headlight bulbs - recommendations please

**jdavis** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 09:03

Had the 'bulb failure dipped beam' come up this morning.
What are the best standard fit bulbs to replace them with. Don't really want the messing required to go hid.
Thanks.

**jotter22** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 09:30

i have just got the Halfrauds +90%! brightness and beam pattern is very good but cant report on longevity yet only been in a few weeks.

Tony.

**jdavis** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 09:45

I've seen the osram nightbreaker plus bulbs which have a good write up. They are also +90%

**jotter22** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 10:04

Yep looked at those too but could not source them other than online and once i have made up my mind as to what i want i cant be arsed to wait so Halfrauds got the business.

Tony.

**V70 Graham** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 10:06

Halfrauds +90% are good bulbs, Annemarie has had them in her VAG for over a year now, M-R-P wasn't too impressed with his nightbreakers tbh, I have the Phillips Blue Vision, very nice white light, till next week when the HID kit goes in.

**jotter22** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 10:06

Show off!

**volvokid** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 10:11

Originally Posted by jdavis

I've seen the osram nightbreaker plus bulbs which have a good write up. They are also +90%

These are what I use in the V40 they are a good bulbs but they dont last that long, 1 year maybe....

**Dangerous Dave** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 12:01

I bought a pair of osram nightbreakers off ebay for around £15 a few years back and they were better than standard and cheaper than buying two standard bulbs from halfords.

I also got a pair of Ring Xenon Ultima (apparently 120% more light LOL), they were also good and for around the same price, a whiter light than standard (fitted them to my 940)

TBH though you'll probably not be able to notice much difference with any bulb, for greater light output/noticeable output you'd need to fit a HID kit.

**M-R-P** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 14:22

Ring xenonmax bulbs are much better than nightbreakers but 12 months after fitting them both blew in the same week. Graham's Phillips bulbs are brilliant.

**jdavis** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 15:40

thanks guys. Will see what my local place has in, can't be bothered to wait for ebay specials to come.
thanks again

**Dangerous Dave** · Saturday 9th March 2013, 16:21

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Ring xenonmax bulbs are much better than nightbreakers but 12 months after fitting them both blew in the same week. Graham's Phillips bulbs are brilliant.

Mine were just a 'chance' buy, was in Trago Mills near Liskeard and saw them on the shelf, packet quoting 120% light, for £12 for the pair I couldn't grumble, not been in a year yet though LOL.

**Mr D** · Thursday 14th March 2013, 17:38

@V70 Graham - have you got a dedicated thread for the HID install yet?

**v70tom** · Thursday 14th March 2013, 18:31

I just bought a conversion kit for the phase 1 v70.
Well it fit.
I tried the normal lights this morning as I fitted yesterday.
I was very impressed with the light.
Also it was not much work at all.
Just ordered another set for the full beams.

2 bulbs 6000k 8.95
2 ballast kits 35 w. 9.74

Can only recommend. It's a very good light compare the standard h7 volvo candles.

**V70 Graham** · Thursday 14th March 2013, 19:46

Originally Posted by Mr D

@V70 Graham - have you got a dedicated thread for the HID install yet?

Sorry only a short addition to my project thread.....

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthre...ge8&highlight=

**nobananas** · Thursday 14th March 2013, 20:11

I've always found Osram nightbreakers to be very good in my 850. Regarding longevity, they were fine for me and lasted years BUT I have the day running function de-activated, I think any bulbs life will be shortened if they are on all the time !

**partsforvolvos.com** · Friday 15th March 2013, 12:48

we all have osram nightbreakers in our own cars and they are brilliant.
really brightened up my dull worn 850 headlights so i didnt need to change them in the end.

**M-R-P** · Friday 15th March 2013, 13:05

They are indeed bright but not white enough for my liking.

**partsforvolvos.com** · Friday 15th March 2013, 13:36

since i drive on country roads alot i really notice the difference in the winter.

**jdavis** · Friday 15th March 2013, 21:35

Well just ordered a pair of osram nightbreaker plus H7 and a pair of osram 6000k cool white W5W LED sidelights. £31 posted. Will report on quality when they arrive and fit them. Thanks guys

**LeeT5** · Monday 18th March 2013, 10:02

Originally Posted by v70tom

I just bought a conversion kit for the phase 1 v70.
Well it fit.
I tried the normal lights this morning as I fitted yesterday.
I was very impressed with the light.
Also it was not much work at all.
Just ordered another set for the full beams.

2 bulbs 6000k 8.95
2 ballast kits 35 w. 9.74

Can only recommend. It's a very good light compare the standard h7 volvo candles.

I wouldn't advise doing that. The bulbs take at least 15 seconds to fully warm up and if you fit to the high beam you won't get that instant light that you need when driving on country lanes because the time needed for the bulb to ignite and warm up. You'll find that when you flash people, the response of the ballast and bulb igniting is nowhere near quick enough and so you'll get a very faint flash and in my experience (with HIDs on my van) other drivers may not even notice you flashing them!
Stick with the oe high beam bulbs. TBH, the amount of time driving round with high beams actually on, doesn't warrant the HIDs being fitted. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere 20 miles from the nearest street lamp and no other cars around to come the other way.