On the Octy II what are the differences between a HID (Xenon) equipped car and one without. I can think of the following:

- Headlight washers (Although I have those)

- Self levelling sensor at the back of the car

- Headlight units.

So the questions I really want to know answers to are:

- Is it possible to fit a bracket to the rear of the car and install the self levelling and if so how much wiring needs to be put in?]

- Just how different are the headlights.

They look pretty similar apart from the fact that one of them contains a ballast and different dipped bulb. I'm sure I heard the connectors are different, but I can't remember which ones were and if it would require big changes.

- What VAG-COMing is required to make the car realise it has HIDS.

Thanks in advance.

when i ordered my car i enquired about having the xenons added at a later date and told i couldnt as its something that can only be done in the factory. maybe someone who works for skoda could go into more depth why its a factory only option?

when i ordered my car i enquired about having the xenons added at a later date and told i couldnt as its something that can only be done in the factory. maybe someone who works for skoda could go into more depth why its a factory only option?

I can see why it's only a factory option as at new cost the price for conversion would be prohibative and may require wiring changes. The same applies to converting a car to use the 12 speaker system and this gets the same reply, but it can be done

I'm just considering trying to get hold of a second set of light clusters and add the self levelling as I already have the headlight wash.

Adding a bracket to the exhaust area for a self leveling switch shouldn't be a biggy, so the only thing I'm left with is the wiring and VAG COM changes.

this company has self levelling kits for octavia 1 but not 2 as yet,but they keep adding items and an audi/vw kit may be suitable

KUFATEC GmbH - aLWR Komplett-Set Octavia 1U 34563

I'm just considering trying to get hold of a second set of light clusters and add the self levelling as I already have the headlight wash.

Adding a bracket to the exhaust area for a self leveling switch shouldn't be a biggy, so the only thing I'm left with is the wiring and VAG COM changes.

You'll need self leveling for front and back. Octy2 has leveling sensors on both ends of the car. They're attached to the link arms.

Also you need to check if your central electronics module supports xenon lights.

Edit :

They DO have autolevel kit for Octavia II also :

KUFATEC GmbH - Komplettes aLWR Packet für Skoda Octavia II 34562

In Finland we have different light clusters for xenon and halogen lights. And I mean DIFFERENT.

You have lens projectors (for what I've seen form the pictures) in both versions we have reflectors in halogen clusters.

If in any luck, you might have DCHR marking on the light cluster already which means it's approved for xenons and halogen bulbs.

Edited 10 November, 200817 yr by downtime

You need to rememebr that after-market HID fitting makes you car no longer road legal in 99.9% of cases.

The link for information is here:

Department for Transport - Aftermarket HID (Xenon) headlamps

However in your case this could be different.

If you read through the link above the main reason that after-market HID's are illegal is because of point 2 from the link above:

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

Fitting some kind of headlight cleaning system is cost-prohibitive and without that feature the installation is not road legal.

If however you already have the washing system in place, then so long as the after-market units you buy self-level then you should be able to get a road-legal setup.

Don't forget the headlight switch is different too as you obviously don't have the level adjuster on xenon equipped cars.

Switch isn't different Tom, it's just got an adjuster wheel which could be removed and replaced with a blank.

Just want to know about the wiring differences on the light cluters tbh.

EDIT:

Looking at that kit the obvious question is "HOW MUCH!!!"

Edited 10 November, 200817 yr by cheezemonkhai

im guessing you thinking of modding your lights then?

I'm looking at the possibility of changing the headlight clusters to factory HID units, adding self levelling bits and then having the car programmed up for HID.

Just need to find out if the headlight has the same connector to the car.

Does anybody know what other cars in the VAG range use the same level controllers as there is no way I'm paying 300+ Euro for a self levelling kit.

I'm looking at the possibility of changing the headlight clusters to factory HID units, adding self levelling bits and then having the car programmed up for HID.

Just need to find out if the headlight has the same connector to the car.

Does anybody know what other cars in the VAG range use the same level controllers as there is no way I'm paying 300+ Euro for a self levelling kit.

Golf V has the same kit. And also Jetta V probably.

I'm not sure if Combi and Hatchback have different kits?

Just get a HID kit.

I have some (hides from forum gayers ) and they´re fantastic. Sharp beam pattern, highly increased visability, and they also look pretty cool.

Not once have I been flashed by oncoming traffic to warn me of the (apparant) glare, nor have I had any trouble from the police.

If installed and setup correctly they are just as effective, IMO of course.

Mine same as Harry's (ff2pm)

I was tempted by the HID kits however I'd need to find one that didn't cost the earth that doesn't hit the bulb warning lights off and doesn't require resistors etc.

I was considering this route mainly because I don't fancy spending a chunk of cash on a HID kit then find I can't use it in a years time due to the police clamping down.

I converted my previous E39 5 series BMW's to Xenon. Hella did a retro fit kit, available in various parts, the lights, the rear axle sensor and also a headlight wash system. I had the wash system already so the axle kit & two lights & all the wiring cost me £700. used for 4 years & 100,000 miles on two BMW's. simply fantastic. I miss them. I transferred them from from a 523i to a 530d. BMW wanted approx £2000 for the same parts! Very rarely flashed, apart from when an axle sensor broke and left the lights pointing up, had no suitable tools with me to adjust down, so oncoming motorists loved me for that!

Buy the R32 Mark!!

My vRS has factory Xenon's...seem to get flashed occasionaly by oncoming traffic, when I start the car and lights on the beams autolevel, they dip down and then back up...is there a posibilty that mine are set too high?

My vRS has factory Xenon's...seem to get flashed occasionaly by oncoming traffic, when I start the car and lights on the beams autolevel, they dip down and then back up...is there a posibilty that mine are set too high?

The "startup dance" is perfectly normal, it is the light's ECU checking the calibration or something.

As far as being too high, if you are following a fair way behind someone on a flat, level road the top of the beam cutoff should be part way up their boot. If you can see inside their car your lights need adjustment downward. Anothher way to tell is to get someone to drive towards you (on a flat road) when your are positioned at normal driving height. This will tell you what other drivers see (ie how much dazzle).

I had to get insistent with my dealer to get them to lower my Xenons, the first time I took it in they told me it was properly adjusted when it was WAY too high. It is still a fraction higher than I prefer, and I know it still dazzles people when the road slopes downwards and curves away to the passenger side. It is acceptable on a straight level road.

Buy the R32 Mark!!

I don't like it one bit as it really doesn't handle particularly well compared to a 1 series and even a ford focus will show it a clean pair of heels.

I drive dervs and I thought it was nose heavy into the twisties.

I think what with ST foci being cheap as well I'd rather have one of them if I went the way of petrol.

On the lights front I think I'll just see how long the extremes last and then go for another set, some GT150 night vision or some silverstars again and save a lot of effort.

Edited 13 November, 200817 yr by cheezemonkhai

IMO the key points in the DOT statement are:-

'Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.'

Note the use of the word "should" on several occasions. This means that this defines "best practice", but is not actually a statement of law.