HID's - New Bulbs or upgrade?

[PipRS6]

So my headlights are shocking on dipped beam. REALLY shocking... The lenses were pretty poor when I bought the car so I gave them a polish and they look a million times better but vision at night didn't really improve.
I know HID bulbs degrade over time but I didn't think they would this much.... So whats the best bet. Replace the bulbs and hope that improved things? Or are they generally poor and in that case is there a decent upgrade available?

For the record the full beam is fine with the halogens on!

[Shoppinit]

Has the reflective coating degraded? If so you can get them redone for not much money but you have to remove / refit.

Maybe the bulbs in your car aren’t OE. Have you checked the brand?

They aren’t poor when they’re working properly. Great illumination on mine at night.

[Mɐʇʇ]

I've bought cheap HID bulbs before - based on lots of good reviews.
Never again - what I worked out was that they were complaining and having all the negative reviews removed. The "Lunex" brand and were utter crap, for me at least.
Only main brand bulbs for me from now on - I replaced them with Osram bulbs and all was well with the world again.

[Daveperc]

I would get hold of Trups at EMTuning and get him to fit you with replacement Morimoto projectors. The difference is truly outstanding!

It was the second best £500 I ever spent on my C5 Beast (the best was the Hotchkis ARB's).

Well worth doing

Dave

[PipRS6]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I haven't checked what bulbs are in there but it sounds like the place to start. I will put some decent branded ones in and see if that improves it. If not I will take Dave's advice! £500 is pretty reasonable to be able to see at night....

[simonpoulton]

+1 for Trups. My originals were woeful, massive difference now.

[Steveo]

+2 for Trups as well. I can now drive properly at night without having to change my underwear when you get home!

[chunky79]

+2 for Trups as well. I can now drive properly at night without having to change my underwear when you get home!

Why were you having to change your underwear when the OP got home?

Trups will sort you out OP. Ask him about the rear light upgrade too, still not sorted me out with it yet.