I was looking at changing out the "stock" bulbs that come on the EK civic. The light out put well, i guess we can say sucks. I am not going to go the HID route because HIDs need to be done 100% correctly and it is not cheap to retrofit. I was looking at the Philips 9003 XPS2 X-treme Power. Has anyone used them? I saw pictures and they look great, but most posts were from 2007. Did anyone have issues with the plastic melting inside the housing? Wires burning up? Bad life expectancy on the bulb? Thoughts?

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-9003-X...ar=1&carId=001

 

Trust me, http://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product...eadlight-bulbs

Best $50 you ever spent.

This is the newer version of the bulb. Much better than the older one you listed.

 

What makes those better than say, napa Xtra-vision (what I always use)?

 

Thanks how much more light output over the older version? I read the life of the bulb is even shorter. Do you know how long? And if possible do these actually hit 4000? I was hoping for a Philips X-treme Power vs X-treme Vision but do not see any.

 

I've had mine and they've been working great for almost 2 years probably. No issues.

Extreme Vision > Extreme power

 

I had Philips X-treme Power and I liked 'em. It's way better than stock and the visibility is much improved.

 

So its really a thing on price then as I cant see much information on how much brighter. The vision is just the newer model.

 

Sylvania has their new ZXE bulbs that are supposed to be the whitest and brightest on the market and most comparable to HID. $40-60, all over ebay, amazon, parts stores.

 

The newer and more expensive Phillips bulbs are significantly brighter. I've had both.

 

I've heard great things about the Osram nightbreaker.


EDIT- Check out the nightbreaker plus. I guess it's better then the old one.

 

I have seen pictures of the Osram and I am not impressed. Phillips in my opinion has received more recommendations and provides more light output then all the others. Again this is my opinion, can not find any facts, hence why I asked my questions :-)

 

I still have my Osram nightbreakers that I had before I had my two sets of phillips.



The osrams don't hold a candle to either of the phillips.

Not even close.

 

Do any of you have issues with the brighter light melting the plastic? Just curious... I know it is still the same stock wattage.

 

No, it really shouldn't be an issue. Like you said, it's the same wattage.

Some people with PIAA bulbs with higher wattage have issues in fog housings, but the civic housings are pretty open.

 

Hmm, I've never used the phillips, so i really can't compare them. I have used the older Osram bulbs and they were pretty good. I have some sitting in my room now. lol
Well it's good to know that. I am still on the fence about chucking my HID's, and going back to normal.
No issues here.