Beetle headlamps and fogs

[2010BeetleConv]

Has anyone ever upgraded the stock headlamps? As I get older, its getting harder for me to see at night. I was thinking about getting some of those super white lights (xeon?) in my next car but went with the Beetle Conv instead. Is there an easy upgrade? Is it just a matter of swapping out bulbs? I want something that works well. I see lots of those fake blue/off white fake xeon lights around and it looks lame. Second question...I was going to have a pair of the VW fog lamps installed but they really dont throw much light. Are there any after market types that can be installed? It doesn't need to look like a VW part I'm more into seeing than vanity. Perhaps something that I can install in the same spot as the VW fogs.
Thanks

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by 2010BeetleConv

Has anyone ever upgraded the stock headlamps? As I get older, its getting harder for me to see at night. I was thinking about getting some of those super white lights (xeon?) in my next car but went with the Beetle Conv instead. Is there an easy upgrade? Is it just a matter of swapping out bulbs? I want something that works well. I see lots of those fake blue/off white fake xeon lights around and it looks lame. Second question...I was going to have a pair of the VW fog lamps installed but they really dont throw much light. Are there any after market types that can be installed? It doesn't need to look like a VW part I'm more into seeing than vanity. Perhaps something that I can install in the same spot as the VW fogs.
Thanks

To answer your question, Yes you can upgrade your lighting

You can get the factory 06+ model foglights here and that includes Everything to install front foglights. Speaking of foglights, both of these will be required for a Rear Foglight installation too.

Unfortunately, your car did not come with Factory Xenon headlights, but to CORRECTLY get Xenon lights without blinding everyone, you're going to want to do a HIDretrofit. I used to believe in just getting a kit and calling it a day, but I think that everyone should go ahead and do it right the first time with the real deal so you don't have to blind everyone.

For the correct retrofit, it will require you to

1) Remove your headlights & Lowbeam bulb

2) Remove the lowbeam projector (four screws)

3) Install a single Xenon projector of your choice. Click here for starters but you can search Ebay for Bmw E46 or Audi TT xenon (not bi-xenon!!) projectors and those will both fit perfectly. Should be able to get them for or for less than $100.

4) Install a D2s lowbeam headlight bulb of your choice from your company. Make sure your kit comes with ballasts too. I recommend this site for a starter kit.

5) Reinstall your headlights and you're done.

Check out this thread for better more in depth explanations on the HID retrofits

Hope this helps!! Good luck!

[HudsonValleyVDub]

Bologna!!! Just pick up a descent HID conversion kit ($35-$300) and don't bother with this friggin tree huggin' "you'll blind the world" posts. Thats absolute hogwash! You already have projector style low beams so they drop right in and don't have that same upward glare as the non-projector housings do. I've had them in my Bug for a while now and the beam is no different...just brighter and in a color that shows up SOOOO much better at night (I suggest the 3000 color).
The fogs on our cars are simply ornamental IMO. They do shed a tiny bit of light to the sides but thats it and the HID conversion will take care of that anyway.
The only other option would be a set of PIAA super white H1 bulbs. They will ass a slight bluish tint and a little better light output but not like the real HID kit. The PIAAs alone will run you about $70. Check out the DDM site: HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

EDIT: Pay no attention to this post! Writer suffes from Bytchazzness at times!

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyVDub

Bologna!!! Just pick up a descent HID conversion kit ($35-$300) and don't bother with this friggin tree huggin' "you'll blind the world" posts. Thats absolute hogwash! You already have projector style low beams so they drop right in and don't have that same upward glare as the non-projector housings do. I've had them in my Bug for a while now and the beam is no different...just brighter and in a color that shows up SOOOO much better at night (I suggest the 3000 color).
The fogs on our cars are simply ornamental IMO. They do shed a tiny bit of light to the sides but thats it and the HID conversion will take care of that anyway.
The only other option would be a set of PIAA super white H1 bulbs. They will ass a slight bluish tint and a little better light output but not like the real HID kit. The PIAAs alone will run you about $70. Check out the DDM site: HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

I know because I have a HID kit and they do indeed still make glare upwards. The light is focused just fine on the wall for a projector,but if you look up, the rest of that wall is still illuminated which is the glare the kit is producing. I've ridden in cars with factory Xenon and that lighting up of the entire area above the headlight cutoffs doesn't exist in them.

