Another of my many areas of ignorance is bulbs.

I'm looking to improve the headlights on my vrs (did not take xenon option) and don't know where to start.

Anyone got a top tip as to which bulb I should get to replace my OEM fellows?

This web page might help you out:

Lightbulb test | Products | Auto Express

General consensus in the Fabia section is to use Philips X-treme Power

General consensus in the Fabia section is to use Philips X-treme Power

I fitted the Philips X-treme to my vRS and reckon they're a worthwhile upgrade, though they won't fool you into thinking you'd ticked the Xenon option box.

Haven't done anything with the hi-beams yet, partly as the X-tremes are not available as an H1 bulb. Might try the Osram Nightbreakers instead.

I fitted the Philips X-treme to my vRS and reckon they're a worthwhile upgrade, though they won't fool you into thinking you'd ticked the Xenon option box.

Haven't done anything with the hi-beams yet, partly as the X-tremes are not available as an H1 bulb. Might try the Osram Nightbreakers instead.

I may or may not have fitted some 100w bulbs to my main beams

I put Nighbreakers in my vRS and feel it was a worthwhile upgrade.

The light is certainly a lot whiter and you can see a lot further up the road.

Haven't done anything with the hi-beams yet, partly as the X-tremes are not available as an H1 bulb. Might try the Osram Nightbreakers instead.

I found the Osram Nightbreaker H1 globes to be an improvement on the std globes, but again, they won't make you think you now have proper bi-xenons

Neither will ticking the Xenon box as they only get Xenon dipped beam :(

I got the Halfords Extreme Brilliance +90's they do them in both H7 (Dipped) and H1 (High Beam). They also have the 2 For 1 Offer on at the moment.

Craig.......

Anyone got HID upgrades? Seem a reasonable price, at around £100 ish for Xenons and you can get main beam HIDs too.

Nightbreakers in main and dipped - 100% happy

Anyone got HID upgrades? Seem a reasonable price, at around £100 ish for Xenons and you can get main beam HIDs too.

I'd do a search on this subject.

After market HID's are illegal.

Neither will ticking the Xenon box as they only get Xenon dipped beam :(

I know (have a look at my signature block)

The only reason I can think of for doing that was to position Octys below the VWs and Audis in the VAG hierarchy. It would have been cheaper to have the one Bi-Xenon mechanism for all the VAG group cars, rather than develop a special "Mono-Xenon" just for the Octy. One of the very few disappointments in my otherwise wonderful Octy.

After market HID's are illegal.

Due to a mismatch in the optics many aftermarket HIDs result in chronic glare to other drivers. The filament of a halogen globe is a different size and shape to the arc of a HID, plus many of the HID globe adaptors don't position the arc in exactly the right spot.

Due to a mismatch in the optics many aftermarket HIDs result in chronic glare to other drivers. The filament of a halogen globe is a different size and shape to the arc of a HID, plus many of the HID globe adaptors don't position the arc in exactly the right spot.

This ought not to be a problem on the Octy due to it having 'projector' type lenses to the dip beam. It can be an issue on 'conventional' lens. Might be worth reading this thread, it has a lot of good info;- http://briskoda.net/roomster/fitting-hid-kit-your-roomster-fabia-ii/127865/

Sticking to halogen bulb upgrades; I would got for Philips Extreme or PIAA Extreme White (bit pricey but excellent); I have used both.

Sticking to halogen bulb upgrades; I would got for Philips Extreme or PIAA Extreme White (bit pricey but excellent); I have used both.

Have you been able to get Philips Xtreme H1s (Octy II high beam) ? They were supposed to be releasing them ages ago, but I haven't found anyone selling them yet.

I've got Osram Nightbreakers on my mk1 and it is a worthwhile upgrade. Drop in some LED 501 bulbs - job done!

Have you been able to get Philips Xtreme H1s (Octy II high beam) ? They were supposed to be releasing them ages ago, but I haven't found anyone selling them yet.

Sorry; not gone that route.

I put PIAA Extreme White Plus H1 in my main beam 18 months ago (Philips Extreme were not out then at all) and have Xenons for Dip.

I use the Philips Extreme H7 in my wife's Roomster.

Although I'm using Nightbreakers I almost went the PIAA route.

Saw some pictures of them and they looked incredibly white.

Only problem was they were rather pricey and somebody said they didn't last "all that long".

If you're looking for a real white light I think you'd be hard pushed to get better than those PIAA's.

I've found that a lot of cars have their headlight alignment height set far too low from the factory, making the headlights appear poor.

When you exchange the standard bulb for a Nightbreaker or an X-Treme it is brighter but I've found the range is still not too good because the headlight is aiming too low.

What I would recommend is that you take the car to an garage and ask them to assess how the headlights are set up. Mine on my car (Fabia 3) were described as "a right mess" as collected from the dealer from new. Once aligned and set at the legal limit I found found the standard headlights to be quite good, plenty of range and picking up the kerbside and road signs with ease. Most garages will let you see for yourself before they set them up, if you want to.

After this I placed Nightbreakers in and found they gave a brighter, whiter light but the light was not where it was with the standard bulbs. On the headlight beam setter the mechanic could not adjust the offside headlight to get the beam set up and hitting the mark to meet MOT standards. The standard bulbs gave no issues.

Both times I paid £5 but it was an interesting learning experience.

Fit anything above the 55w lamp and the insides of the headlamp will melt/discolour with the heat.

I've read the MOT test will be closing loop hole in aftermarket fittment of xenons if the car has not also been adapated with headlamp washers and auto leveling mech.

There isn't actually a loophole at the moment.

This link does say what the Department For Transport have to say on aftermarket HID's:

Department for Transport - Aftermarket HID (Xenon) headlamps

It mentions the need for washers.

At the moment people "get away with it" and to be honest, if somebody does decide to fit aftermarket HID's they too will probably get away with it.

However apparently MOT centres are going to watch for them and in theory if you have aftermarket HID's without the correct auto-levelling and/ar washer system you could end up with a car that cannot get an MOT - bit of a nightmare situation.

I would stay clear of Nightbreakers. I have had 2 sets of H7s and both developed blisters in the glass and blackened after less than 3 months use. Osram to their credit replaced both sets without questions, on the final occasion sending me, at my request, the +50%. If you do fit them the drop off in light output is gradual so not immediately noticeable, suggest you check them after a few months.