For truth about after market HID kits read a report in: it's either Whatcar or Autocar or Autoexpress

Heard on grape vine simple bulb replace HIDs will be outlawed by new MOT tests coming in soon.

Car mag did tests and found after market HID although bright, did not give good beam angle due to lots of light scatter caused by standard headlight reflector not designed for these lamps.

My advise...stay well clear unless upgrading using Skoda xenon light assemblies.

This will be true for reflector lens designed for halogen bulbs, ie without to much care & attention, but i've seen markings on the bottom of Audi headlights that give info on both halogen & xenon fitments as they use the same units in the factory. You cant say these give inferior beam pattern when you fit an aftermarket HID kit to such a light unit as all your doing is replicating what the factory does by inserting a xenon bulb instead of a halogen one! Need to take a look at the Skoda units to see if they have similar markings.

I have a kit which fits inside the headlight unit so cant see how an MOT test centre can prove i have an HID kit fitted given they've not alowed to remove anything as part of the testing process. For instance you can put a piece of tape over an exhaust pipe on a motorbike to cover up the words "not for road use" and as they dont do a noise test on the exhaust they cant fail you no matter how loud it is, and they cant remove the tape to see what it says underneath!!

I have a kit which fits inside the headlight unit so cant see how an MOT test centre can prove i have an HID kit fitted given they've not alowed to remove anything as part of the testing process.

Probably because they emit a white light (instead of the yellow that a Halogen produces) and the fact they take a couple of seconds to warm up and produce their full output, then then only need to watch the lights when they are turned on, if they don't go through the 'self levelling' test then it is obvious they are not OEM.

Not having a go as i fully agree with you about them when they are fitted into a projector headlight.

The absence of a factory fit headlight washer system will be equally as obvious.

Is it the presence of the HIDs or the lack of self levelling/headlight washer system that could fail the MOT?

Other than mis-aligned beams I don't see what the problem is apart from the very high K output lamps that just look blue and therefore chav.

Beam scatter and profile type will also give away after market HID. Plus normal equipped cars have interior headlight adjuster. All these plus clues dstev2000 gave can lead to MOT tester failing the car (once the rules are in force of course). Oh and insurance will be void unless they are informed of mod.. iks... it's a mine flield !!!!

mrlapou

For truth about after market HID kits read a report in: it's either Whatcar or Autocar or Autoexpress

Heard on grape vine simple bulb replace HIDs will be outlawed by new MOT tests coming in soon.

Are you sure this report isn't just covering aftermarket so-called Xenon bulbs with a blue filter (fitted to most Corsas and Fiestas;)) that are a direct swap for the standard bulbs. I've seen many such reports highlighting how crap some of them can be. I've never seen a report on proper aftermarket HID kit, where you get the ballast, HT leads and HID bulbs that require some DIY work.

Completely agree with Nikkynibbles.

I fitted a kit to SWMBO's Renault Modus with standard H7 reflector lamps, and the pattern and scatter was very poor, and I've since put it back to standard (uprated) bulbs. Whereas the kits I've fitted to my Octavia II (H7) and a Mazda 6 (H1), both with projector headlamps, the beam pattern was very clean and uniform, with no scatter at all.

And, IF the MOT test is changed to make aftermarket HIDs banned, then at least with the Octavia it's a 10 minute job to pop standard H7s back in for the test!

I believe they tested HID bulbs with ballast in a non projector headlight unit...

A non projector (rear reflector) headlamp unit is guaranteed to give out a terrible beam pattern.

A projector fitting will give a nice clean cutoff regardless of the light source but I wonder whether the cutoff element has the same profile as the equivalent halogen unit.

THANX for the good advise, im aiming for the cruise control and leave lights for now. i orderd the stalk from ebay, cost me £30. just hope its as easy as it seems, plug in and play, once coded. i need my air bag light turning off to. so might aswell do two things at once. does anyone know what code is needed for CC unit

Change the steering assist coding and the engine coding

2.0l TFSI (AXX/BGB/BPJ/BPY/BWA) - Ross-Tech Wiki

My thread may help you to understand a bit

http://briskoda.net/octavia-ii/cruise-control-help-please/158166/

HI I ASKED THE QUESTION TO THE GUY ON EBAY ABOUT STALK ASKING IF IT WOULD FIT AND WORK

I.E PLUG AND PLAY AND HE REPLIED WITH THIS.

