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[Varche]

How high are they on your shopping list for another car or your existing car?

Essential?

Gimmick?

Just something else to go wrong after a few years?

Must have - to blind other road users?

Fashion statement?

Bi xenon? (i.e. main and dipped) good idea?

No point as once you reach a certain age you never go out in the dark as your eyesight "isn't as good as it used to be"

[Andy B]

My next car will NOT have normal halogen filament bulbs. I had HIDs on my Omega & just never expected my R Class to not have them ...... so never looked for them. My Merc's lights are sh1te. Never had a problem with my Omega's HIDs and never needed to change a 'bulb' in 10 years.

[Broomies Mate]

Xenon's are very high on my list of goodies.

After 3 Omega's (with) one e39 (without) and now Saab 9-5 (with)...... I certainly missed them on the BMW.

[tunnie]

It’s a must have on my commuter/3.2 replacement, the Zafira’s lights are crap.

[Kevin Wood]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

[Broomies Mate]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

I know you will give a honest answer Kevin, but how has a legal 55w bulb offered a better solution to HID?  I've use'd illegal bulbs (in a BMW) and still terrible 'throw'.


In my experience, Omega HID's are just as good as anything brand new (read, Mondeo's, 3eries, Hi-Lux, Navara)  They lose the Bi-Xenon, so High-Beam is compromised, but unless you are dogging.......

[Nick W]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

I know you will give a honest answer Kevin, but how has a legal 55w bulb offered a better solution to HID?  I've use'd illegal bulbs (in a BMW) and still terrible 'throw'.

The reflector and lens are more important than the type of bulb. A good quality 7" round H4 lamp is still hard to beat for effectiveness.

[Keith ABS]

 Agreed Nick
I converted my Carlton estate to the Moretti quad kit and fitted the Manta quad kit to a Mk 1 Cav I owned
Best light is from a round light

Keith ABS

[aaronjb]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

I know you will give a honest answer Kevin, but how has a legal 55w bulb offered a better solution to HID?  I've use'd illegal bulbs (in a BMW) and still terrible 'throw'.

The reflector and lens are more important than the type of bulb. A good quality 7" round H4 lamp is still hard to beat for effectiveness.

I have a spare one of those if anyone wants to buy a big hole saw and stick one on their car (they came in pairs.. one got dropped, so now I have three)

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

My Indian motor car has HIDs which are adequate but nothing special, and not as good as the HID's on my 2003 MV6.

[Viral_Jim]

My Indian motor car has HIDs which are adequate but nothing special, and not as good as the HID's on my 2003 MV6.

Are you sure its not your eyesight that's dimmed over the intervening years? 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

My Indian motor car has HIDs which are adequate but nothing special, and not as good as the HID's on my 2003 MV6.

Are you sure its not your eyesight that's dimmed over the intervening years? 

Absolutely not, James.

[Marks DTM Calib]

My Indian motor car has HIDs which are adequate but nothing special, and not as good as the HID's on my 2003 MV6.

Are you sure its not your eyesight that's dimmed over the intervening years? 

Absolutely not, James.

Apparently, doing to much of 'it' can impact your eyesight

[Kevin Wood]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

I know you will give a honest answer Kevin, but how has a legal 55w bulb offered a better solution to HID?  I've use'd illegal bulbs (in a BMW) and still terrible 'throw'.

The reflector and lens are more important than the type of bulb. A good quality 7" round H4 lamp is still hard to beat for effectiveness.

Exactly. Packaging constraints and the need for them to look "right" has hobbled the effectiveness of a lot of modern headlights. You can't really beat a nice big, round, parabolic reflector.

[Mr Gav]

For me they are a must, the quality of light is far better than halogen, the Omegas HID`s were a revelation after years of halogen lights and the Zeds are better still, plus they`re bi-xenon so full beam is excellent too.

[tigers_gonads]

My Indian motor car has HIDs which are adequate but nothing special, and not as good as the HID's on my 2003 MV6.

Are you sure its not your eyesight that's dimmed over the intervening years? 

Absolutely not, James.

Apparently, doing to much of 'it' can impact your eyesight

That's why I need glasses 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Halogen and HIDS are yesterdays pizza.

