Those of us who are not fortunate enough to have LED lights on our QQ have often complained about the poor performance of the halogens, especially the dip beam. These are H11 bulbs; the high beams are H7. Many internet sites selling bulbs get these the wrong way round. There are brighter replacements for the H11s, such as Philips Vision+, Osram Nightbreakers and Halfords 130% bulbs, but they are expensive and have a comparatively short lifetime. My cheapo experimental solution was to use H9 bulbs instead.
H9 comes in two flavours - 35w and 65w. The 35w version is used in the QQ's foglights; the 65w version is what I adapted for the headlights. Apparently a standard H9 bulb produces 2100 lumens whereas the H11 bulb only creates 1350 lumens. At first glance, the H9 looks the same as the H11 but there are three physical differences. 1) - there's no tip shield paint on the end of the bulb. As the QQ has projector lenses with a cut-off shield, this won't be a problem. 2) - the top lug of the three metal locating lugs is a mirror image of the H11. This means a few mm have to be trimmed off one side with tin snips, file or a carefully positioned junior hacksaw. 3) - the plastic connector for the plug has an extra rib in it. This must be removed - I used needle nosed pliers. Be careful at all times not to touch the glass envelope with bare fingers.
Replacing 55w H11s with 65w H9s is a popular Mazda mod, amongst others and I pinched these "How-To" pics from an RX8 owners forum.
I bought Philips H9s which cost the same as their H11s, but are certainly brighter. They were £12 (pair) inc P+P, and have been in for two years so far. None of the car's headlamp assembly/wiring connector components are changed and if the H9s don't suit, one simply takes them out and goes back to H11s.
Converting H9 bulbs to replace H11 bulbs
- Red Rooster
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:05 pm
- Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model
Thanks for the reply H. £24.99 each at autobulbs direct ( out of stock ) and £18.30 each on flea bay. Don't know if I will get them or not. Already upgraded to the 55w MTEC's so I don't know if it will make much difference.
58 plate 2.0 l petrol Acenta
2016 1.6 DIG-T Ink Blue
2019 1.3 DiG-T 160 Tekna, Ink Blue
2024 1.3 DIG-T 160 MHEV Tekna with bose and led fog lights.Mag blue Black roof.
2016 1.6 DIG-T Ink Blue
2019 1.3 DiG-T 160 Tekna, Ink Blue
2024 1.3 DIG-T 160 MHEV Tekna with bose and led fog lights.Mag blue Black roof.
- Red Rooster
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:05 pm
- Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model
Nice one mate should rename you to bloodhound
58 plate 2.0 l petrol Acenta
2016 1.6 DIG-T Ink Blue
2019 1.3 DiG-T 160 Tekna, Ink Blue
2024 1.3 DIG-T 160 MHEV Tekna with bose and led fog lights.Mag blue Black roof.
2016 1.6 DIG-T Ink Blue
2019 1.3 DiG-T 160 Tekna, Ink Blue
2024 1.3 DIG-T 160 MHEV Tekna with bose and led fog lights.Mag blue Black roof.
- Hound
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- Qashqai Model: Still looking for one....
If you've already shelled out for the MTECs I'd wait until you actually need to replace your bulbs. The H9s are not as white as the xenon types, either - just like a brighter version of H11s.
Used to have 2015 1.6dCi 130 Xtronic N-tec+ in Gun Metallic