Is it simply by changing the bulbs? What's this about replace the entire housing/lens with a "Euro-spec" unit? Sorry about the reset, but I just want to find the easiest way. Thanks a lot!

Brigther isn't necessarily your biggest problem, the A4 has a terrible dispersion pattern. I would guess (in order):<p>1. Euro-headlights (better light dispersion)<br>2. Add headlight relays with dedicated wire runs to the headlights to get a higher voltage at the bulbs(if the A4 doesn't have it already - most VW/Audi's don't)<br>3. Higher output bulbs<p>Dwayne<br>94 S4

thanks Dwayne.

These plastic housings get to hot and heat from higher wattage bulbs burn themselfs out.

..<br>

I was seriously unhappy with my A4's light output until I adjusted the headlights up a notch. Now I'm pleased - and I've not yet been brighted, and based on observing light patterns in other cars (wife's New Beetle, most notably - this beast has nice lights), I won't be. The factory setting is too low.<p>--Greg<p><br>

The headlite height adjustment is simple and free. If you need better lights beyond that, as others noted you should get the Euro lights (I beleive Bosch is preferred over Valeo, because then you keep your fog lites). Stay with the stock US headlight unit and you are stuck with the US beam patttern, which is the problem. I do not believe all this hype about these new "blue" bulbs putting out significantly more or better light on the same amperage rating bulb as standard halogen bulbs.<br>

I just installed PIAA superwhite H7 purchased from a company in Vancouver. They are definitely whiter but they don't seem a whole lot brighter to me. That said I haven't driven with them on a truely dark road yet -- just around the city. I may trying aiming the lamps a bit higher next. <p>I may put in a euro lamp assembly with higher wattage (relays and the whole bit) later on but not so early in my warrenty (only 1800 miles on the car!).

So now it seems that if adjusting the lights to shine higher doesn't cut it, then I would have to get the Euro light, relay, and bulb...Does anyone know how much all of this costs? The problem I have with this is that it doesn't make my car look or perform better. It's a safety thing, which Audi should be worried about...Oh well, nobody's perfect. I still love this car. Thanks to everyone who helped out. Happy New Year to you all.<p>Albert

I doubt you will burn your reflectors with PIAAs - providing you don't go too high above stock wattage. One of PIAA's claim to fame is that they produce more usage light at stock wattage (they do this by using high pressure xenon in the bulbs).<p>Using PIAAs (like the Superwhites) will help some, but your fundamental problem is still in the reflectors. If you want to fix the problem, you need the Euro lenses.<p>FYI the crappy headlights are mandated by the Department of Transportation. The Euros, dispite being much better for you, and likely oncoming traffic, are NOT street legal.<p>Dwayne<br>94 S4

As I pointed out in my earlier post, the crappy lights are courtesy of the U.S. government and the chimps at the DOT. I'm sure Audi would have preferred to design, stock, and ship a single headlight assembly worldwide.<p>Dwayne<br>94 S4

Xenon filled (not to be confused with with HID) like the Philips Premium line, or PIAA Superwhites do put out up to 30% more light than the equiviliant regular halogen. The "blue look" bulbs generally decrease light output by using a fliter coating on the bulb (although the xenon filled bulbs has a very slight blue-grey hue).<p>As well, the European spec bulbs (H1, H3) put out more light than their U.S. counterparts (9002, 9004).<p>Check the link for Philip's lighting discussion board.<p>Dwayne<br>94 S4<br><ul><li><a href="http://www.lighting.philips.com/forum/forum_6/wwwboard.html">Auto Lighting Discussion</a></li></ul>

Look here for more info on eurospecs and other lighting issues:<p><ul><li><a href="http://lighting.mbz.org/faq/">Lighting FAQ</a></li></ul>

I doubt you'll get in trouble for running them. The light output is actually more friendly to on-coming traffic due to the sharp cut-off pattern on the low beams. I'm running the Valeo H4 Euro lights with PIAA SuperWhite's and I love them. I doubt I'll have any problems passing the yearly state inspections either.

Albert,<br>Fall 1998 issue of Quattro Quarterly carries a good article "European vs. North American Lights"<br>in page 17 and page 31. You might want to check it out because it answers your questions.<p>Nozomi<p>