Winter Bulb Upgrade Focus Mk2.5 2008-2012 Model

[Lenny]

Hi all,

I've recently had a member of the forum contact me via PM asking "whats the best road legal bulbs i can upgrade to in preparation for winter on my Mk2.5 Focus 2008-2011"

I've since responded to the member but i also decided to post a copy of my response here on the open forum as it may help others with the same question.

DRL's would be a nice mod in time for winter if possible, in terms of making you most visible to other traffic:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/320923946094?nav=SEARCH

The exact kit linked contains Osram E Marked Road legal 100% reliable led units,

Ive got a set fitted 32 months now still going great.

Fitting guide for the exact DRL kit linked above can be viewed and download here:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/28999-guide-for-fitting-daytime-running-lights-focus-mk25/

These led parking lights have been fitted to mine over two years and still going strong, there available to suit both black or chrome headlight,

If you have black headlights see here:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/270995258190?nav=SEARCH

If you have chrome headlights see here:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/290726191024?nav=SEARCH

Then for low and high beam in terms of you getting maximum visibility i recommend:

Osram Night breakers

Here's the set for you:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/171183388817?nav=SEARCH

And for front fogs:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/161115546837?nav=SEARCH

I recommend having the Osram fitted and aligned by your local car garage for optimum results.

These bulbs are by far the best road legal units available on the market today and worth every penny.

For rear fog i recommend cree led:

http://www.alltronix.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=322

For reverse bulbs i recommend cree

http://www.alltronix.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=517

For visual pleasure then you may like to upgrade the indicator bulbs to silvatec.

Wing mirror indicator bulbs:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/261041884720?nav=SEARCH

Tail light unit indicator bulbs:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/290842474370?nav=SEARCH

You may also like to view my guide on changing the Wiper Blades front and rear:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/38125-guide-wiper-blade-change-focus-mk2-mk25/

[Kye]

Have you tried the Philips bulbs at all, Lenny? The Mk 2.5 is a whole new beat to me now, but the Philips bulbs had far more range than the Osrams in my Mk1.5.

Any idea how the compare in the 2.5? I've just fitted Philips into my last night. Can't wait to test them out tonight.

Adding to the side light bit as well. Silver rimmed lights in the black shroud doesn't look bad either. I'll take a photo of mine later for those interested in the look.

Nice thread, lenny. :)

[Lenny]

Have you tried the Philips bulbs at all, Lenny? The Mk 2.5 is a whole new beat to me now, but the Philips bulbs had far more range than the Osrams in my Mk1.5.

Any idea how the compare in the 2.5? I've just fitted Philips into my last night. Can't wait to test them out tonight.

Adding to the side light bit as well. Silver rimmed lights in the black shroud doesn't look bad either. I'll take a photo of mine later for those interested in the look.

Nice thread, lenny. :)

Thanks Kye,

I've not tried Philips bulbs at all mate

Perhaps automobile bulbs is somthing that Philips are good at and I'm missing out:

Not trying to be smart with you mate please allow me to explain my experience with Philips as a company:

In the past I've had a Philips home stereo system which would turn itself up and down uncontrollably after six months of purchase,

Cost me 375euro/290GBP back in 2005

I also had a Philips DVD player laser broke within two years back in 2004,

Cost me 120euro/100GBP

As we all know Philips have there fingers in many pies,

In my opinion after personal experience with some of Philips products I'm under the impression there jack of all trades and master of few.

Osram on the other hand have been manufacturing bulbs for generations,

Its what Osram are known for and its what they invest all of the research and development in to,

Not spread across a range of technology.

So i swear by Osram till the death

If Osram were to start manufacturing a brand of oil or windscreen wipers i wouldn't purchase because its not there heritage.

Now im not saying all franchise company's are not reliable,

Bosch are another company with fingers in many pies,

They manufacture a fantastic range of Wiper Blades and oil filters which i have found to be good quality,

But on the flip side:

Im now on my third Bosch dishwasher and second Bosch washing machine in seven years perhaps there's somthing in the water

Which brings me to summarise:

From your experience Philips manufacture great bulbs,

From my experience Philips manufacture low quality home audio visual equipment.

Perhaps bulbs really are there strong point,

But i prefer Osram because its all they do.

Bosch manufacturer great Wiper Blades and oil filters,

But from my experience there not so good with the home cleaning appliances.

Bottom line,

Philips bulbs could be better than Osram,

But ill never purchase another Philips branded product again perhaps I'm at a loss but I'm sold to Osram period.

:)

If Philips were to create the next big thing ill be missing out big time for sure.

[BOF]

Probably the biggest problem with light bulbs is consistency from one sample to another. The trouble is, unless you have an abnormal consumption of bulbs, it is difficult to comment on that, because you only get through a small number, and then can only compare with the last one, and if that one was misaligned but adjusted, you'll conclude that the new one is 'bad' where it was really the old one.

Anyway, I note that while the Auto Express tests on headlight bulbs used to be an Osram benefit, recently Phillips have started taking the top spot.

That said, recently I have been using Osram, largely because they're the only ones I've seen at a reasonable price (Halfords sometimes have two-for-one offers, but they didn't last time I bought, so it was off to Autobulbs Direct).

[Kye]

A bit late, but here is a photo of the silver rimmed CREE lights I now have in my headlight cluster. They point in and downwards slightly and illuminate around 5 feet in front of the car.

I've not got a photo of them in use yet, but this is what they look like fitted.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/Kyebromley/20140919_121012_zpsd241a98d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/Kyebromley/20140919_180557_zps212a7896.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/Kyebromley/20140919_180654_zpscf59d644.jpg

I'll get some shots of them in use earlhy next week. The street lighting out side at the moment is too bright to give the full affect.

[youngy_315]

A bit of thread revival here lenny but does the light colour from the sidelight bulbs you listed match the osram dipped?

[Lenny]

A bit of thread revival here lenny but does the light colour from the sidelight bulbs you listed match the osram dipped?

No mate,

The parking lights are 6000Kelvin white and the Osram cool blue intense are 4600kelvin white,

Xenon gas bulbs dont get any whiter than 4600kelvin

In order to have matching 6000k i recommend fitting HID's

Led are available in H7 fitment but led's cant be focused rendering them completely useless and illegal as dipped or high beam lights,

Heres the combination at night:

Cree 6000k fog led's

Osram cool blue intense dipped beam

[youngy_315]

Thanks for the reply mate. I had a feeling that was the case. I'm not one for HIDs. I had them in my evo and it's not worth it imo.

[Lenny]

Thanks for the reply mate. I had a feeling that was the case. I'm not one for HIDs. I had them in my evo and it's not worth it imo.

No prob,

I wouldn't bother neither