Most powerful legal non HID blub that can be fitted

[cappuccino]

That's fine, but I'd advise you to double-check before purchasing anything.




The Philips X-tremeVision H7 55W and Osram Night Breaker Plus H7 55W bulbs are the highest plus bulbs on the market. They are compliant with ECE (and hence, ADR) regulations, so they can be fitted to vehicles used on public roads.

The luminous flux (light output) specification for a 12V H7 55W bulb is 1500 lumens (+/- 10%), but I'm led to believe that higher quality, better materials and tighter tolerances of these two products are designed to push the light output to the maximum that's permissible. The aim is to allow a more controlled, deliberate and precise beam, which leads to more light where it's most useful - i.e. 50 m to 100 m in front on the vehicle, and further reduce randomly scattered light. That's the theory, anyway.

The downside is reduced life span - as with any halogen bulb that burns brighter and hotter - but that's physics for you.



The Osram 64217 65W bulb is not compliant with ECE (and hence, ADR) regulations, so they aren't supposed to be fitted to vehicles used on public roads. It has a luminous flux of 2100 lumens, which is an actual 40% increase in terms of total light output compared to a standard 1500 lm H7 55W bulb.

You should by now be aware what the implication of that is, re: washers and auto levellers.

One benefit is that there is no significant decrease in service life, because Osram's 64217 bulb essentially uses the filament from an ordinary H9 65W bulb (no life-reducing "plus" technology) that's fitted to the base used by the H7 bulb (PX26d).

Many people will also argue an increase of 10W will not adversely affect the vehicle's electrical system, but there's no guarantee that it won't.




Roadworthiness implies a vehicle is fit for use on public roads.

In a legal context, the phrase "public highway" is just another way of referring to a "public road", so they mean the same thing.




They should, but the optics of the headlamp assembly itself will also have an influence. In terms of value, they can sometimes be expensive, considering their price and service life. Best to purchase such bulbs overseas from places like Powerbulbs.com or eBay, etc.

You will probably notice a bigger improvement in light output by using the 65W bulbs, but they are not meant for use on public roads, although you are very unlikely to get caught. That is something you will have to weigh up for yourself.

But I can only say so much. You will really need to purchase and compare products with your own eyes.

Thanks, I ended up getting the Philips X-tremeVision H7 55W, man fitting it was a pain in the ass, didn't know you had to remove the headlight to properly access the bulbs. O well, better to figure out how to do it now rather than later when you need to replace a bulb in a rush.

I'd rather just stick with the legit ones, plus good point, why chance screwing up the electrical.

The shorter life is not a problem, I'm a bit surprised when googling, people having a fit over paying for $50 bulbs every 12-18 months rather than paying $15 every 24+ months for the less powerful ones... Seriously, cheap asses hahaha, in the grand scheme of things, there are many more things on a car that cost more, weekly petrol, insurance, iphone connectors, city parking etc etc. Wow, costing $35 more every year... if that breaks the bank, maybe better not have a car and stick with public transport (which is not cheap either)... sorry about the rant, can't believe people cry over a few dollars.

People seem to say the Osram Night Breaker Plus H7 55W are just as good but cheaper, but cbf trying to save $5-$10.

Yeah there is a improvement, not "100%" but it is better than standard, maybe realistically 20-30%. The whiter colour is a nice touch as well for styling but it does make night time driving clearer.

P.S.

I'm thinking about changing the interior lights now as well, you don't know how yellow they are until you change one bulb over.
What are the interior lights? LEDs?

[greg32]

The interior lights can be changed to leds. There is also kits for replacing the door reflectors fot light assemblies. I also fitted the rear footwell lights with leds.
Sent from my RM-821_apac_australia_new_zealand_304 using Board Express

[cappuccino]

The interior lights can be changed to leds. There is also kits for replacing the door reflectors fot light assemblies. I also fitted the rear footwell lights with leds.
Sent from my RM-821_apac_australia_new_zealand_304 using Board Express

Interesting

What is the bulb type that is used for the interior? Are they all the same? There is three in the top front lights above the main console. And I think two in the passenger.

There are lights in the door? Never noticed hahaha

[LunchboxVRS]

6r doesn't have door lights or footwell either. For error free interior use these (front)
Philips X-treme Vision LED W5W T10 6000k (Twin Pack) | Car Bulbs Direct
And these (rear)
Philips Blue Vision LED C5W Festoon 6000K (Single Bulb) | Car Bulbs Direct

They will have a slight glow when off if you replace them all (will not drain your battery. It would take them months)
Or leave the centre front of the three stock and they will go fully off.

[shauno]

Thanks for the tip for the C5W festoon bulbs - just ordered one from powerbulbs.com - 20% off everything with code PB20

Also got another pair of w5w's for the parkers, I'll see if the Philips ones are error free vs the Osram's I've already got.

What's the interior boot light? A C5W or W5W?

[nomadx38]

W5W - using an led will see you loosing some light because the holder sits side ways and because LEDs are very directional it shines into the wall instead of out into the boot...just keep it in mind

[shauno]

Thanks for the heads-up I'll try the Philips ones I've got & see how it looks - maybe add a reflector to the housing...

[ian.perry]

Sorry for the OT comment, just wanted to say that the typo in the subject of this thread makes me happy every time I load the forum.

[LunchboxVRS]

W5W - using an led will see you loosing some light because the holder sits side ways and because LEDs are very directional it shines into the wall instead of out into the boot...just keep it in mind

The Philips ones point down at the front and let me tell you they make the inside of the car turn to daylight. The rear festoons are the same they point down.

Where you hit problems is the boot. It goes sideways. So the Philips don't work. I've tried some ebay jobs that have six leds pointing sideways but there not as good as the Philips and the stock globe works better so I'm still on the hunt for a good sideways led for there as its one place that's lacking good light

[shauno]

I'd prefer more light for the boot, you're right that it needs improvement.

The internal lights are bright enough, don't need to mess up your night vision too much - I'd be happy with some whiter (4k-5k) halogen bulbs though.

LEDs would be ideal for the license plates though, now that they're on 24/7, but not too concerned about brightness - don't particularly want to pay $100+ for a pair of OEM ones though - I might try the Philips festoon and see how they look.

There seems to be a few decent commercial CANBUS error-removing resistor setups (even a Philips one), but they look pretty bulky and clip to the existing wires.