Eurolights for US Audis

[Tom Nas <tnas@euronet.nl>]

Hi all,

Trying to do my bit for the archives- this is my take on upgrading
headlights on US market Audis. Arranged by model, and I don't imagine it's
by any means complete. Please let me know if there's any other info you
need, or add any experience on feasibility. No, I don't supply these
lights, I'm just interested in the subject. No comments on my mental sanity
please- being on this list says it all. The nice thing about Audi headlight
upgrades is that there's an easy and cheap, and hard and expensive but
better solution for most cars, the V8 excepted. I think I've outlined most
swaps here. I haven't bothered with making the distinction between FWD and
quattro or sedan/Avant, as there's no equipment difference WRT headlights
in Europe.

Caveat: when sourcing your headlights from the UK, remember to ask
specifically for LHD units!

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*pre-84(?) 4000, 5000, Coupe GT, UrQ with four separate headlights:
These can be upgraded very cheaply (sub-$100?) with standard-issue items
made by Carello, Hella or Cibie. Also popular retrofit for newer models as
an inexpensive swap. Retrofit requires grill, set of aforementioned lights
and wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros.
Result: H4/H1, superb.

Alternative: swap for headlights from a later model (see below). Gain:
cosmetic 'update' only. Con: more $$$.

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*post-84(?) 4000, Coupe GT, UrQ (type 81/B2):
Early models with the straight grill take pre-'85 Audi 80 headlights. These
have their turn signals as corner markers next to the headlights, which can
be used as side markers. Swap requires headlights, wiring.
Result: H4, very good.

*Late models with sloping 'aero' nose take '85-only Audi 80 headlights.
Same comment applies for side markers, these lights are drop-in. Swap
requires headlights, wiring.
Result: H4, very good.

Alternative: Euro headlights from later 90/Coupe GT/UrQ. These twin-bulb
items are more expensive and harder to mount, requiring a repositioning of
the side markers- the twin-bulb headlights don't allow for side markers
(could be done by replacing the bulb socket in the turn signal with a
twin-filament item to make the turn signal double as a side marker). Swap
requires headlights, side marker repositioning, wiring. Lens is replaceable
on Euros.
Result: H4/H1, superb.

Alternative 2: Not a Euro upgrade, but a minor modification to headlight
unit and wiring will allow you to fit 9007 bulbs instead of 9004s. Very
cheap, and quite effective.

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*80, 90, Coupe (type 89/B3):
The European Audi 80 headlights are drop-in. These have their turn signals
as corner markers next to the headlights, which can be used as side
markers. Swap requires headlights, wiring. Clear turn signals available
aftermarket from Hella.
Result: H4, very good.

Alternative: Euro headlights from post-'87 Audi 90/Coupe.  These twin-bulb
items are more expensive and harder to mount, requiring a repositioning of
the side markers- the twin-bulb headlights don't allow for side markers or
turn signals (could be done by replacing the front bumper and associated
hardware for a Euro item, not easy and $$$, or by hacking the bumper about
to fit custom side markers/turn signals). Swap requires headlights, side
marker/turn signal repositioning, wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros.
Pros for Euro bumper replacement: good projector foglights as a bonus.
Result: H4/H1, superb.

Alternative 2: Some manufacturers offer aftermarket twin-round upgrades for
the B3 models. This basically does away with the standard units and
replaces them with a plastic bezel to which you can fit standard-issue
Carellos, Cibies or Hellas. May also allow fitment of BMW DE units, which
would make it an incredible deal. Often seen on rally cars. Might require
repositioning of the turn signals/side markers, though I've also seen kits
that allow for them.
Result: H4/H1 (possibly with projector beam?), superb.

Alternative 3: do a front-end sheetmetal swap and update your car to B4
spec. Been done before, looks good but requires lots of work. This _does_
allow you to fit all options as outlined below for the B4, though...

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*80, 90, Coupe, Cabriolet (B4- grill in hood model)
Again, the European Audi 80 headlights are drop-in. These have their turn
signals as corner markers next to the headlights, which can be used as side
markers. Swap requires headlights, wiring. Euro turn signals are clear
items, very nice.
Result: H4, very good.

Alternative: Euro headlights from post-'91 Audi 90/Coupe/I-5 and V6 models.
These twin-bulb items are more expensive and harder to mount, requiring a
repositioning of the side markers- the twin-bulb headlights don't allow for
side markers or turn signals (could be done by replacing the front bumper
and associated hardware for a Euro -RS2, if you're so inclined- item, not
easy and $$$, or by hacking the bumper about to fit custom side
markers/turn signals). Swap requires headlights, side marker/turn signal
repositioning, wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros. Pros for Euro bumper
replacement: good projector foglights as a bonus.
Result: H4/H1, superb.

