MK5 Golf GTI
General => Product Reviews => Topic started by: sub39h on January 19, 2012, 02:17:13 pm
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WHY
Eveer since I had my car lowered the light cone has been weak. For a while I was considering facelifting the front of my car to the later style MY09 front with Xenons but it costs at least £2k and that quickly put a dent in my plans :rolleye:
I couldn't justify getting the pre-MY09 xenons either considering I'd have to get headlamp washers and auto levelling fitted too. might as well save and get the later front end like I wanted in the first place!
So instead I decided on getting higher output bulbs. I wanted to stay on the right side of the law so it was bulbs only. HIDs wind me up anyway with their scattered beam pattern. I'm not convinced they give the driver a better light and they blind everyone else in the process. Plus on the 8P they are associated with wiper motor blow outs which is an expensive fix. I believe this is due to spikes of electricity being sent up the shared earth when they are being turned on. AFAIK this does not affect other PQ35 cars, although I'd imagine the TT would have the same problem.
I was directed towards this article by a forum member on an old thread. I can't remember who, but thank you whoever you are!!
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/243109/bulbs_we_test_30.html
Philips Xtreme Power seemed to be the overwall winner, and seems to have won a few awards so decision made :happy2:
SOURCING
Google, ebay. Found them for £30 delivered with a set of free sidelights.
http://www.powerbulbs.com/product/philips-xtreme-vision-h7-car-headlight-bulbs
FITTING
I managed to do this in a few minutes. On the Audi it is relatively straight forward, although it's a little tricky to put the bulb back into the holder.
I'm not sure my Audi fitting instructions will be of any use to the majority of the forum so I've left them out. Simple fact of the matter is tho, I'm right handed but was born with two left hands. If i can do it there's no excuse for anyone else.
OTHER VERSIONS
Quite a few. Please refer to the AutoExpress article linked above.
PLUS POINTS
light is MUCH whiter. Aside from obvious aesthetic improvement the light given is MILES better than the OEM bulbs. I don't think any car I ever own will ever stay with standard bulbs after the difference this has made.
MINUS POINTS
NONE!!! Seems the bulb longevity isn't as good as the OEM ones, but that's perhaps to be expected for a brighter bulb.
SUMMARY
Obviously without comparing with other bulbs it's difficult to give meaningful advice, but all I can say is I 100% recommend this modification. I fully believe there has been the claimed 100% improvement in light output. For the price it makes a huge improvement, and my roads are well lit up again :smiley:
PHOTOS
So far only the one and not a great one :signLOL: - I haven't had a chance to take photos of the light beam as yet.
On the UK driver's side - Philips Xtreme Power 100%
On the UK passenger side - OEM bulbs
OEM sidelights both sides
You can see there's a difference
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fyy209%2Fsub39h%2FIMG_2194.jpg&hash=d93f14245f9f28571bb9a97f90f2e985707a2b73)
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Looks like these will be joining my wish list thanks to your post
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
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Eveer since I had my car lowered the light cone has been weak.
Sorry but to me that says the alignment is not correct, unless the car has been lowered exactly the same at the front and rear it is going to mess up the alignment.
Better bulbs are a good idea but don't mask the true issue, get the lights set up correctly :happy2:
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Eveer since I had my car lowered the light cone has been weak.
Sorry but to me that says the alignment is not correct, unless the car has been lowered exactly the same at the front and rear it is going to mess up the alignment.
Better bulbs are a good idea but don't mask the true issue, get the lights set up correctly :happy2:
fair point well made. but it was lowered same front and back on coils lol. it's had an MOT at Audi since and no alignment issues detected :happy2:
either way i wanted a whiter light. this does that. will look into the headlight alignment when i next get to my specialist.
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I use these. The standard ones are just too dim! I swear I could barely see two car lengths ahead at night on an unlit road. These definitely double it to at least 4-5 car lengths. They are ever so slightly yellow but IMO I prefer these over blue lights.
My sister inherited my old fiesta and she had a bulb fail recently so I took the opportunity to change all of the front lights. She is much happier with the results.