LED and Laser lights are the future.

[STEMO]

Halogen and HIDS are yesterdays pizza.

LED and Laser lights are the future.

Yeah....why just dazzle people when you can actually blind them 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Halogen and HIDS are yesterdays pizza.

LED and Laser lights are the future.

Yeah....why just dazzle people when you can actually blind them 

Shouldn't happen until the 'chaved up' max power boys decide to fit an aftermarket set from Ebay for £30.

[Varche]

Seat use LEDs on their cars as an option. I believe other manufacturers are put off by the cost. Presumably that will plummet with volume as they are introduced to more vehicles and manufacturers. I don't know whether LED's have to have washers for example.

[aaronjb]

Seat use LEDs on their cars as an option.

And VW. Audi. Nissan (standard on top spec models). Probably others too.

AFAIK the same requirements apply as to HIDs - self levelling & washers

[Marks DTM Calib]

Seat use LEDs on their cars as an option.

And VW. Audi. Nissan (standard on top spec models). Probably others too.

AFAIK the same requirements apply as to HIDs - self levelling & washers

Depends on the Tech, a key part of the latest LED setup is that they use a Matrix and turn on/off LEDs as required and hence the levelling can be compensated via other means. 

[henryd]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

Agreed,my Focus has far better lights that my Omega or Signum had and they were both HID,My Touareg has Halogen lights and they are absolutely shite though

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

Agreed,my Focus has far better lights that my Omega or Signum had and they were both HID,My Touareg has Halogen lights and they are absolutely shite though

My Signum has pathetic illumination. Not HID though.

[Doctor Gollum]

Xenon's are very high on my list of goodies.

After 3 Omega's (with) one e39 (without) and now Saab 9-5 (with)...... I certainly missed them on the BMW.

Seconded... Omegas without are woeful at night... Would retro fit again in a heartbeat

The Omegas replacement is unlikely to have Xenons due to the age of the design, although end of production did see them on the options list, which makes retrofitting viable...

[tunnie]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

Agreed,my Focus has far better lights that my Omega or Signum had and they were both HID,My Touareg has Halogen lights and they are absolutely shite though

My Signum has pathetic illumination. Not HID though.

The Zafira's lights are utter, utter crap. Shocking when it's a new design as well. 

[STEMO]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

Agreed,my Focus has far better lights that my Omega or Signum had and they were both HID,My Touareg has Halogen lights and they are absolutely shite though

My Signum has pathetic illumination. Not HID though.

The Zafira's lights are utter, utter crap. Shocking when it's a new design as well. 

Must be the same as my astra, and I have no problems at all.

[TheBoy]

My Indian motor car has HIDs which are adequate but nothing special, and not as good as the HID's on my 2003 MV6.

Are you sure its not your eyesight that's dimmed over the intervening years? 

Absolutely not, James.

Apparently, doing to much of 'it' can impact your eyesight

And turning to DIY ain't gonna help

[TheBoy]

HIDs or LED are high up on my list, but absolutely not a deal breaker for the right car.

As KW says, I've owned halogen based cars that have better likes than Omega HIDs, and some that are worse.  Vauxhall lights, TBH, I've always found to be a bit naff, HIDs or otherwise.

[STEMO]

Not to worry, it'll be about ten o'clock before it goes dark soon, and no one goes out after ten o'clock.

[TheBoy]

Not to worry, it'll be about ten o'clock before it goes dark soon, and no one goes out after ten o'clock.

We have staff members who don't have lights. I assume that's why in winter they get in late, and piss off early.

[Kevin Wood]

Not to worry, it'll be about ten o'clock before it goes dark soon, and no one goes out after ten o'clock.

We have staff members who don't have lights. I assume that's why in winter they get in late, and piss off early.

Given how sh1te a lot of car headlights are these days, I never fail to be amazed by the number of idiots driving around with only one working.

"One light W***ers", as Mrs KW and I call them.

[TheBoy]

Round here, DRLs are enough at night. Clearly rear lights are for sissys :@

[Doctor Gollum]

TBH, I've come across rubbish lights that are HID and excellent lights (MUCH better than Omega HIDs) that are halogen so it doesn't matter a lot to me. HIDs last longer, but more expense and hassle when they do fail.

