H4 To H7 Upgrade
- Thread starter Howler
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My Velle came with H7s. I thought they were about as good as any car I'd had with similar reflector headlights. At the time I had just come from an Amarok, and also had a Tiguan, both of which had bi-xenons. The H7s just didn't have the main beam range of the xenons.
What I also wanted was fancy DRL and a white, modern looking light. I didn't want sequential indicators, so bought a set of V1s with LED bulbs. The LED dipped beams were rubbish. Unless it was really dark, it was hard to know they were on. They gave a crisp white light, but it got washed out by oncoming headlights. I must have tried half a dozen different LED and halogen bulbs before buying the HIDs. I'd had LED main beam bulbs in other halogen cars, so tried them. They gave the range that was close to the bi-xenons in the Tiguan.
Now as far as I'm aware, V1s, 2s and 3s all use the same dipped projector and main beam reflector, so you'll get the same results from each with the right choice of bulb. What I personally don't like about the V3s is how dim the DRLs and indicators are. I see them out on the road and the DRLs really do look like they are dimmed as side lights and in some lights the indicators are barely visible.
H7s are a huge improvement over H4s. The rest is up to you.
What I also wanted was fancy DRL and a white, modern looking light. I didn't want sequential indicators, so bought a set of V1s with LED bulbs. The LED dipped beams were rubbish. Unless it was really dark, it was hard to know they were on. They gave a crisp white light, but it got washed out by oncoming headlights. I must have tried half a dozen different LED and halogen bulbs before buying the HIDs. I'd had LED main beam bulbs in other halogen cars, so tried them. They gave the range that was close to the bi-xenons in the Tiguan.
Now as far as I'm aware, V1s, 2s and 3s all use the same dipped projector and main beam reflector, so you'll get the same results from each with the right choice of bulb. What I personally don't like about the V3s is how dim the DRLs and indicators are. I see them out on the road and the DRLs really do look like they are dimmed as side lights and in some lights the indicators are barely visible.
H7s are a huge improvement over H4s. The rest is up to you.
Thanks for the info.
I have a pair of H7's waiting to go in when I have time to fit them.
Probably a silly question but what happens with the headlight level adjuster? I assume that when I adjust the level in the cab it moves something in the lights, how do I know the old and new lights were set to same level before I change, or is that not how it works?
Thanks in advance
Probably a silly question but what happens with the headlight level adjuster? I assume that when I adjust the level in the cab it moves something in the lights, how do I know the old and new lights were set to same level before I change, or is that not how it works?
Thanks in advance
You don't. Most mot garages will offer a headlight alignment for a small fee. Or, Mark on your garage where the standard h4s are.
That is a bargain ! My old style holders haven't melted yet !!
That is outrageously good value!!!
Barely more than £100 to be able to see at night... I checked for the pair because they normally only seem to offer a good price for one side of the vehicle!
If I had not previously installed H7s I would have been all over these.
@teamfly - Thanks for sharing!
Barely more than £100 to be able to see at night... I checked for the pair because they normally only seem to offer a good price for one side of the vehicle!
If I had not previously installed H7s I would have been all over these.
@teamfly - Thanks for sharing!
Presume it is these?
Depo Headlamp | Euro Car Parts
Depo Headlamp at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
Depo Headlamp | Euro Car Parts
Depo Headlamp at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
Are they new? I suppose the bulbs add up if you have to buy them all - what is it, ten in total over both sides?
Have you seen this @Sabre ? They’re DEPO, so pattern parts rather than Hella/Valeo, but £102 a pair, new?
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It seems everyone agrees that the H7 headlights are loads better.
I have a set and now need to buy bulbs.
Looking on different websites it seems that the Phillips bulbs are the best.
I want maximum light on dipped beam as live in the sticks.
I have also seen that the Phillips HI led bulbs work in the OEM H7 headlights although legal in some countries not in the UK.
Has anyone used them and can you please tell me if they have a better output then the 200+ halogen bulbs.
Do they have a good light spread?
