Headlights upgrade
- Thread starter DFR
- Start date
Motionblurrr
Member
HGoward said:
They're easier to do but they don't pack the same punch as HID kits. Their throw of light isn't as far either and a lot of the time the beam pattern is much different than the halogen and the HID. Not to mention, the intensity of the light drops when in use so it would be shining at ~80% intensity due to the heat build up. When they cool off they go back to normal.
HGoward said:
This is my worry as well. I think MOT guidance is plain stupid when it says if modifications to headlights are noted, it's a fail.
They should look into the technicality of it, set guidance for beam pattern and intensity of beam.
It's plain stupid that loads of cars run HID and that's ok because it's from factory but if you add them aftermarket is not ok even if they are safe for incoming traffic.
Someone might argue for the MOTs position, but I can't see it.
Motionblurrr
Member
I see you guys are across the pond where it’s super strict. They’ve very relaxed here in the States about that stuff.
Thankfully, with HID kits, you can quickly take them out, drop in your stock H7 halogen bulbs, go to the MOT and get it passed and put everything back in.
Oh, I forgot to mention. You’re going to have to cut a slit on your OEM metal H7 retainer clip so you can pass the HID bulb wires through. That’s about the extent of modifications done and it won’t affect the clip negatively if you put in your halogen bulbs for whatever reason. I just used a dremel with a small sandpaper disk.
Thankfully, with HID kits, you can quickly take them out, drop in your stock H7 halogen bulbs, go to the MOT and get it passed and put everything back in.
Oh, I forgot to mention. You’re going to have to cut a slit on your OEM metal H7 retainer clip so you can pass the HID bulb wires through. That’s about the extent of modifications done and it won’t affect the clip negatively if you put in your halogen bulbs for whatever reason. I just used a dremel with a small sandpaper disk.
Penelope said:
Hi, Penelope.
I hope you don’t mind me reviving this post. Just wondering how you are still getting on with the HID’s you fitted? Have you had to take them out to pass the MOT?
Scottish Borders
The E89 has HIDs..but my 2015 Volvo XC70 had piss poor halogen headlghts..
Used these babies..about the only ones that preserves the correct road legal dim cut off line etc
Night n day..not quite as good as a factory Xenon but so so much better than the halogens..
Street legal in some countries..not so in UK but given the crisp no glare beam and better than OE cutoff can't see any issues..
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-e/au/car-lights/headlights/ultinon-pro9000-led.html
Got them in H11 on the main beams...bunnies are losing their eyesight with these too..
You will have to get the FRM to code out the bulb warning though. or the CANBUS add ons..
Used these babies..about the only ones that preserves the correct road legal dim cut off line etc
Night n day..not quite as good as a factory Xenon but so so much better than the halogens..
Street legal in some countries..not so in UK but given the crisp no glare beam and better than OE cutoff can't see any issues..
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-e/au/car-lights/headlights/ultinon-pro9000-led.html
Got them in H11 on the main beams...bunnies are losing their eyesight with these too..
You will have to get the FRM to code out the bulb warning though. or the CANBUS add ons..
I picked up my E85 and promptly drove it across Dartmoor in the pitch dark. I boggled at just how poorly an H7 halogen works in a projector lens. Clever idea to give a good spread but it needs something far brighter than behind it to be actually useable.
About the first thing I did was but a set of Bevinsee v35 H7 LEDs + clamping adapter rings. Think they were about 6000/7500 lumen as I didn't want to go insanely bright/hot but can't seem to find them on eBay any more. I wanted 4500k but LEDs seem to all be 6000k.
Long, tedious story short; they're marvellous. Beam pattern looks perfect. Throw is fine. The only (slight) dazzle comes from one headlight that's starting to go foggy; the other headlight is crystal clear and fine. Went through the MoT without demur.
Even shorter version; they could be factory. Technically they're the wrong colour for the year but since 6000k lights are so prevalent, I doubt anyone will notice.
About the first thing I did was but a set of Bevinsee v35 H7 LEDs + clamping adapter rings. Think they were about 6000/7500 lumen as I didn't want to go insanely bright/hot but can't seem to find them on eBay any more. I wanted 4500k but LEDs seem to all be 6000k.
Long, tedious story short; they're marvellous. Beam pattern looks perfect. Throw is fine. The only (slight) dazzle comes from one headlight that's starting to go foggy; the other headlight is crystal clear and fine. Went through the MoT without demur.
Even shorter version; they could be factory. Technically they're the wrong colour for the year but since 6000k lights are so prevalent, I doubt anyone will notice.
Simiewimie said:
I've fitted HID to mine and I have an MOT next week. Could swap the headlights with the factory one because I have another pair, but i kind of want to see if they pass MOT, so I'll take one for the team and report back after.
I also fitted angel eyes to my headlights, don't know if that matters...
DFR said:
Sidelights are barely looked at. My E46 once went straight thru it's MOT with an angel eye one side and a standard bulb the other (one ballast had gone phut the day before!)
rocket70 said:
Here you go:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393733722645?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=alik7be0s_g&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=id8nZNFbTQW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
I fitted the Morimoto 5.0 kit in 2019 and have had no issues with MOTs since. Not cheap but the light is chalk and cheese compared with the original halogens. All the ballast parts are hidden and the lenses look oem. The units use the same fixing posts as the oem halogen lights but require very slight modification. A couple of additional wires are needed to operate the bi-zenon shutter and to make the second main beam lamp work, but nothing complicated. I got them from Trups at E M Tuning who was every helpful and provided any information or support needed. He provided the modified parts, wires, connectors etc, and will also fit if you want. If you search for Morimoto on here there is plenty of information. www.emtuning.co.uk.
