HID AfterMarket Xenon/HID Kits?

[DanKo]

I've got the HID's installed like a week ago now, I can deffinatly say the car look soo much sweeter now!, I have to give it a big valet, as I aint touched it for a good month or so now:P, so I will add superguard to it on a nice sunny day

Im also gonna drop it 40mm, and put some 19's on it

This will keep me busy for sometime

[jdcampbell]

One of the other factors regarding these aftermarket kits is their safety shutdown in the event of an accident. They operate at very high voltages and can give rise to a dangerous situation if they don't shutdown after an acccident.

For those of you not comfortable fitting these aftermarket kits I would suggest Philips Vision Plus or Osram Siver Star Bulbs. Both can be obtained from my site and you'll get the 10% off using the discount code I posted elsewhere.

For those that can wait Philips have announced an XTREME Power bulb with 80% more light that a standard bulb, but only consuming the same 60w as a standard bulb. However they are experiencing manufacturing difficulties and they are almost impossible to get hold of. I'll make another post when that are available, but for the time being the above recommendation stands.

Here’s what Auto Express had to say about Xtreme Power:


This is so new, we could not randomly select test samples, so can’t include it in our assessment. Yet performance of our pre-production unit was staggering. Even compared with the current benchmark 50% Plus per cent bulbs, the difference was immediate and dramatic. Philips claim an 80 per cent improvement over standard units, but we think that this is conservative.
The results have been achieved in the same way as the 30 and 50 per cent lamps-by taking the allowed tolerances right to the edge. This time though as well as reducing the filament and burning it hotter, Philips has shrunk the glass casing.
As a result, the gas pressure can be increased for better light output. Engineers have also optimised the geometry and shield position to focus the light where it is needed.

[Stefce]

Hi guys,I have fitted my Civic(my moms civic) with 50w Hid kit.
I have fitted the Car with a 5000k Bulbs and in terms of 50w HIDs its more like 4500k compared to the Normal 35w HID. My Hid kit looks Something like Standard Halogen and doesn't give it out like the 6k Kits do when you know that the Car has HIDs.
I can say that the light output is 5 times or more than normal and makes High beam Not necessary.
The thing with Beam pattern and Glare effect its that the Civic Headlight isn't perfect from the Factory since its Has glare already and Halogen bulbs don't put that glare much in perspective since the Light output isn't that big but when you Up the light output times 5 the Glare and imperfections of the Headlight design come to play.

So i got few flashes but i suspect that the Output of my 50w kit is too much...I think that a 35w kit would do just fine.And I suggest to stick with 4300-5-6000 Kelvin HID if you go HID since light output falls drastically above that,
I will take a PIC of the HID tomorrow and post it.
I can say that maybe the Best OEM hid in terms of light output and pattern Is the S2000 and i can tell you this Kit i have Tops My s2000 in Output.
The kit i have is From a Quality Chinese HID brand Techone and its quite Well made and not generic HID kit with 200 different brands Slapped on it.
Cheers/

[Stefce]

Here are the pictures
First 3 of light pattern than Foglights compared to HID in color and how the Output looks from them together.
Glare all over there from Bad pictures from the headlights and foglights.

Anyway Installing needs some modifications like holes on the Headlight cups that serve to get to the Bulbs and fitting the ballasts outside the headlight.
Also Making the Holes for the Hid Wires Waterproof.
I drive the car with the headlight settings on 2 and i drove the car before on 1 and i use the No.2 headlight height setting just to be safe that nobody gets Flashed from lowbeam on bumps...
Cheers.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by Stefce

Hi guys,I have fitted my Civic(my moms civic) with 50w Hid kit.
I have fitted the Car with a 5000k Bulbs and in terms of 50w HIDs its more like 4500k compared to the Normal 35w HID. My Hid kit looks Something like Standard Halogen and doesn't give it out like the 6k Kits do when you know that the Car has HIDs.
I can say that the light output is 5 times or more than normal and makes High beam Not necessary.
The thing with Beam pattern and Glare effect its that the Civic Headlight isn't perfect from the Factory since its Has glare already and Halogen bulbs don't put that glare much in perspective since the Light output isn't that big but when you Up the light output times 5 the Glare and imperfections of the Headlight design come to play.

So i got few flashes but i suspect that the Output of my 50w kit is too much...I think that a 35w kit would do just fine.And I suggest to stick with 4300-5-6000 Kelvin HID if you go HID since light output falls drastically above that,
I will take a PIC of the HID tomorrow and post it.
I can say that maybe the Best OEM hid in terms of light output and pattern Is the S2000 and i can tell you this Kit i have Tops My s2000 in Output.
The kit i have is From a Quality Chinese HID brand Techone and its quite Well made and not generic HID kit with 200 different brands Slapped on it.
Cheers/

So retro-fitting an HID light set on a car not designed for them does make it dangerous....

I'm glad I wasn't driving towards you at night.

[Dream Weaver]

HID's actually "burn" at much less power than standard halogen lights.

Power consumption is lower, except when switching them on, so in theory they should be safer from a fire point of view.

[Nadz]

Danko- where did you get yours done and how much? (if you dont mind me asking)

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by Dream Weaver

HID's actually "burn" at much less power than standard halogen lights.

Power consumption is lower, except when switching them on, so in theory they should be safer from a fire point of view.

But it is far more dangerous when oncoming drivers are dazzled by the lights!

[Dream Weaver]

If that's the case then maybe, but can't say i've ever been dazzled by anything other than the std Xenon kits on Range Rovers and BM's (the ones that change colour), and I have plenty of Corsa and Saxo boys round here with HIDS fitted.

End of the day, if they are illegal then thats that. I think the law should be amended to make it clear though, there are many thousands of the kits around the UK. Even mags such as PPC are fitting the kits to older cars to show what can be achieved.

