Bulb upgrade. Any good ?

[Dazza N]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLEAR-XENON-bulbs-TVR-ce...


Has anyone tried these bulbs on the link above ? Cheers.

[Steve_T]

They're expensive, but try Philips Extreme Power.

[Byker28i]

I'm quite tempted by these. Come out tops in bulb tests
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[ridds]

Byker28i said:

I'm quite tempted by these. Come out tops in bulb tests
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I run those in my motorway mile muncher (1994 Pug 405) and they are MUCH better than the old bulbs. Not sure if it's the roads I use but I get through a LOT of them (3 in the last year!).

[Steve_T]

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/auto_express_2011...

Change of order at the top.

[jackwibble]

The main problem is normally voltage to the bulbs as it has to travel from the battery to the control box in the boot and then all the way back to the lights add in a bit of aged wires and you can end up with a dull glow at the front end.

So even the best 'normal' bulbs will not produce good light, the best way to very bright lights is HID as the system works like a power inverter and can still produce full power with only 8 volts or so, also you can run a fused spur directly from the battery to the HID units.

It will be my next job

[tommy18]

I could be wrong but aren't the HID kits soon to be an MOT failure?

[JensenA]

tommy18 said:

I could be wrong but aren't the HID kits soon to be an MOT failure?

So are no CATS

[jackwibble]

Yes i think if you use a TVR friendly MOT garage you should be ok the HID issue is a case of common sense surely, as long as they are correctly aligned don't see how it can be a problem, as for CATS mine passed no problem and i think the cats may have gone for a stroll somewhere

[Kernow67]

tommy18 said:

I could be wrong but aren't the HID kits soon to be an MOT failure?

IIRC HIDs are likely to be an MOT failure if high beam (dips will be OK I think, but don't hold me to it) unless the car has a means of levelling and washing the headlights

[scotty_d]

Kernow67 said:

IIRC HIDs are likely to be an MOT failure if high beam (dips will be OK I think, but don't hold me to it) unless the car has a means of levelling and washing the headlights

Goes for dipped as well was talking with my Mate a Tiv owner who is a MOT tester. If you have Xeons you need Washers and levelers. I am just going to go back to bulbs as i had loads of problems last year with Hids in the Cerb Only one would fire up Ect right pain and they were not that great either in the pod lights.

They were Ok in the Chim with standard headlights but not a patch on our BMW Mini

[Kernow67]

Just had a check of the 2012 MOT manual, and it says that dipped beam HIDs MAY be fitted with auto levelling and washing, and where these functions are fitted, they must work.

This is a bit of a back down from the VOSA Pen Picture for changes to be implemented in 2012, which said that after-market fits should conform t the same standards as new cars - i.e self-levelling lights or suspension, and washers. However, they also said "It is also worthy of note that a few high performance vehicles fitted with HID headlamps that have barely any luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self-levelling system."

Also they say "Where headlamp levelling or cleaning devices are missing or defective, but there is doubt as to whether they are required, the benefit of the doubt should be given and an advisory notice issued."

Anyway, at the end of the day, the MOT Manual is the law, and that is the bit right at the start of this marathon message....

[Dazza N]

So I guess from that response I should stick to the standard lights. Thanks Guys.

[Pursyluv]

No you're wrong, HID's will be fine - i've posted an MOT tester's response to this specific question on this forum somewhere

[Gazzab]

And the bulbs above aren't true hid bulbs are they..?

[mickydoo]

Just bought a pair of Halfwits own Ultra Powered Xenon filled bulbs.

Now I find that it's damn near impossible to actually get into the headlight unit.

Any tips? I've got the steering over at full lock (which isn't all that great anyway), but I can't get the angle with the screwdriver straight enough to get enough bite on the cover screws.

How the heck are we supposed to change bulbs? Help!

Mike

[Gray_101]

Think you ll have to take the front wheels off, I doubt you manage it with them on

[buba]

might be easier to take the wheel off

[Byker28i]

Yup, take the wheels off. I even had to do it to change the bulbs on my daughters Ka

[Bigadz]

Let us know how you rate these micky, I'm thinking about getting a set.