Hey guys picked up my new vrs from the main dealers the other day there :love: , and am debaating as to should i or should i not install xenon headlights???

Any pros or cons of them would b greatly appreciated!!! even a good place to get them!

Thaks!

Do you mean an aftermarket HID kit?

Hey guys picked up my new vrs from the main dealers the other day there :love: , and am debaating as to should i or should i not install xenon headlights???

Any pros or cons of them would b greatly appreciated!!! even a good place to get them!

Thaks!

Why didn't you order them on the car if its brand new. It's illegal to fit HIDs in a normal headlight with no auto level or wash system.

Cue the forum police on this 1!

Plenty of HID kits on ebay etc.

Cons:- Technically it's illegal, but in the UK everyone seems to get away with it......besides it's hardly the crime of the century. May have trouble come MOT time, but again in the UK most people seem to be getting a pass even with them fitted. You have to choose your HID kit carefully to avoid constant blown bulb warnings.

Pros:- Really bright.....major improvement over Halogen, with reduced energy use (35w vs 55w)

Bi-Xenon is a slightly more tricky prospect. OEM Bi-Xenon (like on the Superb...it's not available on the Mk2 Octavia) use a mechanical shutter for high beam with a single bulb for both beams. There is also a aux halogen bulb for flashing the high beam when the headlights are off.

You could put an after market HID in the main beam, but you have the problem of not really being able to flash your lights, as HID lights take a few seconds to get to full light output.

Edited 5 February, 201313 yr by booke23

Legality aside xenon headlights are quite a tricky retrofit, if you want OEM.

As has been mentioned the factory xenon set-up includes sensors on the suspension that auto-level the headlights as you drive along to prevent them dazzling oncoming drivers. You also get the headlight washers to keep the headlight lens clean - again to prevent dazzle.

Then there is the cost of the light units themselves, with the ballast, ignitor and bulb they are very pricey to buy.

You instead have the option of an aftermarket HID kit. Do a search on here as it has been discussed at length. There is a difference of opinion whether you should go CANBUS friendly or not, and then you also have a choice on colour, I think OEM is around 4,300.

HID kits work well on the Octavia as they all have projector headlights as standard which prevents them from causing too many issues in terms of scatter etc.

Your prayers have been answered, and only a few threads away from this one too!

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/264447-hid-aftermaket-kit-help-for-definitive-how-to/

Here you have a similar recent thread, and here the legalities discussed, with final notes there. Worth reading the rest of the threads.

In summary, as long as it's projectors we are talking here, retrofitting is simple, reliable and will work, most issues are with coding on Octy 2 (but here it seems to be sorted). Will also pass MOT now and in foreseeable future, as lack of self levelling and headlamp washers is not listed as a possible reason for rejection in legally binding latest MOT Service Manual nor VOSA Special Notices.

VOSA and DVLA created the confusion with their misleading (and not legally binding) guide, in my view on purpose.

Edited 5 February, 201313 yr by dieselV6

Why didn't you order them on the car if its brand new. It's illegal to fit HIDs in a normal headlight with no auto level or wash system.

they wanted €2000 extra for them from new!!! simple economics!!

Do you mean an aftermarket HID kit?

yeah im only thinking bout it at the moment so just weighing up the pros and cons !!!

Your prayers have been answered, and only a few threads away from this one too!

http://www.briskoda....initive-how-to/

Thank you!

also can anbody explain this VCLS??? :sun:

You mean VCDS. Its a pc program that allows you to change settings on the car. Instead of using the dealer plug in VCDS on your laptop.

@Callaghan.

Whereabouts in Cork are you?

I have had some aftermarket HID's which fit in the low beam projectors on my pre FL for the last two years, they needed minor coding changes. Works fine.

FL models can have more difficulty apparently.

Mine came from Londoncolour via ebay, cost about £45.

also can anbody explain this VCLS??? :sun:

VCDS as mentioned is a 3rd party diagnostic device, which consists of a Cable/Interface and Windows software which allows you to scan for fault codes, adjust all sorts of parameters, and enable or disable various functions. It broadly emulates the equipment the dealer uses, but it's much cheaper (still about £270). It works with Skoda, VW, Audi and Seat cars.

It's a great piece of kit, which I use a lot more than I thought I would when I bought it.

@Callaghan.

Whereabouts in Cork are you?

sorry laptop was down for a few days!! i am based round the bandon area!! and yourself??

VCDS as mentioned is a 3rd party diagnostic device, which consists of a Cable/Interface and Windows software which allows you to scan for fault codes, adjust all sorts of parameters, and enable or disable various functions. It broadly emulates the equipment the dealer uses, but it's much cheaper (still about £270). It works with Skoda, VW, Audi and Seat cars.

It's a great piece of kit, which I use a lot more than I thought I would when I bought it.

sounds a nice bit of kit!! what sort of features can u enable or disable or whatever???

You can do all kinds of things....off the top of my head:- Steering weight, Auto lock, Auto unlock, 2 rear fog lights, Switch on/off seat belt warning, Cruise control activation (requires Cruise control indicator stalk), correction of inaccurate trip computer etc.

All sorts of other adjustments/tweeks are possible. Along with full fault code scanning/clearing and mileage verification (mileage is stored in the ecu independently from the mileometer....so in theory you can see if it's been clocked)

It's so handy.......I had some work done on the lower arm bushes to get it through the MOT...when i got it home I noticed the Xenon headlights weren't auto adjusting. Connected VCDS which told me of an error on the front level sensor. It had been disconnected to do the work on the arms and required recalibrating.....took all of 2 minutes to do all this in VCDS.

The air bag light came on yesterday, again in 2 minutes I had a fault code from VCDS which told me it was an intermittent connection on the drivers seat airbag......The plug under the seat causes this......I wiggled the plug, cleared the code and it's been fine since!

sorry laptop was down for a few days!! i am based round the bandon area!! and yourself??

Fermoy.

Fermoy.

your not too far away at all so! hows your wagon going for ya??

Close enough alright.

If you are out for a drive someday you can check out my HID's if you wish.

Car is going grand.

Just coming on to 3k kms on it now.

Close enough alright.

If you are out for a drive someday you can check out my HID's if you wish.

Car is going grand.

Just coming on to 3k kms on it now.

might take u up on that actually some sunday soon if your round!!

twould be nicew to see it done and working properly in another car!