Better brighter headlamp bulbs for 1998 XK8 - advices pls

[FELIX456]

Hello one and all, I hope someone out there has tried and tested and has recommendations for really good headlamp bulbs for an XK8. My 1998 coupe has the glow of an XJS! Ie a bit dim...
I know there are 'super' bulbs for the XJS but mine never sets foot out in the dark, that's the job for my XK8, however she can't see anything, so I hoped someone has advice for the best bulbs to fit so you can actually see what's going on ahead with dipped beam. My full beam is awesome, as you would expect, but no use when other (lesser!) vehicles are using 'my' road.
In the latest Auto Express (with the Jet Jag on the front) there is a mention of 'Night Breaker Plus' bulbs by Osram, allegedly giving up to 35 metres more light, but there is no test-piece written, just basically an advert. Has anyone tried these, are they worth the expense?
Now the dark is here, along with the damp, I would like to see where the country-lane ends and the country-side begins, can anyone "throw any light on the subject"! (Sorry, couldn't resist)
Thanks guys!
Tara xx

[Nik]

Hi Tara ,
I'll try and shed so some light on it for you , you have a couple of roads you can go down I'll try and illuminate them for you

You can try "upgraded" bulbs that should give a better dipped beam , Phillips do some road legal bulbs that give a brighter light but still remain legal for road use , they are considered to be the best of the bunch
http://www.lighting.philips.com/in_en/c ... ng&lang=en

You could convert your cars dipped beam to Xenon using one of the kits available but
1. Be careful to get a quality kit
2. They probably are not legal on your car unless you already have or fit (A) Automatic levelling headlamps (B) Have or fit headlamp washers , I know a lot of owners have fitted Xenon kits without the levelling or the washers but you may have problems getting the car through an MOT

You could fit Xenon headlamps and all the other (expensive) bits and pieces you need from Jaguar themselves or secondhand from a breakers but even used the bits are likely to cost many hundreds of pounds for the parts alone and then theres fitting

I would try the Phillips blue vision bulbs first , although Osram and any other well known makes should be ok ,

Hope this helps ,

Nik

[blackflash]

Not sure if you're sorted yet but I'd also support the Philips suggestion (though mine were not the Blue ones, can't remember the name). I got what felt like a 50% improvement on my '98 XJR - made a real difference for a very modest outlay.

[dhdove]

Talking of "dim" XJS's, when I upgraded the bulbs on mine the pick of the bunch were Philps Extreme.
I would guess these have been renamed "Vision Plus" with the already quoted 50% more light...

Regards
TonyS

[J44EAG]

I have Halfords Extreme Brilliance dipped beam lamps on my S-type.

The claim is "Xenon gas technology for up to 90% more light and greater safety". The light is bright white at 7000lux value and is acknowledged to provide optimum visual advantages when compared to blue light at 6000lux or yellow at 8000lux. Either side of 7000lux, light density diminishes the further up or down the illumination scale one goes from that value.

Some blue type lamps are not always legal and people often fit them purely to look as fake HID units. The local beat bobby down here says he has stopped and warned motorists where they have operated cars fitted with darkish blue headlights that in his opinion blatantly flout frontal white light road traffic requirements. He went on to say that he and several of his fellow officers will normally turn a blind eye to cars running with just a shade of blue to the beam.

The Halfords lamps are road legal at 55w rating and colour conformity. They provide a massive improvement on standard factory fitted lamps. In my opinion, they do everything claimed and immediately upon fitment exceeded my expectations. Passengers remark on how well the car lights the road, especially on unlit lanes and motorways.

It is interesting to note how ones night vision deteriorates with age. I had no real issues until I hit 45. Then gradually I began to struggle at night. When I first drove my first S-type, I thought the headlights adequate. Now heading towards my mid fifties, I recognised my night vision was on the decline and the fitting of the Halfords lamps has helped make night driving a much less stressful experience.

I drove my parents 60MY Focus at night recently. I have to say illumination was disappointing to say the least compared to my S-type. I can`t say if the car was HID equiped but the experience left me none nonplussed.

Mike

[dhdove]

Hi Mike

"It is interesting to note how ones night vision deteriorates with age. I had no real issues until I hit 45. Then gradually I began to struggle at night. When I first drove my first S-type, I thought the headlights adequate. Now heading towards my mid fifties, I recognised my night vision was on the decline"

You make a good point here, I'm of an age with you and although I haven't noticed a marked deterioration it is certainly the case that brighter is better.

My little SLK is the first car that I have owned with Bi-Xenon headlights and to be honest I won't buy another car that doesn't have that feature. They're THAT good.

Unfortunately retro fittting Xenon lights properly is prohibitively expensive so best make sure they're part of the spec of a purchase before you pay.

Regards
TonyS

[stuarthardy]

New MOT rules now mean that, unless you have the full system, a car with retro-fitted Xenon headlamps will probably fail the test.

You MUST have auto-levelling headlamps, although self-levelling suspension is deemed to provide this function. Similarly, rear-engined cars would be okay because when boot is loaded the front end gets lower.

You must also have headlamp washers to keep the lenses clean.

Your only hope is that the average MOT tester is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Regards

[Nik]

Your only hope is that the average MOT tester is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Regards

As an ex-MOT tester I resemble that remark

As you say though , unless the car being tested has the full xenon package and operating correctly it is likely to fail ............. the cost of retro-fitting the required parts could be prohibitive ,

All the best ,
Nik

[stuarthardy]

Clearly Nik, you're not the average MOT tester.

There are a lot of cars out there with Xenon conversions and the majority of them should fail the next (post April) MOT test.

I know they're excellent to drive by but I've been dazzled too many times by incorrectly adjusted headlights (of all types) to condone anybody fitting xenons without all the attendant kit.

We'll all just have to fit the Super Brilliance bulbs (legal Wattage, of course) and keep our reflectors and lenses as clean as possible.

[Nik]

We'll all just have to fit the Super Brilliance bulbs (legal Wattage, of course) and keep our reflectors and lenses as clean as possible.

Thats what I've done
Can highly recommend the Phillips bulbs ,

All the best ,

Nik

[GrandTourer]

I have also fitted Halfords 'Extreme Brilliance' High Performance Headlight bulbs to my XK8 about 3 or 4 years ago. Started with the dipped beam to test them and found them excellent. I have now fitted them also for the high beam.
These bulbs claim to emit up to 90% more light. The H1 dipped beam are 12v 55w and the HB3 high beam are 12v 60w. Halfords used to do a 2-for-1 price during the winter period for these bulbs, which was a great deal at a price of just over £20 per bulb (or for a pair at the offer price).

I have now fitted out all our family cars with these bulbs and everyone is happy. That the XK8, X-type, S-Type and an SLK230K.

I would certainly recommend these, at least as a first try for a low-cost option. As already said before Xenon conversions can be troublesome.

[doug]

This might be of interest, the results of a test that Auto Express carried out last year:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/p ... ested.html