Hi, I was just wondering how much a set of xenon headlights would be for my fabia vrs?

Cheers Matt:)

You mean bulbs?

If you're happy to put the work in to retrofitting them, they can be had for a few hundred quid off eBay. If you're just after the Xenon-effect bulbs, check out www.powerbulbs.co.uk (or eBay)

Chris

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear. I mean the one's you get when you buy a new fabia as an upgrade from the standard ones. I saw a fabia vrs with them on an wondered how much they would be to be fitted to mine.

Its not just the lamps you need. Its the associated wiring, level sensors, washers etc thats gonna cost the real bucks.

What about just the bulbs then. Do they look as good as factory fitted options? If so which bulbs do i get and how much would they cost?

Cheers Matt

What about just the bulbs then. Do they look as good as factory fitted options? If so which bulbs do i get and how much would they cost?

Cheers Matt

The bulbs will not fit like that.

In a normal headlamp' date=' there is a small bulb roughly the size and shape of a pen lid. It is in essence a very bright version of the glow-lamp you would use in your house, not all that different different from the lightbulb invented in 1880s: A filament gets heated by electricity passing through, and the heat causes light emission. Modern headlamps are normally Halogen lamps - the inside of the bulb is filled with Halogen gas, which allows the bulb to burn at a higher temperature, and therefore brighter.

Xenon headlamps are technically known as Xenon HID light. HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, and refers to the technology involved. Instead of a glowing filament, the light is generated by a spark which jumps across a gap constantly - just like a constant arc of mini-lightning. Proper HID light systems run at a significantly higher voltage than normal, you have to have the ballasts and associated gubbings.

As mentioned [url']www.powerbulbs.co.uk[/url] would be a good place to start for H4/7 uprated bulbs that will just swap straight over. Have a look at http://www.hids4u.co.uk if you want to look into a full conversion. IMHO I wouldn't think it would be worth the cost and the time to fit, as you also would'nt have the auto levelling which could cause MOT problems.

I have OEM Xenons and I love them to bits, but I think that spending

You can get xenon-effect bulbs from Powerbulbs which look like xenons but are about as good as standard halogen lamps on the road. Or you can get the 50% brighter, white bulbs like the Philips Vision Plus and Osram Silverstars which don't look like xenons but do significantly improve the range and spread of light over the standard ones.

I opted for Osram Silverstars for dipped and Philips 100W Rallye's for my full beam

Chris

I opted for Osram Silverstars for dipped and Philips 100W Rallye's for my full beam

Chris

ScoobyChris, are these OK with polycarbonate lenses ?

ScoobyChris, are these OK with polycarbonate lenses ?

If the Fabia and Mondeo use polycarbonate lenses then yes (20k and 15k miles respectively) If they don't use polycarbonate then I'm afraid I have no idea!

Chris

Yeah, well the Xenon factory lenses do anyway. Cheers.

Xenon 'effect' bulbs don't actually look anything like real xenon's though.

And Dont worry about the retrofit kits affecting you at MOT time, only factory fitted xenons are required to have self leveling and washers. A xenon kit wont fail the MOT.

Once you've had xenons, you wont want to go back!

Xenons also work at a lower temperature than halogens, and don't generate as much heat so they aren't a problem in plastic headlights.

Xenons also work at a lower temperature than halogens, and don't generate as much heat so they aren't a problem in plastic headlights.

What I meant was, I already have Factory Xenons and would the use of 100w main beam upgrade be ok with the poly lenses.

I reckon as main beam they would be fine as you wouldn't have them on for very long periods, and I think Chris had a set in his Fabia

I reckon as main beam they would be fine as you wouldn't have them on for very long periods, and I think Chris had a set in his Fabia

Yep I ran them for 20k miles in my non-Xenon Fabia and was so pleased with them, I bought another set for the Mondeo. 15k miles later and they're still going strong

Chris

Could i just go to the dealers and ask them to fit a full set to my car or would that be silly money?

Could i just go to the dealers and ask them to fit a full set to my car or would that be silly money?

It would be very silly money, if they'd even do it. (which I seriously doubt)

Yep I ran them for 20k miles in my non-Xenon Fabia and was so pleased with them' date=' I bought another set for the Mondeo. 15k miles later and they're still going strong

Chris[/quote']

I have that car now and still have the 100W headlamps. They bleach anything that passes in front of them, but the front of the car still hasn't caught fire.

Totally safe and totally recommended!