The North America specified 9003 headlight bulb is a DOT-marked version of H4 bulb. I have used the European H4 bulb in my 1984 900T with e-code headlights and in my current 1998 900SET with no problems at all.

AutoExpress did a review of the H4 +30% bulbs maybe 4 years ago that placed the Philips "Premium" and the Osram (forgot the name) as the best of the available bulbs.

The only drawback to using the brighter +30% or +40% bulbs is that the life of the bulb is significantly less than the regular bulbs. The +30% and +40% bulbs are made by using a very precisely wound tungsten filament to allow the bulb to be at the maximum limit of the legally acceptable light output (maximum lumen as specified in either DOT or European codes) while maintaining the exact filament size and placement for control of the beam distribution. The end result are bulbs with noticeably brighter light output (lumen) but have a shorter lifespan due to the increased brightness.

H4 std.60W/55W approx. 1650/1000 lumen
H4 +30 60W/55W approx. 1700/1075 lumen
H4 +50 60W/55W approx. 1830/1148 lumen

D2S 35W approx. 3200 lumen arc-discharge (HID) projector lamps
D2R 35W approx. 2800 lumen arc-discharge (HID) reflector lamps

Though the H4 +40% is brighter than a standard H$ bulb and supposedly gives up to 40% more light on the roadway, it still has a lot less lumen than the arc-discharge lamps. So the improvement for the NG900/9-3is subtle and may not be worth the extra cost to everyone.

REM in Seattle
2005 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible; 5-speed; 8000 miles
1998 Saab 900SET; 5-door; Automatic; 82,000 miles
1984 Saab 900T; 3-door; 5-speed; 242,000 miles (RIP)

• Thumbs Down experience Philips "Hi Visibility" bulbs, DER, Sat, 11 Mar 2006 13:15:32
  • Thanks to all; Learning, but data not easy to find, DER, Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:07:58
  • Sylvania sucks for me, Glenn Kelley, Sun, 12 Mar 2006 12:32:42
    • Try not slamming the hood, George on the Cape, Mon, 13 Mar 2006 06:06:46
  • I tried Silverstars too, etc..., Steven, Sun, 12 Mar 2006 10:44:50
  • I use the Philips "VisionPlus" bulbs..., REM in Seattle, Sat, 11 Mar 2006 22:23:09
    • Re: I use the Philips "VisionPlus" bulbs..., DER, Sun, 12 Mar 2006 09:09:34
      • E-code lenses on 1996 900, Greg, Tue, 14 Mar 2006 14:56:42
        • 100 Watt high beams! Any problems with wires?, DER, Tue, 14 Mar 2006 16:18:53
          • Re: 100 Watt high beams! Any problems with wires?, Greg, Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:12:24
      • Re: I use the Philips "VisionPlus" bulbs..., REM in Seattle, Sun, 12 Mar 2006 15:42:32
        • 9003 =HB2=H4 bulb...., REM in Seattle, Sun, 12 Mar 2006 20:59:35 <-- Viewing This Message
          • NG 900/9-3 euro lights and bulbs, Monster Joe, Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:34:29
  • Re: Thumbs Down experience Philips "Hi Visibility" bulbs, Jeremy R., Sat, 11 Mar 2006 21:47:28
    • Re: Thumbs Down experience Philips "Hi Visibility" bulbs, DER, Sun, 12 Mar 2006 09:20:28
      • Re: Thumbs Down experience Philips "Hi Visibility" bulb, Ted M. (Seattle), Sun, 12 Mar 2006 14:02:27

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