Bit of a moan really. Was driving along the A12 and hit a really really poor patch of road surface coming to a bend, saw a quick flicker then beeeeeeep! Bulb warning light comes on. A little while later another flicker and a second beeeep!! Second one went.

Bit of swearing, but pulled over to check as I didn't want to drive along with no headlights. Only to find the lights were still on, but not as bright as usual. So I was able to carry on my journey!

I'm guessing the ballast got damaged. So now I need to get new ones! Joy. Think I'll go for 5000k this time

I think it's the actual bulb that determines the colour temp and not the ballast.

Yeah i get that, but I couldn't find replacement ballasts, so had to buy a new set. Might as well change the bulbs while I'm at it

Oh right, I wasn't sure.

It is probably cheaper to buy the full kit than try to source just the ballasts anyway?

Yeah most likely. I'll have tosecure these ones a bit better :-)

Yeah most likely. I'll have tosecure these ones a bit better :-)

Not wishing to be rude but surely this experience would make you consider why halogen is good (bulb blows, replace bulb, continue journey) as opposed to it being a great idea to fit another set of HID's that you don't have spares for and shouldn't be on the road anyway?

Just a thought.

HID's wind me right up. It must be nice driving along with 100metres of road lit up like Christmas. Even if correctly alined they are very distracting for the 98% rest of road users.

HID's wind me right up. It must be nice driving along with 100metres of road lit up like Christmas. Even if correctly alined they are very distracting for the 98% rest of road users.

Have to agree maybe nice or they think they are nice for the ones who use them,but a real pain to on coming drivers in other cars.

Edited 17 April, 201214 yr by padi

Have to agree maybe nice or they think they are nice for the ones who use them,but a real pain to on coming drivers in other cars.

I have genuine Philips HIDs fitted to my Mk2 with projectors.

In no way shape or form do they dazzle motorists as they're designed for a projector. I hear you as far as fitting a HID to a halogen designed lens. The light is just scattered everywhere and is very annoying.

Dark hero.. Not aimed at you but...

Jonny boy, I have to agree.

The run of the mill Chav fits the ones that scatter light all over the place and actually provide less light where needed.

There are, however, alternative bulbs which have a shield over part of the bulb to prevent this and provide a correct beam pattern.

Obviously they are more expensive so are not the bulb of choice as your average Chav wants cheap.

I have projector lights fitted, but do agree that HIDs in reflector lights dazzle others. Typically if they go for 8000k as it's a chav thing

Avalon- I don't think you're being rude, you make a good point. Although with a Fabia even with Halogen bulbs it's not a simple job to do. Complete lack of space doesn't make it a very roadside friendly swap. Also the set I got were E-marked, so are suitable for the road.

I don't get flashed by other road users either and as I spend alot of time on the road at night I have to admit I like the extra output

OP, if it's the ridge in the road on the left hand bend heading southwards before the Brentwood exit (2 lane section between two 3 lane sections) then I know exactly how bad it is.

I always use lane 1 there now, even if it means sitting behind a lorry.

I nearly took off the first time I hit it at speed... well, it felt like it anyway.

I have projector lights fitted, but do agree that HIDs in reflector lights dazzle others. Typically if they go for 8000k as it's a chav thing

Avalon- I don't think you're being rude, you make a good point. Although with a Fabia even with Halogen bulbs it's not a simple job to do. Complete lack of space doesn't make it a very roadside friendly swap. Also the set I got were E-marked, so are suitable for the road.

I don't get flashed by other road users either and as I spend alot of time on the road at night I have to admit I like the extra output

I you're thinking of upgrading, get these - http://www.hid-onlin...it-4200K--.html

Not to be mistaken with cheap copies. These are fully checkable with Philips online with verification serial Nos.

Awesome kit ! :sun:

OP, if it's the ridge in the road on the left hand bend heading southwards before the Brentwood exit (2 lane section between two 3 lane sections) then I know exactly how bad it is.

I always use lane 1 there now, even if it means sitting behind a lorry.

I nearly took off the first time I hit it at speed... well, it felt like it anyway.

Wasn't that 1 this time, although I have hit that before! It was much further along near junction 24. At the Colchester Travelodge!

I you're thinking of upgrading, get these - http://www.hid-onlin...it-4200K--.html

Not to be mistaken with cheap copies. These are fully checkable with Philips online with verification serial Nos.

Awesome kit ! :sun:

Wow wish I'd known about them a couple of nights ago lol

I have projector lights fitted, but do agree that HIDs in reflector lights dazzle others. Typically if they go for 8000k as it's a chav thing

No problems with the projector headlights so long as they're adjusted correctly.

Your info doesn't say whether you have a mk1 or 2 so didn't want to inflame things.

I have projector lights on my bike and have had 5000k HIDs fitted for 5 years with no problems. They look like halogen bulbs but sooo much brighter.

It even passed MOTs with them fitted

The beam pattern is exactly the same as with the halogen bulbs

Yeah i get that, but I couldn't find replacement ballasts, so had to buy a new set. Might as well change the bulbs while I'm at it

where did you buy your new set from?

Thanks

No problems with the projector headlights so long as they're adjusted correctly.

Your info doesn't say whether you have a mk1 or 2 so didn't want to inflame things.

I have projector lights on my bike and have had 5000k HIDs fitted for 5 years with no problems. They look like halogen bulbs but sooo much brighter.

It even passed MOTs with them fitted

The beam pattern is exactly the same as with the halogen bulbs

Haha will have to update that. Yes I have a mk1 with aftermarket projector headlights. Which I'm sure is another point of contention for some. But before anyone asks I am no chav.. Couldn't be further from it!

where did you buy your new set from?

Thanks

I got them from carmodshop.co.uk

I got them from carmodshop.co.uk

thanks a lot!

really like your car btw! leather looks so nice! i was going to put something like that in my pd100 but ive gone and bought a SE now which arrives tonight

thanks a lot!

really like your car btw! leather looks so nice! i was going to put something like that in my pd100 but ive gone and bought a SE now which arrives tonight

Thanks mate :-)