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Looking for better headlight bulbs for my '02

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Old 03-14-2019, 11:00 AM
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Default Looking for better headlight bulbs for my '02

Greetings All,

Any thoughts on headlight bulbs for an early model S-Type? The low-beams in my car are only so-so. They just don't put out much light. I'd like to replace them with something brighter. All of the lenses are slightly clouded but I don't think that is a huge factor as the high-beams are stunningly bright.

I can't remember what bulbs are installed in the low-beams, possibly GE Nighthawks. Per Rockauto, Hella H7 is a common number for these bulbs. They look like this, with an all-metal base:






Any recommendations? I'd like something that fits the stock sockets. If some aftermarket latest/greatest thing, I want something that doesn't trigger a bulb failure message.

Thanks for any help.
 
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Old 03-14-2019, 12:26 PM
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What brightness and color are you looking for...i bought some 8000k blues for my high beams off ebay for 23 dollars delivered....what a difference....i have hid low beams and bought 6000k for those and can see again....2 years old and still going strong...will edit after i get the sellers name...formula-J87 is the name...has a ton of selection...he is in Roseville CA....i used mequiars scratch and swirl for paint on my lenses and it made a huge difference...better than the headlight restore kits and cheaper
 

Last edited by scottjh9; 03-14-2019 at 12:32 PM. Reason: Addition
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Old 03-14-2019, 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by scottjh9
What brightness and color are you looking for...
I don't know what brightness level I want, just better than I have now.

Color? I'd like to stick to some variation of white. I'm not interested in the blue stuff you often see with the low-rider crowd. I'm an overweight middle-aged white guy who favors cardigans, not some young guy who for reasons unknown like to wear his ball cap sideways.
 
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Old 03-14-2019, 12:51 PM
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I somewhat vaguely recall (OSram?) nightbreakers being mentioned.
 
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Old 03-14-2019, 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by kr98664
I don't know what brightness level I want, just better than I have now.

Color? I'd like to stick to some variation of white. I'm not interested in the blue stuff you often see with the low-rider crowd. I'm an overweight middle-aged white guy who favors cardigans, not some young guy who for reasons unknown like to wear his ball cap sideways.
I am same as you, with bad eyes....the blues are better for me on high beams.....you would be surprised,...the seller has an extensive stock choice...plus free shipping...plus i don't care color as long as it works to see better....in a sense, we do have lowriders Karl...by measurement anyway....so get those half pants on and that stereo blasting....
 

Last edited by scottjh9; 03-14-2019 at 12:55 PM. Reason: Addition
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Old 03-14-2019, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by kr98664
some young guy
Karl I think you may be mistaken. Sum Yung Guy owns our local Asian flair restaurant. His crab ragoons are to die for!
 
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Old 03-14-2019, 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by joycesjag
Karl I think you may be mistaken. Sum Yung Guy owns our local Asian flair restaurant. His crab ragoons are to die for!
Good one
 
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Old 03-14-2019, 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by scottjh9
Good one
Define "good". Maybe your response should have included an asterisk and a footnote, like this:

Good one*

(*if you're into cheap, low-brow humor)

Meanwhile, I only use the finest of jokes, flown in fresh from around the world. For example:

What's green and wears ice skates?
 
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Old 03-15-2019, 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by kr98664

What's green and wears ice skates?
Dorthy Hamilll in a frog costume*
 
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Old 03-15-2019, 07:35 AM
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Originally Posted by joycesjag
Dorthy Hamilll in a frog costume*

Peggy Phlegm

 
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Old 03-15-2019, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by kr98664
Peggy Phlegm


Oh hoo hooo Oh hoo hooo, that there is a knee slapper Oh hoo hooo*

 
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Old 03-15-2019, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by joycesjag

Oh hoo hooo Oh hoo hooo, that there is a knee slapper Oh hoo hooo*
You just had to throw that asterisk in there, didn’t you?
 

Last edited by kr98664; 03-15-2019 at 10:53 AM.
  #13  
Old 03-15-2019, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by kr98664
I don't know what brightness level I want, just better than I have now.

Color? I'd like to stick to some variation of white. I'm not interested in the blue stuff you often see with the low-rider crowd. I'm an overweight middle-aged white guy who favors cardigans, not some young guy who for reasons unknown like to wear his ball cap sideways.
I'd like to get all my lights to be one "color". My HID lights are blueish, the highbeams are white and fog lights are kinda yellowish (old age yellow).
 
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Old 03-15-2019, 11:09 AM
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I would try one of these:

OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER LASER H7 64210NL-HCB:
Amazon Amazon

Philips X-treme Vision +130% H7 12972XV+S2:
Amazon Amazon


Just a straight swap and they produce a much more focused light than standard bulbs. Life might be a bit less because to focus the light better, the filament is usually smaller. I swap them every couple of years as they are fairly cheap.
 

Last edited by neilr; 03-15-2019 at 11:15 AM.
  #15  
Old 03-15-2019, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by neilr
I would try one of these:


Philips X-treme Vision +130% H7 12972XV+S2:
Thanks, I ordered the Philips last night, in between curating some high-quality jokes. I'll let you know how they work (the lights, not necessarily the jokes...)


 
  #16  
Old 03-22-2019, 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by kr98664
Thanks, I ordered the Philips
Well, as the big game hunter said:

Safari, so goodie!*

The Philips bulbs are definitely brighter, and the hue seems the same as previous. Definitely not the blueish high school drug dealer look, so that's good.

I also wondered if my lights were aimed down too low, so I turned each adjuster in one full turn. That seems to have helped, too. This weekend I plan to play with the adjusters a little more after dark.
 
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