Re: headlight bulbs(more specifically PIAA Platinums)

[Shaun Folkerts <fiatlancia@earthlink.net>]

Okay, here's your BTDT. There's a local performance shop nearby with a great
service department. I explained to them the inherent problems with my 200's
headlights and that I would buy the PIAA platinums ($59/pair) if they were
demonstrably brighter. They invited me to pull the car into the shop, they
broke open the new package and we installed one. The PIAA bulb put out a
flatter light. About the only way I can describe it. Perhaps just whiter, not
as "yellow", but definitely _less_ light output. Very disappointed, I asked
them to pull that bulb, I wasn't interested. They fully agreed that it was
worse than the 2/$15 Sylvanias! A good example of "know your product."

As a temporary fix, I installed 55watt driving light bulbs on the inboard
(front running light) portion of the headlights. With those on, the lighting
doesn't even improve when I flip the lever from the parking light position to
the headlights on position. Which means they are a tremendous improvement, but
also illustrates just how pathetic the DOT headlights are.

Anyone selling used Euros right now?  ;^)

Shaun Folkerts
'89 200QW

Todd Phenneger wrote:

> Yea Allan,
>         I saw that too.  They have the Super Whites AND the
> Platinums.  Not sure I get what the difference.  The Superwhites have a
> coating.  Maybe the Platinums are more of a Xenon bulb.  Better gas inside
> to burn hotter.  Not sure though.  Would love to hear a BTDT.  Myself,
> I'll probably go with some of the Phillips bulbs.  Or Astra.  Or Hella
> just came out with a super white sort of bulb.  Cant remember the name but
> they are actually pretty cheap.  Like $15 a bulb for the Hella's.
> l8r
>         Todd
> -----------
> >Allan wrote:::::
> >Or how about even more expensive bulbs...Has anyone had any experience
> >with
> >the new PIAA 9004s that I think are called Platinums. They're an
> >imitation
> >of the "blue-light" thrown off by the latest high tech bulbs(I don't
> >believe
> >it, but the name of them escapes me - it'll come to me as soon as I click
> >'send'!)  I don't want to spend upwards of $70 for the "cheesey" look.
> >Anyone know if they are real lookin', or too fake for us cool Audifans?!?
> >
> >Thanks...
> >
> ------------------------------
>
>         Todd Phenneger
>         1983 ur-q / black / getting a MC
>         1984 4000 Turbo quattro (Faster than your average 4kq)
>         1987 4000 quattro / Saphire Metallic Blue/ Girlfriend's
>         1996 A6q / Volcano / Dads Car
>    *****1985 5kt / PARTING OUT!
>   *     http://www.uidaho.edu/~phen9461/motorsports.htm