Agreed,my Focus has far better lights that my Omega or Signum had and they were both HID,My Touareg has Halogen lights and they are absolutely shite though

My Signum has pathetic illumination. Not HID though.

Vectra C lights are woeful. Basic Xenons were plod only, and on retail cars car as part of the £1,200 Adaptive Forward Lighting pack... Which is why none  have them fitted Again there is scope to retro fit but parts are rare and expensive 

[Andy B]

Not to worry, it'll be about ten o'clock before it goes dark soon, and no one goes out after ten o'clock.

We have staff members who don't have lights. I assume that's why in winter they get in late, and piss off early.

Given how sh1te a lot of car headlights are these days, I never fail to be amazed by the number of idiots driving around with only one working.

"One light W***ers", as Mrs KW and I call them.

At least they make the effort of turning them on. Last week we were on the M62 over the Pennines, never exactly renown for its fantastic weather. It was piddling down & foggy too ..... loads had no lights at all ... I assume the drivers though their auto lights would be able to tell, or the other f***wits with just their DRLs on.

[VXL V6]

I've replaced the D2S bulbs in two of my cars and the ability to light the road is amazing compared to the original bulbs. So i'd recommend changing HID bulbs every 10 years minimum.

[Doctor Gollum]

The latest quality led sidelight bulbs put the standard Omega headlights to shame. Mind you, they do cost ten times more, so they bloody well should be better

[TheBoy]

I've replaced the D2S bulbs in two of my cars and the ability to light the road is amazing compared to the original bulbs. So i'd recommend changing HID bulbs every 10 years minimum.

I too have had this. They don't seem better, but when you are in the wet and dark, with oncoming traffic, it does actually illuminate the road.

Just changed the Jag ones for this very reason

[STEMO]

Not to worry, it'll be about ten o'clock before it goes dark soon, and no one goes out after ten o'clock.

We have staff members who don't have lights. I assume that's why in winter they get in late, and piss off early.

Given how sh1te a lot of car headlights are these days, I never fail to be amazed by the number of idiots driving around with only one working.

"One light W***ers", as Mrs KW and I call them.

At least they make the effort of turning them on. Last week we were on the M62 over the Pennines, never exactly renown for its fantastic weather. It was piddling down & foggy too ..... loads had no lights at all ... I assume the drivers though their auto lights would be able to tell, or the other f***wits with just their DRLs on.

We had this conversation last time it was foggy. Jaime's solution was to cull everyone. Who'd have thunk it? 

[TheBoy]

Not to worry, it'll be about ten o'clock before it goes dark soon, and no one goes out after ten o'clock.

We have staff members who don't have lights. I assume that's why in winter they get in late, and piss off early.

Given how sh1te a lot of car headlights are these days, I never fail to be amazed by the number of idiots driving around with only one working.

"One light W***ers", as Mrs KW and I call them.

At least they make the effort of turning them on. Last week we were on the M62 over the Pennines, never exactly renown for its fantastic weather. It was piddling down & foggy too ..... loads had no lights at all ... I assume the drivers though their auto lights would be able to tell, or the other f***wits with just their DRLs on.

We had this conversation last time it was foggy. Jaime's solution was to cull everyone. Who'd have thunk it? 

It fixes so many ills

[Andy B]

Not to worry, it'll be about ten o'clock before it goes dark soon, and no one goes out after ten o'clock.

We have staff members who don't have lights. I assume that's why in winter they get in late, and piss off early.

Given how sh1te a lot of car headlights are these days, I never fail to be amazed by the number of idiots driving around with only one working.

"One light W***ers", as Mrs KW and I call them.

At least they make the effort of turning them on. Last week we were on the M62 over the Pennines, never exactly renown for its fantastic weather. It was piddling down & foggy too ..... loads had no lights at all ... I assume the drivers though their auto lights would be able to tell, or the other f***wits with just their DRLs on.

We had this conversation last time it was foggy. Jaime's solution was to cull everyone. Who'd have thunk it? 

