stevewitherington

iTrader: (1)

Hi all,

I'm sure there's a post on here somewhere but the 200 odd pages is mega! I took my STI out last night for the first time in 6 weeks and noticed just how bad the stock bulbs are. I want to replace the standard main beam. What would you guys say is a good replacement? I don't want to go HID as I can't be bothered with change over when the new 2012 MOT rules come in.

Thanks

Steve

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Depends whether you want to be TOTALLY within the law, or to bend the law slightly?

To be within the law, use only bulbs rated at 60/55W, which are the maximum allowed by law. However, you CAN use so-called "uprated" bulbs, those which, whilst only drawing 60W, produce the light equivalent of 90W, 110W or even 120W.

ALWAYS stick to known brands, so Osram, Phillips, Hella, General Electric, (GE), Bosch, etc, these are the big players. Others like Ring are OK, but avoid cheap Chinese/Far Eastern stuff at all costs: they are optically poor, which means poor focus, and more light scattered, so a LESSER performance than a decent STANDARD bulb: wasted dosh

I would personally NOT buy PIAA bulbs, they are over-hyped, over-advertised and over-expensive

You can bend the law by using higher wattage bulbs, but the above rules still apply: branded or don't bother

Current faves are Osram NightBreakers, Philips Vision Plus, Halfords Brilliance in the gold-coloured box, currently BOGOF.

A search on the net will produce decent prices for your chosen bulb.

Higher wattage: Philips Rallye 100/90.

DO be aware, however, that, as always, you don't get something for nothing: uprated and higher wattage bulbs tend to have decreased lives compared to a decent standard bulb

stevewitherington

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the reply! Ok I'll check some of the Halfrauds bulbs. I have HID's as well but really can't be bothered to swap them over ever MOT lol. I'll give these a shot

Steve

baz995

iTrader: (8)

ah man what are they changing in the MoT now?

Looie

I use the "Halfords Brilliance in the gold-coloured box" (H1) and they have been a good improvement over the standard bulbs without any real problems.

Had one go on me a few weeks ago, but that was after 3 yrs or so so can't really complain..... and as the alcazar said, they are currently BOGOFF so two for £15 is a good price!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Do a search on here, long threads discussing it, but basically LOADS.

Aftermarket HIDs look like being out, (lamp not compatible with lens/reflector), any warning lights on your dash that stay on are a fail, and they are supposed to be failing any car without the cats it's supposed to have and with a different, or remapped ecu.

Some of those are more likely to be enforced from the start than others.

stevewitherington

iTrader: (1)

To 'alcazar'

I went down Halfrauds and bought some bulbs. Told the guy what I wanted and when I got home sure enough he had given me the wrong bulbs after dismantled the front on my car so I went back down had a little moan and got the correct ones. They are a lot brighter which is good! Thanks for advice

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

LOL, should have insisted they fitted them for the mistake.

stevewitherington

iTrader: (1)

haha mate I think if I had of done that the one little brain cell in his head that worked would have over loaded. When he saw my car he said ' is that a Forester? ' lol. Still got there in the end

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

A FORESTER?????

Jeez, where DO they get these guys from?