Re: bad luck with hella 500's

[Sachelle Babbar <sbabbar@iris.nyit.edu>]

PIAA uses Lead crystal lenses on their lights. *Very* hard. This would
probably account for the pits, but no breakage.

I've used Hella 550's and the performance is absolutely astounding. True,
they are "pencil" beams, but outshine and outdistance anything on 55w. I
saw pitting, but no breakage as a result of road stones. This was an
underbumper mounting. Really big and ugly, but I never had a problem
seeing the shoulder.

Another big benefit I've noticed with myself is that poor headlighting
relates to feeling tired while driving, especially long distance type.
Some psychological, as far as not constantly worrying about the lights and
what you might hit, and the road being lit as opposed to being dark. Less
eyestrain. 

****************************************************************************
*Steve                                             Sachelle Babbar
*'87  5000CS Turbo 5spd 1.3-2.0 bar             <SBABBAR@IRIS.NYIT.EDU>
*Cockpit adjustable wastegate, AudiSport badge
*
*Disclaimer:"Any information contained herein is based purely on my own
*personal experience and may not necessarily reflect yours. Use caution as
*your results may vary from mine."
********************************************************************************
                                                                               



On Fri, 12 Nov 1999, Lino M. Valadas wrote:

> I have the same lights installed on my 86 5k tqw for about 3 years.  They
> are installed under the bumper, not the ideal location for their potential,
> but better aesthetically IMO.  Anyway, they're going great, never had a
> problem with them.  BTW I have them wired to my high beams with own relays.
> I would be in darkness without them : )
> 
> Lino
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Derek L. <t3lk0@mailcity.com>
> To: quattro@audifans.com <quattro@audifans.com>
> Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 10:09 PM
> Subject: bad luck with hella 500's
> 
> 
> >Greetings all.
> >
> >The DOT lights on my 4000csq really suck!
> >
> >So I go and buy 4 hella 500s (driving beam) and fabricate an attractive,
> lightweight bar that mounts to the old licence plate hardware.  The lights
> look great, and perform even better, what a great deal at $460 less than
> euros, until...
> >
> >I break 2 lights within a week.  Not while they are on, either.
> >Both appear to be impact rather than heat.  Strange thing is, my PIAA
> 1500's have several small pits in them indicating impacts, but they're just
> fine.  (and mounted even lower!)
> >
> >Do hella 500s break this easily, did I get a pair that weren't Q/A'd
> properly, or what?  I went to my favorite VW/Audi shop and asked about some
> stoneguard like product to repel rocks and such.  I was told this would trap
> too much heat inside the lamp and they would break even sooner.  Does this
> sound reasonable to you?  They also discouraged over wattage bulbs.
> >
> >What do you think?  Any similar experiences?  Are the higher end (more $$)
> any more robust?
> >
> >Thanks in advance!
> >
> >-Derek L.
> >Seattle, Wa
> >'86 4000cs quattro (blind once again)
> >
> >
> >Get your FREE Email at http://mailcity.lycos.com
> >Get your PERSONALIZED START PAGE at http://my.lycos.com
> >
> 
> 
>