gggdds

I have a 2.7 A6, 2001....the high beams are fine; the low beams seem to be anemic. Pretty sure they're not the xenons. Are there Euro lights to improve the lighting? I have a Euro set on my 200TQ and they're fantastic--especially the low beam "cutoff" at about 3 feet up--it's perfect when driving in fog. I really don't want to go to xenons, as my eyes seem to need the orange that's in the halogens. I'm open to any ideas to improve the intensity of the low beams.

Guy

VONBOTTLE

do the low beams "warm up" right when you turn them on? if so, they're xenons. also, search for what the codes on the label in your spare tire well mean, that'll tell you if you have xenons as well. depending what year, xenons were a separate option (they were in '00) or were part of a package in other years. but the xenons do dim a LOT as they age, mine barely seemed on, then i bought new bulbs about a month ago (get them on ebay - $90 shipped) and they are dramatically brighter, and i actually have a cutoff now. do halogens dim?

gggdds

No, they don't "warm up". I'm currently doing a timing belt, and I have the headlights out and in my hands...but they don't look like anything special. So I'm fairly sure they're plain halogens... Some other thoughts....are the headlights "relayed"? In other words, could I go to a higher wattage bulb? Or do I have to relay them first to handle the higher wattage?

thejulex

Lights are always relayed but the relay, wiring and light housing is only appropriate for a factory wattage. Anything higher than that and you risk melting any parts of lighting system.

What I would do though is convert them to aftermarket HIDs and done. Aftermarket HIDs take less current than stock halogens so you don't run into problems with melting stuff.

gggdds

Can you name a decent aftermarket HID? And what color are HID's? Seems like my eyes like the somewhat full color spectrum of the halogens...those bluish lights I see on Bimmers would drive me crazy--not enough orange...
Guy

Duchateau

DDM Tuning has pretty good stuff, i've got them on my car. I went with the 55w in 6000k and they have the smallest tint of blue in them, not obnoxious though... if you don't like any blue you might think about 5000k or maybe even 4500k. 4500k might be a little yellow though

here's the link for their site http://goo.gl/ZOIR if you have the halogen i'm pretty sure you should have H1 bulbs...