Head Light type

[CovKid]

Go for CJH's - lot simpler - plug n play. Well, once you figure out clips or bezel.

[CovKid]

£45 a pair for ones with DRLs - plus a dimmer relay. £29 a pair for crystal eyes - ready to go.

[CJH]

The alternative is they go off when you switch any external lights but then you'd need extra sidelights.

I didn't know that - what's the reason for sidelights when the headlights are on? Is it in case of a bulb failure?

[CovKid]

You got it. Sidelights have to stay lit in any 'on' position on the light switch. Thats why the DRL versions pose more complications.

Choice of five actually.

Sorry, Chris's Crystal Eye ones are £37 a pair and not E marked but will pass an MOT allegedly. Lower wattage LED doubles as sidelight:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Angel-Eye-Hea ... 5d3ca16796" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are also these (same supplier) £29 a pair. These ARE E-marked and have conventional sidelight fitting :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crystal-7-Hal ... 27f684caaa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also these (with sidelight fitting) £28 a pair and not E marked but will pass an MOT allegedly.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crystal-Halog ... 5d4a0a2fcf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then theres the DRL ones. £45 a pair and not E marked but will pass an MOT allegedly - again need sidelights or dimmer relay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-7-Round-L ... 58ba0db5a6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Finally, they sell a Halogen Iridium version http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Halogen-Iridi ... 27f2495092" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - £38 a pair - not E marked either plus they look poo (in my opinion).

The reflectors on all of them are better (more precise) than a stock Hella but choice is up to you, particularly with regard to E-marking. Brightness increase claim of up to 20% quite likely for all above - thay are sharper. Shop is here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Powerful-UK-Lt ... 34.c0.m322" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and in case you're thinking it, I wouldn't recommend drilling to put in a sidelight - you'd never get all the swarf out. They're cheap though so if you don't like one style you can always change the following year. With Osrams you'll have no problems seeing where you're going - none.

[ghost123uk]

On another thread "we" have been discussing what does and what does not require "us" to inform the insurance company about.

Turns out that even certain stickers can invalidate your insurance, and we know how good they are at wriggling out of paying out. So, what about these headlight upgrades?

[marlinowner]

Super useful information, but the third possibility in the list is a 5.75 inch headlight, not 7 inch.

[slowcoach]

Its fantastic to see this research. Theres been so much speak of voltage drops and making sure feeds are adequate from relays and good cabling, and lots of speak of nightbreakers etc over the years, but very little about the actual lamps. So now apart from making sure the Hella's are clean and not fogged up/corroded inside, we have some options of replacing the whole units for even further increased performance.

good work fellas

[CovKid]

Drove in and out of work today with DRLs. Normally in half light I use dipped beam but it now means my battery gets a better charge each way - another bonus.

[itchyfeet]

Itchy, back me up here!

He He, yeh we know they fit perfectly but no point trying to tell people if their mind is made up that they are right.
What I find tiring is the constant critism of fresh ideas by a few on here because they know best.

[CovKid]

Theres that one and people who answer sometimes complex technical problems with a link to a product in a shop and no other other suggestions. CJH is a bit like me - works with what he's got, never assumes others have limitless funds and comes up with alternative solutions - usually at little cost. There do seem to be some that are either extreme purists or just like parting with their money easily.

Mind you' I still think its a fluke that those bulbs fit.

[itchyfeet]

Martin

I don't know the history - maybe you can identify what's what from itchy's other photo:



I was going to take more photos of mine, but I think itchy's shows everything very clearly. It shows the old style headlamp, with the original bulb on the left and the newer style H4 bulb on the right. The H4 bulb drops into the hole in the headlamp, and is then held in place by the gold coloured ring in the other photo. Yes, the H4 lamp can rotate freely within the headlamp hole, but it's not difficult to get it oriented properly before tightening the gold coloured ring.

No the H4 can't rotate in the gold ring but it could be inserted upside down, when you look close its such a good fit it's unlikely to be chance. My guess is vw knew the h4 was coming and allowed for it.

this pic shows the cut out in the gold part that matches the shape of the H4

[mbcamper]

I'm following this thread and it's certainly developed since the original thread when the use of the £10 7" units fro Euro Car Parts.

CovKid you've summarised the options for the light units nicely, but you've discounted this one as it didn't have side lights:

There are also these (same supplier) £29 a pair. These ARE E-marked but no sidelight (or LED) at all so I think we can rule them out unless you want to fit sidelights:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crystal-7-Hal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 27f684caaa

However these actually DO have sidelights and given that they are E marked, then they are a good consideration. I'm actually going to buy some and I'll report back!

In terms of fitting them I've ordered some of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161509394066? ... EBIDX%3AIT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mark

[CovKid]

Says its removed?

Ah got it will update. Thanks. Must have got bulb frenzy

[mbcamper]

Still there - just my dodgy link copying

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crystal-7-Hal ... 27f684caaa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CJH]

No the H4 can't rotate in the gold ring but it could be inserted upside down, when you look close its such a good fit it's unlikely to be chance. My guess is vw knew the h4 was coming and allowed for it.

You're right. Although the bulb can rotate in the headlamp hole, the gold ring only fits snugly onto the bulb when it's oriented correctly, so that indeed fixes the bulb correctly in the headlamp.