Headlight upgrade....

[hullcitytilidie]

I do quite a good few long journeys through the night and would like to improve the lighting on my 1999 406 estate. I already know that I need the headlights setting correctly as the drivers side headlight seems set very low. I would however first like to upgrade the headlight bulbs and would appreciate recommendations as to what to buy from where etc. Best regards, Geoff.

[rwb]

Good question. Where have we got to on headlight bulbs?

I was very pleased with Osram Nighbreakers (recommended by Welly I think) until they put a blue filter on them. I think Philips is now the preferred brand. The premium ones really are better than the cheapos.

Definitely avoid the blue filters.

Are higher power ratings legal? Is there enough power available to supply them?

What's the deal with LEDs? I've never tried them.

[peugeot30v6]

Hy Hdi has HID's installed by the previous owner. I like them but the blue really belongs on a car with projector headlights. I rather like the normal halogen. Like rwb said the Osram Night Breakers are very good and would be best (have them installed on my Volvo). Also check your headlight leveling motor inside the headlight. Maybe a loose connection or somthing?

[Doggy]

I tried Osram nightbreakers and agree they are a definite improvement, the only downside being their relatively short life - about 200 hours. I do 20k+ a year, at least half of it with lights on, so mine lasted about 8 months. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21688&hilit=ruinous

There is no legal way to use HID's - if they were an option when the car was built, you might be able to argue the case, so long as you have headlight washers and automatic self-levelling headlights or self-levelling rear suspension. Neither of the last two was ever fitted to a 406.

[PeterN]

When I bought my 01 Hdi estate I was pleasantly surprised how good the headlights were, certainly the best I have had for many years, give a very white light indicating they have a good 12 volts+ on them. Are the lenses still clear and reflectors still shiny on yours?

Peter

[Rolebama]

I do most of my journeys in darkness. Early starts and late home, on a mix of both lit and unlit motorways and A roads. I would say that the headlamps on the 406 are very good. I think the first thing to do is get your headlamps sorted in terms of alignment and cleanliness, then decide if you really need to upgrade.

FWIW, I have heard that some Police are pulling cars with HIDs as an 'upgrade', and those without self-levelling and washers are being given Prohibiition Notices.

[hullcitytilidie]

Thanks for all the info lads, especially the link from doggy. Methinks I'll be going for the Osrams. My headlight units are clear with good reflectors, I suspect that in my cars past that someone has changed the drivers side unit and not set it up correctly as the motor adjustment works fine. Regards, Geoff.

[Doggy]

You're welcome.

Correct alignment makes a huge difference - my bro's old 110 had been repaired after minor front end damage and had been fitted with 55W blue tinted bulbs by the previous owner. The difference between his car and mine, (which was set up right and had the Osrams), was amazing.

[KozmoNaut]

I have the Philips Visionplus bulbs in my 406, they're a good upgrade as well. And so far no problems with longevity (I use them for both high and low beams).

[PeterN]

Don't ever use blue bulbs, they cut the light output tremendously as I found to my cost when I bought a car with them in and did a trip to the north of Scotland, I thought how dreadful the lights were until I put ordinary bulbs in and the difference was staggering.

Peter