Silverstar ZXE or ULTRA

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-24-2013, 08:57 PM
RUSS04's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BURBANK ILL
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Silverstar ZXE or ULTRA

Looking to change bulbs in my 2004. What should i buy? I need something brighter. Thanks.
 
  #2  
Old 09-25-2013, 12:10 AM
SmokeRoss's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: The Last Frontier
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just bought a set of Ultras. The jury is still out since I haven't installed them yet.
You going to put a leveling kit on that Ford, and tint the windows?
 
  #3  
Old 09-25-2013, 06:07 PM
Raptor05121's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Live Oak, FL
Posts: 10,610
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
zXe's are supposedly a higher-performance bulb than the Ultras. More lumens, but less lifespan.

Ultras are guaranteed for a year by Sylvania. Most of the ones I have had usually go out at around that time.

Philips XtremePowers are just as bright (you won't tell a difference) and last much longer due to the fact they don't have a blue coating and need to overcharge the filament like Silverstars, not to mention they are ~30% cheaper.

Amazon.com: Philips H13 9008 X-treme Power Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2: Automotive Amazon.com: Philips H13 9008 X-treme Power Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2: Automotive
 
  #4  
Old 09-25-2013, 08:57 PM
RUSS04's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BURBANK ILL
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the replys. Iam going to try out the ZXE bulbs. Leveling kit , not for me, 41,000 miles on this truck right now, dont need a leveling kit. Iam happy the way it looks.
 
  #5  
Old 09-26-2013, 10:21 AM
Raptor05121's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Live Oak, FL
Posts: 10,610
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Russ, please note how long they last and let me know. I have never played with them.
 
  #6  
Old 09-28-2013, 11:55 PM
03f15012's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've got a set of ZXE's in mine. Silverstars in the fogs, and I can tell a significant difference in the whiteness of the light. I did actually have both, as before the ZXE's, I had the SS ultras. Bought these one used that are 6 months old, and are still super bright.
 
  #7  
Old 09-29-2013, 08:06 AM
88racing's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: In the fast lane from LA to Tokyo...
Posts: 10,697
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Phillips extremes....FTW
 
  #8  
Old 09-29-2013, 12:14 PM
SSCULLY's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
I currently have the SS Ultras in my 2006, when I checked the price to see how expensive they got ( if they are 30% higher than the Philips ) and I got them in OCT-12, installed them straight away.

I have ~ 12 months on them without needing a replacement, and I do quite a bit of night driving.
- that is why I replaced the 2 year old SS bulbs, it was time both lumen output wise and the chance that they are going to blow out.

I am at the time frame to replace the H1 SS bulbs in my Hella grille, they are ~ 4 years old now. They are with the high beams, and see a lot of flashing in the dash ( letting semis in ) as well as night driving on I-65 back and forth to Indy.

BTW : SS Ultra bulbs cost 11.5% higher than Philips, which is $3.76, they are not 30% more.

Fogs one side is the SS 9145, the other is a Hella lamp retrofit with a H9 bulb in it.
 
  #9  
Old 09-29-2013, 04:49 PM
Raptor05121's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Live Oak, FL
Posts: 10,610
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by SSCULLY
BTW : SS Ultra bulbs cost 11.5% higher than Philips, which is $3.76, they are not 30% more.
For me locally, SS Ultras (9007) are $59.95. The Xtreme Powers are $39.95.
 
  #10  
Old 09-29-2013, 06:37 PM
RUSS04's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BURBANK ILL
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I installed the ZXE bulbs today. Cost me $49.99 at my local autozone. A big differance from oem bulb, but i will let you know how they are a night. Now i need a brighter bulb for my fog lights. Any suggestions?? Thanks Russ
 
  #11  
Old 09-29-2013, 08:56 PM
Raptor05121's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Live Oak, FL
Posts: 10,610
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Russ- I have no doubt they give off quite a bit of light. The problem is how long will they last? I've had four sets of Ultras and they last on average 10-14 months for me with about 10 hours of night driving a week. I suspect the zXe's will strain to make it that far depending on conditions.
 
  #12  
Old 09-30-2013, 07:17 AM
SSCULLY's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by Raptor05121
For me locally, SS Ultras (9007) are $59.95. The Xtreme Powers are $39.95.
Sylvania 9007 SilverStar Ultra MSRP $ 49.99
 
  #13  
Old 09-30-2013, 10:56 AM
03f15012's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Prices seem to change on those things... I can get a set of SS ultras here for $40. Saw them in a wal-mart...
 
  #14  
Old 09-30-2013, 02:17 PM
SSCULLY's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by 03f15012
Prices seem to change on those things... I can get a set of SS ultras here for $40. Saw them in a wal-mart...
Actual retail price will be all over, Amazon has them for ~ 36.99 ( 37.99 ).

Don't think anyone is selling too many of them for Sylvania's suggested list price of $49.99, let alone $10.00 over list price at a consumer point of sale.
 
  #15  
Old 09-30-2013, 08:33 PM
RUSS04's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BURBANK ILL
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Raptor05121
Russ- I have no doubt they give off quite a bit of light. The problem is how long will they last? I've had four sets of Ultras and they last on average 10-14 months for me with about 10 hours of night driving a week. I suspect the zXe's will strain to make it that far depending on conditions.
I also have 10 hours a week of night driving.Will see how long these last.Now iam looking for a brighter bulb for the fog lights, there is a big differance in the lighting of the fog lights compaired to the headlights.
 


Quick Reply: Silverstar ZXE or ULTRA



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:19 PM.