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[paul.lovejoy]

 are you able to sucessfully fit a set of Hid headlights from a facelift elite to a facelift CD and would it pass an MOT in view that the CD does not have the sesors to self level the headlights

thanks Paul

[tunnie]

It be fully compliment, it would need the self levelling suspension and associate sensors + headlight washers plumbed in

[tunnie]

But to be honest, stick a decent set of blubs in projectors and they are not far off HID output

[paul.lovejoy]

thanks tunnie any suggestions on bulbs please

[RobG]

are you able to sucessfully fit a set of Hid headlights from a facelift elite to a facelift CD and would it pass an MOT in view that the CD does not have the sesors to self level the headlights

thanks Paul

Easy to fit, and yes it`ll pass the MOT as long as washers are fitted and you have adjustment capabilities, whether automatic or manual

[RobG]

thanks tunnie any suggestions on bulbs please

Osram Nightbreakers

[tunnie]

I used Osram Nightbreakers in the 2.2:

http://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-night-breaker-plus-h1-two-bulbs

eBay is a much cheaper source, going from a 2.2 for best part of 7 years to a 3.2 Elite with HID's I was not exactly blown away, they are better, but not worth hassle of upgrading in my opinion. 

[albitz]

Paul already has the HID,s though. He bought them of me last summer. As I said at the time Paul - need headlight washers (which isnt just the wife with a damp cloth when you stop for petrol)  . New 2012 MOT rules ? - Im not sure to be honest.I have them on my car but still have the old headlights,so if MOT does become a problem I will swap them just for the test.

[paul.lovejoy]

thanks guys but what difference does having the washers do

[tunnie]

Washers are needed to clean the headlights, as HID lights are affected more by dirt than standard halogen bulb projectors.

Can clearly be seen when driving the Elite in mucky conditions, wash screen with lights on, output is considerably improved!

[albitz]

are you able to sucessfully fit a set of Hid headlights from a facelift elite to a facelift CD and would it pass an MOT in view that the CD does not have the sesors to self level the headlights

thanks Paul

Easy to fit, and yes it`ll pass the MOT as long as washers are fitted and you have adjustment capabilities, whether automatic or manual

Is that compliant with the new MOT rules for this year Rob ?

[RobG]

Quoted from the 2012 testers manual
Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam headlamps are switched on) or by a separate switch.

[paul.lovejoy]

Washers are needed to clean the headlights, as HID lights are affected more by dirt than standard halogen bulb projectors.

Can clearly be seen when driving the Elite in mucky conditions, wash screen with lights on, output is considerably improved!

thanks Tunnie I always wondered why every car i have had with HiD /xeon lights has had washers

[albitz]

Quoted from the 2012 testers manual
Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam headlamps are switched on) or by a separate switch.

Sounds like theres elbow room there. Might just have a word with my MOT man in the next couple of days.

[RobG]

Paul already has the HID,s though. He bought them of me last summer. As I said at the time Paul - need headlight washers (which isnt just the wife with a damp cloth when you stop for petrol)  . New 2012 MOT rules ? - Im not sure to be honest.I have them on my car but still have the old headlights,so if MOT does become a problem I will swap them just for the test.

Also required is the reservoir with H/L pump, H/L washers & associated hosing plus the relay

[Darth Loo-knee]

Seems more trouble than its worth to me

[paul.lovejoy]

yes begining to think so thanks Rob Tunnie and Albs for the help i will get some oram nightbreakers for now............the very long term plan is to eventually have an elite so i will wait.......thanks

[albitz]

I think they are the best upgrade I have done to my car personally.I wouldnt be without them tbh.I will if I have to swap back to my projectors for the MOT and then put the HID,s back on afterwards. Not yet convinced this will be the case,but will try to pop in and speak to my MOT man on Friday.
As said in PM Paul, I will take them back if they arent any good to you. Up to you whichever way you want to go mate.

[RobG]

Seems more trouble than its worth to me

Why. Same could be said for upgrading to 3.0ltr cams

[Darth Loo-knee]

Seems more trouble than its worth to me

Why. Same could be said for upgrading to 3.0ltr cams

Not when you don't drive in the dark!

