What options are there for replacing headlight bulb?

[jpdeuce]

So my passenger side headlight bulb went out (again). Are there other options for replacing that bulb other than what the dealership will provide?

[GatorBeetle]

Pretty much any 55w H1 bulb will work...you can find them anywhere. You can spend from $1 to $50...depends on how bright and how white you want the light. I'm currently looking for some whiter ones which will last, but not "break the bank."

FYI: The headlights each have two H1 bulbs, low and high. The fogs also run H1's...

[dvious]

Originally Posted by jpdeuce

Are there other options for replacing that bulb other than what the dealership will provide?

If you get a Euro switch you have a lot more options. Notice my orange only headlights in these pics. I also have the "normal" brightness headlights that I can switch to if necessary. Euro switch pwns.

[paultakeda]

I like Osram Silverstars. They haven't burned out in two years.

[jpdeuce]

Thanks...I have heard some good things about the silverstars...I think I will check them out. Dang...$40 for the pair...a little steep...they better be good.

[GatorBeetle]

Like I said, I'm looking for an option which will not break the bank. Considering I would need six of them (two in each headlight and two fogs) $40 a pair gets expensive!!!

[paultakeda]

Originally Posted by jpdeuce

Thanks...I have heard some good things about the silverstars...I think I will check them out. Dang...$40 for the pair...a little steep...they better be good.

Quick note: Sylvania and Osram may be the same company, but Sylvania and Osram Silverstars are not the same bulb. Sylvania's glass is blue, Osram is clear. Clear is brighter, blue is dimmer but more HID-like in tone. I prefer the clear Osram and am willing to take the international pricing/shipping hit, but you can go with the blue-tinge Sylvania Silverstars, which are available in the US (unlike Osrams) can be found for $20/pair from AutoBarn via Amazon.

[paultakeda]

By the way, Powerbulbs can ship you 3 pairs of Osram Silverstars for $75, not $120, if you don't mind waiting up to 2 weeks for them. UPS global is an extra $36.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by paultakeda

By the way, Powerbulbs can ship you 3 pairs of Osram Silverstars for $75, not $120, if you don't mind waiting up to 2 weeks for them. UPS global is an extra $36.

Not bad, thanks for the tip!

[jpdeuce]

Group buy?

Anyone needing a pair? I could purchase the 3 pairs and send them to someone? I only need the regular lights. I never use my brights, and I don't care about my fogs not matching.

My wife picked up some silverstars at Autozone. Are these going to be the blue tint?

[jpdeuce]

Just ordered one pair of the Phillips 50+ H1 lights from Powerbulbs.com - $29 shipped to US. It says it can take up to 2 weeks for the delivery cause it's not the UPS express. I'll let you guys know what I think...guess I'm taking back the Sylvania Silverstars the wife picked up.

Thanks

[GatorBeetle]

I just installed some Angel Eye Fogs in my front bumper (Turbo S bumper, put these fogs in where the turn signals go, looks awesome!!) Problem is, the LEDs in the "eyes" are SO white...the stock halogens look SUPER YELLOW!!! Have always wanted to go whiter on the lights...now I have a reason to. Well, more reason...

[DarthTheo]

So, I am interested in the Phillips Blue vision bulbs. I want all three, high, low and fogs the same. Are they the same exact bulb? So I can just order the one bulb type?

[GatorBeetle]

Yes, all three, same exact bulb... H1

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

" Clear is brighter, blue is dimmer ", this is an open ended statement and is not necessarily the correct way to interpret a bulb/lighting system or it's effectiveness.

The overall effectiveness of a bulb is determined by engineering, quality and the application for which the bulb was designed, brightness is good but it is only one aspect of a bulbs effective function and can be over done causing adverse effects, (Too much of anything is not good).

