Headlights upgrade | FerrariChat

Headlights upgrade

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Tweaky, Sep 26, 2024.

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  1. Tweaky

    Tweaky Rookie

    Aug 4, 2024
    14
    Full Name:
    Philip Offord
    Hi

    I have just in the last couple of days picked up a what i think is a really nice spec 488 Spider. I will put up pics after the weekend if i get a chance to clean it. It has the adaptive lights option, but when driving at night the lights are shockingly awful. I think i have a hand held torch that would do a better job. I have been spoilt by driving modern cars with really good bright LED lights. It makes night driving really difficult, especially on unlit roads. I am guessing that this is a problem that must have a solution, but having searched for it I can't find any info on it. I have seen that companies like Morimoto do replacement HID lamps with an option to have 6000k colour. Is this likely to be the best option to go for or is there a better option?

    Thanks in advance for any assistance given.
     
  2. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2005
    3,600
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    Full Name:
    Todd
    Headlights on F8 are amazing— I assume 488 is just as good. Maybe yours are just broken
     
  3. Tweaky

    Tweaky Rookie

    Aug 4, 2024
    14
    Full Name:
    Philip Offord
    They look round the corner when the wheel turns, but they are just very dim in brightness. I wonder if the bulbs have deteriorated, maybe it will be worth fitting some new and see if it makes a difference.
     
  4. Trev450

    Trev450 Formula Junior

    Mar 11, 2024
    580
    UK
    Full Name:
    Trevor H
    I have to admit to not having driven my 488 very often in the dark, but I can't recall my lights being poor in any way.
     
  5. mikey64

    mikey64 Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 26, 2013
    542
    TN
    Full Name:
    mikey
    Are you sure the headlights are on and not just the running lights?
     
    SAFE4NOW likes this.
  6. Snapshift

    Snapshift Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 31, 2020
    906
    Centralia IL
    Full Name:
    Lyle D. Pahnke
    #6 Snapshift, Sep 27, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2024
    Sometimes the lights are aimed notoriously low to the point where the car is undriveable at night safely. You would not be happy with a 6000K bulb It is too blue and the short wavelength doesn't penetrate the darkness very well. A 4800- 5000K would be a better choice in my opinion. It is more like daylight.What bulb is specified in the headlight assembly? If it is the same type as a 458, it is a D1S I replaced the my originals with Osram Xenarc Night Breaker 220 D1S bulbs and re-aimed them. Much better. The bulb is a Xenon HID type bulb and if the 488 use any in the HID family, I think you would like them. They are available as D1-4S' types. If something like this fits the car, Buy from a reputable place as there are knockoffs sold on Amazon etc.

    https://www.osram.com/ecat/XENARC NIGHT BREAKER 220-Xenon headlight lamps-Car lighting-Automotive/com/en/GPS01_4099735/
     
    ShadowLAP and NYC Fred like this.
  7. FrancisK

    FrancisK Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 22, 2021
    1,410
    Midwest
    I had the same issue in my California, the headlights just didn't do much at all it seemed, I attributed it to the car being so low or at least lower than I'm used to but other people claimed they were just fine. Perhaps we had the same defect or issue going on.
     
  8. johnjstewart

    johnjstewart Karting

    May 6, 2008
    52
    York
    Full Name:
    John Stewart
    I have the same issue with my 488. Awful on low beam and slightly better on full main beam but all in not good enough. Did you do a replacement bulb?
     
  9. mdrums

    mdrums F1 Rookie

    Jun 11, 2006
    3,312
    Tampa FL
    I just realized I have not driven my F8 I've had for 7 months at night. HAHA! I rarely drove my 488 at night but the 488 had just the basic headlights. They were not super great but not bad either. Following this to see what you find out. Maybe you can compare your lights next to another 488?
     
  10. Tweaky

    Tweaky Rookie

    Aug 4, 2024
    14
    Full Name:
    Philip Offord
    I had the Morimoto recommended bulbs fitted and the lights adjusted as they were pointing way too low. They are much better now, still rubbish by modern day standards but i don't feel like Im putting my life on the line everytime i drive at night anymore.
     
    mikey64 likes this.

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