Anyone got any experience of fitting better headlights to a mark 1 Octy ? The stock halogens are so-so ,and I do a fair bit of backroad schlepping to work during the night , so more light would be gratefully received . Have been looking at HID sets from ebay and the like , but there's raging controversy over their legality and suitability . I would not be shy of stumping up for a complete set to replace the complete headlight units , and everything necessary to do 't job right . So ,any ideas ? Even just bulb swops would do , if there's any way to get better lighting that's worthwile .

First stop for me would be uprated bulbs such as Philips Xtreme Vision or similar.

Then maybe look at getting your plastic lenses polished if they are scratched or cloudy. HID kits in standard lenses are a no-no really unless they are projector type.

Could always retrofit a set of xenons from an L&K, Elegance or WRC model... if you can find some.

Could always retrofit a set of xenons from an L&K, Elegance or WRC model... if you can find some.

Thats what am going to do when i get round to it, there was somebody selling the lamps on ebay but they have disappeared

You can still buy them from dealerships but they're silly money :-(

It's worth noting that, even if you do that, you need to have headlight washers and the self-levelling system to make it legal.

The headlight washers aren't a big deal, apart from maybe the bigger screenwash tank (mine is huge!), but the self-levelling could be either very difficult, or just impossible.

I've got up rated bulbs in mine and they are a little better but still not great, I think I'm going to try a HID kit if some sort.

It's worth noting that, even if you do that, you need to have headlight washers and the self-levelling system to make it legal.

The headlight washers aren't a big deal, apart from maybe the bigger screenwash tank (mine is huge!), but the self-levelling could be either very difficult, or just impossible.

No you don't, the regs only say that they are recommended and if they are fitted, they must work.

Edited 19 December, 201114 yr by mdon

No you don't, the regs only say that they are recommended and if they are fitted, they must work.

I suggest you brush up on your MOT rules.

"Vehicles with HID headlamps are therefore required to have a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not required) and be self levelling, which may be achieved either by the use of either headlamp or suspension levelling systems.

The presence and operation of these headlamp cleaning and levelling devices has been added to the test. Therefore, if a mandatory headlamp levelling or cleaning device is missing, inoperative or otherwise obviously defective, the vehicle will fail."

(taken from http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/technicalpenpicture3-lighting.pdf)

Also...

http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps.html

Lol just had my fiesta mot'd Which has hids Nothing said at all

Lol just had my fiesta mot'd Which has hids Nothing said at all

New regulations in 2012... really is the end of the world!

For the levelling you can just wire them up to the levelling control for the normal lights, you wouldn't have to have the auto-levelling sensors fitted on the suspension. You do have to have the washers though and ideally the 5l washer bottle instead of the 3l.

I had retrofitted focus ST projectors to my last mondeo and it past no probs too but as said its all to change, anyway. Does anyone know if self levelling suspension is or was on certain models of mk1 octavia estates? a lot of other manufacturers fit this to estates for obvious reasons even with halogen lights. If so that would be seet as I already have the washers being the elegance 4x4 estate

The oem hid's are terrible anyway. My wrc has them and I am hugely disappointed with them.and for the money it would cost to retro fit them I would say it total waste of money

kufatec.de do retrofit selflevelling hid kits

The oem hid's are terrible anyway. My wrc has them and I am hugely disappointed with them.and for the money it would cost to retro fit them I would say it total waste of money

thats a shame to hear

what about fitting a hid kit to your oe projectors, just uprate the ballasts and the bulbs, as they on their own on the octy are a big improvement over stock!

I suggest you brush up on your MOT rules.

"Vehicles with HID headlamps are therefore required to have a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not required) and be self levelling, which may be achieved either by the use of either headlamp or suspension levelling systems.

The presence and operation of these headlamp cleaning and levelling devices has been added to the test. Therefore, if a mandatory headlamp levelling or cleaning device is missing, inoperative or otherwise obviously defective, the vehicle will fail."

(taken from http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/technicalpenpicture3-lighting.pdf)

Also...

http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps.html

I suggest people read this MOT Guide provided to the test stations, it explains the requirements and what will fail or pass.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf

page 28.

If fitted they must work but they don't need to be fitted.

Edited 19 December, 201114 yr by mdon

I suggest people read this MOT Guide provided to the test stations, it explains the requirements and what will fail or pass.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf

page 28.

If fitted they must work but they don't need to be fitted.

Two conflicting pieces of evidence from the same source. Useful!

On another note, I like my OEM HIDs very much. Fitted some 6000k bulbs and was very happy with the performance... when the levellers worked properly.

thats a shame to hear

what about fitting a hid kit to your oe projectors, just uprate the ballasts and the bulbs, as they on their own on the octy are a big improvement over stock!

Yeah I may try that thanks for the idea

Yeah I may try that thanks for the idea

Yeah but arn't the projectors the foglight, fitting hids to it will just give you a low flat pattern, useful in fog i suppose but doubt mr plod will take to kindly to them

very useful video... philips extreme power VS 4300K xenon

Edited 20 December, 201114 yr by IulianE

Yeah but arn't the projectors the foglight, fitting hids to it will just give you a low flat pattern, useful in fog i suppose but doubt mr plod will take to kindly to them

The optional HIDs on some models have projectors for the dipped lights too, I think the suggestion was to uprate the bulbs/ballasts in these rather than the fogs.

I know of at least one car with OEM HIDs fitted with no washers or levelling adjustment (other than with the bonnet up), I'm sure there are others too. I think it would be a pretty unreasonable and unrealistic decision to make such cars be required to have levelling and washers fitted.

Edit:

I fitted Phillips X-treme vision bulbs to mine (£30 for the pair) and they are much better than the bulbs they replaced but not as good as projectors I've had on previous cars (halogen or HID).

Edited 20 December, 201114 yr by vrsTom

I suggest a trip to the opticians for you all ! I can hardly see to the end of the bonnet without my specs but all is clear with them !

I suggest a trip to the opticians for you all ! I can hardly see to the end of the bonnet without my specs but all is clear with them !

The optional HIDs on some models have projectors for the dipped lights too, I think the suggestion was to uprate the bulbs/ballasts in these rather than the fogs.

yes thats what i meant

i'm thinking I might retro fit these or similar as I did to my mk3 mondeoo from a Focus ST.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320744427630?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

i think the projector type xenons look better and dont blind others as much if set up right depite a very bright defined pattern compared to just HID bulb kits which just looke like what they are upgraded bright bulbs but very dazzleing to other drivers..

The only thing is the Mondy had twin round reflector lights which made fitting easier and looked better and more OEM. I 'm not sure the rectanglw shape of the Octy's light will suit it the same. so not toatally sold yet. :(