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  1. Changing Headlights 
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    Hi Guys and Gals, my wife has a 2001 A3 and i have to say the headlights are dreadful for light output. I even bought some uprated bulbs and they still dont compare with the ones on my BMW.

    So, do i buy a HID conversion for these lamps or do i get some projector style headlights (complete unit ala ebay) as thats what i have in the BMW and they are great with standard bulbs?!?!?!
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  2. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    There was a similar thread somewhere else on this subject.

    I recommended using PIAA bulbs; they’re fairly expensive but the closest to Xenon/HID from a ‘standard’ bulb. They produce 110w but only draw 55w, the top of the range bulbs are called ‘Chrome-white’ (or something similar) and are excellent - but very expensive. The next down the range are called ‘Extreme-White’ (again, or something similar) and are still excellent and not far off the clarity but a lot cheaper. They’re still expensive but like I said the closest thing to xenon’s/HID - have used both loads in my past non-xenon cars.
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  3. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    Cool, so it isnt the lense design then that is the issue, more what light the bulbs can out through it?!?!?! Had a quick look on the net and those bulbs start at about £40 a pair upwards...........................ouch!
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  4. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    I’m sure lens design must come into it, stands to reason I suppose.

    I personally wouldn’t pay the price of the HID kits when for a fraction of the cost you can get say 75% of the brightness and clarity from top of the range ‘standard’ bulbs. Had a quick search on t’internet for you and the top of the PIAA range are actually called ‘Chrome Mirror White’ they appear to be circa £70 a pair, I used these on my ‘old’ MK5 GTI and they were fantastic!. The old top of the range are called ‘Extreme White Plus’ and have used these loads in the past on previous cars, these again are great and don’t look to be that much cheaper now than the chromes so would just pay the difference.

    £140 for both sets of bulbs is obviously a few quid, but in your original post you were contemplating buying a HID kit – you get what you pay for at the end of the day.
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  5. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    This is why I am a bit concerned about putting different bulbs in the same lenses, they are of some strange design, its almost like a magnifying glass. Kinda get the feeling that the design of the light is the problem so no matter what bulbs I put in there the lights will still be carp.........................hence why I also looked into the projector style lights.

    Does anyone have them fitted already!?!?!?
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  6. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    i have the same model as you, and had the same problem with my lights,
    i bought some "blue tint" headlights, from a seller called Cederson, about £20 for 2xH7 and 2x main beam, they are rated at 100w, not sure what they give out, but they passed MOT, and they are excellent, surely for a tenner they would be worth a go!!
    hope that helps!
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  7. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    Do you mean your main beam are H7?? My Dipped beams are H1's and I think if they made a big difference for you then I will get some 100W bulbs first to try.

    Cheers for for the replies, would still be interested in hearing if anyone has fitted projector style lights to their A3
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  8. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    The only problems with fitting higher wattage bulbs are that they will produce a lot more heat and you will run the risk of melting the plastic surrounds. Also they will draw much more current and you risk burning out your loom.

    That’s why they are £10 as opposed to £70, the PIAA bulbs only draw the same 55w therefore they won’t overheat or put extra load trough the loom.

    You get what you pay for at the end of the day.

    The ‘normal’ 100w+ bulbs are for trucks etc.
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  9. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    Ah yes I know exactly what you mean, the 100W bulbs were for a trial purpose, because if they make a big difference I will order up some PIAA bulbs.

    I have fitted 100W bulbs before and like you say was very wary of what they would do to the lights and loom (Im an electronics engineer by day LOL) where a 55W bulb draws 4.6A a 100W bulb will draw 8.4A!!! A big difference.
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  10. Re: Changing Headlights 
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    I have fitted 100W bulbs before and like you say was very wary of what they would do to the lights and loom (Im an electronics engineer by day LOL) where a 55W bulb draws 4.6A a 100W bulb will draw 8.4A!!! A big difference.[/quote]



    You might find that your current bulbs are backed up by a 5 or 6 amp fuse. If you are going to put a 100w bulb in then you will need to back it up with a 10Amp fuse. If you do this then you will need to make sure the cable that feeds it is capable of taking the exta load as your fuse will not blow until it draws 10 Amps This could cause the cable to melt before the fuse. You will need at least 1.5mm cable to take this load if you use tri rated cable it has a higher rating(17 amps) and a higher melting piont 105degrees ( I am an industrial electrician by day LOL)
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