[Gavster]

I have just been to Halfords and one other place to try to buy some Osram Nightbreaker bulbs but couldn't get any.

I ended up ordering them from www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk as they currently have a 25% sale on and offer free delivery.

I'll get them fitted as soon as they arrive and report back.

Why Nightbreakers instead of Philips X-treme Power? Not sure really, it was a toss up between the two but what stole it for me was this web page, if you scroll down to the photos you can clearly see that the Nightbreakers are whiter and look much more like Xenons.

Cheers.

 

[versaceto]

I just cant believe that you've spent a big amount of money for the Dinaudio System,without ordering the BI-XENON System

 

[nail-z-gull]

I just cant believe that you've spent a big amount of money for the Dinaudio System,without ordering the BI-XENON System

You may want to catch up on some of Gavsters previous postings.

 

[SKIDOO]

You may want to catch up on some of Gavsters previous postings.

EXACTLY !!!!!!!!!

 

[Gavster]

Hmmmmm!!!!

 

[Stephb]

Hi gavin how much did the bulbs cost as ive not gone for the xenons as i think they are a bit over priced i like blinding lights hehe

Steph xx

 

[lanmarc]

I just cant believe that you've spent a big amount of money for the Dinaudio System,without ordering the BI-XENON System

Ssssssh!
Don't mention the Xenons to Gavster.
I mentioned them once, but I think I got away with it!

 

[SKIDOO]

Ssssssh!
Don't mention the Xenons to Gavster.
I mentioned them once, but I think I got away with it!

Too True Leo. The rest of us know not to use the X word in his presence!!!

 

[Gavster]

Hello all,

I paid £19.99 a pair for the Nightbreakers. They should be here tomorrow so I will fit them and report back tomorrow night.

Xenon's are great in principal, and in fact were great on both of my TT Roadsters, it's just a shame that VW don't know how to do it right!

 

[Jim]

Hello all,
Xenon's are great in principal, and in fact were great on both of my TT Roadsters, it's just a shame that VW don't know how to do it right!

Hi Gavin,
We all know you had a terrible experience with your xenons.
But many more have had none or at least havn't said so.
My xenons are great.
It's fair to say when something works as you expect you're happy, when it doesn't it's a different story.
I'm sure your nightbreakers will be a big improvement over halogens & £20 is a lot less than xenons cost, but I know which I would go for everytime.

It's good to see you back on the forum.

 

[neh321]

Hello all,

I paid £19.99 a pair for the Nightbreakers. They should be here tomorrow so I will fit them and report back tomorrow night.

Xenon's are great in principal, and in fact were great on both of my TT Roadsters, it's just a shame that VW don't know how to do it right!

I have them and think they are wonderful. Think you were just unlucky Gavin. The only problem with them is that they cannot be adjusted manually, only automatically, and they are a bit high; I regularly get flashed by cars coming the other way who think I'm on main beam but there's nothing I can do about it. Some of them get very cross indeed...

 

[Stephb]

i have that same problem in my van and they are just normal lights one bloke obviously thought i was doing it on purpose he pulled over and let me go past then chased me because of it and i was on my own! loony.

Steph xx

 

[swordfish]

THE XENON DEBATE.
I'm in the position that I didn't have a choice as I bought a car that was pre-ordered and was lucky to have the exact spec I wanted.
I've never had any problem with the normal headlights on any car I've ever owned. I've never thought "oooh, I wish these lights were brighter".
Am I missing something?
I read earlier on this thread that someone was surprised that Gavster has ordered the Dynaudio but not the Xenons. I just can't understand wht anyone would pay so much more for the xenons. At least with the Dynaudio you're getting a greater audible pleasure.
Please enlighten (sorry for the pun) me.

 

[neh321]

THE XENON DEBATE.
I'm in the position that I didn't have a choice as I bought a car that was pre-ordered and was lucky to have the exact spec I wanted.
I've never had any problem with the normal headlights on any car I've ever owned. I've never thought "oooh, I wish these lights were brighter".
Am I missing something?
I read earlier on this thread that someone was surprised that Gavster has ordered the Dynaudio but not the Xenons. I just can't understand wht anyone would pay so much more for the xenons. At least with the Dynaudio you're getting a greater audible pleasure.
Please enlighten (sorry for the pun) me.

I ordered them because any review in car mags rave about them, saying they are 2/3 times brighter than ordinary lights and that in an up-market car they are an absolute must. I do find them very good, but whether they are £800 better than ordinary lights is very debatable.

However, I particularly wanted headlight washers and they come as standard with Xenons (for some reason my dealer would not let me order the pack which included headlight washers and for the same reason my car doesn't have the heated washer jets I really wanted). Also the Xenons are 'adaptive' and driving on a country road at night you really can get the benefit of the long range and moving lights. As I said, whether that benefit is worth the cost is another matter. But I don't regret getting them. The downside is would I miss them on any replacement car? I see they can cost 1000/1500 pounds on some cars and I would really baulk at paying that much..

 

[bneeos]

I'm about to find out what "normal" lights are like.
My 4WD has adaptive bi-xenons which are the bee's knees.

 

[swordfish]

It's just that my in my last job I had to drive 95% of the way on unlit countryside roads/lanes/tracks. Never have I thought I needed somethng brighter/clearer.
I'm in no way saying I think I got my options correct, for instance I wish I'd got Dynaudio, even though I'm happy with the present set up. I just think £800 is an expensive option for something which (in my opinion) doesn't seem to do much.
Back on thread now....
Got the pictures of your new bulbs yet, and are you happy with them?

 

[Gavster]

OK guys, here's my opinion (for what it's worth) and I am speaking from a standpoint of the Xenons on my old EOS working correctly (once the temporary workaround had been put in place)...

The Idea of Xenons is great as they are much brighter than standard halogens. I had Xenons on two Audi TT's which were fantastic. However, these come at a price, as already discussed in this thread.

My opinion of the EOS Xenons are that they are not as bright as those that I have had in the past. I also want to point out that the end of the beam seems to come to an instant stop, like somebody has drawn a line and there is no light beyond it. With my previous Xenons, the light seemed to just fade into the distance which in my opinion was better.

With regard to the cornering function, this is a great idea but in reality is it really necessary? Do you really see anything worth seeing that you don't see with standard headlights or with Xenons that don't swing left and right? Probably not.

Would I have Xenons again? Absolutely YES, but not on an EOS and probably not on a VW. Given all of the above, Xenons do make a car look more prestigious and there is something about them that makes me want to have them.

As for my own workaround, I have installed two pairs of Osram NightBreaker H7 bulbs which are said to be 90% brighter and 10% whiter than standard halogens.

I can't really give you my full review yet as I only took the car out in the rain on a busy road last night but on first impressions they do not appear to be almost double the brightness of the standard bulbs, maybe 50% but definitely not 90%. As for the whiter light, yes this is true, they are absolutely less yellow than standard bulbs.

I will try to take the car out tonight in the dry (if possible) on an unlit road and report back.

 

[swordfish]

A review of bulbs


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/212937/make_light_of_winter.html


Actually reads like they may have had one faulty nightbreaker
For £20-£25 I may try some bulbs. By having a tester of brighter headlight, it may make me realise that there is more this xenon thing than I realise

 

[versaceto]

Hmmmmm!!!!

Im sorry man.I didnt know the story