Going to have the lights fitted soon so want to get all the bulbs sorted before I take off the bumper and fit.
I have a set and now need to buy bulbs.
Looking on different websites it seems that the Phillips bulbs are the best.
I want maximum light on dipped beam as live in the sticks.
I have also seen that the Phillips HI led bulbs work in the OEM H7 headlights although legal in some countries not in the UK.
Has anyone used them and can you please tell me if they have a better output then the 200+ halogen bulbs.
Do they have a good light spread?
Going to have the lights fitted soon so want to get all the bulbs sorted before I take off the bumper and fit.
If you live in the sticks, you may want code the main and high beams to come together in high beam. Otherwise you may find a dark patch immediately infront of you on high beam alone. Many have done this.....
Had the van for approx. 6/8 weeks now and I had my first outing in the dark this morning. I knew the H4's were bad but these are bloody awful. I think IKEA tea lights would have shed more light on the road.
A quick chat to the long haired general and I have convinced her that new lights are the next thing on the shopping list.
Just need to decide which ones, read lots of good reviews for THQ so I'm leaning towards these.
Not sure my arthritic, sausage fingers would be able do the fitting, so I'll look and getting them fitted.
Question is now, V1, 2 or 3's and do I go the full hog and get LED's fitted.
This van is slowly raping my wallet
A quick chat to the long haired general and I have convinced her that new lights are the next thing on the shopping list.
Just need to decide which ones, read lots of good reviews for THQ so I'm leaning towards these.
Not sure my arthritic, sausage fingers would be able do the fitting, so I'll look and getting them fitted.
Question is now, V1, 2 or 3's and do I go the full hog and get LED's fitted.
This van is slowly raping my wallet
I've got V1's, V2's have Nightrider indicators and V3's have very dim DRLs and indicators (although there is a revised version which is supposed to be better) I see lots of V3's out and about and in the daylight, you have to look hard to see that the DRLs are on.
HIDs work really well in dipped beam, although in the time I've had mine, improvements have been made in LED bulbs. LED bulbs for main beam will give better output than halogens and match the colour of your preferred dipped beam.
Coding is required to keep dipped beam on with main beam as OEM H7s do.
This will give you a massive improvement. Not quite as good as OEM LEDs, but about a quarter of the price.
HIDs work really well in dipped beam, although in the time I've had mine, improvements have been made in LED bulbs. LED bulbs for main beam will give better output than halogens and match the colour of your preferred dipped beam.
Coding is required to keep dipped beam on with main beam as OEM H7s do.
This will give you a massive improvement. Not quite as good as OEM LEDs, but about a quarter of the price.
Agree exactly with what @dubber36 says. The THQs are a massive improvement over the H4's, HID kit will be the best but massive improvement over H4 even with nightbreaker H7 bulbs. FYI you will need to make sure you change the settings for dip to stay on with high beam in VCDS or Carista beta.Had the van for approx. 6/8 weeks now and I had my first outing in the dark this morning. I knew the H4's were bad but these are bloody awful. I think IKEA tea lights would have shed more light on the road.
A quick chat to the long haired general and I have convinced her that new lights are the next thing on the shopping list.
Just need to decide which ones, read lots of good reviews for THQ so I'm leaning towards these.
Not sure my arthritic, sausage fingers would be able do the fitting, so I'll look and getting them fitted.
Question is now, V1, 2 or 3's and do I go the full hog and get LED's fitted.
This van is slowly raping my wallet
OEM LED retrofit is ££££ plus more, having upgraded to THQ v2's there is no way personally I could justify the LED upgrade as the H7 is more than sufficient. I know others would argue differently but I guess it depends on your finances.
The differences between v1, 2 and 3's is only the indicator as suggested above. I opted for V2's as for the dim indicator on the V3 (which I think THQ may have revised but would need to check??) put me off. I also didn't like the 'hole' left where the indicator used to be.
Also in my opinion the THQ lights are also a much better looking unit than the H4's, subjective I know I was pleasantly surprised how much better the front end was with the light upgrade.
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