15 eBay jobbies... Should I just have gone to TPS and gotten an OEM one?
« Last Edit: December 07, 2019, 08:02:53 pm by Rossimac »

Offline coolhandluke

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 11
  • Posts: 328
    • Email
Re: Xenon replacement bulbs
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2019, 10:56:04 pm »
Was it arkward to replace?
One of mine is ever so slightly dimmer, have a Philips spare one sitting around somewhere should I ever need to change it.
Your replacement bulb certainly doesn't seem as good as your drivers side one.
« Last Edit: December 04, 2019, 11:00:19 pm by coolhandluke »

Offline E8RNX

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 6
  • -Receive: 1
  • Posts: 64
    • Email
Re: Xenon replacement bulbs
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2019, 01:56:26 am »
My xenons seem to be lacking exactly the same.. they are not as bright as I expected. They did come pre installed in the headlights I bought (OEM Projectors).

Any recommendations on D2S Bulbs guys?
—MK5 Golf GTI DSG—

Offline pudding

  • Global Moderator
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 670
  • Posts: 8228
Re: Xenon replacement bulbs
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2019, 05:04:54 pm »
I don't think the cool blue is any good. The colour temperature is all wrong.

The ones you want are the Osram D2S Night breaker unlimited.

In all honesty though, Xenon brightness doesn't vary that much between brands, just stick to the OEM colour temperature, which I think is 4300ish K.

Not that hard to fit.  Awkward for space but otherwise OK.  People with fat sausage fingers may find it easier to remove the headlights.  Just be careful with the wiring connector as they're brittle and easy to break.


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline Rossimac

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 78
  • -Receive: 33
  • Posts: 579
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,90767.0.html
Re: Xenon replacement bulbs
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2019, 12:13:50 pm »
Yep I'll be putting the cool blues on eBay.
Very disappointed in the cool blues!

You recommend night breakers, which are around £80 on Amazon. Would it be good to get these over an OEM Phillips bulb?

Passenger side definitely was a difficult fit, driver's side was much easier!

Offline coolhandluke

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 11
  • Posts: 328
    • Email
Re: Xenon replacement bulbs
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2019, 01:45:49 pm »
The spare bulb I was given is a Philips D2S.
Haven't used it as yet so know idea what it's like.

Offline Rossimac

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 78
  • -Receive: 33
  • Posts: 579
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,90767.0.html
Re: Xenon replacement bulbs
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2019, 07:48:10 pm »
So turns out the new bulb was not seated correctly in the holder and we couldn't get it seated correctly so it was a bumper unscrewed, lowered and headlight out jobby.

After another 15 mins, the igniter was finally connected and seated correctly.

The cool blues are great I think. Still have yet to replace the driver's side, so you can see the comparison.







Much better! How much better would the night breakers have been over these?

Offline pudding

  • Global Moderator
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 670
  • Posts: 8228
Re: Xenon replacement bulbs
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2019, 09:16:07 pm »
That's much better  :happy2:   

The way the bulb fits into it's housing feels really vague when fitting it, so I'm not surprised you ran into that problem.

Yeah the Nightbreaker unlimiteds are good bulbs, but I certainly didn't notice an 'extra 70%' brightness over the OEM Philips. It's just marketing flannel!





2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D