If you're gonna do it, might as well do it right the first time. Thats what I wish I would have done.

[HudsonValleyVDub]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

I know because I have a HID kit and they do indeed still make glare upwards. The light is focused just fine on the wall for a projector,but if you look up, the rest of that wall is still illuminated which is the glare the kit is producing. I've ridden in cars with factory Xenon and that lighting up of the entire area above the headlight cutoffs doesn't exist in them.

If you're gonna do it, might as well do it right the first time. Thats what I wish I would have done.

Then simply lower the aim if yours are too high. Pretty simple as opposed to suggesting someone reinvent the wheel for absolutley no reason. In fact I've gone wall to wall with a friends 06 Acura TSX and he has no more of a demarcation line of light than I do. Glare is uncontrolled or unfocused light. If properly aimed, this isn't the case with the Bugs headlamps. What people have to remember is that this ISN'T the case with non-projector style housings but can be make "livable" by proper aiming.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyVDub

Then simply lower the aim if yours are too high. Pretty simple as opposed to suggesting someone reinvent the wheel for absolutley no reason. In fact I've gone wall to wall with a friends 06 Acura TSX and he has no more of a demarcation line of light than I do. Glare is uncontrolled or unfocused light. If properly aimed, this isn't the case with the Bugs headlamps. What people have to remember is that this ISN'T the case with non-projector style housings but can be make "livable" by proper aiming.

Not at all. There is still glare bud. I didn't think so either and I was and still am partially all for HID kits. But i do recommend you go all the way with projectors for an extra $60-$100 for projectors plus the HID kit which can be purchased for $35 from this site

Both borrowed pictures from this site.

HID KIT Stock Projector



HID Kit Xenon Projector



Note the level of light above the cutoff line in both projectors... that light above the cutoff line is the glare the other drivers receive from you.

[HudsonValleyVDub]

And you see a difference in those two pics? I mean enough that you see glare and feel the need to swap out projectors?...lol. Nuff said then, now I understand what I'm up against. Um...nevermind then. And thanks for pics that prove my point. Now..to the OP...see what I mean? Just drop in a good set of HIDs and you'll be good to go.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyVDub

And you see a difference in those two pics? I mean enough that you see glare and feel the need to swap out projectors?...lol. Nuff said then, now I understand what I'm up against. Um...nevermind then. And thanks for pics that prove my point. Now..to the OP...see what I mean? Just drop in a good set of HIDs and you'll be good to go.

You don't see all that glare in the first picture?!? They're lighting up the entire house with the glare!!

Yes . Second picture is MUCH closer to the wall so the camera catches more light than is really there. Further away, it looks more like this.

[HudsonValleyVDub]

That's not the same pic, and no...the beams are nearly identical.

[boogety boogety]

Well... it became "futile" beginning with "Bologna." Fl_bug answered the question intelligently and accurately for the OP, and then you went all berserk at his intelligent answer, and when he didn't agree with your perception, you decided the post was "futile." Way to pick up your marbles and go home...

[HudsonValleyVDub]

Originally Posted by boogety boogety

Well... it became "futile" beginning with "Bologna." Fl_bug answered the question intelligently and accurately for the OP, and then you went all berserk at his intelligent answer, and when he didn't agree with your perception, you decided the post was "futile." Way to pick up your marbles and go home...

Listen, although I do stick to my orignial point, I went about it all the wrong way. I'm not usually such an a-hole so please accept my apologies for being just that. I had major back surgery almost 2 weeks ago and these meds have got to friggin' go already! But still...no excuses, just a sincere apology. Hope you all can forgive me and not demand that I sell my bug and stand on a busy corner holding a sign saying "A-HOLE". Thanks.