Question on 2011 Audi A4 Headlights

[Dsclaw]

I am a Grad student and did not have a lot of extra money to spend on my 2011 Audi A4 and purchased only the premium package. I have noticed that the halogen headlights are not very bright and am wishing I purchased the premium package for the xenons. It is particularly bothersome when driving on unlit roads.

I know very little about headlights so I figured many of my questions could be answered here.

Are there replacement halogen bulbs which are brighter then the ones that came stock?
Can I switch to xenon's bulbs? Note: I am sure this will require a adapter?
Are there aftermarket headlights for the 2011 Audi A4 which can be swapped with my headlights? I am sure I can buy the xenon headlights from Audi however, that would probably be more then I can spend at the moment.

Unless I have Audi do the work it will probably void the warranty. Is this a accurate statement?

I have about $2,000 to spend roughly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[hender]

search headlight conversion in the b8 section and you'll find out it's been done many times for ~$1K (standard halogen lights for the xenon / LED DRL)

[neptunesfinest]

You'll need to buy the xenon lights plus the ballasts and controllers for each as well as the wiring adapter. You'll also need access to vcds in order to do the necessary coding changes. There's a thread in the tech section that covers the conversion in great detail.

[Slee_Stack]

Before you go through converting, are you sure your headlights are aimed correctly? Do your high beams not suffice either?

I'd investigate the alternate bulbs too first. Do NOT buy 'bluer' bulbs, but there are alternate brand halogens that might offer enough extra output for you.

Just trying to save you a grand if possible...

[NPuter]

I don't remember the halogen headlights being that bad... I have had my xenons for over a year so I may not be remembering correctly...

ASU_Daniel replaced his stock halogen bulbs with brighter silverstar bulbs (this was before he retrofitted xenons). There is a thread floating around here with comparison pics...

However, with your budget I definitely recommended retrofitting OEM xenons...

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[JasonA4]

Congrats on your Audi!!!

[Speedybrit]

I too had the same problem with the halogen bulbs being kind of crappy. I changed my bulbs out to an HID setup for only $80 due to not having the money for a complete swap. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[gtg196w]

I highly suggest getting in contact with lowestA4 (Jens). I was in your same boat. Bought the premium b/c i couldn't justify $3500 to get the P+ just for the headlights, but then realized audi would charge me that much to switch just the headlights. LowestA4 has pretty much been the go to guy here for the led/xenon oem retrofit. Here's what you will need:

1.) full headlight housing+ ballsasts+ bulbs
2.) Kufatec wiring harness (adapter)
LowestA4 provides the first 1.) and 2.). Back when I bought it, it was around 1k, but things may have changed since I did mine a year ago so ask him about pricing.
3.) VAG com by Ross Tech

For everything combined, I definitely spent a little over 1300 (I would go ahead and buy the VAG com, it allows you to do a couple neat customizations to your car). It's been a year since I upgraded, and I love it. feel free to pm me also.

As far as the warranty goes, I was told that the only part that would be affected would be the headlights... ie, if they blow out, you'll have to pony up to replace them. However, if the transmission takes a crap, you'll still be covered for that.

[egsoto83]

I highly suggest getting in contact with lowestA4 (Jens). I was in your same boat. Bought the premium b/c i couldn't justify $3500 to get the P+ just for the headlights, but then realized audi would charge me that much to switch just the headlights. LowestA4 has pretty much been the go to guy here for the led/xenon oem retrofit. Here's what you will need:

1.) full headlight housing+ ballsasts+ bulbs
2.) Kufatec wiring harness (adapter)
LowestA4 provides the first 1.) and 2.). Back when I bought it, it was around 1k, but things may have changed since I did mine a year ago so ask him about pricing.
3.) VAG com by Ross Tech

For everything combined, I definitely spent a little over 1300 (I would go ahead and buy the VAG com, it allows you to do a couple neat customizations to your car). It's been a year since I upgraded, and I love it. feel free to pm me also.

As far as the warranty goes, I was told that the only part that would be affected would be the headlights... ie, if they blow out, you'll have to pony up to replace them. However, if the transmission takes a crap, you'll still be covered for that.

This is the way to go!!!! I just got my conversion package from Jens... makes a world of difference!!!!

[Dsclaw]

Thanks all for the information. It was appreciated. I will be messaging a few of you to inquire some more about what I need exactly. I may try replacing the halogens at first since it seems the least invasive.

[NPuter]

Here is the thread where ASU_Daniel shows his silverstar halogen bulbs...
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth....%28halogen%29

[asr664]

I came across this thread while doing some research. I just recently leased a 2011 A4 Premium; however, no one at the dealership really explained to me the differences b/w the Premium Plus and Premium, and how different the lights are (admittedly, I am female and am not well-versed in autos). I ultimately chose the Premium based foolishly on price and now I am unsatisfied with the regular lights--They are dim and not vibrant.

