T350 Headlight Upgrade

[stub101]

As it is almost permanently dark all the time since the clocks have gone back I have realised how pants the headlights are on my T350. I am used to the BMW xenons and it is now like driving with 2 candles in jamjar's strapped to the front.

I have been looking at possible upgrades but wanted to know what other people have done about the problem.

- One option is obviously just to upgrade the bulbs to Osram super or similar - but how much better can they really get for £40???????

- The other option is to go for a HID upgrade (circa £250) and I imagine that this will take light levels back to what I am used to on the BMW whilst also looking a look better at the same time. But there are issues with hassle of fitting etc..

Any thoughts??????????

[rebelstar]

I had my headlights upgraded to HID last year by my local dealer (so it cost a bit more than you're quoting). Well worth the money though - I feel a lot safer at night!

Edit: Should mention - radio reception is even worse than usual when the lights are on now.

Edited by rebelstar on Monday 29th October 17:28

[Toady1]

what HID kit did you have fitted? Do they self level and have a washer system on them now? If not then they probably aren't a legal HID upgrade kit (like on my car!) I fit some to my car but havn't MOT'd it yet since fitting them so not sure yet if they'll pass, but its a simple job on my car to just swap the bulbs over for it. I got my kit from 'xenon light source' and they are brilliant. So much better light, and they also look awesome! Plus they only cost me £120!

[pete]

I have a HID kit on dipped beam on my Tuscan (£125 from Aceparts.com), and it passed an MOT without comment. No washers or self levellers, but it has been adjusted to within normal MOT specs.

Given the massive improvement in light output, now almost as good as the bi xenons in my BMW, then it's worth the risk in finding a sympathetic MOT garage.

Pete

[Toady1]

I aggree they are so much better. Lots of MOT mechanics prob wont even know the law on it. Such an easy to diy job tho!

[stub101]

Is there a particular type that come highly reccommended by people, as I have heard bad reports about some of thenm burning the wires and the igniter boxes self-combusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are they literally just plug&play once youve mounted the ballast etc.. somewhere?

[Toady1]

mine have been in for about 10-11 months now and are fine(touch wood!) they have done plenty of 2-3hr night drives to parents etc! Yes they were just plug and play too, as you say, the hardest part is finding a good spot to mount the ballasts so they dont get full of water and have airflow around them to keep them cool.

[ginner]

Think the law relating to self leveling and headlight washers is for OE factory fit only. Aftermarket or retro fit isn't covered, but i'll stand corrected.

You can buy HID bulbs and powere packs to fit the original headlamps, much cheaper and easier to replace on a TVR.

J

[hollowpockets]

ginner said:

You can buy HID bulbs and powere packs to fit the original headlamps, much cheaper and easier to replace on a TVR.

J

ebay is your friend, apparently these kits cost £75 on ebay, my manager bought a kit for his vx220 and said it was the best upgrade he had done, just select the correct bulb type and it takes 45 mins to fit.

[stub101]

hollowpockets said:

ginner said:

You can buy HID bulbs and powere packs to fit the original headlamps, much cheaper and easier to replace on a TVR.

J

ebay is your friend, apparently these kits cost £75 on ebay, my manager bought a kit for his vx220 and said it was the best upgrade he had done, just select the correct bulb type and it takes 45 mins to fit.

Arent these kits all the same with the power packs and just the bulbs that then plug in?

I am just usually dubious with the ebay kits in case the ballasts just decide to combust or the wiring melts etc...

[Toady1]

my kit was bought through ebay, and it has a 2 year gaurantee!

[stub101]

Toady1 said:

my kit was bought through ebay, and it has a 2 year gaurantee!

OOhh - do you have any links to the kit, or a brand or the sellers name as that sounds a bit tasty.

[Toady1]

I said it above...'xenon light source'. I think these were the guys, but ill look later through my ebay history.

http://www.xlsperformance.com/cars_hid_kitS.htm

I went for the 6k ones as i didnt want them too bluey, ill get a pic up for you later to show you. I think i might try the 4k's next time cos mine are still quite blue, and 4k is the brightest. The further up you go the more blue/purple they go, but not as bright.

Best mod ive ever done for the outlay!

Edited by Toady1 on Tuesday 30th October 19:40

[jamie g]

Are they h7 bulbs in the t350?

[stub101]

I think Im gonna go for these ones (www.xenonshop.co.uk) which I think are the ones recommended earlier. They seem pretty good are warrantied and are £120.

How easy are they to fit in the T350? and is there anywhere to mount the ballasts to? It is important that they stay dry isnt it.


OOps - just nearly made a huge error and ordered the H4 kit, but it is H7 that the T350 has isnt it.

Edited by stub101 on Wednesday 31st October 09:52

[cramorra]

Have a kit from ebay there since about 6 months, was fitted by my local garage and is fine 6000k so more white then blue - not had mot yet but dealer said will be no problem
Light is so much better now (and seems durable as well with twelve hour drive on wet Autobahn)

[stub101]

Can anyone confirm that the kit needed is aH7 not a H4???

[Toady1]

Not having a t350 im not sure...does it have a seperate bulb for high and low beam or is it all in one? Ive got the H1's on the golf. If they are seperate then you'll have a halogen light still for the high beam unless you buy another kit for that too.

[custardkid]

Tuscan s are H7,

assume T350 will be the same

custard

[supercrispy]

FYI Sagaris dip and mainbeam are also H7