MP5 Hungry for headlights?

[stevez0r]

Within a year my MP5 has gone through 2 sets of PIAA headlights and 1 set of PIAA foglights. I'm done spending 80 bucks on bulbs. Is there something cheap I can find at Autozone or Pepboys that will last?

 

[Hauce1]

I recently baught the Sylvania SilverStars i think they are called they run about $35 a set and have a nice whiter look than conventional headlights. My mom had them on her BMW for about 3 years before they finally burned out. I recently put them on my car and they are nice and clear big difference and are not overly expensive.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Ditto on the silverstars, had'em for 2 yrs or so with no problems. Much more useful light than all those hid wannabe blue bulbs too.

 

[SuperProtege5]

Same here. When the car was bought, the headlights were crap. So the first thing I did was go down to Advance and picked up a set of Silverstars and haven't had any problems yet.

 

[altspace]

Your issue may not be bulbs, it could be an electrical surge. Though I do have 6 Silverstar bulbs in my lights with no issues. However, I did have one blowout on me in my Acura after 3 months.

 

[Tasty]

I have heard a lot of people say that Silverstars are notorious for blowing out prematurely.

 

[ghettobubba2001]

go with luminics they're good.

 

[dnale]

I've had the silverstars in my truck for probably almost 100k miles and only 1 burn out. I've had them in my p5 for less than 30 and I've replaced both of them already. But they are an improvement.

 

[TheMAN]

PIAAs are s***, that's why

 

[pro00]

Philips are good brand too. Had one set last me 3 years.
Now I have the PIAAs for a couple of months, we'll see how long they last.

 

[KronixKid22]

I have the Sylvania SilverStar's on my truck and they're excellent! Nice and white! I have the Sylvania Cool Blue's on my P5 for the low beams and I love the light blue look of them. I'll be buying SilverStar's for the high beams soon!

P.S. - Had the Cool Blue's since December and the SilverStar's for 2 years. Both are still excellent without any problems!

 

[2003newlyack]

i've had my silverstars for 3 months or so probably as well, no problems.

 

[altspace]

 

[down_shift]

I agree with Altspace. The protege along with other cars have less than average grounding systems, and can cause surges and blow the more sensitive HOTTER burning bulbs. Any deviation from the amperage can send the bulb to bulb heaven.

I suggest using a voltage regulator kit, or a good grounding system.

I personally use the buddyclub condensor kit. It has worked wonders. Apexi makes another. I know alot of people will tell you they dont work, but I was blowing HID bulbs and having idle problems before I installed mine.

Here are pics of the better kits. They will not only regulate the ground, but regulate the positive charge coming from the battery and alternator.

Dont be fooled by the cheap "circle earth" crap. You get what you pay for...

 

[Lt. Dan]

When you pull the bulbs out, is the glass distorted, or is the filament broken inside?

 

[2003newlyack]

where can you find that buddy club grounding kit?

 

[RyanPitch]

I can't believe all the responses saying the SilverStars are fine and that they've had no problems.

My roommate and I both have 2002 Protege5s and they eat headlights for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is definitely a flaw in the electrical system's design. I just haven't figured out what it is yet. Voltage regulation?

Also trying to figure out why, on both of our cars, the parking brake light stays on on the dash.

 

[mx-p5]

I blew both Silverstars and Silverstar Ultras within 3 months of installing. Decided to shell out a tad bit more and went HID in both cars. Running 4300K Apexcone in my car and 4000K Techone kit in wife's. Been going for 4 months easy and no issues, just gobs and gobs of white light. lol

I have comparison pics floating around on here somewhere of stock vs Silverstar Ultras vs HID

I can try and locate em if you want

 

[Beau M]

Mine blows bulbs about every 3 months or so, usually on the passenger side. Ive tried many different types of bulbs, including silverstars, they all blow. Now I buy whatever is cheapest when one goes, its just not worth it to me since I'm going through them so fast.

 

[mx-p5]

Upgrade to HIDs and you should be golden, but, you get what you pay for. Ebay kits have crappy ballast. Buy from the forum vendors