Here example of fakes (the two on the right), the black plastic covers tend to be glued on tight on fakes as they don't want people to open them to check the QR code

Is that because one is cool blue (5000/6000k) and the other is 4300k and so less white.

The whiter might appear brighter up close, but often in the distance it's not the case.

The standard Phillips bulbs in the Leon's Xenons were garbage.

Well aware that higher bulb temp/K doesn't mean more light.

But the 5k Osram Cool Blue Intense where noticeably better than the Phillips. I'd of gone for the 4300k better bulbs by Osram but they were double the price. (I forget their name but they've now been replaced by nightbreakers that are better still)

As the nightbreakers aren't available in the bulbs that fit the Octavia the Cool Blue Intense are worth it.

Edited 22 October, 201510 yr by MINIMadDamo

Ive had 2 mk2 Octy L&K's with Xenons, and at the time of getting my MK 3 Vrs 18 months ago, I thought the lights didn't seem as bright. but put it down to there being a slight tint on the headlight glass, which did disappoint me after having such good lights. Maybe it was a change of bulb brand.

 

Funny that, I found the Xenons on my MK2 FL vRS to be really poor. I had an S2000 prior to that, and it had the best OEM Xenons of any car I've owned, they were literally like floodlights!

 

The MK3 Xenons aren't the best, but they're still miles better than a 55W halogen, especially in poorer weather conditions. Don't think I fancy spending the best part of £160 to change some bulbs! 

To be honest the ones in my Octy are much brighter than the retrofit in the MK2 and they themselves were pretty damn good.

Maybe I'm lucky and I have an osram in mine.

To be honest the ones in my Octy are much brighter than the retrofit in the MK2 and they themselves were pretty damn good.

Maybe I'm lucky and I have an osram in mine.

 

I've not actually checked my bulbs...so Skoda haven't fitted a standard bulb to all cars then? Some are Phillips and some Osram?

powerbulbs are now selling them at £99.95 but if you buy 2 bulbs you get them for £149.92 for the pair

 

http://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-xenarc-cool-blue-intense-d3s-single

How are the Osram CBI compare to Philip Extreme Vision? Similar performance?? 

How are the Osram CBI compare to Philip Extreme Vision? Similar performance??

Or the Osram Xenarc Night Breaker Unlimited

Sent from my Galaxy S5

I've taken a punt and ordered a set of CBI's from power bulbs. I try contacting HID's-direct but got no answer (not the first time I've received no response from them)

Will post some comparison pics between them and the std Phillips D3S's.

I have read somewhere that the CBI's do colour shift a little bluer after 10-20 hours of use without light loss which makes them look better. Just a few people's comments on a few different forums.

I've taken a punt and ordered a set of CBI's from power bulbs. I try contacting HID's-direct but got no answer (not the first time I've received no response from them)

Will post some comparison pics between them and the std Phillips D3S's.

I have read somewhere that the CBI's do colour shift a little bluer after 10-20 hours of use without light loss which makes them look better. Just a few people's comments on a few different forums.

I should be ordering a set within the week just waiting for payday money to hit my account

In the meantime, do let us know what you think of them

It looks like hids-direct has updated the picture of their CBI D3S bulbs   , wonder if it has got anything to do with xpower's comments

That makes things worse, they have read my email about the wrong pictures and corrected it but ignored the customer!!!!

Shame.....

I've taken a punt and ordered a set of CBI's from power bulbs. I try contacting HID's-direct but got no answer (not the first time I've received no response from them)

Will post some comparison pics between them and the std Phillips D3S's.

I have read somewhere that the CBI's do colour shift a little bluer after 10-20 hours of use without light loss which makes them look better. Just a few people's comments on a few different forums.

 

Do let us know what they're like! I'm interested to see how the CBI's match with the colour of the DRL's too...thinking of getting some but not if they look too blue compared with the DRL's

Do let us know what they're like! I'm interested to see how the CBI's match with the colour of the DRL's too...thinking of getting some but not if they look too blue compared with the DRL's

 

FYI, I had my right hand side headlight replaced under warranty due to water ingress and the colour of the DRL is cooler in temperature than the existing one. It's not a huge difference but you can tell the difference. I guess newer RS will have a bluer color DRL compare to the older one. 

They should replace it the other one then! I had an obvious difference in colour in my DRL's in my FL vRS - they changed one and then the other one to match them up!

Be interested to hear what people think about the Osram CBIs 

 

Bit undecided between the CBIs and the Philips Xenon X-treme Vision. Not worried too much about the colour, just want better light and the Phillips seem to be more powerful and IMHO about the right temp at 4800K

Ok, the CBI's are fitted and all I can say is "save your money!!"

They are almost no different than the Std ones, a fraction whiter but almost no different. Pictures are with 1 std bulb in one side and CBI in the other, I bet you won't guess which one.

Such a shame :-(

I have read somewhere that they can colour shift after 10-20 hours, I guess I will see. Really dissapointed especially as a new mini with full LED headlights creeped past me on the motorway and those headlights are awesome!!!

Makes the CBI's look like candles

The CBI is the offside one? Hopefully they might change after 10-20 hours like you say, they don't look any brighter though  :no:

Correct, it's the D/S, it isn't any brighter at all

Argh man :( Thanks for the heads up xpower   I hope they do change to be honest after 10-20 hours, have you left just the 1 bulb in? or did you put back the original? maybe see if putting in 2 10-20 hours might be a noticeable change? is there a difference with the actual colour temp when looking at them compared to the originals? 

I'm running both CBI's now. I'll give them a month then put an original back in to compare.

When looking directly at them there is very little difference. Worth £30 maybe... (For the pair!!)

I'm running both CBI's now. I'll give them a month then put an original back in to compare.

When looking directly at them there is very little difference. Worth £30 maybe... (For the pair!!)

 

:( making me think if the phillps xenon x-treme vision will be any different? The Osram cool blue intense are now out of stock on Powerbulbs website, they must of sold quite a few

Let them bed in, on. Y Leon they improved the light massively, but my Leon had crappy OEM Philips bulbs.

My Octavia also had the Phillips bulbs as standard.

The problem is that when trying to compare anything to new LED headlights they pale in comparison when looking at colour temp and brightness.

I would just try a set of eBay 35w 6k bulbs to get the nice white with a blue hue light. It probably wouldn't be any difference in brightness in reality although down on lumens compared to 4300k std.

I will let them bed in though, they do go through the most awesome purple & blue light output during warm up and they are still bright. I'm like no.... Stop..... During startup :-)