Those who have fitted HID's ..... is it worth it?
Discussion
I'm thinking of fitting HID's as the lights on my car are not as good as I'd like them to be.
I know that if I do fit them then I won't be the first person on here to do so.
How do those of you who fitted them already find them now that they've been fitted a while?
Any problems?
Also which is the best kit on the market in your opinion?
I know that if I do fit them then I won't be the first person on here to do so.
How do those of you who fitted them already find them now that they've been fitted a while?
Any problems?
Also which is the best kit on the market in your opinion?
I'm thinking about this too. I'm on the big round lamps (H4).
What are the "legal" issues? I've seen a few kits that state that they must be fitted with power wash and auto leveling. Is this just on new builds? Will the car pass an MOT with HID's?
I'm assuming the answer is yes as others have already gone there, but suppose it could be like cats, that you have to fit the originals back at MOT time?
What are the "legal" issues? I've seen a few kits that state that they must be fitted with power wash and auto leveling. Is this just on new builds? Will the car pass an MOT with HID's?
I'm assuming the answer is yes as others have already gone there, but suppose it could be like cats, that you have to fit the originals back at MOT time?
I was thinking of getting some fitted to my cerb. (It has the original big round lights) However while at the PH show I picked up some phillips bulbs that have got rave reviews for £20. I thought they were worth a go as they are a tenth of a price of HID's also the guy at the stand said he would give me money back if I was not happy.
I am however still interested in what HID's however Im not sure what the beam pattern will be like with the standard lights.
The company I was thinking of getting HID's from was HIDs4u. They seem to have the best quality kits.
I am however still interested in what HID's however Im not sure what the beam pattern will be like with the standard lights.
The company I was thinking of getting HID's from was HIDs4u. They seem to have the best quality kits.
Regarding Legality - all aftermarket HID conversions are not road legal because the bulb is not a Halogen bulb, however in practise is rarely enforced so long as the HID kit is correct for lens configuration and doesn't cause excessive glare.
Should not affect MOT, if in doubt just swap HID blubs for Halogens before the test
Rich
Should not affect MOT, if in doubt just swap HID blubs for Halogens before the test
Rich
... so on the "bulb replacement" as opposed to the full on HID conversion, is there a worthwhile upgrade?
Or are the benefits minimal to the extent of it not being worth it, and going for the HIDs is the recommended option?
Just wondering if for £20 (ish) and not too much fuss (ish!), you can actually make a reasonable difference to the standard candles?
Phil.
Or are the benefits minimal to the extent of it not being worth it, and going for the HIDs is the recommended option?
Just wondering if for £20 (ish) and not too much fuss (ish!), you can actually make a reasonable difference to the standard candles?
Phil.
I've fitted a HID conversion to the H7 bulbed, later style, headlights and the difference is astonishing!!! I did take a photo of one headlight with the HID bulb and the other with the origional bulb, but seem to have lost it. The origional bulb literally looked like a candle in comparison. It was unbeliveable.
As far as I know origional equipment HID's must have auto leveling and headlight wash systems, but the aftermarket kit I used was E and CE marked, so should be legal, as long as the beam pattern is ok, (it is, and is perfectly sharp and clear) and they don't dazzle anyone, (I put the headlights on a beam setter and adjusted them on the low side because they are so bright) I've not been stopped and there in my everyday car as well.
I wouldn't hesitate to use them in anything, they are that good.
As far as I know origional equipment HID's must have auto leveling and headlight wash systems, but the aftermarket kit I used was E and CE marked, so should be legal, as long as the beam pattern is ok, (it is, and is perfectly sharp and clear) and they don't dazzle anyone, (I put the headlights on a beam setter and adjusted them on the low side because they are so bright) I've not been stopped and there in my everyday car as well.
I wouldn't hesitate to use them in anything, they are that good.
It's maybe worth looking at the reflectors too. Mine are very dull and I imagine I'll get a much better light just by swapping the old ones for the nice shiny new ones I bought.
When I get a weekend when I'm not working (and I'm in for an op soon and I get two weeks off to recover, so hopefully I'll be out working on the car before the two weeks are up
) I'll swap them over and see how much difference it makes.
When I get a weekend when I'm not working (and I'm in for an op soon and I get two weeks off to recover, so hopefully I'll be out working on the car before the two weeks are up
) I'll swap them over and see how much difference it makes.Its definitely worth it JJ, I did mine some time ago. If you have the new style lights, as you and I do, you need to do the modification to the lights control box so that the dip lights (the HIDs) don't go off when you switch to main beam.
Otherwise when you switch back to dip you're plunged into darkness for a few seconds!
Put the HIDs in the dip lamps, leave standard bulbs in the main beams but rewire them so the existing supplies actually fire local relays which switch a supply from the battery, so they get full voltage.
As usual I'm around if you need a hand.
Andy.
Otherwise when you switch back to dip you're plunged into darkness for a few seconds!
Put the HIDs in the dip lamps, leave standard bulbs in the main beams but rewire them so the existing supplies actually fire local relays which switch a supply from the battery, so they get full voltage.
As usual I'm around if you need a hand.
Andy.
alinton said:
..... I did mine some time ago. If you have the new style lights, as you and I do, you need to do the modification to the lights control box so that the dip lights (the HIDs) don't go off when you switch to main beam .....
I remember your thread, and the pics of the modified control box.I might try to get a look at yours some evening to see the actual difference between the two cars.
Not done much reasearch yet 
but in terms of sourcing something better than the standard candles... any suggestions?
Something/somewhere like this?
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?produ...
H4s for the old classic style I believe?
Other manufacturers are of course available
http://www.dcp-shop.co.uk/buy-car-accessories/defa...
So are Phillips the weapon of choice?
but in terms of sourcing something better than the standard candles... any suggestions?Something/somewhere like this?
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?produ...
H4s for the old classic style I believe?
Other manufacturers are of course available
http://www.dcp-shop.co.uk/buy-car-accessories/defa...
So are Phillips the weapon of choice?
I have found this product. It looks pretty good as far as quality goes.
http://www.hids4u.co.uk/store/product.php?producti...
http://www.hids4u.co.uk/store/product.php?producti...
Phil_Edge said:
Not done much reasearch yet but in terms of sourcing something better than the standard candles... any suggestions?
Something/somewhere like this?
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?produ...
H4s for the old classic style I believe?
I have got some fo these. They are not fitted yet, but when I do I will give a verdict. but in terms of sourcing something better than the standard candles... any suggestions?Something/somewhere like this?
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/product.php?produ...
H4s for the old classic style I believe?
I fitted HID bulbus about a year ago to the 'original' lights. No problem with glare to other road users or MOT. Much improved performance over the standard bulbs. More info and pics here:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
From the DfT:
December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.
The following is the legal rationale:
The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.
However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).
For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.
Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:
1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.
2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).
3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:
1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.
3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.
In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.
If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:
Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk
December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.
The following is the legal rationale:
The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.
However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).
For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.
Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:
1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.
2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).
3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:
1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.
3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.
In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.
If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:
Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Gazzab said:
From the DfT:
December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits...
So why are UK companies selling HID kits allowed to continue to trade? December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits...
Gazzab said:
The following is the legal rationale:
Says who? How many prosecutions for HID conversions are you aware of?
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