A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the B5 Audi A4 produced from 1995-2001 B5 FAQ

PIAA Plasma Blue = Bad Idea (tm)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 09:32 AM
  #1  
Warren Wang
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default PIAA Plasma Blue = Bad Idea (tm)

Most of the car guys that I hang out with know that I hate the stock headlights on the A4. And yes, they are properly aimed. So I decided to try out a pair of real PIAA Plasma Blues, instead of spending the money for euro-lights.<p>Turns out that was a big mistake. The PIAA Plasma Blues were WAY too blue, and WAY too dim. About the only thing (performance wise) that it did better than the stock lights was light up white objects slightly better. Well, I don't know about where you live, but curbs in Dallas are most certainly not white. All the people that said the Plasma Blues were close to xenon lights were so wrong it's not even funny.<p>It's too bad I didn't read the post about the PIAA Plasma Blues by another A4 owner before I ordered them. They're quite expensive, and when I pulled them, I noticed that the ceramic tips had cracks in them. I wish I could sell or return these in good conscience. Live and learn I suppose. I don't know what I'm going to do about the stock lights. Maybe I'll just buy an S4 w/ xenon lights :P<p>For the PIAA Superwhite owners, could you pull your lightbulb and check the ceramic coating to see if it's cracked?<p>98.5 Wett RamAir'ed Santorin Blue 2.8QMS
Reply
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 06:10 PM
  #2  
Jamie - VWvortex
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Question

PIAA makes the Superwhite bulbs, but do they make the Plasma Blues as well?<p>-jamie
Reply
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 06:37 PM
  #3  
vic
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default I totally disagree...

I have tried nearly most of the bulbs discussed in the forum, Philip Premium, PIAA Superwhite and PIAA Plasma Blue. I have even tried different one on left and right to see the difference. Plasma Blue is the brightest and the whitest. Period. Warran, maybe your's is defective but even person that I ran into commented that how much better they are. However, if you don't like it than I don't know what you can change into, except a real HID.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 07:32 PM
  #4  
stanj
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Feel free to buy mine...

I did a scientific measurement last week (see last archive). The Plasma Blue are half as bright as stock. If you still want them, $50 will buy them from me.<p>- Stan
Reply
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 08:18 PM
  #5  
Chris T.
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Yes, they are all made by PIAA and imported from Japan
Reply
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 08:20 PM
  #6  
Chris T.
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

the PIAA Superwhite bulb does not have ceramic tip
Reply
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 09:49 PM
  #7  
vic
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks for the offer but I'm one happy owner already.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 10:14 PM
  #8  
vic
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default By the way...

I have a so call Euro setup as known to you guys in the State and thus using a H4 bulb. I saw the difference in size bet H4 and H7 and this could probably account for the difference in performance alone.<br>Stan, I miss your post last time and I've just seach it and read it. Honestly I don't think we are comparing apple to apple here. What I use is difference to what you have. I'll try to borrow a light meter and measure it and see
Reply
AudiWorld Stories

Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans

story-0

10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 20, 1998 | 10:22 PM
  #9  
Warren Wang
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bright only if you look directly at them (more)

Yes, they look whiter, and appear initially brighter, if you're either staring at them or if you're lights are on a wall less than 10 feet away. Start driving around and you notice that the lights are so damn blue that they barely light trivial things, like the road...<p>All the talk about these looking like HID/Xenon is just plain wrong. These look absolutely nothing like HID. The difference is huge. These are just another pair of (bad) dichroic bulbs.<p>As for selling them, I wish I could, but after a few hours of having them on, there are hairline cracks in the ceramic tip, plus I think everyone else is safer without these on the street. If anyone doubts me, feel free to come to Dallas and I'll show you how bad they are.<p>98.5 Wett RamAir'ed Santorin Blue 2.8QMS
Reply
Old Dec 21, 1998 | 10:01 AM
  #10  
Rich Quinlan
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Plasma Blue's and H4's...

So you're saying, in H4 fitment, the Plasma Blue's are good bulbs? I too am running H4 headlights, and have the 55 watt (current draw) Superwhite's. (Shoulda got the 80watter's..oh well - ya can never have too much well-focused light!)<p>Are your Plasma Blue's the 80 watt draw? I'd like to get a set if they really are that good.. PIAA isn't known to make a crummy product.<p>Rich Quinlan<ul><li><a href="http://home.att.net/~richquinlan">Quinland</a></li></ul>
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:40 PM.

story-0
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production

Slideshow: 10 strangest Audi designs that actually made production

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-10 16:32:29


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!

Slideshow: Everything you need to know about the 2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-09 06:02:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!

Slideshow: Limited to just 499 units, the 987-horsepower halo car signals a new chapter for Audi performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-04 17:37:15


VIEW MORE
story-3
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation

Slideshow: The highs and lows of every Audi C-Class generation.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:05:50


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer

People were more than happy to shell out big bucks for these cars.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 15:32:23


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: 10 Audi features and options we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 19:33:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935

Slideshow: Audi has recreated one of the wildest machines of the pre-war speed-record era, reviving a streamlined V16 racer that originally exceeded 200 mph in 1935.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:49:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept

Slideshow: A Dutch coachbuilder has reimagined the original Audi TT by finishing what the 1995 concept only hinted at.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-05 15:17:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!

Slideshow: Ranking every Audi V10 road car

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:11:56


VIEW MORE
story-9
9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: A look back at the Audis that didn't just survive changing tastes, they quietly outgrew them.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-28 19:38:27


VIEW MORE