Vectra C Headlamp bulb replacement

[mss]

Hi I had a headlamp bulb failon 2007 Exclusiv CDTI Vectra. I went to local car accessory shop & they replaced bulbs with uprated Phillips but the beam is worse than before & almost undrivable. Could they have messed up fitting the bulb & if so is there a correct way i can use to sort it

[n_hudson]

How do you mean the beam is worse, is it duller than the other side, or did they replace both? The Vec C's are renown for poor headlamps.

[vectra3.2dave]

HIDs cough cough....

[Birchy63]

Just changed mine out for "Ring Xenon Max" and I have to say, the difference is extremely apparent.
Will still be considering HIDs in the future, but if you don't want to go that far, these things are great.

[Birchy63]

Looking back at OP, really anything should be better than the original halogens.

Have you tried adjusting the height using the control next to the lights switch?
They didn't change the wrong ones (main beam)? or disconnect the motor that adjusts the beam? did they actually fit the bulbs you paid for? it's impossible to tell once they're in.
Anything is possible when someone else does it.

I'd have been wary of such a shop, changing these bulbs ain't easy and I just wouldn't trust anyone else, short of a dealership or another Vec owner.

It could even be that they're brighter and the cutoff just seems more pronounced than before...... maybe?

[big tee]

are you sure they havent put the bulb in up side down charlie clowns did this with my mates astra you could have gone plane spotting in the dark untill i put in right

[Birchy63]

are you sure they havent put the bulb in up side down charlie clowns did this with my mates astra you could have gone plane spotting in the dark untill i put in right

You'd have to bend the retaining clip to do that, I had to get my torch in their to figure out why it wouldn't go in.....

[neverton]

Hi
Just swapped Vec C bulbs with a pair of Halfords Super Bright, they're on BOGOF at Halfords at the mo, so got the pair for just under £20. Not sure how that compares to other bulbs, but I was there and couldn't be arsed to shop around!

Definitely made a difference, hated the stock VX bulbs, light was really poor.

[Birchy63]

Unfortunately m8 I went into Halfords, laughed at the prices (the single standard Halogen replacements were like £8) and went home to order online from autobulbs direct

My Ring Xenon Max were £24.99 delivered (RRP £34.99), supposed to be +100% brightness and came with 2 free xenon sidelight bulbs and a funky LED keyring (which I gave to my nephew, as he has a thing about torches)
I had the Ultra Xenon's on my 306 and they lasted over 3 years and still worked when I got the Vectra.

The Osram nightbreakers are £19.99 inc delivery (RRP £29.99), but id heard they don't last more than 12months, which I wouldn't mind if they weren't so awkward to change on the C!

[neverton]

Nice prices, I was so un-impressed with the output of the bulbs I just wanted anything to replace them, serves me right as I had to take the car back into the dealer in the end as I couldn't even get the bulbs out, took the dealer over an hour apparently!

If they go, I will look into the Xenon Max bulbs, not really feeling adventurous enough to fit HIDs, but the last ones I got from Halfords lasted over 3 yrs and where still going when I got rid of the car.