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by Hartside

I'm not sure you're right Dream Weaver. This is a reply from the Department of Transport to a member of another forum. It would pay to check with the DoT yourself:

Have received the following guidance from The Department of Transport.........

Dear Sir,

The situation for Gas Discharge (HID High Intensity Discharge) (commonly known as Xenon) headlamps is complex.

I attach links to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 which regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However you will be well aware that new vehicles have Xenon 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 Xenon headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the aftermarket, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "Xenon is banned in the aftermarket" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require Xenon in the aftermarket to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a Xenon headlamp sold in the aftermarket 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.

Hope that helps.

***

We are aware of kit available in the aftermarket where a Xenon "burner" or bulb is fitted inside a headlamp designed for use with conventional Halogen filament bulbs. The burner is fitted with a "bayonet" type fitting so it fits where the Halogen bulb should fit. This is not legal and the vendor, the person who mounts it on the vehicle and the person who drives the vehicle are all committing an offence. (Which also means that he is invalidating the insurance.)
The reason for this is that headlamps and bulbs are made to tight tolerances and the wrong type of bulb will cause an incorrect beam pattern to be emitted, which could cause dazzle and discomfort to other drivers.

Originally Posted by Dream Weaver

If that's the case then maybe, but can't say i've ever been dazzled by anything other than the std Xenon kits on Range Rovers and BM's (the ones that change colour), and I have plenty of Corsa and Saxo boys round here with HIDS fitted.

End of the day, if they are illegal then thats that. I think the law should be amended to make it clear though, there are many thousands of the kits around the UK. Even mags such as PPC are fitting the kits to older cars to show what can be achieved.

Looks pretty clear to me?

aftermarket HID kits which do not have both self leveling and cleaning system are not legal.

unless someone else can read it another way?

[l-noel]

No it's perfectly clear...

[Dream Weaver]

How many people have been convicted for using an aftermarket HID kit though? From what i've seen its a lax ruling that isn't enforced or policed at all. If it was we'd hear stories about it all the time.

I would imagine that 99% of cars on UK roads fall foul of certain DOT rulings that aren't set in stone or policed.

They need to clear it up, in the same way they have for the idiots that use mobiles whilst driving.

The gov't/DVLA need to make it clear now if its causing such big problems. As it is, you can buy a HID conversion kit anywhere, and there must be plenty of people using them. If, as TT pointed out, insurance is void with these kits fitted, then its a nationwide problem - if said driver writes off your new Civic and has a HID kit which voids the insurance, then its likely you won't get any money for it.

So far, i've seen nothing except the "sensational" Auto Express video, and some DOT message from the MG Rover forum which anyone could make up - funnily enough there is nothing on the DFT website about HID or Xenon lights.

I just find it odd that something apparently illegal and dangerous, can pass an MOT, be bought from anywhere in the UK, has thousands of people using them, and no stories of convictions or death by HID in any media.

[czechplastik]

Again, lots of people sell and take drugs and don't get prosecute through not being detected by Police. Just because they don't get caught doesn't make them any less dangerous! How many times have you broken the speed limit and not been caught? Again illegal and just because you don't get caught doesn't make it OK.

The text above (again posted by TT) is perfectly clear, if you wish to run the risk that's your choice. But they are dangerous I'm sure they have and will cause accidents. In terms of the DFT website, I also looked and you're correct it's not there. Send them an email or go down to your local library or bookshop and buy the road traffic order, clear as day!

[freeze01]

I read on this forum before about the new Phillips light units. It's called the "x-treme power" and seems to be a very good alternative.
This way you have the benefits of better lights and in a legal way!
Costs for a set here in holland is €34,95. After an €29.000 (yeah,holland is very expensive with cars...) investment that won't hurt anymore....
It is said to have 80% more light,and reviews show that philips life up to that expectation.
I still have to wait three weeks before i have the car,but i will sure put this lights in.
Can someone tell me if i need h4 or h7 lights?
Greetz,
Freeze01

[Foggy69]

The dipped beam have H7 bulbs, and the Philips X-treme bulbs do make a fair bit of difference.

[czechplastik]

Yes I've also read the Phillips are excellent, probably the best solution.

[ukpm]

Can you not order the headlight units that go into the EX and Sport models?

If you were fitting aftermarket HID lamps to a headlight unit that was using a projector (or ellipsoidal) lens you will most likey get away with it, as the beam is very much cut off with little or indeed no glare for oncoming traffic

[jdcampbell]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

Yes I've also read the Phillips are excellent, probably the best solution.

Guys; I have the Philips Xtreme Power H7 in stock and the LJDNI55 code is still good for 10% off.

I'll also be adding Meguiars Water Magnet. Clay Bars, Bucket with grit guard on to the site tonight. Also as the weather is getting better have another look at the site for any Best Buy car cleaning stuff you might want.

Doug

[Minkster]

Reading this thread (I know its getting on a bit now) and am absolutely dismayed by some of the people who - for all intents and purposes - are driving knowingly without insurance and quite possibly driving cars that can contribute to an accident, just for the sake of putting Xenons on a car.

I've never had Xenons and whilst it would be great to have them, as I'm getting a Type-S GT I won't be. Put brighter bulbs in for sure, but not illegal ones.

It would be (relatively) understandable if we were talking about putting them on old Corsas and suchlike that spend most time zooming up and down the highstreet, but we are talking about pretty powerful £16k+ cars here!

[Dream Weaver]

I've told the insurance about the HID kit on my 205 and they were fine with it, and confirmed I would be covered in an accident. It also passed the MOT with them on last week.

As for a 16k Civic being powerful, refined maybe but never powerful