Looking to get a higher wattage set of bulbs for head lamps and fog lights.

Anyone have any leads to sources and recommendations? Also, how will higher wattage bulgs affect the electrical system and electrical sensors?

When will Volvo offer Xenon lamps ??

The 2002 models are sold with optional bi-xenon lights.

You can get an HID retrofit kit for beginning at $400 (hids4less.com, autolamps-online.com). These run on lower power (35W) than halogen (55W). You can also upgrade your halogens to get 50% more output (autolamps-online.com). In either case, you should also get ecode lenses on the headlghts - I've seen a few S80's in my area with ecodes - they make far better use of the light energy.

NEVER put overwatt lights in a Volvo. They produce a lot of heat and this will wreak havoc on Volvo's notoriously unreliable electrical connectors. The extra heat will prematurely yellow the reflectors. And in the experience of many who've tried this, including myself, the extra wattage doesn't translate into a commensurate amount of extra light (you'll be disappointed).

Thanks David !!

So what do you recommend ........... Blue Vision or VisonPlus??

Look forward to your recommendation.

Vision Plus gets more light onto the road (50% over stock). BlueVision will be "whiter" because the yellow range is filtered out, expect 25% more light. They don't look particularly blue and it's an excellent compromise choice. Sylvania SilverVision are roughly comparable to BlueVision and have gotten good reviews; they spec 20% over stock.

In my case, I went for candlepower and stuck with VisionPlus. Of course, I put E-code lenses on the car and the impact of this combination was astonishing. Someday I will upgrade to HIDs, when they reach a reasonable price (under $250 is my price point).

David;

Do you know of a link where I can find out more about ecode lenses? My web search was not very successful.

Do they make ecodes specifically to go on an S80?

Rich

I've seen two types: reflector only/clear lens as on S80; on some 'new' V70's I've seen fluted lenses on the e-codes. (I prefer the latter.) The only way to upgrade since you alreadyhave e-codes is to increase the light output. Cheapest way is VisionPlus H7's (or Hella LightPower) which put out 50% more light than stock halogen. Cost is $40/pair at autolamps-online.com. Available only from European sources.

Not enough? HID upgrade kits run about $400 before installation. More light output AND higher color temperature (whiter, sometimes bluer). HID's do this with less heat, too - just 35W.

Higher color temperature does NOT mean more light. It just means the light is whiter (5000K), and in cases of color temps running to 7000K and 8000K they begin to look purple...but they aren't brighter.

Current BMWs and Audis, which use projector fixtures, put out whiter light than my VisionPlus-equipped S70 (behind e-codes), but I have more illumination -- my light pattern covers more ground with less decay.
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David \\ (98 S70 T5SE Black, misc mods (mostly lighting), red calipers) (92 940GLE)

Okay David, now you got me curious. What are e-Code lenses and how do I get them? Are they easy to replace and how much do they run? Did you also upgrade your fog light bulbs?

Looks like the clear lenses on S80's ARE e-codes. So an upgrade to the pattern of the reflector only format doesn't appear possible from a lensing perspective. Your best bet is to upgrade the lamp (if H7 go to autolamps-online.com and order a pair of VisionPlus) or to spend a few more bucks to get HID or better foglamps.
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David \\ (98 S70 T5SE Black, misc mods (mostly lighting), red calipers) (92 940GLE)

E-codes can be gotten from some dealers; you might also call the place where I got mine (Precision Volvo, Rowley MA, 978.948.7778 - indy shop, knowledgeable about lighting issues, busy....so you'll probably have to leave a message).

I can't say what's involved in the S80, but the change is easy on 850/70, where the lens is interchangeable (cost me $240 for the pair). But I can say that I have seen quite a few S80's, new V70's, and S60's with E-code lenses. Their distinctive markings are fluted lenses, and the telltale (E) in a circle embossed on the glass.

I upgraded my H1's to VisionPlus, also, but that probably wasn't necessary once I had the E-codes....the E-codes throw a lot of light to the sides, one of the improvements I've traditionally needed foglights for. I did not upgrade the high beams: with E-code lenses, high beams with stock halogens light up the night like landing lights on a 747.

If E-codes prove impractical, one of the most important foglight mods you might consider is finding a way to move them an inch or so forward so you get the sideways illumination being blocked by the recessed cavity they're in.

Excellent David and thanks for all of your helpful advise!