Xenon headlight bulbs

[Hugh Jardon]

I have an occasionally flickering Xenon bulb in my trusty starship mileage Saab 9-5.
I believe these rather big headlight bulbs do need changing due to deterioration as the years go by, & their output does seem dimmer than a few years ago (just like the battle weary driver!).
As my commuting car I am usually happy to do the more easier/moderate servicing bits myself.
Anyone ever delved into buying/replacing these themselves. As I am currently finding a wide range in prices, even on the more recognised named brands.

Anyone have any previous dealings in this illuminating area?

[northernladuk]

It would be cheaper to keep the good bulb and swap the car IMO.

HTH

[Hugh Jardon]

Interesting response

It would be cheaper to keep the good bulb and swap the car IMO.

HTH

NL,

Always happy to consider my options.
But at a mere 268k the trusty Swede is only just broken in.

[DaveB]

You can change them yourself, but it takes a bit more care and attention as there is a genuine risk of electrocuting yourself, and if you get any greasy fingerprints on the bulb it can cause it to blow when it heats up.

[Hugh Jardon]

You can change them yourself, but it takes a bit more care and attention as there is a genuine risk of electrocuting yourself, and if you get any greasy fingerprints on the bulb it can cause it to blow when it heats up.

Thanks for the tips DaveB.

There seems to be some big prices variations on what is available.
I plan on steering a way from the cheaper end of the market with the unbranded clones. A Philips or Osram one seems like the best option so far.

[vetran]

Thanks for the tips DaveB.

There seems to be some big prices variations on what is available.
I plan on steering a way from the cheaper end of the market with the unbranded clones. A Philips or Osram one seems like the best option so far.

Xenon bulbs seem to be one of those things margins aren't set.

The mighty Mondeo (not Xenon though) runs on cheap Bulbs from Lidl, last forever. Price is not always quality.

Same for halogen make sure you use a paper towel to hold the bulb.

branded but cheap is probably best.

[Troll]

in my trusty starship mileage Saab 9-5.

Are they the ones that have the bulkhead splitting problem?

[Troll]

as there is a genuine risk of electrocuting yourself, .

On 12 volts?

[DimPrawn]

On 12 volts?

If he means HID, then it's 25,000 volts via a step up transformer system. Oh and they can explode so never try one outside of the headlamp unit...

[stek]

On 12 volts?

It's not volts that kill, it's amps!!

Static electricity is about 25,000 volts isn't it?