Poor headlights. '87 240GL Estate

  • Thread starter Thread starter Les and Claire
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L

Les and Claire

The standard headlights are not much better than having two glow-worms in
jam jars attached to the front of the car. Surprising for the size of the
units. I'm looking to upgrade them, those snazzy ice blue ones appeal. But
I'd prefer functionality over poseability.
Has anyone done this and can recommend some new bulbs to pop in to improve
performance? It's like driving by Braille at the moment! I'm in the UK.

Les

--
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http://armsofmorpheus.blogspot.com/

"Why of course the people don't want war. But after all, it is the
leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a
simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or
a fascist dictatorship, Voice or no voice, the people can always be
brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to
do is to tell them that they are being attacked, and denounce the
pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger."

-Herman Goering,
Hitler's designated successor

http://www.stuffmongers.com/
 
Sylvania Silverstars are excellent... some people say they don't last very
long tho... I think they let the bulbs touch something other then their
packaging or air - be really careful installing them - I did have one die
quickly, but I touched it against some dirt on my engine, and cleaned it off
with a cloth - I guess I didn't clean it good enough... the replacement has
been running fine for months now. I know someone who has had no problems for
over a year.

Blue bulbs aren't really legal everywhere, and they can actually reduce
visibility in certain conditions.
 
I'm using Silverstars in my 2002 S80, no problems after nearly a year of use.

It's not like having HID's, but it is an improvement over the stock bulbs.
 
Thanks... i've tracked down these

Item Number:472SVS
Specification: H4 12V 60/55W
Osram Silverstar 60%

from http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H4_osram.htm#SS

Not it mentions that my 240 has H4 with combined bulb dip. Are these direct
replacements? These only mention H4 and says nothing about combined dip.
Perhaps i'm missing something here, it's a new field for me.

Les


--
Remove Frontal Lobes to Reply

http://armsofmorpheus.blogspot.com/

"Why of course the people don't want war. But after all, it is the
leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a
simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or
a fascist dictatorship, Voice or no voice, the people can always be
brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to
do is to tell them that they are being attacked, and denounce the
pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger."

-Herman Goering,
Hiltler's designated successor

http://www.stuffmongers.com/
 
Les and Claire said:
Not it mentions that my 240 has H4 with combined bulb dip. Are these
direct replacements?
Click to expand...

Whoops! Should have been "Now, it mentions...."
 
Well here in Canada we have Canadian Tire stores.... there is a big book of
cars, and you find yours and it gives you replacement types for low/high/fog
lamps... You find the bulb on the shelf, and you compare it to the bulb from
your car (take it out in the parking lot, if a 240 is as easy to work on as
a 960 the bulb will be easy to excahnge) if it looks the same (ie, same
plug, same code ei: H4, 9004,9007, H7, same twin filaments if it's a
high/low beam in one unit) then you buy it... or you remember the model name
and order it off of the internet at reduced cost... Can't help you on your
bulb type either, we had a 240, but it was a 1974 and came with round sealed
beam headlights, our 960 uses a 900x series bulb... not sure which one
tho.... The 60/55W would mean there is a twin filament for low/high beams
tho... Funny over here high beams are 65W... Oh well.

I like going to big stores like Canadian Tire, because if the bulb blows
(usually even out of warranty by the manufacturer) the people working behind
the counter tend to give you cash back or new bulbs :-).... You don't really
get that service with bulbs ordered online.
 
That's what i've found... After one of my original silverstars burnt out
(BTW I have these in my 1999 Golf, not the Volvo... yet... it's bulbs
haven't blown yet) I went back to the stock OEM bulbs... and found myself
needing the highbeams a lot more at night on country roads... Made the
switch back, was more careful in handling this time, and i've been happy
since.
 
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