xenon retrofiting

[mervynp]

Hi,

I have searched the web to no avail, so could someboy please clarify what are the requirements for retro-fitting HID xenon headlights in older cars? I have read that autolevelling and headlight washers are required, but is this actually the case? If I were to retrofit a set to a car that did not have these features would I still be breaking the law/fail the MOT ?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[Marki]

My ML has had bi xenon lights retro fitted ? quite why i have no idea , MB did it for a cost of about 4k sterling i have the bills to prove it ,man he must have really wanted bi xeon

[cptsideways]

About £400 quid a set, they require high ampage starters hence you need a capacitor type thing with them. Retrofit kits are available but only for certain bulb kits.

[bogie]

I have them on my Elise - about £400 for single beam version (either dip or main) or £600 for dual (dip/main in same unit for single lamp)...can be expensive if you have separate lamps ! I only have my dip done.

You get in the kit 2 x ballast units, 2 x bulbs then wiring kit. Draws less voltage than normal bulb but more than double the output...well worth it IMHO...the difference is outstanding.

For retrofitting you dont require self-levelling or washers - thats only for factory option cars or new cars. If you fit them yourself you will have to go to a bodyshop or MOT place and get the beams aligned properly.


Demon Tweeks sell kits for most popular fitments also PIAA (www.hid.com i think) but they are very expensive - have a look in the Demon tweeks catalogue or their website...they every bulb type I know of.

[hedders]

bogie said:

You get in the kit 2 x ballast units, 2 x bulbs then wiring kit. Draws less voltage than normal bulb but more than double the output...well worth it IMHO...the difference is outstanding.

I agree, it amazing how much more annoying (different) they are than regular lights....they should be illegal IMO...especially if they give off that blue light...only cops should should have blue lights...it is just another distraction, trying to figure out whether it is the blue lights of an emrgency vehicle and should you pull over..or is it some bastard with blue headlights? I hate them....

[mervynp]

bogie said:

For retrofitting you dont require self-levelling or washers - thats only for factory option cars or new cars. If you fit them yourself you will have to go to a bodyshop or MOT place and get the beams aligned properly.

Bogie,

thank you, that was the information I was after!! Buying the kit was no problem, I got my H4 kit for less than half of the prices quoted from a private source, but www.VAGparts.com are offering Kits for H4, H7 and H1 fitments for around the £300 mark, and I don't believe that they are VAG specific in any way.

hedders said:

I agree, it amazing how much more annoying (different) they are than regular lights....they should be illegal IMO...especially if they give off that blue light...only cops should should have blue lights...it is just another distraction, trying to figure out whether it is the blue lights of an emrgency vehicle and should you pull over..or is it some bastard with blue headlights? I hate them....

The colour depends what temperature you run them at, I agree that lights set at too high a temperature are a nuisance as you state, and I have found in my trawl regulations determining the colour of headlights. If they are not white or yellow then they are illegal. I have found a set that would give you purple headlights, presumably to match your undercar neon, this is not my intention.

[bogie]

"I agree, it amazing how much more annoying (different) they are than regular lights....they should be illegal IMO...especially if they give off that blue light...only cops should should have blue lights...it is just another distraction, trying to figure out whether it is the blue lights of an emrgency vehicle and should you pull over..or is it some bastard with blue headlights? I hate them.... "

mmmm...mine are white not blue?..they dont dazzle anyone as they are aligned correctly and the Elise is very low down. Maybe you are on about the blue bulbs that are favoured by some Max Power types? Xenons should be white 7000K colour temp I think.

Mervyn - thanks for info...at that price I may be able to afford to do my main beams too


>> Edited by bogie on Tuesday 13th January 16:02

[m-five]

The dazzling effect that a lot of people see comes from the self-levelling system that is installed with these lights.

The system tries to adjust the lights to keep them level but they are too slow to adjust and end up pointing in the air or at the ground when you go over quick humps. It would be better without self-levelling.

The white light is only visible from the focused beam shape of the headlight lens, if you are viewing from outside of this area you will see a rainbow of colours as the light is defracted differently.

[bogie]

that makes sense

[jap-car]

I agree the Xenon type lights are dangerous as they dazzle oncoming vehicles. I find it worst when I'm driving a low car (MR2, 200SX) and a tall range rover type thing is coming towards me. It's completely blinding. I've improved my situation by fitting 100W bulbs as the light levels are then more closely matched. I know these are illegal but why should they be when they are no brighter than Xenons? Anyway it's better than crashing.

>> Edited by jap-car on Wednesday 14th January 13:40

[bogie]

you wanna try driving an Elise at night - youre dazzled by everthing front and rear...being at just the same height as everyone elses lights

[cptsideways]

There is one other useful advantage;

Talivan's using laser have a bit of bother clocking you if your lights are on!. This came first hand from a Dorset Traffic Cop, operating a unit down the road from me. Apparently they'd often use their Omega's to calibrate the device. It would not work if the lights were on.

I thinks it to do with the light frequency they output.

[DennisTheMenace]

Marki said:

My ML has had bi xenon lights

Lesbo lamps....... kinky