[V8] re: headlights ad nauseum

[Roger M. Woodbury]

I really hate this thread.  But here goes...I just can't resist.

Headlights are limited in the USA by outmoded DOT standards for wattage 
output and for beam spread which is a function of the lens design.

You can put as much brilliance or bulb output in front of your car as you 
want or as you can generate, but if the lens is a 1940's era lens design, 
you will have VERY bright 1940's era headlamps.

IF you drive mostly in urban environments with a lot of ambient light, the 
stock headlights are likely to be sufficient.

High power bulbs of whatever color temperature, are high power bulbs.  If 
you use H4 Euro 130v high power bulbs, they will have a shorter life span 
than the standard bulbs....it will NOT be measured in months, but in hours 
of use.  I suspect that the Silver Star bulbs are the same.

IF you use HID systems in your V8 without changing beam patterns, you will 
have brighter lights but not necessarilly BETTER light.

In my 1989 200 Quattro Avant, I used European H4/H3 lights as a replacment 
for the standard US DOT headlamps.  I had the installing dealer install 
theselamps using relays for ALL bulbs. The results were an astronomical 
improvement.

In my 1993 V8 Quattro, I substituted European H4/H3 headlamps for the 
"normal" DOT headlamps, and relayed all bulbs.  The results were an 
astrononical improvement in illumination of the roadway under ALL 
conditions, as was the case with the 200 Avant.

In my wife's 1994 100CS Avant Quattro, we have used  European H4 headlamps, 
and while not as good as the European headlamps in the othe two cars, the 
high beam results, with 130v. high beams are outstanding.

In my previous life, I drove a Mercedes 190D-turbo and when I bought that 
car the dealer could order European headlamps for that car.  With standard 
bulbs, the light dispersion and output was far superior to the "normal" DOT 
version.  (It should be noted that the Euro headlamps were flush with the 
body work of the car.  As a result of this, snow and ice were normally shed, 
whereas the US DOT lamps were recessed which allowed the accumulation of 
snow and ice in the housing of the lamp itself which resulted in the entire 
loss of illumination from the headlamps under exteme winter conditions.  We 
have LOT of extreme winter here in coastal Maine.

Now it has been suggested that the inspection process might well make the 
use of European spec headlamps illegal.  Could be. Certainly so in Maine, IF 
anyone has the gear to check out put, but no one does.  However  in places 
where inspections are inportant and headlights are checked for DOT 
compliance or output, I suggest that there is a difference between 
compliying with the standard, and being able to SEE in the dark.  If it 
comes to that, I will opt for being able tosee, even if it means changing 
the headlamps in order to get through the inspection process.  (Right now, 
it has not come to that!).

I am in the process of licencing a 1991 200 20v. Avant for daily use.  The 
car will end up being completely restored, and it will have European 
headlamps with 130V high beams, simply because the combination is not to be 
beaten at anything approaching normal price, and without resorting to adding 
big drivng lights to the front end, with all of those assorted mounting 
problems.  THAT installation will stand against any other.

Now, here's the challenge.  IF someone thinks they have a better and simpler 
and cheaper sollution to the lighting limitations of these cars, then I 
suggest that we have a "face off" where we can quantitify the illumination 
values, in  terms of visibility of illumination.

Here's the challenge:  I will organize a "Audi Lobster Lighting Fest" here 
in eastern Maine for this year.  It will be a late fall event, most 
probably, and we will set up a lighting course for Audis with lighting to be 
evaluated by some sort of independent and not-so-independant judges.  The 
outcome will be a swell and interiguing weekend or so, and a REAL analysis 
of Audi headlamp systems enhanced or other wise.   And also, a whole lot of 
Maine lobster will be consumed.

I have NO idea how to organize this right now, but if there are enough
Audi enthusiasts intersted, I will start to develop the program tomorrow, 
and we will be ready to accept reservations for this fun week, or weekend, 
by March 1st.

Well?