Sylvania HB2 "Made in Germany", Osram?

[Klutch9]

My Miata takes the HB2/H4/9003/insert new name bulb

looking at the commonly spotted Sylvania offerings, I noticed that every HB2 bulb says "made in Germany" on it. This includes the cheap/regular bulbs, but also the XtraVision, Silverstar, and Silverstar Ultra. I know a lot of people complain about Sylvania's quality - I've never had any issues personally - but are the German made ones any better? Are they actually Osram bulbs with the Sylvania label slapped on? IIRC, they also said Osram on the bulb as well.

 

[901Memphis]

I believe that you are correct about the origin indicating higher quality. I would get the xtravisions.

 

[tommygunn]

They are the same company, Osram Sylvania. They use the Osram name in Europe, Sylvania over here.

Fun fact: all of their 9005/9006's are US-made, and Osram's 9006 bulbs sold in Europe actually say Sylvania on them.

Also, the Sylvania H1, H3, H7, and H11 will say Osram on them as well.

 

[Rolla07]

I dont buy into the fact of where its made being automatically superior since made in germany over somewhere else.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
I believe that you are correct about the origin indicating higher quality. I would get the xtravisions.

Made in Germany doesn't always mean higher quality. I remember buying Varta produced alkaline batteries at Ikea. Those things leaked like crazy. I thought I was getting something better than "Made in China", but they were considerably better.

As far as Chinese made headlamp bulbs go, I wouldn't touch them normally, but bought a set in an emergency and swapped them out first chance I got. However, if you look at a lot of the bulbs available, the manufacturing is in Eastern Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, etc) and the quality seems to be fine. That being said, I specifically bought a pair of GE labelled 9006 bulbs made in Germany once.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
I dont buy into the fact of where its made being automatically superior since made in germany over somewhere else.

Bosch spark plugs. The thought just makes me shudder.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Yes, the HB2 bulbs from Sylvania are made in Germany by OSRAM. Very good quality; use them with confidence. I have a pair in our CR-V right now (the Xtravisions).

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Yes, the HB2 bulbs from Sylvania are made in Germany by OSRAM. Very good quality; use them with confidence. I have a pair in our CR-V right now (the Xtravisions).


Good to know. The Miata has a set of Wagners in it now from the previous owner, with a new spare Wagner bulb in the glove compartment, so I should be set for awhile. But I've used Xtravisions a few times and have always been happy with them.