It fixes so many ills

[2boxerdogs]

The Terracan has the worst lights on any car I have ever owned, that is the only thing I can fault it on, fortunately I don't drive at night very often ! My old CDX was excellent .

[BazaJT]

My V70 has halogen lights and are notoriously crap[although I can see well enough with them]while my Omega has HIDs which are certainly better than the V70s,but having/lacking HIDs wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.Don't know what main beam lights are like on either car as I can't remember the last time I used main beam but it's certainly many many years ago.

[Varche]

Baza- that is an interesting observation. I think for a lot of folk nightime driving is mostly on dipped. Idiots here use their main beam on motorways until they are nearly upon folk (either catching up or coming the other way).  I would say my nightime driving is a third main beam and two thirds dipped .

[Kevin Wood]

The latest quality led sidelight bulbs put the standard Omega headlights to shame. Mind you, they do cost ten times more, so they bloody well should be better

I replaced the indicators front and back, brake lights and tail lights on the Westfield with LED ones yesterday. Powered them up to test and one of the sidelight bulbs has only gone and blown..

So.. may be going LED for them too.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I've no idea what type of bulbs either of my cars has. 

All I know is that when I turn them on, they light up the road in front and I can see where I'm going. 

[BazaJT]

The only thing I have to remember if using the Omega in conditions when lights are needed is to turn them on The V70 has DRLs which on the phase 1[like mine]means the dipped beam is in use as are the sidelights and all the rear lights.The only thing extra actually turning the lights on at the switch gives me is the dash backlighting.

[Varche]

The latest quality led sidelight bulbs put the standard Omega headlights to shame. Mind you, they do cost ten times more, so they bloody well should be better

I replaced the indicators front and back, brake lights and tail lights on the Westfield with LED ones yesterday. Powered them up to test and one of the sidelight bulbs has only gone and blown..

So.. may be going LED for them too.

Is this changing to LEDs an easy process?  Never heard of it but then I lead an incredibly sheltered life!

[aaronjb]

The latest quality led sidelight bulbs put the standard Omega headlights to shame. Mind you, they do cost ten times more, so they bloody well should be better

I replaced the indicators front and back, brake lights and tail lights on the Westfield with LED ones yesterday. Powered them up to test and one of the sidelight bulbs has only gone and blown..

So.. may be going LED for them too.

I have a couple of standard 7" units that are LEDs, if you fancy a change.. they 'stick out' a bit further than the normal Lucas units, so it makes the Cobra look a bit bug-eyed, but I don't imagine that would be noticeable with lights on stalks like the Westfield.

[Doctor Gollum]

The latest quality led sidelight bulbs put the standard Omega headlights to shame. Mind you, they do cost ten times more, so they bloody well should be better

I replaced the indicators front and back, brake lights and tail lights on the Westfield with LED ones yesterday. Powered them up to test and one of the sidelight bulbs has only gone and blown..

So.. may be going LED for them too.

Is this changing to LEDs an easy process?  Never heard of it but then I lead an incredibly sheltered life!

What I fitted to mine...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/222486605102?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=48657126936&rlsatarget=pla-382144919668&abcId=1129916&adtype=pla&merchantid=115156767&poi=&googleloc=9045816&device=m&campaignid=973710387&crdt=0&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252Fi%25252F222486605102%25253Fchn%25253Dps%252526dispItem%25253D1%2526itemid%253D222486605102%2526targetid%253D382144919668%2526device%253Dm%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9045816%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D973710387%2526adgroupid%253D48657126936%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-382144919668%2526abcId%253D1129916%2526merchantid%253D115156767%2526gclid%253DCj0KCQjwh7zWBRCiARIsAId9b4q3r_c8xyijh2vxbaRv1y-ADZLuhyD-Toy06QX8lYd6taqUVNHDrDkaAjeWEALw_wcB%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1497097935041

The halogen bulbs were replaced with night breaker plus and the xenon bulbs with xenarc, all Osram... Cost about £120 for all the lights on the front of the car.

[Varche]

The latest quality led sidelight bulbs put the standard Omega headlights to shame. Mind you, they do cost ten times more, so they bloody well should be better

I replaced the indicators front and back, brake lights and tail lights on the Westfield with LED ones yesterday. Powered them up to test and one of the sidelight bulbs has only gone and blown..

