I have a 2016 SE Avant with Xenon headlights, and D5S bulbs.  I am very disappointed in the headlight performance - the output is dismal on high beams, never mind when dipped.

It seems that Osram D5S are around £170 each!  Amazon is full of 35W Chinese D5S Xenons and also LEDs.  My question is what are my options for getting better light at the front?

• New OEM bulbs
• Osrams at £170 per side
• Cheap D5S Xenons
• Upgrade the headlights themselves to full LED units

I would love some pointers and to hear of real-world experiences with any of the above.  I have a 1970s Jag with better lights!

Many thanks

1 hour ago, avant_gardener said:

I have a 2016 SE Avant with Xenon headlights, and D5S bulbs.  I am very disappointed in the headlight performance - the output is dismal on high beams, never mind when dipped.

It seems that Osram D5S are around £170 each!  Amazon is full of 35W Chinese D5S Xenons and also LEDs.  My question is what are my options for getting better light at the front?

• New OEM bulbs
• Osrams at £170 per side
• Cheap D5S Xenons
• Upgrade the headlights themselves to full LED units

I would love some pointers and to hear of real-world experiences with any of the above.  I have a 1970s Jag with better lights!

Many thanks

Hi your bulbs are probably on their way out, age related wear inevitable, I always used the 6000k bulbs from a company called valley lighting on eBay they normally lasted about three years on my car and on a cab on nights thats pretty good going, LEDs are a waste of time and money as I have seen them used on the A4s some other cabbies have, fail quickly and keep throwing lighting faults, converting to LED headlamps your looking at £800 a side second hand or £2000 a side from Audi and then you have to get a different lighting control module and have the whole lot coded in, therefore at around £140 the pair the valley units are good value, try them you wont be disappointed.

Steve.

19 hours ago, avant_gardener said:

 

• Upgrade the headlights themselves to full LED units

 

You may find this of interest:

https://www.audiownersclub.com/forums/topic/30706-halogen-to-led-lights/