Should be no problem as long as your headlights are correctly aligned

We've used brighter bulbs of varying percentages in our cars since approx 2000, and find them much better than the OE bulbs.

Depending on the bulb fitment, Osram Nightbreaker Plus +90% or Philips X-treme Power/Vision bulbs (100% brighter) do best in tests (eg Auto Express). Amazon are often the cheapest for these bulbs: Osram Nightbreaker Plus +90% are approx 13 pounds incl postage in H4 or H7 fitments; Philips X-treme Power/Vision £15.94 for H4's and £19.49 for H7's.

Edited by Auristocrat on 07/01/2013 at 20:11

On a car like yours with properly aimed headlights, brighter bulbs should not affect oncoming traffic too much. The reason the HID lights annoy people is that the self-levelling mechanism cannot work as quickly as the bounce of the car over bumps.

I used these bulbs in the headlights of my previous car. They gave out a much whiter light and certainly seemed brighter. They lit the road ahead much better than standard.

You will need to make sure your headlights are properly set though (after you've fitted the new bulbs - i found they altered the aim). I like my beams to be set just a tad below horizontal and the right unit slightly right of straight ahead. This maximises the dip range whilst preventing glare. Many cars seem to have their lights set way down which severely limits the lit range on dip.

Thanks for you replies guys.

One further question. What about daytime running? Should they still be ok? The dipped headlights on this car switch on and off with the ignition (as with most Volvos). I can switch to just side-lights, but I tend not to do that (mostly because the side-lights stay on when the ignition is off and I'll forget to switch back to dipped to turn the side-lights off !! )

While they may arrive at their destination a minute earlier, you'll arrive much more relaxed.

Chill out, dont get a heart attack, chuck another tinnie in the back.