Going from HID to LED Headlights

[SLWRTHNU]

Yet another headlight thread... I know... But hear me out.

My headlights aren't as bright as they once were, so I'm looking to replace the bulbs. After doing some research, it seems that doing LED would be a better option overall. The light output seems about even but LED's have a "cleaner" look and they cost less than HID. So I have a couple of questions first:

1. Has anyone here swapped from HID to LED on their B8 A4? If so, any regrets?
2. I live in an area that goes from -40 in the winter to over 100 in the summer (F). Could the extreme cold cause any issues with the LED's?
3. For the install, I haven't been able to find much on the install, is it a simple plug-n-play kind of thing or is something more needed due to the current HID setup?

Lighting is one of the most important upgrades for a car so I want to make sure I do this right.

[itlnstallion818]

i'd also like to hear more about this...

[MacFady]

I've tried plug and play LED bulbs in halogen housings on some of my wifes vehicles before with mixed results, have never tried with an HID lens or ballast. Sometimes the output is disappointing, sometimes the pattern is off (presumably because they are in a halogen housing/lens), sometimes if replacing a dual filament bulb they only come on for the brights. I'm not sure what price point package your looking at. Two sets I bought only lasted a few months, I didn't have an issue with cold weather personally. That's all I can offer, just remember that you're working with a lens and housing meant for a different type of output from the bulb itself.

[SDF1]

I'm not sure it would work but let us know.

1) Electrical - You have to bypass the ballast since LED won't need it.
2) LED's get HOT HOT HOT, you need a way to cool them for long drives
3) Pattern won't work.
People think it would be this easy https://www.headlightexperts.com/led...conversion-kit
but
look at this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM1-POiNe0w&app=desktop
and
https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...845-hid-vs-led

[SLWRTHNU]

Well there are definitely some good points in here. I was looking at the OEM HID price vs. aftermarket LED price which in retrospect, isn't a fair comparison. My mind WAS set on LED but now I'm leaning toward keeping with HID. Still interested in hearing out the comparison between the 2.

[Theiceman]

damn now i dont know what i have in my car .. so im just going to assume i have a HID headlight ( 2014 technik ) .. unless someone tells me different.

[adamazing]

damn now i dont know what i have in my car .. so im just going to assume i have a HID headlight ( 2014 technik ) .. unless someone tells me different.

You mean between HID and Halogen? Should be pretty obvious.

No A4/S4 on our platform was built with LED headlights, so that's definitely out of the question.

[Stazi]

I put LEDs in the fog lights of my B8. They match the brightness and color of the DRL’s of my 2012.


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[RLwantsS5]

LED'S usually require a cooling source as previously mentioned. As previously stated, i run led in my fogs, the LEDs have built in fans. Also as previously mentioned you will need to bypass the ballast that powers OEM HID. I have heard that LED headlights can also be heard while driving w no radio on due to fan noise. LED light output also is not as good in bad weather.

I would recommend just replacing the HID bulbs you have.

Also read this link below regarding Halogrn vs HID vs LED vs Laser. Its very good

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bl...-hid-vs-laser/

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[SLWRTHNU]

HID's seem like the best way to go. I'll order a set and stick to the bulbs that the car came with kind of thing. Thanks for all the input.

[Liquid Smoke]

stick with the HID/Xenon, there's no better option for our headlights. no reason to put LEDs. i put LED bulbs on my fog lights but that's it, they work well down there as a replacement for the stock halogen bulbs. LEDs may look brighter or just as bright as HIDs do, but that's only upclose or looking at it head on. but if you do a proper comparison, LED bulbs do give off good light up close, but comparing actual distance, the HID will throw the light way further, so driving down a dark road you will definitely notice how much better the HIDs are. this is excluding those new full LED headlights from factory, those are just a whole different type of LED/light. but even with halogen stock bulbs, usually they will still perform better (with good bright halogen bulbs) compared to the common LED bulb. IMO on our cars the LED is good for the foglights but thats about it.

but for the main headlights i wouldnt use anything but HID, also the LED bulbs wouldn't fit as the ballast/HID bulb wiring is different, it wont be plug and play like it would replacing a halogen bulb.

just get a good brand (Philips/Osram) set, i just recently got a pair of the Osram Cool Boost Blue ones on Amazon for like $155, and it's a bit brighter than OEM, with a nice white/blue. you can also get OEM level ones for cheaper. also check out Morimoto XB bulbs, i had them for about 3 years now until one went out recently, but they are like $40 for the set and are about equal to OEM brightness.

but yea the best thing to do is just replace the HID bulbs, you need the D3S type bulb, swap those and your headlights will be good as new and as bright as they can be in stock form.