More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

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jjonn
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More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by jjonn » 21 Jul 2010 09:56 pm

Hi all. Thanks for all previous advice, my 340 running beautifully. But, as you may know, she is only just over 5k miles, with no mods at all, and i have a query as follows: the headlamps dont seem to be bright enough for me. I am assured they are working fine, just had a massive service, everything as new ( except new fluids, a few lines and a fan box), it's just that i am new to cars in general ( ex bike riker), and i wonder if i can brighten them up a bit with new bulbs, or something, without changing the original look ie NO floodlights etc. Many thanks in advance :)
P.S. sorry if anyone covored this, but i cant find it elsewhere, pls move it mods if need be

volvosneverdie
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by volvosneverdie » 21 Jul 2010 10:02 pm

300 headlights ARE pretty dull compared to modern car lights.
Ive seen stuff like this on ebay and such, but Ive never tried them, or spoken to anyone that has.

Which, on reflection, isnt any help to you at all. :roll:
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L14MNP
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by L14MNP » 21 Jul 2010 10:06 pm

What about an HID conversion? I know they don't work their best with the type of lense a V300 has, but it would brighten things up. Keep it no higher that 6000 K's and you're onto a bright white winner IMO.

I have to say my headlights are fine, but the main beam is crap. I have decent bulbs too. lol
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SteveP
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by SteveP » 21 Jul 2010 10:08 pm

Theyre not great no! Sometimes the reflectors get really tarnished though if they let moisture in... and if yours is on original bulbs I bet a set of new Osrams or something would be a vast improvement.
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jjonn
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by jjonn » 21 Jul 2010 11:08 pm

Thanks as usual guys, love this place and the people! No moisture in units, checked, and as new, and obviously original bulbs. Will try changing those i think, dont really want to change much, keep as much as possible as it left the factory. I feel reassured it's not my imagination about the dimness, hehehe! :) Had this car a fortnight, taking over my life already! lol! Thanks again volvomaniacs!

macplaxton
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by macplaxton » 22 Jul 2010 02:38 am

Drive slower or eat more carrots....

They aren't that bad, but then I'm used to old school headlamps that just drizzle out a faint pool of yellow.

On a more constructive note, have a look at the reflectors. My car has 18k, but the reflectors have seen better days.
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jjonn
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by jjonn » 22 Jul 2010 03:12 am

Thanks Macplaxton, lol at your reply:) I agree, there is nothing " wrong" with the lights, it's just, well, i could do with some brightness :) I am going to go with some new bulbs, maybe some of what " volvosneverdie" posted.

Nimminz
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by Nimminz » 22 Jul 2010 08:25 am

Try new bulbs, I've used a variety in the last car ranging from cheap job blue-ish ones to posh phillips ones.

Ones i liked the best were the cheap £1.99 with a blue tint (but i was driving a modern peugeot with boy racer bits :D )
The phillips extreme ones were very good but were like £20 and didn't last long. I also bourght some 'SMD LED H7' bulbs for my peugeot, they were headlight bulbs made entirely of high power LEDs, they were duller than my standard sidelights. I also got SMD LED 501 pushfit sidelight bulbs and they are excellent!

HIDs Can only be (legally) fitted to cars with 'self leveling' headlamps. i.e. where the reflectors move to compensate bumps in the road etc.

AFAIK no 300 is fitted with this, or even a manual adjustment for if you have stuff in the back.
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SteveP
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by SteveP » 22 Jul 2010 09:10 am

Yeah Nimminz is right HIDS would technically be illegal on a 300... probably be fine though really, I know plenty of people who've fitted them to cars without levelling suspension/headlight level. But you can get a monroe levelling kit :lol:

For 'normal' bulbs I rate Osram Nightbreakers.

Maybe get a close up pic of your lights so we can see the condition of the reflectors?
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by MCHUDD » 22 Jul 2010 10:56 am

Hi mate.
You could also bang in a hella front grill and a couple of GLT front spots. :D
Cheers Mark. sm4

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nvdw
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by nvdw » 22 Jul 2010 09:51 pm

SteveP wrote:and if yours is on original bulbs I bet a set of new Osrams or something would be a vast improvement.
Second that. Philips NightGuide, Osram Night Breaker, bit expensive for a set o'bulbs but they are good value. I have used Philips BlueVision for years now, they tend to go at 2 years, which isn't bad considering they're always on (DRL). A nice white/blueish light, beats the faux-xenon anytime.

macplaxton
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by macplaxton » 22 Jul 2010 11:42 pm

Sneak some 100/80W H4 bulbs in, but make sure the lamps are switched with a relay.
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antoni
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by antoni » 24 Jul 2010 06:25 pm

its not a 100% legit, but most 100w rally bulbs make a major difference especially for night time shenanigans

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Alex Laidlaw
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by Alex Laidlaw » 25 Jul 2010 01:11 am

Rally bulbs are the cheapest way forward, you can get 100 and 130W bulbs from Halfords for about £10 each. You will need to put the lights onto relays if you do this though, which is worth doing anyway as you can reduce the voltage drop in the wiring considerably. The only snag with rally bulbs is you get left with an annoyingly bright dipped beam.

jjonn
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Re: More pesterings from nooby me, headlights this time :)

Post by jjonn » 13 Dec 2011 06:58 pm

LONG gap since last post people, but i only just returned! I learned something since i converted to 4 wheels ( still rear wheel power though YAY! ), and that is, as someone mentioned, to slow down. I was used to very bright lights on the bikes, and was surprised at having two huge headlights that gave me less vision on unlit roads. I have thought aboput changing them, but after a year and a half, i am now used to it. :)

But, thanks for all the advice people :)

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