Replaced dip beam lights today

Went to visit a mate on Saturday night who lives out in the wilds and I was struggling to see far enough down the road on dip beam, even with the lights on their highest settings. Main beam is absolutely fine. In desperation I went to Halfords and got a pair of their Super Brilliance H7's as they are on buy one get one free at the moment (I'm a tight git!)

Bloody hell those dip beams are a bugger to change though - theres no room for my big fingers, and without the use of a mirror, no way to see the bulb is seated properly and the clip engaged. Anyway, after a sweary half hour, they are both in and working. Roll on the darkness to see if there is any improvement

Thought my lights weren 't as strong as they should be until I realised the roads are so filthy just now that the glass had been well blacked out with mud-the problem with living in a rural area smaller than normal lights and no washers.

Still rubbish! - only a marginal improvement

I feel for you! I remember the first time I tried to change the lights.

Now I just take the car to the dealer - about £8 - £10 and the job is done very quickly. Saves a lot of expense as I would probably smash up my car Basil Fawlty style if I were to change them myself.

Can anyone tell me which adjuster on the light unit raises the light in the up/down plane. Is it the one nearest the centre of the bonnet?

My GTs right dipped beam light has blown and my local alfa garage said it would cost £116 to fix due to having to take off the front bumber to get to the bulb.

Can anyone confirm that this is really necessary, it seems such an expense just to replace a bulb.

Originally Posted by MOBL

My GTs right dipped beam light has blown and my local alfa garage said it would cost £116 to fix due to having to take off the front bumber to get to the bulb.

Can anyone confirm that this is really necessary, it seems such an expense just to replace a bulb.

If Xenon (HIDs), then yes (I had asked that they guide be "stickied", but we got the modding repeaters stickied instead!!). If halogen, then no.

For HIDs, see this great guide by shiny_car http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...idelights.html
For halogen, read the manual and buy a pack of elastoplast - you will need it!
Edit: I have replaced all the halogens (front and back) and it is not so bad. A mirror and torch does help. Philips Vision Plus 50% (best available at time) were a slight improvement. Replacing the battery made a big improvement - as did getting them set a bit higher. I still find the spread of light to curb poor - even if putting on the front fogs. Lights are aimed properly. I think it is a function of the sports suspension.

I remember I didn't need to use high beam when driving in country after I changed the bulb to Philips Vision Plus. (That was my old non-xenon Twin Sparks).

Now all our non-xenon cars in family has equiped with Philips Vision Plus. (Best in light output)