Dave Coulshaw

Old subject I know, but what are the main differences between to two? Cost is in the Cibies favour (£200 Vs £275 pre fitting), the PIAAs have an aesthetic advantage, squarer and less 'aftermarket' appearance. But is that it? Is the Cibie bulb blowing a real problem and are PIAAs just as bad? Are the Cibies readily available or are there still supply problems?

Thinking of beating the rush and get them before the dark nights set in!

Thanks

RON

Dave
I fitted the Cibie option on my car with the new 'tougher bulbs' and one has already blown, in only about 4 weeks and very little use.
If I had my time again I think I would go for the PIAA's cos at least if you do have a problem you could take it back to the people that fitted them. ie the dealer.
Ron

AndyMc

Hi

I've got the PIAA's which I highly recommend.My first pair of bulbs were fine for seven months then suspiciously both blew on the same day .

My new bulbs however have been fine for nearly as long despite a lot of use(hours at a time) on very bumpy roads.

Andy

Huxley

If you Want to make your Piaa Bulbs last longer look at my site for a bulb saver wiring diagram
No problems with mine yet

RON

Hi
I was just about to change the 'blown' bulb when I found that it hadn't blown at all!
On closer examination the contacts where the bulb connects were corroded and just needed a good clean,Yipee
Ron

[This message has been edited by RON (edited 29-06-2000).]

DavieR

I had a set of Cibies on my car for about a year. In that time, I had to change the bulbs at least once every 3-4 weeks.
In the end I replaced them with PIAA's and have never blown a bulb in 6 months. I've heard all the excuses, even the one about it being the fault of my particular car running too many volts. Had that checked and it was within the tolerances.
Pay the extra for the piece of mind.

schuey

I work nights and have to drive down a lot on unlit A and B roads. Have had cibies fitted for 8 months and lost a bulb about 2 months ago.
Phoned Pete at Scoobysport and he sent me 2 ot the "improved" bulbs free of charge. No problems so far.

Kev

Dave ..

I went the PIAA route .... thought they looked better than the cibies, don't have any trouble with bulbs. I went for the spot lens and not the driving lens as it produces a pencil beam of light with a clear lens to match the h/lamps on the MY99.

Mike Owen

Yep... an old subject but one that still causes the hair to rise on the back of my neck (so to speak). I bought the SS driving lights last year and even after Pete's new improved bulbs, they still continued to blow. Now just run them with 55w's in and they last forever but do somewhat defeat the object of fitting the damn things. I also know that there are people out there who claim that they have "never" had any probles.. but I suppose it's like most things in life. Some people will say "the greatest things since sliced bananas" and others will say "they are Cack". Unluckily, I'm one of the latter and wish that I had not wasted my money.

So... you pays your money and takes your chances.

Enjoy.

PS. Maybe the new MY01 will have decent lights to start with!

[This message has been edited by Mike Owen (edited 02-07-2000).]

bob

Last car had PIAA's for its 2 yrs. One bulb required in the 2 yrs.
New car will be getting PIAA's next week.
Can't tell you much about the Cibies. But you get what you pay for.

lokokkee

Like Ron, I thought the Cibie's bulb was blown, but it is what looks like heat oxidation of the metal contact and this was cleared with some sand papering. Check if the filament is still intact before throwing it away.

Dave Coulshaw

PIAAs it is then!

Steve Bessell

Dave,

A suggestion,
Having had my Cibies for a long while and done many a dark road with them (you will find excusses to go out in the dark I promise !), I would choose a drive lens for the nearside to light up the foreground and a spot lens for the offside. Mine have drive lenses on both and I find this fantastic for the very twisty "b" roads but could do with some more beam when driving fast "A" roads.
Your coice.

Steve.

russell hayward

The Morette twin headlight conversion also give very impressive improvements to lighting.

I had the PIAA's as standard on the RB5. Blew one bulb afer 25,000 miles including many hours use in the winter. Nuff said.

Anyone with a P1 think the spots are useless or do mine just need adjusting ??