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i also have these much improved over standard bulbs!!
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where is cheapest place to buy these thanks .
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eBay
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I bought these a while back. I had wet sanded my headlights and wanted a good bulb to go with my improved lenses. I was sold on Auto Express' top review as I always trust their group tests. It's a massive improvement over the originals and gives the car a better look aswell!
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Just changed too these over Halfords super jobbies, slightly more yellow,only a hair mind but a much better spread and focus,less of a V in middle of road now.matching sidelight bulbs a bonus too from a cosmetic point of view.
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I went for the same bulbs and cant believe how much they improve visibility, really happy with them especially now heading into winter! :smiley:
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Had there bulbs in for a while and found them excellent
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Great bulbs, can't believe the improvement in light.
:happy2:
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Just had a bulb go in my Audi so I've gone for a set of these bulbs found them for £19.49 via Amazon - just thought id share the link
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00440CWCG/ref=asc_df_B00440CWCG10127426?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B00440CWCG
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Swapped all 4 bulbs with these :)
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Ordered some of these today as most of my journey to work is country roads and I have started to hate the standard bulbs!
Thanks for a brilliant review :happy2:
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They produce a nice white light. The problem I found is that the longevity isnt great. Always a compromise with this kind of thing.
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Think in the very near future il be swapping to these :ashamed:
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Think in the very near future il be swapping to these :ashamed:
Whoops!
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fs516%2Fchrisr766%2F89369E85-50A8-4E28-BF3D-C10C28913F48-4502-000004158B9393EC_zps5eb3d3c4.jpg&hash=ec25ef5e62bf36093ee5ab0c024f233d3d320e44)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fs516%2Fchrisr766%2F5DB2AC5F-7CB6-4DEB-B0CF-9CF4D8EAD920-862-000000CA37F8E5D6_zps9cc64140.jpg&hash=ed3b81202e5267d6cdbf972a0bc3f47f139aa0e0)
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I fitted a full set of these (dip and main beam) to SWMBO’s TT yesterday and TBH I am a bit disappointed with them, the car originally had 3 OE Philips LL (long life?) bulbs and one +80% Philips (Vision Plus?) bulb - one had blown so I had the put the OE one back in.
I have only driven the car a few miles so far, but currently there is very little if any improvement :confused:
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I had the same with the wife's A3. Stuck a set of Philips uprated bulbs in and couldn't see any difference. Audi's halogen headlights really are poor and don't seem to be improved with "better" bulbs.
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I had the same with the wife's A3. Stuck a set of Philips uprated bulbs in and couldn't see any difference. Audi's halogen headlights really are poor and don't seem to be improved with "better" bulbs.
that's weird, i had a MASSIVE improvement in light output? you can even see the difference in whiteness in the daylight photo i put in the OP
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I saw an improvement from standard to Phillips. They are defiantly more white. I think, it's just my opinion, people expect much much more from just changing a bulb. I think changing from halogen to xenon you would see a difference.
...Then again. I could be wrong
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I'll be recommending these to my brother as his lights are bunk
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I fitted a full set of these (dip and main beam) to SWMBO’s TT yesterday and TBH I am a bit disappointed with them, the car originally had 3 OE Philips LL (long life?) bulbs and one +80% Philips (Vision Plus?) bulb - one had blown so I had the put the OE one back in.
I have only driven the car a few miles so far, but currently there is very little if any improvement :confused:
SWMBO actually thinks they ARE a better and whiter light, so maybe I jumped the gun a little, I know when I have changed them in previous cars there was a distinct improvement.
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Got these a few weeks ago. I have Xenon's, they certainly produce more light over standard H7's but still seem a bit yellowish next to the Xenon's...
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I use also :smiley:
Worth the extra cash, I would like a xenon headlamp though.
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Got these a few weeks ago. I have Xenon's, they certainly produce more light over standard H7's but still seem a bit yellowish next to the Xenon's...
Is there anything that can match LED/xenon look? HID's? :ashamed:
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Got these a few weeks ago. I have Xenon's, they certainly produce more light over standard H7's but still seem a bit yellowish next to the Xenon's...
