octavia 02 TDi. want to upgrade both side and headlamps to xenon, anyone done this? can you offer any advice/bulbs used info, looking for make/model number of bulbs.. cheers

Do you want to upgrade your setup to xenons, or uprate the bulbs to be equivalent to xenons? Upgrading to actual xenons will be expensive as you also need the self-levelling sensors which will push the cost up. If you want to just uprate the bulbs, check out www.powerbulbs.co.uk

Chris

Umm, I'm not sure you have to install self-levelling sensors with an aftermarket DIY installation but they are required on new cars. Could be wrong though. I sounds like a pretty major job regardless. I'll be sticking with higher performance lamps in the same headlight units using the standard wiring.

Retro fit HID does not require self levelling devices.

Retro fit HID does not require self levelling devices.

No but IIRC they arent legal either.

I tried the after market HID jobbies and it was a disaster!

The standard octy lamp fitting doesnt like the DS2 style xenon lamps, the reflector shape is all wrong and all you end up doing is blinding the **** out of everyone, alot of the light hits the bottom of the fitting and then bounces upwards. and lowering the beam via the manual adjustment makes it worse! I speak from experience!

If I were you I would go with some upgraded H4's.

Also, with H4 HID's the dip/main beam is achieved by MOVING the xenon lamp via a solenoid which renders the flash function useless as a HID lamp needs to strike and warm up. Again I speak from experience lol.

For H4 upgrade lamps try Phillips vision plus or Osram silverstar - both brill - Maplins sell the Osrams at good price ( approx

Gonna try the Philips ones metinks, Especially with the dodgy weather on the way.

I tried the after market HID jobbies and it was a disaster!

The standard octy lamp fitting doesnt like the DS2 style xenon lamps' date=' the reflector shape is all wrong and all you end up doing is blinding the **** out of everyone, alot of the light hits the bottom of the fitting and then bounces upwards. and lowering the beam via the manual adjustment makes it worse! I speak from experience!

If I were you I would go with some upgraded H4's.

Also, with H4 HID's the dip/main beam is achieved by MOVING the xenon lamp via a solenoid which renders the flash function useless as a HID lamp needs to strike and warm up. Again I speak from experience lol.[/quote']

Totally disagree with this.

The beam pattern on mine is great. I didn't bother with main beam, merely wired the fogs up to flash.

Best purchase ever in my opinion.

Totally disagree in turn: The beam pattern on mine was crap to be frank, you might have used a different kit to mine but everyone and his brother was flashing me and yes, they were fitted correctly. Most of the light hit the mirrored part of the fitting at the bottom and shot upwards.

I Will opt for factory fitted ones on the next car.