I am basically looking for the best and brightest bulbs- as I commute in the early AM (6AM). It seems most of the forum recommends the PIAA Xtreme White 9004.
Has anyone had any problems with them? Is it recommended that I upgrade my wire harness (I am still using my stock)? Any additional comments on these bulb? Where's the best place to buy them? ebay? supporting vendors? my local auto parts store?



Thanks

 

I am using Sylvania Silverstars in mine and am quite happy with them. They are a lot cheaper than the Piaa's. 21.99cad each versus 100cad for a pair of Piaa's. Another simple thing you can do to increase your output is to run a relay for each headlight. Our max's don't have any and there is some current loss from running through the switch. I simply cut the positive lead to each side for the low beams and spliced in a relay at each headlight. Now they draw power directly from the battery and the switch only has to trigger the relays. I would say they are about 15-20% brighter now.

 

wyile-c thanks for the tip. How long have you been using the Silverstars?
I thought the Silverstars (watt 50/70) run hotter than the PIAA (45/55 watts).
What type of relay did you use?

Thanks

 

I run the PIAA Xtreme Whites, and I have been very happy with them. The light output is excellent. The thing you want to do is check the condition of your housing, and make sure they are aimed properly. These headlights are notorious for reflectors going bad or moisture causing them to become dirty. This can really hurt the output of the light. Also if your lights aren't aimed properly, they can either be too low, or too high (kinda like a sniper light).

S

 

silly question - how do i check the condition of my housing - do i have to take apart the headlight?

 

Well look at the light. Do you see moisture inside? Does the reflectors come out a chrome color and reflective, or are they dull and black? You don't neccessarily need to take apart the headlight to see this.

S

 

I have had the ST's in for about 6 months, one blew due to moisture in my headlight. I ended up opening it up with a propane torch to heat up the glue that holds the glass to the housing. Resealed them after a good cleaning and it's been fine since. Very little condensation in the lense. As far as relays go, they are just regular automotive relays. 4 terminals. One terminal to the battery, one to the lights, one to ground, and one to the switch.

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/headlight-simple.htm

There is an example of how to hook it up. My setup differs because I used a relay on each headlight instead of both lights sharing a relay, and I only did the low beams. Before the relays I was getting about 11 volts at the lights, now I get the full 14-15v when the car is running at the lights.