Hi all,

 

It's that time again where I am thinking about what i can do to improve my headlights as frankly, they are pretty awful; I've currently got a 2013 estate with the dreaded halogen projector headlamps fitted. My drive to and from work each day takes me through some pretty nasty B roads and whilst the roads are familiar, I'd be being dishonest if I said I had the confidence in dark conditions especially coming from previous cars that had really good headlights. In fairness, full beam isn't too bad but the dipped beam is IMO on par with running a pair of candles up front.

 

I know the debate surrounding HID is a long one so I won't dwell on that but its certainly an option for me; with a minimal amount of outlay and effort we all know the performance gains to be had. I'm not so keen however on the the legal aspect as whilst I don't think its particularly enforced just yet it could be one day and, its a bit of a bind at MOT if they decide to get too picky. I certainly don't proclaim to be super law abiding all the time but i can't be doing with the faff if it'll attract more attention that the problem I am trying to resolve if you know what I mean. Finally of course, there is as the the concern over coding and damage to other systems but my understanding is that this should be OK if done correctly.

 

So, I have been giving some thought towards LED and wondered if anyone has had any experience of this just yet? My previous car was a new Nissan Qashqai (company motor) with full LED headlamps so I know how great they are (certainly comparable to HID if not an even nicer temperature) and as a bonus, no self levelling or headlamp washers are required to be compliant (well, I assume this to be the case given the Qashqai is definitely not fitted with either). Looking at the technology in the Qashqai I don't think it would be too hard to install a similar lamp arrangement in the Octavia which I hope would give a good result. I realise though that coding would most likely still be needed.

 

Finally, I could just opt for upgraded halogen headlamps which would ensure legal compliance, mitigate any risk to damaging the car and give, to some degree, a much better light output.

 

Be interested to know your thoughts.

Most of this is my opinion but I think your options are:

 

Uprated halogen bulbs.

Examples include Osram night breakers and Philips xtreme vision. They are completely legal and inexpensive but probably don't give that much more light and may only last a few months depending on your usage patterns.

 

Aftermarket H7 xenon kit.

As you have a FL there is a good chance it may kill your BCM so I'd avoid. Also as you mentioned, without levelling and washers they aren't legal even if they currently pass MOT's. I'm also not sure how well formed the beam pattern is as it uses the halogen projectors even if the cutoff is good. If you can find a kit under 2000lm then you shouldn't need self levelling or washers, a standard H7 should be around 1550lm so it's not a great improvement when you consider the reflector losses.

 

Aftermarket xenon projector kit.

Perfect beam pattern and cutoff, it won't be an easy install as you'll need to modified the headlamp to take the xenon projector unit. Assuming you can stay under 2000lm with an efficient projector you should be able to get more useable light for not too much outlay. It will get expensive if you do it properly with washers and self levelling.

 

Aftermarket H7 LED kit.

This will probably be awful. There are plenty of kits from China but again as they are reusing the halogen projectors you'll have at least a questionable beam pattern (cutoff should still be fine) and I'd also expect less light than a quality halogen bulb as well as questionable longevity.

 

Aftermarket LED projector kit.

It won't be an easy install as you'll need to modified the headlamp to take the LED projector unit. Also, if the LED projector is over 2000lm I think you will still need self levelling and washers. As the car never had EU approval with this system then the legality is still questionable but if done well I doubt you'd have problems.

 

Factory xenon conversion.

The only truly legal way to ditch the halogens but by far the most expensive. If the washers and self levelling kit are installed as per a factory install then it should be covered by the same type EU approval as a factory install. The projectors used aren't the most amazing so there is still room for improvement.

 

People normally choose option 1.

 

Some have chosen option 2 and then regretted it after replacing the BCM and removed the kit. Others have had no issues with similar kits but I wouldn't risk it.

 

xpower did option 3 here http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262148-octavia-vrs-custom-bi-xenon-projector-conversion/ (without levelling and washers)

 

I'm hoping for a factory retrofit at some point

Personally I have used both the osram nightbreakers and Philips xtreme vision in previous cars. I have noticed a different.

I resused my osram nightbreakers from my old car into the Octavia as they were only a month and have noticed a vast improvement over the standard halogen bulbs. Slightly whiter light and definitely brighter.

there was a topic a little earlier pretty much on this subject re. osram nightbreakers unlimited.  ended up getting a set of h1 & h7 headlights & full beam . it not massively brighter but you do notice a difference. if you dont intend to spend a great deal of money get a set & try them its the least expensive option  

Gawwwd, I personally do not have that issue with my factory halogens on my 2011 Octavia........ And trust me I should know, I drive basically at night 'simples'..

My last car B5.5 Passat had that issue and it's not nice, chopping and changing bulbs, fitting xenons got rid of them(interferance to my two way radio) etc etc, end of the day I replaced head-light units and my issues disappeared...

Do you have front fogs btw?.

I've gone for upgraded halogens which had to be an H4 fit - Phillips X-treme 130% fitted a couple of days ago. They work ok and do give a brighter and longer throw than the original bulbs which were Osram but I'm not sure which exact type. Anyway, the Osrams gave a retro yellow light when night driving and my last car had active bi xenons. I'll give an update on these Phillips after a month or two.

Those bulbs are quite good. A much better bulb than standard.