jtucker

I have a '92 C2 Coupe. Saturday I was driving at night in the country and was very dissapointed with the headlight performace. Can anyone recommend a good replaement bulb? The manual is not very clear as to what the correct bub type is (H4 or H5 or?). My '04 Mini Cooper S has the Xenons and they are quite a bit better, but I don't think I want to convert to the Litronics, just hoping that the coorect replacement bulb will help. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Fred's 964

I put in Silver Star Ultras. They are much better than stock, but not as white as Litronics on the 993.

ilko

For about $350 you can get the European H4 headlights. They are leaps and bounds above the H5's currently in your car (provided you have a US car).

jtucker

how do I tell what type of headlight I have?

Thanks,

J. Tucker
'92 C2

ilko

This is what an H4 headlight looks like:

stevepaa

the H5 has little nubbins on them for alignment and the H4 does not
the H5 is a one fixture item including the outside ring while the H4 has a separate outside ring
the H5 is fixed while the H4 comes in a moveable verison, although most are fixed
the H4 can use quite a brighter bulb


a pic of the moveable type

Harry Apps

You could also look at the centre (center) of the glass. H4 lights usually have "H4" moulded into the pattern - see Steve's photo above, it's just visible.

Regards

H

Harry Apps

Sorry, it was Ilko's pic not Steve's.

H

jtucker

So it looks like I deinitely have H5. Can I use a brighter bulb? (recomendations please) or do I need to change to H4?

Thanks,

J. Tucker
'92 C2 Coupe
'04 MINI Cooper S

elbeee964

Why weren't H4's O.E.?

ilko

Cute Avatar Lonnie

I believe the H5 bulbs were developed for the US market after the DOT changed headlight regulations in the 80's. H4's have a distinct cutoff and don't let any light above it, while H5 headlights let some light out above the cutoff. IIRC the idea was that with that extra light above the cutoff drivers would be able to see non-illuminated highway signs better. Or at least that's what I read. Just for the record, I've been able to see highway signs in the dark with the H4's just fine.

As far as putting brighter (as in higher wattage) bulbs - you can, as long as you wire the headlights properly with the corresponding relays. Otherwise you'll short your headlight switch and can start an electrical fire. Not good.

Here's a schematic that shows what you need to do to wire them correctly:



Personally, I've been happy with my H4's and Silverstar 55/60W bulbs.

YMMV

elbeee964

Thanks for the background.

And, heck -- join in on the festive seasonal ornamentation, Ilk!

("Many Happy Returns from Santa's Helper's leettle 'freind!")

ilko

Werd!

ltc

Because the DOT and EPA are idiots.

ltc

And you can get the trim rings in primer, so you can paint them to match body color...or get them in chrome.