Just finding stabs at guessing on various forums when I Google it.

 

I'm putting together a list of mods I need to get for my VRS and I'm thinking the yellow 3000k HID's will look nice on the red car.

 

Anyone want to give me any other ideas for mods, here is what I have down so far:

 

sports cat (no box with a nice oval tip)

bbs reps

coilovers

bumper splitter

panel filter

roof rack

remap

HID 6000k or 3000k

 

 

4300K HIDs are the nearest to daylight and give the best vision.  As the temperature raises above this value the light output decreases.  For some reason the blue tinge visible at higher temps is sort after by some people.

I do quite like the slightly blue tint, it's the chavs having bright blue that give it a bad name.

I'm also a fan of the bright yellow ones as well.

Yellower light in bad weather and snow generates less glare-back, so in some ways it is a good idea. I'd do it with retrofit HID headlamps though.

 

Wingmirrorman (woman?) on eBay did a lot of business with forum members a couple of years ago.

 

Here's a helpful link

http://www.depo.com.tw/asp/pdf/R_SK_SM_1.pdf

 

Depo part numbers are listed in PDF. You want the "EHM1" (chrome) or "EHM2" (black) models.

When I had HIDs on my previous car I went for some @ 5k, these gave a crisp white light and looked fairly OEM but with greater light output. 3k will only attract unwanted attention, same with 8k and above. 6k you could probably get away with but they will be a bit more obvious as the blue tint will be a bit more in your face.

 

Sadly the majority of retro fit HIDs are illegal and will not pass an MOT as you need self levelling lenses/suspension, washer jets, and usually projector style lenses. There were a small minority of cars with them fit from the factory in reflector style headlights but these were few and far between. Fitting them into reflector style headlights is defiantly a no no from a legal point.

 

I never got pulled or questioned on mine when I had them but this was a few years ago before they tightened up the rules. 

Sadly the majority of retro fit HIDs are illegal and will not pass an MOT as you need self levelling lenses/suspension, washer jets, and usually projector style lenses. There were a small minority of cars with them fit from the factory in reflector style headlights but these were few and far between. Fitting them into reflector style headlights is defiantly a no no from a legal point.

You absolutely, definitely, do not need self levelling or washer to jets to fit xenon lamps.

BMW/MINI sell a retrofit kit to put xenons into a MINI which is fully type approved, it just uses a 25W bulb.

http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/264771-mini-is-worlds-first-car-manufacturer-to-offer-retrofit-xenon-headlights/

I said 'the majority' not all. I think you need to read the MOT test manual as it clearly states what is and isn't required for them to be legal. The rules on them changed a year or two ago I believe.

The MINI kit above will no doubt meet all the required regulations for them to be legal, being a manufacture specific kit rather than a third party off the shelf universal kit. 

 

It should be noted that there were indeed some cars, mainly Lexus, which had HIDs installed into reflector style headlights and because it was a factory fit option they cannot be failed on an MOT. However retro fitting HIDs into the headlights on the mk1 Fabia for example would not be considered road legal. Not trying to wind anyone up, just stating the facts! 

ISTR there is a newer homologation of a lower power Xenon headlight that does not require additional systems. Lumens meant to be around the 2000 mark compared to 3000+ for a typical 4300 Kelvin D2S. Have read of this being available on the "new beetle".

 

Ah balls, forgot to mention power etc... 25W is ten less than the 35W HID projectors normally run. There are 55W ballasts for those that like their light... Until bit of the headligth interior start to melt in the heat.

Edited 9 November, 201411 yr by vindaloo

I said 'the majority' not all. I think you need to read the MOT test manual as it clearly states what is and isn't required for them to be legal. The rules on them changed a year or two ago I believe.

The MINI kit above will no doubt meet all the required regulations for them to be legal, being a manufacture specific kit rather than a third party off the shelf universal kit. 

 

It should be noted that there were indeed some cars, mainly Lexus, which had HIDs installed into reflector style headlights and because it was a factory fit optional they cannot be failed on an MOT. However retro fitting HIDs into the headlights on the mk1 Fabia for example would not be considered road legal. Not trying to wind anyone up, just stating the facts!

I love the way people assume that other posters are clueless. I have read the test manual and had quite a lot of contact with DVSA (the new name for VOSA) about it.

I have an e-mail from DVSA regarding the installation of H7 LED bulbs in the headlamps of my SLK and, while they too look like they should require self levelling and washers, DVSA say not because they have a stated light output under 2000 lumens.

The following is an FAQ from the DVSA website;

Do HID headlamps require washers / self levellers?

Headlamp washing and levelling systems are a legal requirement for high intensity discharge (HID) lamps with a luminous intensity exceeding 2,000 lumens. But unless the luminous intensity is marked on the lamp, a tester won’t be able to tell if these systems are needed.

So, they can only be rejected if they are fitted and are inoperative or obviously defective. If they are missing and you believe they should be fitted, then pass and advise.

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/vosas-customer-service-centre-commonly-asked-questions/

I think that's pretty straightforward. If washers/levelling are fitted, they must work. If they are not fitted, unless the bulbs state >2000 lumens then you get a pass and an advisory. So PLEASE, stop promulgating this myth about xenons and washers and levelling. You don't need them unless the bulbs explicitly state >2000 lumens.

I think that's pretty straightforward. If washers/levelling are fitted, they must work. If they are not fitted, unless the bulbs state >2000 lumens then you get a pass and an advisory. So PLEASE, stop promulgating this myth about xenons and washers and levelling. You don't need them unless the bulbs explicitly state >2000 lumens.

 

QFT.

 

My Celica passed an MOT at the council depot. with aftermarket HIDs in the OEM projector units. No leveling. No washers. Just a nice clean beam cut off. Not a single **** was given.

 

However if I'd have gone in with OEM Xenons and the washers were present but didn't work... fail.

 

The beam pattern may cause HIDs to fail in reflector lamps, and I believe everyone who puts HIDs in reflectors should be encouraged not to... with a big stick.

QFT.

My Celica passed an MOT at the council depot. with aftermarket HIDs in the OEM projector units. No leveling. No washers. Just a nice clean beam cut off. Not a single **** was given.

However if I'd have gone in with OEM Xenons and the washers were present but didn't work... fail.

The beam pattern may cause HIDs to fail in reflector lamps, and I believe everyone who puts HIDs in reflectors should be encouraged not to... with a big stick.

Or a gun as it just dazzles