Xantia Headlights

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:06 pm

I saw Lidl had the H1's at a very reasonable £2.50 a pair! Otherwise ebay is full of choices.

CitroXim · Post by **CitroXim** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:51 pm

MikeT wrote:I saw Lidl had the H1's at a very reasonable £2.50 a pair! Otherwise ebay is full of choices.

That is silly cheap Mike but knowing Lidl, they're most likely to be of reasonable quality as well. I've never yet bought anything bad from either Lidl or Aldi.

It is just a shame they cater so poorly for vegetatians otherwise I'd never need to go to Tesco ever again

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:26 pm

MikeT wrote:I saw Lidl had the H1's at a very reasonable £2.50 a pair! Otherwise ebay is full of choices.

Lidls! For headlamp bulbs? So a H1 is a type of bulb, what wattage should I be looking for.

Thanks

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:28 pm

I suspect these bulbs are ok quality and they're the standard 55W. But they were in a mixed cage of H4's, H7's etc, some "cool blue" tint too but not the H1's.

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:05 pm

tim leech wrote:whats the best and most affordable direct replacement

Best AND most affordable???

Best for the price are probably GSF's Osram Silverstar H1 & H4 for £15.50 and H7 for £20.00, both + VAT - CCC discount.

Most affordable could be Euro Car Parts' Astrum H1 at 40p(!), Bosch at £1.90 or Lucas at £2.30! I guess they're all standard brightness though.

But I can't help thinking that cheap headlight bulbs = those morons who keep dazzling me

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:14 pm

Baldbazza wrote:But I can't help thinking that cheap headlight bulbs = those morons who keep dazzling me

I'm pretty sure they're the morons that have fitted illegal overpowered ones or somehow managed to fit the right ones but not squarely in the holder!

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:38 pm

MikeT wrote:
Baldbazza wrote:But I can't help thinking that cheap headlight bulbs = those morons who keep dazzling me
I'm pretty sure they're the morons that have fitted illegal overpowered ones or somehow managed to fit the right ones but not squarely in the holder!

Or HIDs

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:02 pm

I've got Halfords 50%+ one's, very good....

cpt_spalding · Post by **cpt_spalding** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:01 pm

Regarding the "reach" of the headlights. Can the beam of the headlights be adjusted with the lampholder position or the like?

Given the car is self levelling, could my car be riding too high at the rear end? Would it be easier to adjust this than the beam height?

Am I thinking too much?

Should I take an aspirin & lie down in a darkened room?

Or leave the light on if the lampshade cuts out enough direct light?

CitroXim · Post by **CitroXim** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:56 pm

cpt_spalding wrote:Regarding the "reach" of the headlights. Can the beam of the headlights be adjusted with the lampholder position or the like?

Given the car is self levelling, could my car be riding too high at the rear end? Would it be easier to adjust this than the beam height?

As far as I know, the lights have normal adjustments for aim, just as any car.

Mind you, it is very much worth checking the ride height as this will naturally have an effect. Adjusting the ride height to make the headlight aim right though is over thinking it a bit

You have to be careful playing with ride height, not only the safety aspect whilst doing it but also that it has a marked effect on the ride quality if it is not spot-on correct.

Dickieg · Post by **Dickieg** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:57 pm

To adjust the headlight beam height, look on the black plastic panel above the headlights and you will see four small holes which allow access to the allen sockets on the adjusters. The inner holes adjust the height, the outer ones lateral movement.

CitroXim · Post by **CitroXim** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:10 pm

I was able to assess my MK I Xantia headlights again this evening for the first time in about 9 months and whilst not as good as MK II lights, with the Philips Vision bulbs, they are more than adequate.

The main problem with them appears to me to be a poorly defined dipped beam compared to MK II lights.

The worst problem though is driving against HIDs and maljusted headlights, of which there seem to be rather a lot about around here. One particularly bad example was a chavved-up car of indeterminate identity that looked as if it had after-market HIDs fitted

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:52 pm

I got a pair of "extra white, blue tint" bulbs today - claims to be colour temperature of 7200 and they certainly make a difference - but I'm now sure my aim is too low.

I think the same about oncoming traffic, they seem to be getting worse! There were many cars out tonight on the unli A35 with one failed dipped beam compensated by fog lights instead! The other troublesome oncomers appeared to have patterns that scatter the countryside. Then there's those that just drive with full beam regardless. As for HIDs, they're just blatantly illegal coverage, surely?

cpt_spalding · Post by **cpt_spalding** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:42 pm

Hmm.

I like HID's. When I had a co. car & had to replace the Audi A4 (appalling headlights, then) I got a Passat & demanded HID's. They were excellent.

I'm sure the beams were self levelling (rather than the whole car) & I don't recall any oncoming vehicles flashing me (out of irritation etc).

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:57 pm

Factory fit HID's have self levelling mechs build into them, hence why they are legal & aftermarkets are illegal & blind everyone......