[RobG]

Seems more trouble than its worth to me

Why. Same could be said for upgrading to 3.0ltr cams

Not when you don't drive in the dark!

Members upgrade to 3.0ltr cams for more power and it`s yippee doo, upgrade to HID`s and it`s ...."more trouble than it`s worth"

[TheBoy]

I do think HIDs are more trouble than worth, seeing as all the rules and advice seem to be open to interpretation.  Clearly, government departments are trying to make retrofitted HIDs comply with new car standards. Rightly IMHO, as too many retards out there.

But even if you can get it through MOT with a friendly tester, any number of people can pull you up due to high lights or glare from dirty lenses. And their interpretation can be different. Even if it gos no further than a show-er down the local nick, its a pain.

I was often getting pulled and having to show docs at Aylesbury nick, purely because I used to drive my GTE not far from Blackbird Leys (the place that the joyriders were caught on camera in Oxford, so everytime joyriding was mentioned in the early 90s, it was that clip).


Given that Nightbreakers etc almost match HIDs (and surpass old bulb HIDs), seems too much bother for the benefit....

...now ribs to clear halogens... 

[I_want_an_Omega]

I did this on my last car - a MFL CD estate.

The washer pump relay/wiring etc just plugs straight into the existing loom. The pump/pipes etc are fairly straightforward with the bumper off. The only thing that was time consuming was spraying the trim strips under the headlight the correct colour. Not hard, just time consuming. You could always drill your existing ones - but that makes it more difficult to remove afterwards.

Levelling aside, the wiring for the headlight clusters was straightforward - but the connectors are different so capability with splicing wiring is needed. The cables are fairly chunky so a good sized soldering iron will be needed (100 watts min). The ballasts take about 20 amps when firing up from cold (yes, I've measured it). The current draw gradually reduces back down to about 3.5 amps during the next few minutes. If the ballast can't get enough inrush current then the arc wont strike and you will get the same effect as an iffy flourescent light starting - so you have to use short lengths of thick cable to prevent this.

I used the manual levellers from the old projectors and the car has now passed 2 MOTs with these fitted.

I also set up the whole self levelling gubbins on a bench and got it working. The level sensors, ECU and levellers. It would be a fair bit of wiring to retrofit to a car but doable for sure. Unless ordered as an option on lesser cars, the necessary wiring wont be fitted as only Elites and MV6s had xenons on MFL with CDXs also on FL cars.

Hope these comments are useful.

[Kevin Wood]

I do think HIDs are more trouble than worth, seeing as all the rules and advice seem to be open to interpretation.  Clearly, government departments are trying to make retrofitted HIDs comply with new car standards. Rightly IMHO, as too many retards out there.

Indeed. In addition, what constitutes an MOT is one matter. What constitutes legal construction and use is another. The former doesn't guarantee the latter, should the Police, a VOSA inspector, Insurance assessor, etc. decide to have a nosey. It is a fact that HIDs do badly dazzle other drivers unless they are levelling dynamically. That's why automatic, rather than manual, level control is required.

[paul.lovejoy]

all comments greatly appreciated learnt a few things but i will just put some night breakers in, even i can do that..........i think

thanks everyone

[RobG]

all comments greatly appreciated learnt a few things but i will just put some night breakers in, even i can do that..........i think

thanks everyone

Problem is Paul, when there`s talk regarding retrofitting of HID`s, the soapboxes come out

[Dave DND]

Problem is Paul, when there`s talk regarding retrofitting of HID`s, the soapboxes come out

   

[hotel21]

all comments greatly appreciated learnt a few things but i will just put some night breakers in, even i can do that..........i think

thanks everyone

Problem is Paul, when there`s talk regarding retrofitting of HID`s, the soapboxes come out

Ultimately, anything is possible.  Whether it legal or worth potential grief if it goes tits up, well, thats upto whover wants to fit them.

As to the soapboxes, quite a few salespeople use them as well.....