sjjon00S4 NJ

I recently installed a set of OEM Xenon headlights/ballasts/bulbs in my 2000 a6 2.7.
the light output is much better then the halogens...duh BUT
it seems that they are very dim compared to other a6's with xenons, I also have an A4 with xenon headlights and even that is a more intense light output, the housings are definitely the xenon ones, i checked the part numbers and well, they have the d2s sockets and everything, the ones i bought were used off of another 2000 2.7 that was in a wreck. could it be that the bulbs are at the end of their lives? i notice the difference when i'm next to a wall, normally you have the direct cutover going horizontal to the headlights, mine you have direct cutover but the beam is really concentrated in the center, then disperses, my A4 with xenons does not do that. what make bulbs are in our A6's, my A4 has osram xenarcs. I didnt' know if i'd get better output if i bought a brand new pair of osram's or a pair of philips 4300k bulbs. any advice would be appreciated.! thanks!!

nightwalks

Xenon (really Metal-Halide Gas Discharge Bulbs) REQUIRE special lense apature and reflectors to properly disperse and concentrate the beam (Which is why either washers OR wipers are SAE required on ALL factory xenon systems)
Did you obtain the original projector lenses when you bought the bulbs and ignitors?
You also said they seem dimmer, then you said they have too much of a concentrated beam, which is it? These bulbs have no visable life-loss, they work or they do not.