Best Headlight Bulb Upgrade?

[NPTR]

Hey guys - don’t do a ton of night driving, but when I do, I always find myself really unimpressed with the light output of the OE bulbs. I want to keep the OE housings / projectors of course, and just find a bulb solution that has better, crisper light output.

What are you guys running for an OEM+ look? I know there’s a lot of cheap crap out there in the bulb world, want to keep it high quality…

Thank you!

Sponsored

 

[DFERA]

not sure your thoughts, but I have switched to LED in all my other cars. Been thinking of doing the same with the 350.

 

[autobahnGT350]

I got these a few months ago and it was a great upgrade. I thought about LED, but color and temp tests on other bulbs to include LED conversions led me to stick with a higher output bulb similar to the factory bulb. Works great and is brighter. Plug and play. This is for a 2016 GT350. Believe later years (2018) have a different light system so this bulb may not work. Just check to see if yours is a D3S bulb.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FY78JBQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[offroadkarter]

I got these a few months ago and it was a great upgrade. I thought about LED, but color and temp tests on other bulbs to include LED conversions led me to stick with a higher output bulb similar to the factory bulb. Works great and is brighter. Plug and play. This is for a 2016 GT350. Believe later years (2018) have a different light system so this bulb may not work. Just check to see if yours is a D3S bulb.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FY78JBQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the correct answer, putting a LED bulb in a HID projector housing is incorrect and flat out janky. If you're looking to stay with the factory color temp and want a bulb that puts out "the most light", the Osram night breaker lasers are one of the best bulbs on the market.

You can also check out the Philips Xtreme visions which are the competing product, both are at the top of the market in terms of performance

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/d3s-philips-42403xv2-xtreme-vision-B-42403XV2?quantity=1

 

[NPTR]

Thanks for the feedback guys, appreciate this. Will look into the brands / lines above and report back after I pull the trigger!

 

[FirstGT]

I've been contemplating same thing myself. Or since I think the front clip has to come off anyway I was debating replacing entire headlight assy

But if just bulb I was looking at diode dynamics in 5000k

But now I'll be looking at other options listed as well.

 

[CharlesC]

I've been contemplating same thing myself. Or since I think the front clip has to come off anyway I was debating replacing entire headlight assy

But if just bulb I was looking at diode dynamics in 5000k

But now I'll be looking at other options listed as well.

Based on some youtube videos, looks like its fairly accessible via the fender when you pull out the fender liner. May order some bulbs and give this a go.

 

[NPTR]

Yeah I think it’s worth it - when I step out of my wife’s X3 or my M2 and night drive this thing, I’m really disappointed with the night viability relative to the German cars we own. I know they do headlights top notch but with the modern projectors in this thing I assume a quality bulb upgrade would really help. Looking forward to making the swap, it’s really a safety thing for me when I’m pushing the car in the evening…

 

[S550HPP]

Please make sure they are adjusted correctly otherwise it's just blinding to oncoming drivers.

 

[NPTR]

Please make sure they are adjusted correctly otherwise it's just blinding to oncoming drivers.

Yes of course - otherwise would defeat my “safety” rationale!

 

[FirstGT]

Based on some youtube videos, looks like its fairly accessible via the fender when you pull out the fender liner. May order some bulbs and give this a go.

yup good point. i'd seen mention of that in some quick research i'd done

Yeah I think it’s worth it - when I step out of my wife’s X3 or my M2 and night drive this thing, I’m really disappointed with the night viability relative to the German cars we own. I know they do headlights top notch but with the modern projectors in this thing I assume a quality bulb upgrade would really help. Looking forward to making the swap, it’s really a safety thing for me when I’m pushing the car in the evening…

agreed. these lights suck. i've had two prior mustangs, a 15 GT premium and 18 GT premium PP1. I dont remember the lights on my 15 but i do remember liking the headlights on my 18. I was pretty surprised at how awful these are being it's also an 18 and then I remembered the 350 kept the original lights from the early S550's.

I drive either to or from work in the dark so good lighting is definitely important to me. i semi daily this car along with my harley and it seems to be ever lasting battle for finding more light but also being cognizant of others on the road

 

[autobahnGT350]

If you want to stay with a stock brand but with higher light output, this is a compelling video to watch. It gives the Osram top marks compared to other bulbs which are good in their own way…albeit, detracts from original factory kelvins and light color. Also, for led, your light temperature will change vastly along with needing an adapter In some cases.

The Osram is closest to factory light color and Kelvin’s with higher light output. This Video helped me to make the decision to get the
OSRAM DS3 laser nightbreakers.

 

[TonyNJ]

Didn't change the headlights, but these Diode Dynamics running lights and blinkers added a nice bit of brightness to the front of the car.

 

[GregO]

Hey guys - don’t do a ton of night driving, but when I do, I always find myself really unimpressed with the light output of the OE bulbs. I want to keep the OE housings / projectors of course, and just find a bulb solution that has better, crisper light output.

I’ve used these HID bulbs in a few past vehicles. Worked awesome and never failed for years of daily driving. Several temperature choices.
https://www.morimotohid.com/

https://www.morimotohid.com/morimoto-d3s-xb-hid-bulbs?quantity=1

 

[NPTR]

Thanks guys - I oddly like the orange running lights, a bit of heritage / nostalgia I guess which is odd for me as that’s usually something I swap on cars but I think it suits the 350.

Thanks for all the recommendations guys - have some good ideas here to investigate. Will report back once I pull the trigger!

Sponsored