ST170 Xenon headlights into an RS?

[Beefmeister]

Hi all,

I've got an ST170 with xenons currently, and having seen the price of Focus RSs i'm considering one in the next couple of months.

The only thing that bothers me is that it seems like the RS never had the option of Xenon lights, and frankly having driven a focus with halogens i think it needs them!

So, long story short, has anyone replaced the normal headlights with the ST170 Xenons?

I'm talking genuine Ford OEM parts here, not some chavvy crap.

I know you'd have to find somewhere for the ballasts, but surely that'd be the only difference?

Cheers

Edited by Beefmeister on Sunday 15th February 18:07

[zippy144]

Hi

The ST170 lights are plug and play in the RS.

Regards

Tom aka Zippy

[rsstman]

yes as said they will fit straight in.

[Beefmeister]

Cool, cheers guys.

Have many people done it? It seems like a very obvious mod to me...

[Jamz]

There is quite a few

[rsstman]

i remember when my friend took his car to SCC (st albans car clinic) they had a demo focus rs which had them fitted this was way back when they were brand new.

[matmoxon]

Will the RS have the axle sensors for the self leveling if it didn't already have the Xenon HID lights?

Matt

[rsstman]

if in doubt ask SCC as they will know.

[Alexbturbo]

Beefmeister said:

Cool, cheers guys.

Have many people done it? It seems like a very obvious mod to me...

Yeah loads of people have done it - theres at least 20 FRS on the RSOC running the ST170 xenons

Edited by Alexbturbo on Thursday 19th February 20:28

[falconuk]

Not totally sure but belive you have to also fit headlamp washers if you fit xenons . Unsure if this is MOT legislation or not .

[rsstman]

falconuk said:

Not totally sure but belive you have to also fit headlamp washers if you fit xenons . Unsure if this is MOT legislation or not .

ermm no. some evos come with xenons and have no washers. why would you need washers on bright xenon lights and none on dull halogen lights? makes no sense

[anonymous-user]

rsstman said:

falconuk said:

Not totally sure but belive you have to also fit headlamp washers if you fit xenons . Unsure if this is MOT legislation or not .

ermm no. some evos come with xenons and have no washers. why would you need washers on bright xenon lights and none on dull halogen lights? makes no sense

Due to light refraction. It is a requirement if you look at all the gumph.

[rsstman]

Dave_ST220 said:

rsstman said:

falconuk said:

Not totally sure but belive you have to also fit headlamp washers if you fit xenons . Unsure if this is MOT legislation or not .

ermm no. some evos come with xenons and have no washers. why would you need washers on bright xenon lights and none on dull halogen lights? makes no sense

Due to light refraction. It is a requirement if you look at all the gumph.

so why does an evo 9 fq360 have xenons and not have washers?

[anonymous-user]

rsstman said:

Dave_ST220 said:

rsstman said:

falconuk said:

Not totally sure but belive you have to also fit headlamp washers if you fit xenons . Unsure if this is MOT legislation or not .

ermm no. some evos come with xenons and have no washers. why would you need washers on bright xenon lights and none on dull halogen lights? makes no sense

Due to light refraction. It is a requirement if you look at all the gumph.

so why does an evo 9 fq360 have xenons and not have washers?

How the hell would i know?! Same reason a Renault Megane doesn't i guess. Don't shoot the messenger Like i said, trawl through all the gumph & you'll see it in black & white.

[anonymous-user]

Had a quick look, seems NEW cars can get away without the washers but must have auto levelling-something to do with an EU directive, any retro fit in the UK MUST have washers AND auto levelling. My old Mondeo has passed every MOT since 2000 without either. Never been flashed or stopped either.

[rsstman]

Dave_ST220 said:

Had a quick look, seems NEW cars can get away without the washers but must have auto levelling-something to do with an EU directive, any retro fit in the UK MUST have washers AND auto levelling. My old Mondeo has passed every MOT since 2000 without either. Never been flashed or stopped either.

i doubt it is something any m.o.t tester checks.

[:J:]

Do you not have to make a change to the wiring loom to fit xenons to the RS ? At least that's what Ford told me, IIRC ?

[anonymous-user]

:J: said:

Do you not have to make a change to the wiring loom to fit xenons to the RS ? At least that's what Ford told me, IIRC ?

You certainly do to Mondeo's, surely the loom is different? HID draws over 20A at cold strike! The standard fuses certainly won't cope!

[PAULJA]

:J: said:

Do you not have to make a change to the wiring loom to fit xenons to the RS ? At least that's what Ford told me, IIRC ?

Yes you do have to change the wiring - they are not a direct exchange. Plenty of info on the RSOC site