Hi folks,

I've had my A3/150 since April 2000.

In October 2001, one H7 halogen (factory default) blew out. Mileage was 18.5K kms.

I bought two new OSRAM H7 "Cool Blue" (12V) and replaced both halos. Kept just one factory default halo that was still working, for emmergencies.

4 months later, in Jan 2002, one of the new Cool-Blue halo blew out. I had now 22K mileage. Found that odd that it would blow off so quickly.

Went back to shop where I got the halos. Tried talking the seller into exchanging the bulb but he wouldnt hear it. Ordered a new H7 OSRAM 12V "Cool Blue" for replacement.

Last sunday, the second halo that I bought in October 2001 has just blown off. Ive got 23.5K kms mileage.

And I'm thinking, this cant be normal right? Two brand new bulbs in less than 5 months?

I fitted the bulbs correctly, was careful not to touch the glass and clearly they were working OK.
All my other lights are OK. Are the fuses to be changed? Should I just buy 2 new H7 halos and hope they dont blow off on me in another 5/6 months time?

Help!!

Thanks,
Justine

For my own reference, what is the exact spec of the H7 halogens for the '00 A3?
H7 = low beam
The OSRAM Cool Blue wrap says it's just H7/12V.

Could I have fitted a H7 halogen which is too powerful for the wiring?

Thanks again,
Justine

Spec is 60W H7/12V. Even if you had fitted a more powerful bulb, it should not cause it to blow so early. You may damage wiring and relays, but not the bulb itself.

I know you said yo haven't touched the glass, but it may be worth cleaning the bulbs with methylated spirit before fitting. They may already have impurity on the surface, causing a hotspot and premature failure.

Hope this helps

Thanks TurboBoy. I must give car for first big service in 10 days, I'll ask the technicia to have a look and clean it up.

Regards,
Justine

hi there..I´m afraid there is nothing wrong with the type of halogen you bought. It´s the BRAND!. Don´t missunderstand me, I have nothing agains OSRAM, but the quality of their halos is definitively LOW. If you compare prices, you will see they are much cheaper aswell. I advise you to buy some other brand (not less than US$ 35.00 for a pair). BEsides, OSRAM "cool blue" or whatever the name is, is not even white light. It´s whiter than the regulars, but only as white as german laws allow. So, dont buy anything made in germany, if you really want the white-almost blue look. Oh, and buy anything between 55 and 80-90 watts. 100 are too much for the original wiring (even more dangerous in the smaller fog lamps).

:)