I have long been thinking about the factory-fitted halogen headlamp upgrade on my Alfa 156 to improve the night visibility – it was just not up to the job for the “to-see” purpose.  As an interim solution, I have fitted a new pair of enhanced halogen bulbs. That improved the situation a bit but still not very satisfactory.

The original 156 GTA xenon headlamp is the best choice but they are just too expensive.  Many others have fitted Taiwanese aftermarket ones with good comments.  While I was evaluating feedback from the users, I also paid attention to the used market for a pair of used GTA headlamp.

At the time I was about to order the aftermarket products, I found a 2003 2.0 JTS in extremely good condition disposed at a scrap yard. Without hesitation, I grabbed it. 

Alfa 156 halogen headlamp vs xenon headlamp

Here they are.  Not necessarily look better but it does improve the night visibility a lot, indeed it is just another world.  On the well-illuminated roads, the improvement may not be obvious; in indoor car parks and countryside roads, you will see.

Alfa 156 headlamp upgraded completed

This JTS version has an advantage over the GTA one. Seems that GTAs mainly have black base headlamp. The silver base colour fits my 156 better.

Alfa 156upgraded headlamp to xenon

Remarks of Alfa 156 halogen headlamp upgrade

  • The first thing to note is that the job is not a bolt-on task. The front bumper needs to come off to replace the headlamp. That means that the front wheels have to come off too unless a lift is available
  • Need to prepare two new wire plugs for the xenon dipped headlamps
  • Need to prepare a pair of right xenon bulbs
alfa 156 xenon light bulbs
Alfa 156 xenon bulbs
  • If a brand new pair of headlamp is wanted, two Taiwanese brands are popular with good feedback on the Internet. They are Depo and Tyc

Oct. 2013

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