I did the low beam conversion so I can use H3 bulbs, drivers side went like clockwork, but the passenger side gave me a load of problems. Screw to attach new earth lead came out, and I could not get another one in. I attached an earth lead to the loop at the end of the bulb retaining spring with solder and insulation tape...........works great, cant wait to see if they are any better.

I used Bosch Zenon SB bulbs from Halfords, £8 each

 

 

John

I've just swapped to Osram Super bulbs (UK car, so standard H3).

 

Can't believe what a PITA changing the bulbs is. Absolutely no room to move your hands or see what's going on.

 

I was going to remove the main beam bulbs and clean the insides of the lenses but after changing dipped lamps I can't be bothered with the hassle;)

 

Richard:)

Richard,

 

Did you notice any improvement when you changed to the Osram bulbs ?

 

How much did they cost, and where did you get them from ?

 

Thanks

 

John

Hi John

 

I've only just fitted them, so I haven't driven in the dark yet.

 

They look brighter and clearer though, I'll let you know tomorrow.

 

I got them from Demon Tweeks, cost £12.27 for the pair. Supposed to give 30% more light. They scored very well in Auto Express tests recently, beating PIAA bulbs which cost over £30 a pair.

 

Richard:)

Hi john,

 

Drove home tonight in rain and dark.......

 

The Osrams were very good. I don't think they are better than the PIAAs I replaced but they are at least as good. The light is as bright but not as blue/white as PIAAs, so less glare is reflected back at you in drizzle and fog. And at £12 a pair (compared to over £30 for PIAAs) they are better value;)

 

They also gave better reflection from road signs and weren't prone to being "neutralised" by yellow street lights either.

 

All in all a good choice of upgrade:cool:

 

They are called Osram Super + 30%. Demon Tweeks part code BO453S for H3 bulbs. £12.27 + p&p

 

Richard

 

:)

Thanks Richard,

 

Why did you replace the PIAA's ?

 

The Osram's sound good, I took a look at the comparison in Auto Express, very impressive, and a great price. Came out better than my Bosch ones. I may just buy a pair.

 

Thanks

 

John

HELP.....I just lost my dipped beam on offside headlamp. I need the idiot's guide to changing the bulb.

I have a set that say 50% brighter. They ended up only costing me a fiver but were £19 from my frendly car shop.

They seem to make no differance at all. I can not see a f in thing in the dark and can not do over 30 on a counrty lane at night.

Its an import so the bulbs are odd 2 pin small effots that the uk equiv seem to have one pin.

Why are they in the magnifying glass part, you'd think it would make them brighter.

 

Has anyone swaped things around. i.e. made the main bean (flash) with a lower watt bulb in as head light, and the head light with higher watt bulb as flash? That is summat I think would be better and have thought of doing/havin a bash.

 

There must be a easy and relitivly cheap way of givin good light out of the standard unit. I've seem upgrades to the fog lights that give out more light. But it should be summat you can drive with, without blinding all oncomming traffic...

Hi John

 

I didn't intend to replace the PIAAs, but I was buying a set of the Osram Silverstar + 50% jobbies for my Corsa (unfortunately they don't make them for the Zed) but as the +30% ones were only £12 with no extra P&P I thought I'd buy a pair.

 

I planned to keep them for spares or to fit in foglights, should I eventually install the Jap/US front light set-up. As I had a spare hour on Sunday I decided to to a comparison with the PIAAs already there.

 

I was inspired by an earlier thread by Gio on the same subject:D

 

Richard:)