So.. may be going LED for them too.

Is this changing to LEDs an easy process?  Never heard of it but then I lead an incredibly sheltered life!

What I fitted to mine...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/222486605102?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=48657126936&rlsatarget=pla-382144919668&abcId=1129916&adtype=pla&merchantid=115156767&poi=&googleloc=9045816&device=m&campaignid=973710387&crdt=0&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252Fi%25252F222486605102%25253Fchn%25253Dps%252526dispItem%25253D1%2526itemid%253D222486605102%2526targetid%253D382144919668%2526device%253Dm%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9045816%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D973710387%2526adgroupid%253D48657126936%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-382144919668%2526abcId%253D1129916%2526merchantid%253D115156767%2526gclid%253DCj0KCQjwh7zWBRCiARIsAId9b4q3r_c8xyijh2vxbaRv1y-ADZLuhyD-Toy06QX8lYd6taqUVNHDrDkaAjeWEALw_wcB%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1497097935041

The halogen bulbs were replaced with night breaker plus and the xenon bulbs with xenarc, all Osram... Cost about £120 for all the lights on the front of the car.

Thanks. Well I will be damned. What next ? cars powered by electricity? Flying machines? I bet they will be sending a man to the moon before too long.

[Kevin Wood]

Is this changing to LEDs an easy process?  Never heard of it but then I lead an incredibly sheltered life!

It was in my case, as I just swapped to these:

http://www.bowerspartsonline.co.uk/lighting/front-lighting/led-front-lighting/land-rover-defender-73mm-led-clear-indicator-light-upgrade-rdxwipac

Front lights were land rover indicators anyway, but needed a bit of bracketry making up to mount them.

Rears were going on to new wheel arches, so just drill the 2 mounting holes and 1 for the wiring and bolt them up.

On a  production car it's probably less easy, although you can get LED replacement bulbs. No idea how good they are.

I have a couple of standard 7" units that are LEDs, if you fancy a change.. they 'stick out' a bit further than the normal Lucas units, so it makes the Cobra look a bit bug-eyed, but I don't imagine that would be noticeable with lights on stalks like the Westfield.

I might be interested in trying those for size - outside an Indian restaurant some time perhaps?  

[Kevin Wood]

Oh, I had to modify the shunt resistor in my flasher unit to stop it flashing at a daft rate due to the lower current draw. No way was I going to splash out £8 on a new flasher!

[aaronjb]

I might be interested in trying those for size - outside an Indian restaurant some time perhaps?  

That is a definite possibility Once the weather warms up, I guess!

[Kevin Wood]

I might be interested in trying those for size - outside an Indian restaurant some time perhaps?  

That is a definite possibility Once the weather warms up, I guess!

Don't mind the temperature so much as the fact that it keeps precipitating.

Are you thinking of going to Stoneleigh this year, by the way?

[Kevin Wood]

Looked at my headlights last night and thought "if that's a 7" headlight, I'm John Holmes".

Remembered that my car has 5 1/4" headlights.

[Varche]

Looked at my headlights last night and thought "if that's a 7" headlight, I'm John Holmes".

Remembered that my car has 5 1/4" headlights.

hmm more Eminem maybe

[aaronjb]

Are you thinking of going to Stoneleigh this year, by the way?

Yep - though my plans extend as far as "Whatever day it looks like it has the lowest chance of precipitation" But yes.. there's bound to be odds and sodds to buy.

Looked at my headlights last night and thought "if that's a 7" headlight, I'm John Holmes".

Remembered that my car has 5 1/4" headlights.

 

[Kevin Wood]

Are you thinking of going to Stoneleigh this year, by the way?

Yep - though my plans extend as far as "Whatever day it looks like it has the lowest chance of precipitation" But yes.. there's bound to be odds and sodds to buy.

Sounds like the same as me, then. 

Will keep you posted. Would be nice to catch up if our paths cross.

[aaronjb]

Will keep you posted. Would be nice to catch up if our paths cross.

Likewise - let me know which day you're thinking of when we're close enough to take a reasonable stab at the weather