replacement headlight suggestions for a 308

Hella (German) http://catalog.com/susq/hella/headlamp.htm

Cibie (French) http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm

These are the two good options. Both links I am providing are for the "Euro code" versions which do not meet the USA DOT "sealed beam" requirement. No big deal, no one will know. Most importantly these have excellent light pattern characteristics...no need to get super high watt bulbs, the standard 55/60watt ones will work fine. The Cibie are considered the best, but because of their curved face, make it difficult to apply Stongard adhesive film...so I went with the Hella, which have a flat face.

With the Hellas, the company offers many bulb "upgrade" options...not sure about all of them. I do have the +50% ones, which use stock wattage, but have a bit of xenon gas added which raises the color temperature very slightly. They appear a bit more white (NOT blue). They claim the +100% do have a bit of a bluish tinge...

If you want to get into a bit of a "project" follow Verell's thread on the HID conversion process. He seems to like them very much, so this may be worth the effort.

 

also a good thread by Mike Procopio,

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17003&highlight=headlight

although some of the high power lights do look like frog eyes,

 

search the old archives. Someone posted a nice upgrade thread on the 308 lights and switched them with off the shelf parts to halogen.

here it is.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/256120/217706.html

search the old archives using the "AND" modifier for "308 lights". Search all forums and you'll find that one and others.

 

Peter,
I went with the Hellas that Dave Handa suggested last year, including the +50% bulbs and I think they are wonderful. WAY WAY better than stock, just as bright as your typical modern car that has halogen bulbs, (but obviously not as bright as HID). The price can't be beat (about $100 for everything) and Susquehanna Motorsorts was great to work with, very knowledgable. It took me about an hour to install and I've had no problems at all since.

Good luck.

Birdman

 

Just a pic to show the lights in question here
On the left is a standard sealed beam--on Right is a ciebe/ hella type removable bulb light.

In some areas it is hard to find the removable bulb lights, the DOT allows them on Motorcycles so try a motorcycle shop.

 

Don't mean to steal the thread but my headlights are not sealed beams and hace a "C" in the middle of the lens. What are these?

 

C = Carello brand?

 

Could be Cibie as well, does it resemble any of these?
http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm

 

I really like my HIDs, & am glad I have them. Just came across my
receipts & I paid just under $300 incl. shipping.

However, it's hard to beat the light for the buck that Birdman others got with Hellas, Kyotos, etc. reflectors & H4 bulbs for $100 or so. Their lights are comparable to new cars.

If you go this way, get the harness w/relays that gives you a short, low resistance path to the battery. A big part of the 308 dim lights is that the wires run all the way to the dash, & then back to the battery. Also, the wire gauge is a little small so the combination really drops the voltage.

 

bump so i can find it here

 

Timely post. I too have been wanting to get new headlights. Sometimes in the morning I feel like sticking a flashlight out the window.

 

yea i have been digging in the archives to find these helpful threads as i want to upgrade the car to make it a bit saafer and more useable. best.