Hi, depending on the original spec of your car. it is difficult to say whether this will give you cruise control. I think you may also need the throttle control motor.

Regards Matthew

IS THIS THE CASE?

If you want to improve the output of your headlights without getting into the possible legality issues of aftermarket HID conversions then I recommend you just upgrade your bulbs with better halogen ones:

H7 (Lo beam) Osram 65W Rallye

H1 (Hi Beam) Philips X-treme 55W

Totally agree with Greg above, go for the high-output bulbs from brand names like Philips or Osram (NOT Halfords / value etc). These burn 55W, so are legal and are direct replacements. They burn brighter, so are whiter and brighter, without the hassle. I have the +50% on dip and +90% for main in my fl vRS and really rate them as a value upgrade (done same on bike & wife's Focus as well) Look at AutoBulbsDirect, or PowerBulbs.

Richard

Further to above, I am on about the 55W ones, if you go above that wattage, they are not legal and a few years ago I put 90/100w in a previous Ford Escort and set fire to the wiring! Boy racer days!

Further to above, I am on about the 55W ones, if you go above that wattage, they are not legal and a few years ago I put 90/100w in a previous Ford Escort and set fire to the wiring! Boy racer days!

LOL Been there, done that.

I fitted the same 90/100W jobs in my Scirocco GTX way back, and going home one night the dip/main switch melted. That left me with only side lights or, if I pulled the stalk (as if to flash the lights), main beam. Made for a terrifying drive home with either all the lights you'd need, or basically nothing.:eek:

HI I ASKED THE QUESTION TO THE GUY ON EBAY ABOUT STALK ASKING IF IT WOULD FIT AND WORK

I.E PLUG AND PLAY AND HE REPLIED WITH THIS.

Hi, depending on the original spec of your car. it is difficult to say whether this will give you cruise control. I think you may also need the throttle control motor.

Regards Matthew

IS THIS THE CASE?

I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud or anything but seriously you are potentially on a hiding to nothing here - get the work done by somebody who (a) knows how to do it - VAG-COM and all and ( will provide the correct parts. Fleabay is so not the place to buy something which if incorrectly fitted and / or faulty could catapult you and your vehicle down the road. Why take the risk to save a few quid?

I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud or anything but seriously you are potentially on a hiding to nothing here - get the work done by somebody who (a) knows how to do it - VAG-COM and all and ( will provide the correct parts. Fleabay is so not the place to buy something which if incorrectly fitted and / or faulty could catapult you and your vehicle down the road. Why take the risk to save a few quid?

THATS why i come on here to ask for advise and i have bought the stalk as advised

I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud or anything but seriously you are potentially on a hiding to nothing here - get the work done by somebody who (a) knows how to do it - VAG-COM and all and ( will provide the correct parts. Fleabay is so not the place to buy something which if incorrectly fitted and / or faulty could catapult you and your vehicle down the road. Why take the risk to save a few quid?

"catapult you and your vehicle down the road" I've never heard of that one before.

It's not a hard job and he can Pm me if needs help and I can offer it. Sean I think all it needs to work is a compatible steering controller and slip ring

VrsStu wrote on my thread - "As a very 'rough' guide if it has an onboard computer (righthand stalk buttons and menu) it'll be ok".

Martin

There have been well documented cases of iffy CC causing accidents thats all.

Hey, as long as the support is there then fine but if you read the thread back its clear that Sean is not wonderfully clear about this type of thing (no offence whatsoever intended Sean!)

i thought the stalk was the controller, this is were i kick myself when i dont have a massive amount of understanding of cars, althought im trying to learn fast. should i buy that VAGCOM or let somebody else do it?

I rest my case.....

