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[TheBoy]

Should I change the MV6 ones as a matter of course then - its 9 years old?

I'd guess the bulbs have probably been changed at some point in the past. My car was registered Dec 2000 so is just over 6.5 yrs old. The difference between failing and OK is *very* noticable but does happen rather rapidly (overnight)

IMHO At the end of the day, if the bulbs give out enough light to drive safely then there's no urgent need to splash out right now.

The MV6 has excellent history, virtually every single recent, if not all. Bulbs not changed. Light output is fine.

I suspect my bulbs have had a hard life, the headlight swutch broke in the past as well from overuse!
I knew my bulbs were not as they should be having 2 meegas to compare.
I know enough pass your way for you to know if yours are ok.

Mine are OK, but if they age gradually, would a new set be brighter still?

[Jimbob]

Probably.
I compared the 98 MV6, to the 00 CDX, big difference, both on original bulbs afaik
Compared both to Pete's new 6000k bulbs, they seemed brightest of the lot!
read somewhere 3000h operating life, thats a quite a long time for car bulbs.
Juding by the state of my headlight switch, they had been on one hell of a lot
I have also read somewhere, short on-off cycles, ie flashing your lights, shortens there life considerably.

If you are thinking they arn't what they were, £45 (or less) will get you a new pair.
Ones I am waiting on should be a whiter light as well, which will probably make them look brighter.

From what I can gather :
4300's are yellower, but illuminate (slightly) more
6000's are whiter, more natural, and the best compromise
8000's are bluer, more showy looking, but less effective, and getting worse the higher the temp.

as stated before, even 1 'old' 4300 is a lot brighter than my current 4300.

Will update with my findings when the arrive (hopefully today / tomorrow) and I get them fitted. (unless Mark wants my car before I get the chance)

[Marks DTM Calib]

A few points.

If you flash your lights it flashes the full beam, not the dipped (i.e. the HID's if fitted).

Its the turning on that shortens the life the most, HID bulbs last an incredible amount of time in reality and use just over half the power of a standard halgoen with upto 3 times the light output.

Replace only if failed or you want a jazzy whiter/bluer output.

Ow yes, you bring your car over when your ready.....

[Jimbob]

New bulbs in tonight....Bloody hell what a difference!  Much brighter and whiter.
Not used em in ernest yet, but they certainly illuminate the road much better than the old ones.
Unsure which colour I prefer, need a bit of time to compare really.
Not the easiest job swapping em thats for sure, but not too bad.

[Kevin Wood]

Its the turning on that shortens the life the most,

Was thinking that today, whilst being followed by a Merc with auto. switching headlights. We were on a bit of road in bright sunshine but a bit of tree cover here and there and his HIDs were on and off like nobody's business! Must have turned on 4 or 5 times in the space of a couple of miles.

Never seen the point of them. If you can't be arsed / relied upon to turn your lights on when it's dark you need a bus pass, not a driving licence.

Kevin

[stevebubs]

New bulbs in tonight....Bloody hell what a difference!  Much brighter and whiter.
Not used em in ernest yet, but they certainly illuminate the road much better than the old ones.
Unsure which colour I prefer, need a bit of time to compare really.
Not the easiest job swapping em thats for sure, but not too bad.

Cool sounds like they'll be getting an order from me soon, then!

Cheers

[TheBoy]

New bulbs in tonight....Bloody hell what a difference!  Much brighter and whiter.
Not used em in ernest yet, but they certainly illuminate the road much better than the old ones.
Unsure which colour I prefer, need a bit of time to compare really.
Not the easiest job swapping em thats for sure, but not too bad.

So, my original question stands - even though mine work apparently OK, if they slowly degrade over time, is it worth changing as a matter of course?

[Jimbob]

Well, only you can decide that,
They will still be (much) brighter than Halogens.
If you are happy with the light, then don't bother.
If you think they could be better, then get a set, £42 the pair won't break the bank.

Why not drive up to Mark's next week when he has my car and compare lights  8-)

Maybe its time for a nighttime gallery, view from drivers seat in the dark!

As further thought, mine do now also seem brighter than her's, although no real test done, this does indicate gradual decline.

Unless we get the cars together, no way of knowing what increase you will get.

Its a job for the next camp, omega line up in the dark to test lights!