Has anyone had problems with fitting 100 watt xenon bulbs to classic headlights I read somewhere that they can melt plastic reflector.

 

I run 90/130watt "normal" (as in not xenon) bulbs, been in for 3 years and not melted anything. (MY97 - pre CST headlamps)

Although different makes could be a different case

 

Do a search......

One issue is likely to be whether the standard wiring can cope with the additional current.

I've not read of the reflectors melting though.....

J.

 

The main issue is that the wiring loom isn't up to it and will probably melt. This can be easily overcome by relaying power to the bulbs direct from the battery.

I have also heard about reflectors melting. Not sure how much truth there is in this.

Personally I got Osram Silver Stars in mine, same wattage, but supposedly 50% brighter. If I wanted a better nightdriving setup then I would go for a set of driving lamps

 

ive had 100- watt bulbs in mine scince i bought it about 1.5 years ago

iva had no problems,my matescar has them as well and his went a bit melted, his is a 2000 specuk turbo and mine is a 97 wrx
a mate with a 97 uk has had no problems either

 

I never had a problem with the wiring either, they can get a little warm, as do the relays in the fusebox but they never got hot, even after a 3 hour night drive through the country lanes using high beam (130watts) most of the time.

One thing that must be noted is that the standard wiring is quite a thin gauge, so you will get a voltage drop due to the resistance. The bulbs will be running a lower voltage than the cars electrical system (14ish volts). So the output is reduced slightly. Upgrade the wiring and the lights will be brighter. But bear in mind they will run hotter too - increasing the possibility of melting the relectors.

The later classics (MY99 onwards?? ) which use CST reflectors I'd guess would be more prone to melting (confirmed by Micky's mate )