replacement headlights

[jonjtee]

Can anyone tell me if it will be ok to replace the standard h7 55 w bulbw with h7 100 w bulbs? I have a 2003 diesel hdi estate?

[plod]

depends on how much of a c**t you want to be

[Ares]

You will kill many people on the road with that
At rainy night is really awfull to drive and look at that lights coming from opposite direction.
Btw welcome to the forum.

[Welly]

There's really no need for over wattage bulbs, the standard headlights are very good. You'd be best going for 55W Osram Nightbreakers.

The additional current draw on 100w bulbs will melt the wiring somewhere and cause all sorts of problems (not to mention being illegal for road use).

[steve_earwig]

That depends what you mean by ok - The standard wiring is typical European overkill - it's not like Japanese manufacturers using the thinnest wires they can get away with, so they should be up to the job, the fuses are rather high for the current too (each bulb has its own fuse, given an realistic 12.5 volts 55/12.5= 4.4amps 100/12.5= 8amps, fuses are 15amp ) the only thing I don't know about is the miniature relays inside the (multiplex) engine compartment fuse panel, given that everything else is overkill I'd guess they'd take it but if they don't it's going to be a problem replacing them as you'll have to open up the panel and unsolder them.

Would it be ok legally? No.

Would it be ok with regard to other road users? Absolutely not. The other night I was coming back from my mate's house in torrential rain and I was having real trouble seeing where I was going because I was being dazzled by the cars coming the other way. It did seem to be the usual collection of over-powered bulbs, people enjoying their beautiful blue lights on their dashboards and the "had-an-accident-but-can't-be-nothered-to-fix-it"s. When I got into town here I nearly had someone on a crossing, I couldn't tell the car on the other side had stopped because all I could see was a massive ball of light and it was only at the last moment, when the guy on the crossing turned his head to face me, that I realised someone was there.

All the way home I was fantasizing about a roof-mounted cannon with a light-seeking targeting system. Or maybe just following the idiots home and smashing their stupid headlamps with my trusty softball bat.

So would it be ok? No.

[jonjtee]

Thanks for the very good advice (plod excepted).. I have gone for the 55w.. I had bought the 100w in error.. I guess I will be able to sell them on to off roaders..

[steve_earwig]

Ah, I see, you might have done better to say that from the start as some people feel strongly about the subject

If they're unopened maybe you could send them back

[Welly]

Yes this is a very emotive subject I'm afraid, glad you explained the reason.

Steve - I'm currently trialing a pair of night-driving glasses (yellow tint) they help a lot with oncoming glare (even full-beamers are no trouble) but I'm struggling with odd reflections from the windscreen which are off putting. I'm going to persevere once I've *really* cleaned the windscreen and report back.

I've been struggling to see to the point of stabbing the brakes sometimes almost avoiding night driving altogether if I can but then again I am getting old, and do drive a Volvo

[midsmike]

Use ur 100w ones as main beam they should b ok there

[steve_earwig]

As above - it's almost double the current and I'm not sure the miniature relays will be happy about it. Unless the OP wires in some relays and provides them with power from somewhere else.

almost avoiding night driving altogether if I can but then again I am getting old

It's always been a problem for me, for as far back as I can remember, I'm just noticing it more here because many of the inhabitants here seem to assume laws don't apply to them

[Doggy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

FWIW, I did try a set of 80W bulbs in both the dips and mains on my last 406, there was no discernable diference. The lights on my new one are much better, I think this can only be down to less miles / less battered lenses, so it may be worth considereing changing the headlights altogether on high milers.

[plod]

Thanks for the very good advice (plod excepted).. I have gone for the 55w.. I had bought the 100w in error.. I guess I will be able to sell them on to off roaders..

Afraid it's a pet hate of mine

Too many people driving around dazzling the heck out of ya, and badly adjusted lights
I drive a truck, and I even had someone dazzling me, when my eyeline is 7.5feet off the ground compared to 4foot ish of a person in a car

Not sure it's a good thing where you have electrically adjustable lights anymore

When they were set by use of twisting a knob or use of a screwdriver/spanner, they were set and job done
Far too easy to have them set stupidly