Technical 500 2011 headlight bulb upgrade

[Baglady1990]

Hi guy’s
Looking for a new brighter/whiter bulb for my headlights ....I’ve got my drl covered but wondered if anyone could recommend something ... found a lot on eBay but when I fill out my info for car it says won’t fit! Even though listing suggests it will!?!

 

[John202020]

Personally Phillips extreme +130% 55w are very good and legal H7 fitment

 

[chris3234]

Bosch xenon silver and a very white light bulb

 

[stevo123]

What ever you do don;t go for increased wattage bulbs, they are designed for bespoke circuits in rally cars etc. They will pull more current than the wee 500 wiring can supply reliably and cause issues with burnt cabling.

Also LED look brighter but don't seem to project as far down the road so are great for side lights on most cars but for dipped/main I'd go as recommended above by John202020

 

[Baglady1990]

Bosch xenon silver and a very white light bulb

Is this the one?

 

[chris3234]

View attachment 204239
Is this the one?

Correct type but no correct bulb
That should be h7 I think for the 500
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Bosch-1987301087-12v-55w-H7-Xenon-Silver-Bulb/1809359823

 

[John202020]

This is the Philips version https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philips-...hash=item3f7eac56b8:m:mLR8waI-mtI3N8ud7UCkHLQ

 

[TrevC]

I replaced the high beam lamps in my 2011 model with Osram Nightbreakers, which gave a noticeable improvemenr over the original fit lamps. I didn't change the dipped beam ones as they seemed ok. Both sets lasted the 6 years I owned the car.
Interestingly, my wife's 65 plate facelift model has a different design of lights, and the dipped beam was pathetic, so I've fitted some brighter Ring lamps, which sorted it.
As said above, check that whatever you get are road legal. Higher wattage units won't be, neither will leds.

 

[GeoBog]

I would also go for the Osram Nightbreakers or the Philips.

 

[John202020]

I replaced the high beam lamps in my 2011 model with Osram Nightbreakers, which gave a noticeable improvemenr over the original fit lamps. I didn't change the dipped beam ones as they seemed ok. Both sets lasted the 6 years I owned the car.
Interestingly, my wife's 65 plate facelift model has a different design of lights, and the dipped beam was pathetic, so I've fitted some brighter Ring lamps, which sorted it.
As said above, check that whatever you get are road legal. Higher wattage units won't be, neither will leds.

Ive heard it said the "revised/upgraded" projector type headlight was a backwards step and are poor in comparison to the older standard ones, my personal belief is that projectors should be either hid or designed for led.

 

[TrevC]

Yes, I got that impression too, John. I must admit I was surprised at the improvement the brighter Ring lamps gave, though. Sorry Baglady, I can't remember what they are called, just that they were claimed to be "150% brighter" and were "E" marked and road legal.

 

[Baglady1990]

Yes, I got that impression too, John. I must admit I was surprised at the improvement the brighter Ring lamps gave, though. Sorry Baglady, I can't remember what they are called, just that they were claimed to be "150% brighter" and were "E" marked and road legal.

I’ve seen a lot of side indicators on eBay also just nervous as not sure if the led ones are legal ... do you know if they are?

 

[306maxi]

NO LED upgrade bulbs are legal.

 

[Baglady1990]

NO LED upgrade bulbs are legal.

Thank you I’ll steer clear [emoji817]

 

[TrevC]

Indeed. The ones that are sold in retail outlets have small print stating "For Off Road Use Only" on the packaging.