tmmatthews

After searching the archives, it seems to me that the 99.5+ DOT projector beam headlamps and the E-code Valeo projectors *may* have the same beam pattern (sharp cutoff with a step-up on the right side). If they do, are there any differences between them other than the corner lamp design and city lights? Anyone have a set of DOT projectors they'd like to sell cheap?

I figure since the car is in the shop for the next month or so I may as well do a headlight upgrade...<p>Tom M. Matthews
1997 A4 1.8tq
1995 Golf VR6
Ocala, FL

Anand@4Induktion.com

<p>- <a href="mailto:adhand@san.rr.com">Anand Dhanda</a>
'00 A4 1.8TQMSx Silver/Onyx
<a href=" http://sdaoc.sixmillion.com/aas/" target="_blank"><img src=" http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/adhandasigpic.gif" border=0></a>

Pelican Pete

I have the E-code projectors on my car.
I recently got a ride in AlexD's 99.5 A4 with the DOT projectors.

Here's the potential blasphemy... I think I like the DOT lights better. Or more accurately, their light pattern is more appropriate to the area where I drive (NYC & metro area).

Let me explain.
The DOT lights concentrate a lot of light directly in front of the car. There is still a horizon line, and a rise to the right, to illuminate the road signs on the side of the road, just like the E-codes have.
But the E-codes spread out the light much more -- a higher rise to the right, and they project much farther down the road. But at the expense of more light directly in front of the car.

E-codes are great for country road driving, where the roads are very dark. They light up everything, even without the high beams on.
When I lived in Albany/Saratoga, I had E-codes on my Saab, and I thought they were the greatest automotive technology since the wheel.

But now I live in NYC, where there is always a lot of traffic (read: oncoming headlights) and there is a great deal of ambient light.
So with all that extra light entering my eyes, the E-code lights appear dim by comparison.
And they are absolutely terrible in the rain, because the light just reflects off the water, and I can't see the road.

A set of fog lights would surely help to put more light directly in front of my car. But I have not installed them onto my 98.5 car yet. I am also considering upgrading my headlights to HID, to increase the intensity of light.
(I am told that the E-code projectors can be upgraded, via a simple retrofit, whereas the DOT projectors cannot. Not sure about this though.)

Your milage may vary.

-- Peter
98.5 1.8tqms 1 bar

tmmatthews

<p>Tom M. Matthews
1997 A4 1.8tq
1995 Golf VR6
Ocala, FL

James R.

E-Code lights are designed with faster driving in mind...by that I mean the area to be illuminated aka area of interest is pushed further out to account for the fact that things illuminated by the light will be in your lap sooner than they would at lower speeds, this gives you more time to react. It's sorta the photonic equivalent of greater following distance :0 heheh

Regards,

James R.

2001 A4 1.8TQMSX-ESP On order, arrives Sept/Oct if I'm lucky.

For sale 24,500 all mods listed plus all orig parts including turbo included in this price.

99 1.8TMS (Neuspeed K04, 5 Bar FPR, Beru Ultra X Plugs, K&N Filter, Remus Exhaust, S4 Wheel Well Liner Mod, Bilstein Sport Shocks, Neuspeed Sport Springs, Neuspeed Front Anti Sway, Brembo Rotors, Mintex Red Box, Ronal R-7's 17", 225/45/R17 Bridgestone S02 PP, Smartire (neat gimmick), Greddy Turbo Timer, European Projectors, Clear Sides and Full Tint...)<p>

Pelican Pete

They both use the same H7 bulbs. The difference is in the light pattern.