B4 Headlight Comparison - Coupe v Saloon etc

[LHD_Kid]

They do need to be aligned properly to work correctly and this is where most people fall down and then claim they don't work as well

Alex, do you mean aligned: bulb to projector glass, etc..... or aligned: complete lamp to road?

If it's a case of ensuring the bulb aligns with projector, etc, is there a process or procedure one can follow.....?

[Klobsters]

This is a common myth. The projectors make far better use of the lamps light output with more focused beam and much better range, hence why Audi upgraded to use them and all high end cars use them as standard over reflector lamps. They do need to be aligned properly to work correctly and this is where most people fall down and then claim they don't work as well.

I'm not saying anything bad about newer projectors but there is also a good reason why they started using Xenon.
Also, it might be kind of subjective since the road quality in Latvia makes me want a wider beam. Road markings are often non-existent and in that case the B4 projector's more concentrated beam makes it hard to see the side of the road. I cannot complain about the range though.
So it might be that in the UK projectors are better. I'm not sure though as I haven't driven a car here.

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

This is a common myth. The projectors make far better use of the lamps light output with more focused beam and much better range, hence why Audi upgraded to use them and all high end cars use them as standard over reflector lamps. They do need to be aligned properly to work correctly and this is where most people fall down and then claim they don't work as well.




There is a mod for this - switch pins in the headlight stalk connector

Now i know. The new ellipsoidals i bought for the avant narrowed it's beam when switching on main beam. The 90 20V i had just 3 years ago had far better lighting as good as the original 2.6 headlights for a nice wide spread of lighting.

Thanks for that info Alex,pin swap thread bookmarked.

[macspring]

I'm not saying anything bad about newer projectors but there is also a good reason why they started using Xenon.
Also, it might be kind of subjective since the road quality in Latvia makes me want a wider beam. Road markings are often non-existent and in that case the B4 projector's more concentrated beam makes it hard to see the side of the road. I cannot complain about the range though.
So it might be that in the UK projectors are better. I'm not sure though as I haven't driven a car here.

On-line HID kits are inexpensive and I can't think that you'll be disappointed with HIDs in Ellipsoid headlights on your B4.

The kits are cheap enough to try out without too much financial pain, so there's not much to loose.

Compared to halogen lamps in my ellipsoids and HIDs in my ellipsoids, I find the improvement like 'night and day'. intentional pun.

[macspring]

Alex, do you mean aligned: bulb to projector glass, etc..... or aligned: complete lamp to road?

If it's a case of ensuring the bulb aligns with projector, etc, is there a process or procedure one can follow.....?

thanks.

[bikerjim]

But how do non ellipsoid coupe/s2 lights compare to standard 80 saloon/avant (separate indicator) lights?

[recurveandy]

I don't think there'd be a lot of difference between the two on dipped beam, both reflectors are pretty much the same size.
The extra benefit of twin headlamps would be more light on high beam, not much help in traffic

Also, I notice a vast difference in oncoming glare between my cars, one has a new windscreen and another the 20 yr old original.
Glare is significantly less with the new screen, however they are different cars so I can't draw a direct comparison but I would suggest it certainly helps.

[Error404]

Alex, do you mean aligned: bulb to projector glass, etc..... or aligned: complete lamp to road?

If it's a case of ensuring the bulb aligns with projector, etc, is there a process or procedure one can follow.....?

I mean lamp to the road, vertical & horizontal alignment.
Reflector lamps can give the impression of better lighting as they throw the light all over the place, so closer objects appear brighter, i.e. the road immediately in-front of the car. But this is useless light as you want to see further down the road, not a wider field of view.

[Klobsters]

On-line HID kits are inexpensive and I can't think that you'll be disappointed with HIDs in Ellipsoid headlights on your B4.

The kits are cheap enough to try out without too much financial pain, so there's not much to loose.

Compared to halogen lamps in my ellipsoids and HIDs in my ellipsoids, I find the improvement like 'night and day'. intentional pun.

Well, it is definitely illegal and a **** move against other drivers. I don't want to blind the oncoming traffic and I legitimately hate people who use HIDs in lights that are not suited for them.

[A80Avant]

According to the European law to use HID kits legally the most important bit is to have an E1 lens on the headlamps, which audi has. The addition was that they have to have electronically managed dipping mechanism and most recently they added that this needs to be automatic for some strange reason.

If you disregard the fact that your lights should be aligned at all times, the rs2 headlamps should not cause glare. If they do, they need aligning.

[Klobsters]

Alright. Somebody with HIDs installed in their projectors - show the light cutoff on a wall.

On the side note. I'm pretty sure that standard reflector lights also have the E1 marking. Would you use HIDs in them? I'm still pretty sure it is illegal.

[Error404]

yes HIDs are "illegal" without auto levelling and washer systems AFAIK.

[A80Avant]

Yes forgot about the washer system which rs2 and s2 also have.

I don't have a recent photo but when I have seen my brothers ford ST vs mine, the cutoff line is very good in both and his are much brighter as well.

In my mind auto adjustment is a bit of an issue as if it fails you may not be aware and these headlamps don't have any manual way to adjust them either, like the s2/rs2. So you are more likely to blind opposite cars with them should they fail

[Error404]

Such is the nature of bureaucracy