If you are installing what is in effect an extension to the throttle of the vehicle, in my book that at least means be crystal about what you are buying and how to fit it.

Just my opinion. Whatever. fit it, I'm sure it will be fine.

Martin

There have been well documented cases of iffy CC causing accidents thats all.

Hey, as long as the support is there then fine but if you read the thread back its clear that Sean is not wonderfully clear about this type of thing (no offence whatsoever intended Sean!)

i thought the stalk was the controller, this is were i kick myself when i dont have a massive amount of understanding of cars, althought im trying to learn fast. should i buy that VAGCOM or let somebody else do it?

I rest my case.....

If you are installing what is in effect an extension to the throttle of the vehicle, in my book that at least means be crystal about what you are buying and how to fit it.

Just my opinion. Whatever. fit it, I'm sure it will be fine.

Fair enough .

Sean I suggest you sit down and read the instruction Pdf I sent you and get a good idea of what your doing. If it doesn't work all you have to do is take it off again but I'm quite sure it will. I fitted mine while SWMBO was making tea, she didn't even know lol :P.

If the one you've bought is the one you posted HERE ...that definitely *looks* the same as my factory fitted cruise stalk. :confused:

I know Shark_90 said it's the wrong one & he is the expert in these things... but you edited your post 2 mins *after* Ben replied... could this be where the confusion has come from?

yeh simbo. i bought that one, damn royal mail strike lol.

I agree in what you all say, and understand you are trying to help.

and im guna read all the stuff i have to, ill then have a browse around the area i need to dismantle.

then if i feel confident ill do it. if i dont i'll wait until i have more money and have to pay someone.

if i dont try myself ill never learn and ill be paying people all my life.

For example. some people know i recently bought leather trim brought to my attention by wardth <--- cheers.

i was quoted £60 to fit it and the door cards.

i then went to a shop bought i tool kit for £26 and fitted everything myself and i saved £34 and also learnt few things or to.

i'll try and prove you lot wrong lol.

Edited 22 October, 200916 yr by sean Gt

Cruise is not quite play n play.

Sure the stalk is plug, but the controller needs to be 'switched' on by Vagcom and in some cases a single wire needs to be run from it to a controller. I'm not sure which one, but do a google on MK5 golf and you'll find several write ups.

Do no worry all is not lost.

If you bought this one -

CRUISE CONTROL KIT GOLF MK5 GOLF PLUS TOURAN GENUINE VW on eBay (end time 16-Nov-09 18:17:26 GMT)

It is correct and will fit your car.

If your car is built after late 2005 then you shouldn't need the wire.

As has already been said you'll need the correct steering controller, I'd wager you have. Now it's all down to the fitting and coding.

As for the selllers comments -

HI I ASKED THE QUESTION TO THE GUY ON EBAY ABOUT STALK ASKING IF IT WOULD FIT AND WORK

I.E PLUG AND PLAY AND HE REPLIED WITH THIS.

Hi, depending on the original spec of your car. it is difficult to say whether this will give you cruise control. I think you may also need the throttle control motor.

Regards Matthew

IS THIS THE CASE?

He clearly has no idea what he's selling.

That link looks like it has the newer decals on stu. The one posted over the page has the older decals on which should match his wiper stalk.

For truth about after market HID kits read a report in: it's either Whatcar or Autocar or Autoexpress

Heard on grape vine simple bulb replace HIDs will be outlawed by new MOT tests coming in soon.

Car mag did tests and found after market HID although bright, did not give good beam angle due to lots of light scatter caused by standard headlight reflector not designed for these lamps.

My advise...stay well clear unless upgrading using Skoda xenon light assemblies.

The Mk2 Octy has projector lenses though so will not suffer the beam scatter problems of standard reflector headlights.

I fitted after market HIDS to my old Octy Elegance, my Roomster and have since put the kit from the Roomster into my Bike, all 3 vehicles have projector lenses and worked perfectly giving a greater "reach".

My Roomster aftermarket HIDS where better than the OEM Xenon's in my current superb.

i cant update anymore as postel strikes have set me back. still waiting