Hi guys,

Just wondering what the light spread is like with the retrofit kits into halogen projector lamp units. I've got a kit, but would like to know how other Mk2 Octavias throw the light out as with halogens the cutoff is pretty sharp! I've read many varying posts on retrofit kits, so actual proof rather than "this would happen", "it's Illegal and you'll die" and similar comments, please

As above. Just fitted them in mine and the pattern is the same with a sharp cutoff and two nice Obtuse v's in the centre. Will get pictures later.

The ones I, and many others on here have from LondonColour via ebay, costing £25ish last time I looked.  If an engine mod could improve performance to the same extent as the HID's, you would be looking at entering a grand prix.

As Mike said ^, the beam is the same, only better.  By lots.  Up the road and to the sides.

Only downside is the main beam with some nightbreaker type bulbs, now seem a bit anaemic.  They cost only slightly less than the HID's.

The ones I, and many others on here have from LondonColour via ebay, costing £25ish last time I looked. If an engine mod could improve performance to the same extent as the HID's, you would be looking at entering a grand prix.

As Mike said ^, the beam is the same, only better. By lots. Up the road and to the sides.

Only downside is the main beam with some nightbreaker type bulbs, now seem a bit anaemic. They cost only slightly less than the HID's.

Yep got mine from London Colour and quite frankly they are the best mod I've even done on a car.

I second Mike on the beam pattern, it's exactly the same as the halogen bulb due to the projector lens but much much brighter and cleaner. So much so that when you put the main beam on it takes a second to realise you've put them on, the only difference is the throw on the beam. You shouldn't have any issues with blinding on coming traffic if they were set up correctly before hand. It's the best £26 I've ever spent!

I spoke with a mate of mine who runs a garage and asked him what does he look for with the lights when doing and MOT, he just said alignment and bulb illumination. I hinted at the legality of light modification and he said if it looks ok when he tests the car it will pass because he can't take parts off the car to check as it's all visual. I then asked his opinion on HID xenon lights and he just looked at me blankly. By the way he's been in the business 30 yrs and knows all the rules and short cuts so when he says there's no issue I'll except that because he MOT's my car!

Edited 11 February, 201412 yr by billywhiz040480

Well, i fitted mine last night, but rather than the sharp cutoff with very little light above it, my car has the cutoff at the same height, but above that it seems to light up the house over the road! Took it for a quick drive and nobody flashed me or anything so could just be that I'm not used to it!

I'll get a pic later!

Edited 11 February, 201412 yr by MereKat

So, my lights go from this, switched off:

To this:

Looks like full beams are on! Although the pic makes it look a bit brighter, it looks as though there's no real focus now? The car is parked on a slight downhill slope...

Edited 11 February, 201412 yr by MereKat

Poor neighbours 'blinded by the light'! B-)

Edited 11 February, 201412 yr by billywhiz040480

To this:

Looks like full beams are on! Although the pic makes it look a bit brighter, it looks as though there's no real focus now? The car is parked on a slight downhill slope...

No real focus?

What's that on the right then?

Haha!!! I see what you did there!

Took it out with fogs as driving lights to find a decent surface.....and....got this:

Neighbours may be happy now:

So, maybe the lamp wasn't quite in fully? No idea...happy now though!

I'd get the alignment checked at a garage that undertakes MoTs, just so you're know all is well.

 

But yep, worthwhile upgrade

It is so much nicer driving at night! I have a few friends that at mot test places so ill get them to check it out (they don't actually mot my cars though!)

Would i be right to assume that on the first pic that the middle of the beam should be aligned? If that's the case, would tightening the nut that holds the headlamps in pull it more together? I'm sure they're tight but I'll double check them tomorrow...

They are 6000k, so a little blue (should have gone for 5000 or 4300 i think though!) so signs are very different!

Edited 11 February, 201412 yr by MereKat

I changed from normal headlights to xenon ones.

The hid kit gave more output light than original xenon making also more light above cutoff line.

More noticed on wet road.

The 5000k was also the ones I had.

I looked into changing from halogen to HID bulbs but wasn't happy with the results I'd seen on the net, no real definition / cut off, dark spots etc. Don't get me wrong, HID in halogen projectors is better than halogen but not as good as genuine xenon.

 

Luckily I was contacted by a fellow member on the site who had modified a set of halogens to fit a genuine Hella E55 bi-xenon projector. I've not got them fitted and to the very best of "fellow member's" knowledge and my own, there are another set in the country fitted to an Octavia.

 

I'm certainly not bragging or trying to be big headed but that's the kind of definition / cut off you get from a bi-xenon (the pic is my lights on dipped beam).

 

Another bonus is that when you switch to full beam you get the full bi-xenon plus the original full beam halogens = full beam x 4!!

 

The pic really doesn't do them justice.

 

 

 

I thought bi-xenon used a shutter for full beam, not additional halogens?

I'll take a pic of mine in a similar place, I'll be parking underground soon!

They have an H1 main beam for beam flash sometimes.

I have OEM xenon's on my Octavia and also run a Superb with projectors and a London Colour 4300K HID kit.

 

The OEM set up is slightly better, the only issue I find with the HID lit is they take a few seconds longer to warm up / reach full brightness compared to the OEM's on the Octavia.

I thought bi-xenon used a shutter for full beam, not additional halogens?

I'll take a pic of mine in a similar place, I'll be parking underground soon!

They do. when I switch to full beam I get the full beam from the bi-xenon plus full beam from the original halogen full beam reflectors. They look totally oem.

Have you got a photo of the actual headlight setup?

Have you got a photo of the actual headlight setup?

 

I only have one pic of them being built which is this:

 

 

 

This is obviously a standard headlight unit:

 

 

and here's a couple of what mine look like:

 

 

 

 

I'm working till 3am tonight so I'll some pics on my way home to show the appearance and light for dipped and full beam etc

Thanks for that. Always interested to see how each bi-xenon setup actually works.

Haha!!! I see what you did there!

Took it out with fogs as driving lights to find a decent surface.....and....got this:

 

 

That's what my factory xenons look like. EXCEPT my right side beam is noticeably higher than the left. This has been the case since I got a new headlight assembly on warranty last year after water leaked in and shorted out the electrics. I've visited the dealer twice to get it sorted and they claim it's OK.

 

My headlight pattern is mirrored because my car is left hand drive, so just imagine that your LEFT headlight is higher up. 

 

I would try to adjust it myself, but not sure if I should tamper with anything when there's xenon adjustment electronics involved.

Goshow - how did you get a moving shutter for high/main beam?

Goshow - how did you get a moving shutter for high/main beam?

 

If only I knew! The lights were built by a member on here using a pair of Hella E55 bi-xenon units.

Just got in from work so here's a few pics of the lights. Unfortunately only taken on my phone so not the highest definition but you get the idea. I tried to find a tree covered country lane to give an idea of how high the light gets projected too.

 

You need to see these in the flesh really as the pics do not do them justice at all.

 

My previous car was an E90 BMW 335d m-sport with Bi-Xenon and I honestly think these are better.

 

 

 

Bi-xenon 5000k only. The light is thrown about 30 to 40 metres up the road.

 

 

 

 

Full beam, halogen only, using Osram night breaker unlimited bulbs

 

 

 

 

Full beam, all on, bi-xenon on full and halogen on full. The light is thrown a good 200 metres in view.

 

 

 

 

BTW, all credit for building the lights goes to Briskoda member; X-Power

Edited 15 February, 201412 yr by goshow

That's amazing I really want to do that!!!!