The headlights of the Aston Martin Vantage and the early (before 2013) DB9/DBS are of a very poor design, with inadequate light output and a poor beam pattern. They use a proprietary design with the reflector bowls built into the main support bracket, both lights are fixed, meaning the dipped beam has a fixed shield to produce a low beam and the full beam has a similar shield so it only produces light above the dipped beam, not adding to the light. The reflector is also prone to the chrome reflector material breaking down and separating from the bowl. The DB9/DBS has a HID low beam and halogen main beam whilst the Vantage has either the same as the DB9 or halogen low and high beams.
Even Autocar in its used car review of the DBS said that it has “Dreadful Headlights”.
The DB9.2 (2013 onwards) also has issues with its lights, although it has a single Bi-Xenon projector this too is subject to the reflective coating breaking down resulting in very poor light output.
Upgrading to better bulbs will result in a few percent increase in the light output, upgrading to LED bulbs results in a very poor beam pattern and will not pass an MOT in the UK.
As can be seen above the stock projector design is very poor with half the output of each light completely wasted by the non moving shut offs, combined with inefficient lenses and reflectors.
My solution is to replace both projectors with state of the art Bi-LED projectors that give out far more light, with a much wider, more even beam pattern that dazzles less. 2 low beams and 4 main beams for a original look with the lights on, but far more effective lighting with all 4 lights supplying dipped and main beam lighting with main beam on.
PRICES
All upgrades include polishing the outside of the lenses to remove light scratches and crazing.
- Bi-LED HEADLIGHTS £1600
- SWITCHBACK INDICATORS +£120
- ETCHED LENSES +£80
- REPLACING BROKEN MOUNTS +£60 per light
- PAINTED SHIELD/BEZELS £POA
- REMOVING AND REINSTALLING INTO CAR +£150
Links
Aston Martin Upgraded Headlights
Aston Martin Carbon Fibre Headlights
Aston Martin Headlight Bulb Comparison
Hi Paul, this looks awesome! How/where can we get this done?
Hi Luke,
Email me at [email protected]
Paul
Hi Paul, do you offer this upgrade for V8 Vantage (w/ factory HIDs) as well?
Hi James,
Yes I can do this to the Vantage headlights too, with the exception of the sidelights/indicators the insides of the Vantage lights are almost identical to the DB9.
Paul
Hi Paul, great job!
good to know it can be done for a Vantage as well as I own one.
I assume MOT or German TUV will have issues with it?
BTW:
If you are looking for custom luggage fitting for Astons or others:
check my website solento.eu
How long does it take to get the light upgraded?
Thabks a lot, Markus
Hi Markus,
The MOT has no problem with it, my car has been through 2 MOTs with no mention of it. The beam pattern is better than stock and it looks stock and all the adjustments and auto levelling still work, so they can’t tell it isn’t stock. I don’t know about TUV but i would assume there will be no problem.
A week to 10 days for the upgrade, including testing and waiting for the new sealant to cure.
Thanks for the link, but I’ve already got my custom luggage. https://db9s.com/aston-martin-db9-bespoke-luggage/
Paul
Hi
I would be interested in this upgrade
Morning Vince,
I did send you an email before, I can be contacted on Whatsapp 159191 07869 (switch the two parts around, done to try and prevent spam)
Paul
Hi Paul,
Just found your site. Do you do an upgrade for the original 2001-2007 Vanquish headlights?
Hi Neil,
I haven’t done an upgrade on the original Vanquish yet. Looking into it it seems to have a very early projectorndesign for the dipped beam and a small reflector for the main.
To keep it looking as stock as possible it would probably be best to upgrade the dipped beam to a Bi-LED projector and just change the bulb in the main beam light but I’d need to have a closer look.
Either way it wouldn’t be hard to improve the light output dramatically.
Paul