Headlight bulb replacement

[chat]

I have a 2004 1.9 TDI (C5 Model) A6, and one of my dipped beam bulbs has gone in the projector headlight. I have ordered a new set of Osram nightbreaker bulbs in order to renew them all and upgrade while Im at it. Having just had a look at the headlamp cluster it seems that its impossible to change the bulbs from the rear because of all sorts of plastic containers and piping. I therefore looked at removing the cluster as a whole and doing it that way. whilst the two top mounting Torx scews are easily removed, the unit wont come out obviously because there is another screw or screws under the cluster, but I just cant see it.

What is the best procedure for changing the bulbs? At this rate I can see me asking the Audi dealer to do it, which I am loath to do. I dont normally admit defeat with jobs like this, but I am a bit baffled.

[Clinterous]

No need to remove headlamp units.

On LHS, undo the two screws securing the rectangular air inlet to the front (behind grill). The plastic air inlet should just lift out, with a bit of bending, and it will just pop off the other end closer to the filter box. Voila access to the left side.

On RHS, simply pull up the plastic cover and voila access to this side.

Sided while standing in front of the car.

Bit fiddly, but have faith and it'll all be over in 20 mins.

[Peter D]

If you care to email me at Info@3DAssociates reminding me of the model and year I will send you the drawings from the manual. Regards Peter

[chat]

Thanks chaps. Just had a look and pulled off the duct and cover. Not so difficult as I suspected. I guess its because its my new car and im not familiar with it yet and dont want to break anything.

Peter I have e.mailed you, thanks.

Steve

[chat]

Just fitted the Osram Nightbreakers. Fitted them to one side only first to compare with the stock originals, and to be honest I couldnt see any difference in brightness. There again this was in daylight. Will see how they are in night driving. At least all 4 bulbs should last a while now, but I cant say Im terribly impressed.

[maxlbrown]

Chat

A lot of us have bought HID upgrades from various places. I had the philips vision plus over stock bulbs very good and these where +50% though in h1 projectors i would not say they where drastically brighter but defitely better.

The HID upgrade again better than stock and as they cost 45 Quid complete. definitely brighter and whiter and great on lanes but not much cop for motorway driving or fast A roads as again the beam pattern is too restricted by the projector headlamps. Bear in mind these lights are the same as the factory fit Hids its just the HID element which is added to the assembly.

I have heard that Factory fit xenons are no better over stock Halogen in the C5S hence upgrades

The only real downside is that Main beam does not make much difference over dip now. and HID is not much good on main beam as they take to long to come up.

In reality Audi lights Suck. Its a bad day when a 5K ford KA has better lights than a 28K+ when new Audi. and its not just audi some other Vw group cars are the same. its the projectors. though they look good when off. The performance is not there when on.

M

[chat]

Thanks for the advice re HIDs. I dont think I will go down that road though. To be honest I found the stock lights to be very good and would not have changed the bulbs unless one had blown. I was just a bit disappointed that the Osrams were not noticably better.