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[Viral_Jim]

So, having just nipped out in the turnip to pick up some necessities before I watch question time, I've established that one of the things that I liked better in the omega were the headlights.

 The original buyer of my car clearly didn't think seeing in the dark was all that important, so they didn't tick the xenon box.

I've been looking at HID kits online and on the face of it they seem like a solid solution. Now I am aware that they are theoretically illegal (as in they are illegal but as long as I adjust them properly there's very little chance of me being tugged for using them) and I should tell my insurer. So let's not bother with that conversation again hey .

My question is, has anyone used these kits, how do they compare to xenons and are there any alternatives, e.g. Better bulbs.

I've looked at retrofitting the pukka Volvo xenons, but it's a £500 exercise.

[Doctor Gollum]

If you're to do it, do it right or you'll regret it

Fit the correct units and they will adjust correctly, and function as you need them too. Aftermarket tend to be a very poor second compared to the genuine article

[Viral_Jim]

Agreed. OEM is always better, I suppose I'm baulking a little at the size of the challenge, new self levelling sensors, changing interior switches etc.

Time to man up I suppose

[Doctor Gollum]

Yup

[Lazydocker]

As a cheaper alternative... Try some Nightbreakers or Vision Plus.

I stuck a set in the van not really expecting much but am impressed.

Be warned though, they have a shorter lifespan.

[Viral_Jim]

As a cheaper alternative... Try some Nightbreakers or Vision Plus.

I stuck a set in the van not really expecting much but am impressed.

Be warned though, they have a shorter lifespan.

Yes, I had considered these, I used to use them all the time in my previous non-xenon cars. My concern with them is that due to the mileage I'm doing (nearly 1k/week when at work) and the fact the lights are permanently on (being a Swede), they may only last a matter of days! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

As a cheaper alternative... Try some Nightbreakers or Vision Plus.

I stuck a set in the van not really expecting much but am impressed.

Be warned though, they have a shorter lifespan.

The HID's on my 2003 MV6 were excellent. The lights on the Sigvec are truly dire.

I've changed to Nightbreakers for a slight but not great improvement. I'm tempted to go the after market HID route but a lot of owners say this way leads to dragons and monsters.

XFR lights better than the Signum but inferior to the MV6.

[tunnie]

As a cheaper alternative... Try some Nightbreakers or Vision Plus.

I stuck a set in the van not really expecting much but am impressed.

Be warned though, they have a shorter lifespan.

Yes, I had considered these, I used to use them all the time in my previous non-xenon cars. My concern with them is that due to the mileage I'm doing (nearly 1k/week when at work) and the fact the lights are permanently on (being a Swede), they may only last a matter of days! 

HID's were a requirement for me when sourcing my replacement, I discounted the Merc CLS as Xenon's were a rare option 

For this exact reason as you get stuck into:

Retro fit factory fit style, but on more modern cars there is a huge lack of DIY resource for this.
Cheap eBay kits which are rubbish and illegal
Fit better bulbs, which help, but don't really solve the problem.

Given your miles and age of the S80, I'd be included to go factory fit retro option. As for 1k miles a week at night in winter, I think that's money well spent. As you will be going home and leaving home in the dark!

[citroenguy]

I'd go the "nordic" way and fit a couple of Hella/Bosch driving lights or a LED lightbar. A LED bar can be nicely mounted in the bumper/lower grille

[citroenguy]

Summat like this:





Plus som Osram nightbreakers for lowbeam

[tunnie]

Oh dear 

[TD]

As a cheaper alternative... Try some Nightbreakers or Vision Plus.

I stuck a set in the van not really expecting much but am impressed.

Be warned though, they have a shorter lifespan.

Yes, I had considered these, I used to use them all the time in my previous non-xenon cars. My concern with them is that due to the mileage I'm doing (nearly 1k/week when at work) and the fact the lights are permanently on (being a Swede), they may only last a matter of days! 

Cheap eBay kits which are rubbish and illegal

Have you ever tried a kit tunnie?

I fitted such a kit to my 2.2 (about 80 quidish iirc ) and certainly was an improvement on the filament bulbs .... legality its a grey area and even tho I didn't have self levelling or headlamp washers it never failed an MOT for them 

[TheBoy]

The cheap Chinese retrofit kits I've come across - generally not Omegas as you'd be soft in the head given the price of 2nd hand genuine bits - are somewhere between shite and utter shite when new, degrading to a new level of shite at approx. 1 yr old, when both the bulbs and the ballast have degraded to the point you have to buy a complete new kit.

Yet to see a half reasonable one...   ...but actual component costs for decent stuff will mean nobody will buy it.


So, Osram Nightbreakers or Philips Vision+. And not the chav white/blue ones. Not quite to HID level, and fairly short life, but best option IMHO, until 2nd hand OE HID setup becomes available.

[biggriffin]

Summat like this:





Plus som Osram nightbreakers for lowbeam

. 

A very common upgrade that in Scandinavia, think its also on the options, does stay dark longer the further  north you go.

[Viral_Jim]

Ha! I think the LED light bar may be abbot of an extreme upgrade. But maybe

I've ordered 4 x night vision+ for now while inside my time to get the OEM xenons.

For a bit of a wheeze I called the local Volvo stealer to see the parts prices - well into 4 figures  so I'll be collecting them on eBay over time.