Hid

[dirtdog 4]

Was browsing through the the internet and came across this HID kit on the ecosse web page.

 

Wondering if anyone thinks they are worth the ££ , or if I should stay well clear. I have used ecosse once before and was not happy with the product (short shifter), so if anyone could help me out a bit here as I've got no idea about the tech' side of it. All I know is I'd like brighter lights and the kit looks like it's decent...

HID "virtual daylight" Headlight conversion

 

Thanks

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

HID conversions kits are quite good and most are well made (they're pretty much all sourced from China - including that kit there in the link). The same kits on ebay are around £40 so don't bother with that overpriced kit. With the 205 being H4 bulbs there are two chocies; HID conversion kit with just the dipped headlights HID and a normal filament for main beam or "bi-xenon" which means both dipped and main beams are HID (in most bixenon kits it's actually just one filament but a solenoid alters the beam pattern).

 

I've bought several kits from "diane_shop" on ebay and they arrive in with 4 days from H.K.

[kate205gti 4]

i know a few ppl running these with great success - definately a mod im looking at doing soon

[Super Josh 4]

Aren't they illegal now?

 

I've used a couple of kits on my 205, the better type with the moving reflector to alter the beam pattern. They do throw out a lot of light, BUT, the beam pattern isn't as good as a standard bulb. I probably wouldn't bother again TBH.

 

 

 

Josh

[Ahl 4]

Have a look at this link:

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...st&p=829284

 

I too have an HID kit, but that link is interesting with regard to why the beam pattern is not correct. It goes into quite a lot of technical detail on the shape of the 'filament' and how this affects beam pattern etc.

That article also mentions that HID lights can give less useful light at distance than halogen bulbs when used in halogen headlights (but that they are very intense closer up so look impressive).

 

I'm not saying that the article is true or not, but at least it goes into technical detail.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has achieved a good beam pattern with retrofit HID's.

 

Ahl

[CosKev 16]

Not sure if they are illegal or not

 

But they will fail the MOT if your tester is on the ball

 

Apparently you need automatic headlight adjusters so you don't blind oncoming vehicles,and headlight wash/wipe system 'cause dirty lenses can deflect the light and blind oncoming vehicles.

[marc t 0]

Got a H1 kit in my BMW (old E36) now for the past 2-3 years. The beam pattern is spot on and I only went for the 6000k as I didn't want it going blue like the 8000k version (everyone always thinks the higher the k, the brighter it is, but infact its the other way around. ) - Also at a glance they could just be those white bulbs as its not that noticable when looking at the front. I've not had any problems with MOTs. I think they just look for pattern and level rather than type.

 

Technically they are illegal as you should have headlamp washers and auto self levelling. Not sure why the washers are needed as surely if the lamps are dirty thats the drivers problem and they should clean the lamps.

 

Also with the levelling, I find cars that have it annoying (Range Rovers are one of the worst) as when they are following you the lights keep going up and down in your mirror. I have made sure mine are all set correctly and been flashed once in the last year (and they had their fog lights on anyway and since it wasn't foggy that doesn't count in my books) - Although even with my arguements, technically they are illegal.

[damien 22 1 Cars]

ive had HID's on my 205 for afew years now and not had any problems with MOTs, the local peugeot dealer did my MOT at the start of this month and didnt mind the lights.

[Ahl 4]

Marc, are your HID's going through projector lamps on the BMW?

[dirtdog 4]

illegal?

 

I was thinking about getting rid of my driving lights because one had corroded. Planned on getting some HID to help on the pitch black country roads but..prehaps I should just get new driving lamps and put illegal super bright bulbs in...if thats possible (I never use them in built up areas)

 

I don't want MASSIVE lights, but I still want to vaporise a rabbit at 100 foot...

[marc t 0]

Marc, are your HID's going through projector lamps on the BMW?

 

It has been delensed and underneath it does have a 'projector type' lens but they only made the E36 with normal bulbs so there is no HID type approval (and no headlamp wash/auto level)

 

 

 

 

Ref been illegal, as long as you don't go really blue/purple and make sure your lights are properly set you lower your risk of been stopped/failing mots. - Its illegal to have 100w bulbs too(in the normal lamp), but people still do, its just harder to prove at the roadside. (Disclaimer! - I'm not saying everyone should go and do things that are illegal, and I am not complaining about people that have done this, I'm just using it as an example.)

[Ahl 4]

Yeah, do it at your own risk eh?

 

I was curious about the projector lamps as they will have a better upper cutoff than normal lamps.

[marc t 0]

They do seem to have a good cut off, but the projector is the same as the one used with the H1 bulb.

[TKH 0]

I looked in to this in great detail some time back. What I found was that laws were quite clear as far as laws go and that it was indeed illegal to retrofit any sort of HID light system. But to complicate things a little the dft are on record saying that as long a HID system is fitted to ECE 98 and 48 standard and there all fitted correctly and comply to laws in all other aspects they would not consider them illegal even though by the law it self they are illegal.

 

Or to put it simply. If you fit HID approved headlamps, approved HID bulbs, approved self levelling system, approved washer just and its all aligned properly and gives of a yellow or white light they they would not wish to prosecute. Though strictly speaking you could still be done as even this is illegal.

 

Other than that and you will get a fine or be prosecuted. The maximum fine was £2500 but for a private car this drops to £1000. I was also told a few cars were confiscated as they were so blatantly dangerous the officers felt the cars were not safe to be on the road.