Alternative 2: Euro headlights from S2, late Cabriolet (Hella DE projector
type). Excellent on bang-for-the-buck, expensive but relatively easy to
install and incredible output. Standard electric adjusting requires wiring,
controls.  Swap requires headlights, side marker/turn signal repositioning,
wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros.
Result: H4/H1 with projector beam, superb.

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*Audi 5000 non-turbo, 100 (type 44/C3 model):
The Euro headlights from the '83-'91 Audi 100 are drop-in. These have their
turn signals as corner markers next to the headlights, which can be used as
side markers. Swap requires headlights, wiring, Euro turn signals (US items
appear to fit but fall off at an inconvenient moment). Lens is replaceable
on Euros.
Result: H4, very good.

Alternative: The Euro headlights from the '86-'91 Audi 200. Swap requires
headlights, wiring, grill off 5kt/200 and repositioning of the side markers
since the twin-bulb items don't allow for side markers. Lens is replaceable
on Euros. Suggestion: relocation to the turn signals by using twin-filament
bulb sockets. Expensive, but looks nice and is very effective.
Result: H4/H1, superb.

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*Audi 5000 turbo, 200 (type 44/C3 model):
The Euro headlights from the '86-'91 Audi 200 are drop-in. Swap requires
headlights, wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros.
Result: H4/H1 with projector beam, superb.

Alternative: The Euro headlights from the '83-'91 Audi 100. These have
their turn signals as corner markers next to the headlights, which can be
used as side markers. Swap requires headlights, wiring, Euro turn signals
(US items appear to fit but fall off at an inconvenient moment), grill off
non-turbo 5k or 100. Lens is replaceable on Euros. Less dramatic than the
twin-bulb units but considerably cheaper.
Result: H4, very good.

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*Audi V8:
The Euro headlights from a V8 are the only (costly) choice, but are
drop-in.   Standard electric adjusting requires wiring, controls(?).  Swap
requires headlights, wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros.
Result: H4/H1, superb.

Sorry V8 owners, apart from major surgery there are no alternatives for you.

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*Audi A4:
I believe that recent US Audis have better stock lighting- not as many
complaints, anyway. However, you can always swap for European H4 lights.

Alternative: the very expensive Xenon lights from the '98 S4. Fry rabbits
at 100 paces, but require extensive rewiring for the automatic adjustment
which compensates for speed, loading, emptying fuel tank, road angle etc.
The units themselves are heart-stoppingly expensive already, and the wiring
and sensors are for serious engineering types only. If you don't have
enough electric gizmos in your Audi that break, go for it!

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*Audi 100/A6 (C4 model):
The Euro headlights from a post-'91 Audi 100 are drop-in. Swap requires
headlights, wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros.
Result: H4, very good.

Alternative: The DE items from so equipped A6es and S4s are a nice upgrade.
Excellent on bang-for-the-buck, expensive but relatively easy to install
and incredible output. Standard electric adjusting requires wiring,
controls.  Swap requires headlights, wiring. Lens is replaceable on Euros.
Result: H4/H1 with projector beam, superb.

Alternative 2: Xenon headlights from the S6. See comments above, same
comments apply as for the S4 upgrade for the A4.

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*Audi A6 (C5 model):
I don't think US A8 headlights are that bad. The Euro headlights from a
post-'97 Audi A6 are drop-in. Swap requires headlights, wiring.
Result: H4 projector beams, very good.

I'm sure the introduction of the upcoming S6 will produce a couple of 'full
daylight mode' upgrades for the A6. Again, feasibility depends on the depth
of your wallet and your sanity.

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*Audi A8:
Again, I don't think US A8 headlights are that bad. But then again, not a
lot of A8 owners on the list... anyway, Euro A8s have projector headlights-
awesome output. Straight swap, with electric adjustment stuff and wiring.

Maybe there is a Xenon option for the A8/S8, but I can't find any data
about this by browsing the brochure. Info, anyone? If it's there, the same
comments apply as for the A4/A6 Xenons.

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That's all, folks! I've reread this info a couple of times, but I might
have forgotten/overlooked something, made copy/paste errors or whatever-
please let me know and I'll revise the info. I'm also working on a photo
archive to show the different headlight layouts for European Audis (yeah,
right. As if I haven't got enough to do already.).

Tom (1987 Audi 90 quattro, H4/H1s, more than adequate lighting thank you)