Because I have a 42 month lease, I can't exactly modify the car and change it. But I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions about making the headlights brighter and/or more the xenons?

Or, is it possible, through the manufacturer or dealership, to swap out my lights for the LED/xenon option?

Thank you.

[Speedybrit]

I came across this thread while doing some research. I just recently leased a 2011 A4 Premium; however, no one at the dealership really explained to me the differences b/w the Premium Plus and Premium, and how different the lights are (admittedly, I am female and am not well-versed in autos). I ultimately chose the Premium based foolishly on price and now I am unsatisfied with the regular lights--They are dim and not vibrant.

Because I have a 42 month lease, I can't exactly modify the car and change it. But I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions about making the headlights brighter and/or more the xenons?

Or, is it possible, through the manufacturer or dealership, to swap out my lights for the LED/xenon option?

Thank you.

I too have a lease and i swapped my bulbs out for a HID kit. If you search the forums you will find a few threads started which give very detailed descriptions on how this is done. Getting the xenons installed from the dealer is going to be a very expensive route to take, but if you are going to keep the car after the lease is up i would recommend getting ecodes instead of the NA xenons.

[asr664]

I spoke with a gentleman from this site who has kindly offered to sell me the EU Bixenons at a reasonable price ** I just can't seem to find anyone in my area that will (a) install them and (b) do the coding. I contacted one service place, and they started talking about "cutting wires" and it made me really nervous!

Is this something I can do myself?? I obviously would need detailed guidance. I am just not sure if it is something I can undertake, given that I have absolutely no mechanic training.

I've also read as much as I possibly can on this site and i feel like I am reading Mandarin :(

Any suggestions?

[NPuter]

I spoke with a gentleman from this site who has kindly offered to sell me the EU Bixenons at a reasonable price ** I just can't seem to find anyone in my area that will (a) install them and (b) do the coding. I contacted one service place, and they started talking about "cutting wires" and it made me really nervous!

Is this something I can do myself?? I obviously would need detailed guidance. I am just not sure if it is something I can undertake, given that I have absolutely no mechanic training.

I've also read as much as I possibly can on this site and i feel like I am reading Mandarin :(

Any suggestions?

Like I said, I'll do the coding for you if Novitech installs them... they installed them one my car and one other person's car - both came out perfectly...

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[asr664]

NPuter - Do you know the person you spoke to @ Novitech and/or a contact person who did your installation? Because every time I call the guy who picks up the phone is totally clueless and has yet to get back to me regarding a price quote. He also said the process may involve "cutting wires." It made me nervous that he was unfamiliar with this process :(

[NPuter]

NPuter - Do you know the person you spoke to @ Novitech and/or a contact person who did your installation? Because every time I call the guy who picks up the phone is totally clueless and has yet to get back to me regarding a price quote. He also said the process may involve "cutting wires." It made me nervous that he was unfamiliar with this process :(

no wires should be cut.... I talked to Ivan Novillo - the owner. I believe David Novillo performed the instillation...

[gtg196w]

dude this is definitely something you should do yourself... This is the first mod i had ever done on any car. So easy a cave man can do it. There is a detailed DIY on here somewhere. Coding is straightforward too.

[NPuter]

dude this is definitely something you should do yourself... This is the first mod i had ever done on any car. So easy a cave man can do it. There is a detailed DIY on here somewhere. Coding is straightforward too.

If I were doing this over again, I would definitely install them myself. However, I did this over a year ago when not many people had already done it, and a DIY did not exist
The only difficult part is running the high-beam wires through the firewall and I had no idea how to do that...

And coding may be easy, but you need a vag_com cable.. (and I live really close to her )

[mc_lew]

I just purchased a 2011 A4 premium and I wasn't told about the different options and assumed they all came with the xenon LED lights. I am also a female and is extremely disappointed with my recent purchase. I would have paid a few thousands more to get those lights, they really do make the car. Where exactly can I get the kit to begin the conversion for my headlights? Thanks in advance.

[NPuter]

I just purchased a 2011 A4 premium and I wasn't told about the different options and assumed they all came with the xenon LED lights. I am also a female and is extremely disappointed with my recent purchase. I would have paid a few thousands more to get those lights, they really do make the car. Where exactly can I get the kit to begin the conversion for my headlights? Thanks in advance.

Never assume anything when purchasing a car - always know exactly what you are buying. It is crazy that the salesman did not properly explain the feature breakdown to you...

Here is the thread - everything is outlined there: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rsion-Complete.