I believe that 9-5's use D1S , and the 93ss uses D2S (and the Saabaru 9-2 uses D2R)

The lower the K the warmer the light output (less chavvy) and the better it is to see by (less glare).

Go for a good quality low 4100K D1S 'bulb'
Finally, there are:


Color Match Plus
5000k
These lights are specially designed to output light at 5000K, and are used as replacements only. The 5000K coloring is used to more closely match a used capsule in the other headlamp.

This is because as the bulbs age with use, the colour temp K increases from the originla 4100K, if on fails early and you are into astethics, you can match the new with the old (but suffer from slightly lower light output)

Capsule Types

Headlamp bulbs use designations like 9006, 9007, H3, and H11. For HID systems, there are fewer part numbers. Rather than forcing the bulb manufacturers to design a variety of sizes and fitments, the responsibility falls more on auto manufacturers to design headlights that are more universal in their bulb/capsule fitments.

For HID capsules, there are two mainstream capsule designations: D2S and D2R. There are some less-common sizes, like D1S, D1R, D3S, D3R, D4S, and D4R.


The D2S Capsule
D2S is short for "discharge second generation shielded". These are found in vehicles that have projector headlamps.
You can spot a D2S capsule by looking at the glass -- if there is no metal shielding around the glass, you have a D2S. D2S actually provides about 10% more light than the identical D2R part.


The D2R Capsule
D2R is short for "discharge second generation reflection". These are found in vehicles that have reflector headlamps.

The D2R capsule can be identified by looking for the small metal shields at various points on the glass. The D2R capsule was originally developed in the mid-1990s for Mercedes so they could continue using reflector headlamps, as opposed to BMW who had moved to more efficient projectors.

Using a D2R capsule in a projector headlamp will result in less light output and strange dark spots.


The D1x, D3x, and D4x Capsules
D1S/D1R capsules have the ignitor built into the base of the HID capsule. This simplifies the system since the ultra-high voltage from the ignitor never travels through the engine bay. Philips markets D1S/D1R as "XenStart".


D3x and D4x are mercury-free systems. These are slowly beginning to appear since they are more environmentally friendly. Note that the voltage in these systems is almost half that of a standard D1x/D2x system. You cannot use the same electronics.[/b]

 

Ah, how much easier it was to just drop another calcium carbide pellet in the water...........

 

I'm assuming the bulb is bu**ered but thought I'd better check with the experts before swelling the coffers of my local dealer (again!).[/b]

Yes I had a bulb go and mine changed to a pink colour too, Very embarrasing Luckily I had a spare bulb at work :thumbsup:

 

so is it one of these?
http://www.xenonmaster.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=7

I have one that has started to look a little odd, not necessarily a different colour, just that the spread of light as changed. £80 each yowsers.

 

Better than the £148 I was quoted at the local dealer...
Although there are cheapies available on eBay it seems that its best to buy genuine Phillips or Osram. Cheap copies don't last long and have dubious beam characteristics.
I agree, Xenonmaster seem to be about the cheapest supplier I could find for quality makes.

Russ

 

If you do a search on eBay for D1S you will find that there are a couple of non cheapo copies at the mo for rather less than £100 a pop

 

Cheers Bubbles, good call. I ordered two bulbs from Graham Good Racing on eBay - £136 inc next day delivery.
They quoted for Osram but I actually received Philips Xenstart - generally regarded as the best available.
They arrived this morning as promised and it took about 30 mins to fit. I didn't bother taking out the headlights as WIS suggested but managed to change them in situ. Bit of a fiddle but removing the battery cover and disconnecting the rubber hose from the MAF helped to give some extra space.
Interestingly, the new bulbs are not as blue as the old ones but they are subject to a colour shift as they age and become bluer. More blue = less output so it might explain why some are scathing about the quality of Saab Xenon headlights?

Thanks to all for suggestions.

Russ

 

Hi All
New to the site but its been exellent help already full of useful info :thumbsup: .

I've just had the flickering xenon problem so have just ordered a pair of philips d1s from France for just over £100 delivered, they haven't arrived yet but will update when they do, heres the link for anybody needing some CHEAP PHILIPS D1S


Hope thats of some use to someone.

Cheers Paul

 

Just to update on the above, the bulbs turned up ok and took a week to arrive, fitted them and now everything seems ok again.

 

I've recently experienced the flickering xenon problem. What made me think a change was in order was when a police-car pulled in to et me pass and then gave a falsh of 'blues'............ and no, I wasn't speeding!

Got then from eBay @ £35 each with free delivery. They are genuine German Osram Xenarcs and come in an original VW parts box from the UK. There are loads of cheap east-European versions out there but I'm not sure they'll be the same standard (!).

Just replaced them and the difference in incredible, so much brighter! Well worth the effort.

Check Item 130199988472. Quick delivery too!

Usual disclaimers - seller unkown to me.

David.