Is there anything that can match LED/xenon look? HID's? :ashamed:
I'd say avoid HIDs and go for proper OEM xenons. You won't regret it. :happy2:
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Anyone recommend a sidelight that will match these pretty well?
Pete
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If you them from powerbulbs, they supply a bright white W5W sidelights free with H7 bulbs.
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So, after over 2 and a half years of service one of the bulbs packed in last week. I must say I'm a little disappointed in the longevity. OE bulbs do tend to last longer!
Anyway the "Xtreme Power" has now been rebranded as "Xtreme Vision", and there is now a +130% version as well which I have just invested in. First reports are that the light is a lot whiter compared with the remaining old bulb in place. I will post a full review once I've done some night driving.
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I wouldnt say that 2.5 years is that bad really given the cost of them.
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Isn't it best to replace in pairs?
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The other one will pop in a week or two...
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I wouldnt say that 2.5 years is that bad really given the cost of them.
I'd agree with this. These higher powered bulbs are meant to have a shorter life than standard bulbs because they are working harder. There has to be a compromise for a brighter light.
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In regards to the longevity, the car has been doing below average miles since the bulbs were fitted. In August 2012 I went back to university and left the car one my parents' drive for most of the first year. The second year I had my car in London on and off, but it can't have been driven more than a couple of hours a week, plus a monthly trip up the M1 to see my parents.
For £35 odd I'm not all that bothered, but would perhaps have liked to see them last longer than that.
Isn't it best to replace in pairs?
Sorry I wrote the above late and wasn't very clear. I have bought a pair, but just been lazy and replaced the one for the time being. I will replace the other at the weekend
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anyone link a good place to buy them inc shipping to finland :D
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anyone link a good place to buy them inc shipping to finland :D
Powerbulbs.co.uk (http://Powerbulbs.co.uk). They do free worldwide delivery. Ebay might be cheaper though. Have a look before ordering from Powerbulbs.co.uk (http://Powerbulbs.co.uk).
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I'd say avoid HIDs and go for proper OEM xenons. You won't regret it. :happy2:
? you mean avoid HID retrofit kits to halogen reflectors ?
The OEM Xenons are HIDS (High intensity discharge).
IME -
HID Xenon burners (bulbs) in reflector headlamps don't work well. Poor beam pattern, too much glare and generally ineffective.
HID Xenon bulbs in projector headlamps are ok if fitted correctly. The lens collects the light from the bulb and concentrates it a lot better than a reflector would with the Xenon HID bulb (which would be outside of it's focus compared with the halogen bulb).
Best is the OEM usually, though you can buy HID Xenon projector units which are just as effective or better in some cases.
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anyone link a good place to buy them inc shipping to finland :D
Powerbulbs.co.uk (http://Powerbulbs.co.uk). They do free worldwide delivery. Ebay might be cheaper though. Have a look before ordering from Powerbulbs.co.uk (http://Powerbulbs.co.uk).
I bought the new versions from Powerbulbs own eBay page. Not only were they cheaper on there, for some reason two separate single bulbs was cheaper than a twin pack :confused:
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anyone link a good place to buy them inc shipping to finland :D
Powerbulbs.co.uk (http://Powerbulbs.co.uk). They do free worldwide delivery. Ebay might be cheaper though. Have a look before ordering from Powerbulbs.co.uk (http://Powerbulbs.co.uk).
I bought the new versions from Powerbulbs own eBay page. Not only were they cheaper on there, for some reason two separate single bulbs was cheaper than a twin pack :confused:
Yeah, I've found cheaper prices on ebay as well and noticed that difference of the separate bulbs compared to the twin pack. I didn't understand the logic behind it.
Powerbulbs isn't the cheapest store available but it's reliable. I've bought bulbs from them since 2006.
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They are currently £20 a pair from Euro Car Parts. That is bargain basement imho. Worth £20 all day long
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They're still on sale at Europarts, got a pair for £19.99 on Friday
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Just like to +1 on these bulbs, not bought them for the golf yet but had them on my previous car before installing HID's.