Re: H-4 high beams vs Driving Lights (or:4000q upgrade options)

["Fred Munro" <munrof@isys.ca>]

Hi Erik;

    I puzzled over the same issue when looking to upgrade the lights on my
'91 200q. The factor that tipped me towards the Euros: it was impossible to
find a mounting spot for driving lights which did not interfere with the air
flow to some critical engine component. I'm not familiar with the 4000, but
most of the front end of the 200q is ducting air somewhere. I've run driving
lights on other cars and have had some that were too bright (10" Cibies
running 100w bulbs - lit up signs 2 km away and blinded me, let alone other
drivers - they'd start flashing as soon as they came in sight), some that
had weird light patterns, and all of them vibrated at speed.
    I'm happy with the Bosch Euros - great high beam, adequate low beam,
clean installation, nothing cluttering up the front bumper.

HTH

Fred Munro
'91 200q  261k km
-----Original Message-----
From: Erik R Addy <erik@aero.und.edu>
To: quattro@coimbra.ans.net <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
Date: Monday, October 19, 1998 11:24 PM
Subject: H-4 high beams vs Driving Lights (or:4000q upgrade options)


>hello again helpfull listers, my latest question is:
>
>I have dual-bulb (H4+H3) euro's on my 89 200tq, and they are amazing.
>what I am wondering is, how do _H4 only_ euro's on high beam compare to
>stock '85 4000q lights with aftermarket diving lights (say, Hella
>500's)?  My guess is that the DOT/Driving light set up would be
>superior, but of course, you would not have the euro's low beam
>superiority when the DOT's were on low and the driving lights off.
>
>Also, I assume H-4's on low beam are significantly better in
>fog/rain/blowing snow than DOT's, right?
>
>I am asking because I have 2 choices in light upgrades for my 4000q,
>which would cost me about the same.
>
>Option 1:
>Upgrade to Bosch H4 euro-spec lights.  Will use "high effiecieny" 55/60w
>that supposedly light like 90/100w.  Will install relays.
>
>Option 2:
>Upgrade DOT lights with relays and 9007 bulbs (probably also "high
>efficiecy".  Install Hella fog lights and Hella driving lights.
>
>The way I see it, option 1 has the advantage of better low beam light,
>looks stock, and I get new headlight assemblies (although my current
>ones are in remarkable good shape).  Also, when money allows, I could
>still install driving and or fog lights.
>
>Option 2, however, would probably be better when the high beams are on
>(with driving lights), and also in the bad weather (dedicated fogs).
>
>Any comments, suggestions, etc?
>thanks
>erik
>erik@aero.und.edu
>
>PS whatever I do, I'll post a little report on the effects.