When dealing with most standard or generic so-called performance bulbs, well there is a reason why they are inexpensive, they are not designed to fill the real functional needs of the true automotive performance enthusiast, they are simply eye candy for those wanting to give the appearance to others of having something they don't because these individuals are not interested in shelling out the bucks required to obtain the real deal.

Lense cut and lead content, type of lighting, reflector size, optimum bulb color temperature, optimum bulb output, these are some of the more important things to consider if you're looking for the best results with cost being last on the list.

The ultimate in automotive lighting and bulb longevity would be a 4100/4300k HID system, however most of you would likely find this system priced beyond what you're willing to spend.

Anyone who is "primararily" concerned with cost is not truly looking for the best performing product(s), putting cost first is in and of itself a prerequisite for compromise.

[paultakeda]

"Clear is brighter, blue is dimmer" is a comparison of two bulbs that are essentially the same, made by the same manufacturer, with a difference in glass color/coating (you know, the sentence before the quote you took out of context: "Sylvania's glass is blue, Osram is clear"). It is not an open-ended statement unless you put it outside that context, which you did.

We all know an HID system is best, but it is also illegal in our cars, and these bulbs, while not "the best", do work as well or slightly better than stock, do not blind motorists, and are to some aesthetically preferable to stock, which aren't all that cheap, either. Furthermore, they don't burn out as quickly as stock, and that was the primary intent of the poster. The question was "are there other options for replacing that bulb?" Not "what is the best lighting system for our car ever?"

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Since you want to be technicle now, "Clear is brighter, blue is dimmer" isn't even the answer to the question that started this thread, original question: "So my passenger side headlight bulb went out (again). Are there other options for replacing that bulb other than what the dealership will provide?"

The simple answer is, Yes.

I took nothing out of context and I certainly didn't miss anything you wrote before or after you made that open ended statement > " Clear is brighter, blue is dimmer" <, if you were trying to specifically say that Clear Osram bulbs are brighter than Blue Sylvania bulbs then you should have stated it that way, but you didn't.

Once again you have replied with a generalized assuming response: "We all know an HID system is best", News Flash, everyone doesn't know that HID is the best, many people don't know much about this or most other Automotive subjects at all because many people don't have a good level of knowledge in regards to cars and the Automotive Industry, this is largely why these forums exist in the first place.

The people on these forums have a responsibility to be Clear and Accurate with their information and responses and not assume that everyone else is as up to speed on these issuses as they are because this isn't the case, this is especially necessary to make sure that those that are less experienced and less in the know about the subject, don't get derailed as a result of unclear or incorrect information.

As far as the aspect of legality goes, most entusiasts have long since crossed that road with other upgrades and couldn't care less, besides, I don't recall that question having been asked either.

All bulbs (especially Automotive bulbs) built on a filament foundation (regardless of variation or manufacturer) are subject to blow at anytime because shock and heat are the greatest enemies of this style of bulb, there are no guarantees of longevity here, any of those bulbs can blow 15 minutes after installation or last over three years.

Filaments can burn out with age or failure can occur due to the shock caused by hitting an unseem pothole in the road, HID bulbs don't have filaments like this, they operate by generating an arc much like a spark plug so there is no filament carrying the current as with halogen bulbs hince nothing really to break there, this along with xenon gas is mainly why HID bulbs last so long, output such clear white light and why replacement bulbs cost around $190 each and often come with a five year plus warranty.

[trainspotted2]

My drivers side headlight went out the other day after almost five years of trouble-free operation from the factory. Last night I replaced both bulbs with Silverstars (the ones where the bulb itself has a blue tint) and wow, what a difference compared to the stock OEM bulbs. I should have changed to them a long time ago.

I found my Silverstars at the local O'Rileys Auto Parts store for $19 each.

[jpdeuce]

Here's a before and after of regular H1 lights from the dealership to the Phillips 50+ I got from Powerbulbs.com - not sure if you can tell much of a difference in power...but color a bit. I did not do a distance test.

Before #1

Before #2

After #1

After #2