I've just upgraded my headlights in my facelift octavia,

Honestly it's amazing, took about 20 minutes and as the octavia facelift uses projector lenses the Zenon lights don't need any adjusting, and as far as i can tell won't get you pulled over as they look original.

The balasts actually fit snugly into the headlamps themselves and no movement, also the original rubber cap still fits on.

I did however have to cut the small metal clips the slot the cable into and allowed me to use the original mounting, they are however still sturdy enough for me not to worry.

Also a plus side this kit cost me £26 where as 2, 150% bulbs from halfords would've come to £32

I can add pictures here but I can't see anyone being too intrested I just thought i'd add my comments for anyone looking into doing it themselves and if anyone needs any help I can try my best.

Assuming you haven't needed to code them (to prevent the blown bulb warning light from illuminating), then you've likely fitted a CANBUS-friendly HID kit.

 

Be very careful, the facelift MkII Octavia is well documented for damaging the BCM when these cheap kits are used. The in-built load resisotrs aren't kind to the car's electrical system.

 

Symptoms include the indicators illuminating permanently, the wiper motor failing as well as several other central electrics anomalies.

I fitted a 110w H7 LED kit (2×55w) to my 2010 FL several months ago.

 

They give a white light that is a bit brighter than the 100w halogens I had in it.

 

No issues at all.

 

1 hour ago, silver1011 said:

Assuming you haven't needed to code them (to prevent the blown bulb warning light from illuminating), then you've likely fitted a CANBUS-friendly HID kit.

 

Be very careful, the facelift MkII Octavia is well documented for damaging the BCM when these cheap kits are used. The in-built load resisotrs aren't kind to the car's electrical system.

 

Symptoms include the indicators illuminating permanently, the wiper motor failing as well as several other central electrics anomalies.

I have no warning lights and no issues yet but i don't remember it stating it was canbus friendly, its a 35w kit to replace my old 55w bulbs.

I think i read someone about people having issues, but it was a kind of spur of the moment thing and now hearing that i'm a bit worried, it's been 24 hours and about 2 hours of use but no issues yet

44 minutes ago, FatblokeVRS said:

I fitted a 110w H7 LED kit (2×55w) to my 2010 FL several months ago.

 

They give a white light that is a bit brighter than the 100w halogens I had in it.

 

No issues at all.

 

I actually had an led kit for my old car, A focus mk2, but they didn't fit in that and also don't fit the the octy without a fair bit of cutting so i stuck to these for now, although hearing from silver 1011 I might make get the dremel out after all and get the LED's in.

You can get adapters to fit the LED's. They fit over the bulb and twist in.

There are loads of threads on here about aftermarket HID kits and the FL MkII Octavia.

 

Even the non-CANBUS friendly kits, with the car properly coded have resulted in electrical issues. You might be lucky, 2010 was the model year where most issues were reported.

 

The LED kits are really bright, unpleasantly bright for other road users, even when correctly aligned.

Had them on a 2007 Octavia for a year now, no electronic problems.

 

Like you i was blown away by the difference in vision, the projector lamps with halogen bulbs are rubbish and with my old eyes dangerous.

 

However you will probably start to get flashes fromoncoming vehicles that are being blinded, not all the time but at the times where the correct homologated self levelling system would prevent it.

 

Like me you will probably need to progressively lower the beam adjustment until you no longer get flashed, it will significantly reduce the long range you are currently enjoying, I bet at the moment main beam adds nothing, but they will still put far more light on the ground ahead of you then the halogen bulbs did.

 

So I dont think you need to worry about electronic issues.

 

Mine was a very neat install as well.

My new Yeti has halogen projector lamps, I have just bought LHD units for it so will be starting out with virgin new bulbs and shiny reflectors, if they have sorted their **** out after the rubbish Octavia units they can stay stock but if the illumination is poor then it will very quickly get another AliExpress HID conversion.

On 11/10/2019 at 23:07, J.R. said:

Had them on a 2007 Octavia for a year now, no electronic problems.

 

Like you i was blown away by the difference in vision, the projector lamps with halogen bulbs are rubbish and with my old eyes dangerous.

 

However you will probably start to get flashes fromoncoming vehicles that are being blinded, not all the time but at the times where the correct homologated self levelling system would prevent it.

 

Like me you will probably need to progressively lower the beam adjustment until you no longer get flashed, it will significantly reduce the long range you are currently enjoying, I bet at the moment main beam adds nothing, but they will still put far more light on the ground ahead of you then the halogen bulbs did.

 

So I dont think you need to worry about electronic issues.

 

Mine was a very neat install as well.

I've now had 2 flashes so I stood about 20 feet away from my car at about the right height to check it and it's definitely brighter than the old bulbs but i wouldn't say dangerous to other road users, I have had to point them fairly low though.

On 11/10/2019 at 23:07, J.R. said:

Had them on a 2007 Octavia for a year now, no electronic problems.

 

Like you i was blown away by the difference in vision, the projector lamps with halogen bulbs are rubbish and with my old eyes dangerous.

 

However you will probably start to get flashes fromoncoming vehicles that are being blinded, not all the time but at the times where the correct homologated self levelling system would prevent it.

 

Like me you will probably need to progressively lower the beam adjustment until you no longer get flashed, it will significantly reduce the long range you are currently enjoying, I bet at the moment main beam adds nothing, but they will still put far more light on the ground ahead of you then the halogen bulbs did.

 

So I dont think you need to worry about electronic issues.

 

Mine was a very neat install as well.

 

After years of driving series land rovers with sealed beam headlights any modern car headlights seem brilliant by comparison. I find our octavias standard lights plenty bright enough. The number of cars I flash thinking they have left full beams on when they just have hid fitted to a car that didnt have them from the factory is mad, how these cars get their mots is a mystery.

Edited 13 October, 20196 yr by seriesdriver
spelling

9 minutes ago, seriesdriver said:

 

After years of driving series land rovers with sealed beam headlights any modern car headlights seem brilliant by comparison. I find our octavias standard lights plenty bright enough. The number of cars I flash thinking they have left full beams on when they just have hid fitted to a car that didnt have them from the factory is mad, how these cars get their mots is a mystery.

 

and the number of cars fitted with bulbs that blind you because the owners hadn't read the small print on the packaging where it clearly stares " Off road use only "

12 minutes ago, seriesdriver said:

 

The number of cars I flash thinking they have left full beams on when they just have hid fitted to a car that didnt have them from the factory is mad, how these cars get their mots is a mystery.

 

Indeed - these illegal conversions are a real pain on my unlit single carrigeway commute in the winter - fortunately the latest MOT should start failing these cars now it's part of the test.

Will these HID xenon work with my headlights 

Yes it will be fine as you have projector lenses and pre-fl model.

3 minutes ago, wiilydog said:

Yes it will be fine as you have projector lenses and pre-fl model.

Ok cool thanks. Can you recommend what one to get please 

Just follow this thread and take note to get non canbus kit and get someone to code them if you don't have vcds

 

 

4 minutes ago, wiilydog said:

Just follow this thread and take note to get non canbus kit and get someone to code them if you don't have vcds

 

 

Thanks dude 

Take note of my comments earlier on, I fitted HId's to the same headlights as yours.

Don't forget to fit the headlamp wash and self leveling system as well.

 

Thanks AG Falco

On 25/10/2019 at 17:20, wiilydog said:

Yes it will be fine as you have projector lenses and pre-fl model.

 

ECE regulations require automatic levelling and a lens cleaning system for low beam light sources which have an output greater than 2000 lumens, a 55W eBay "HID" kit is likely to be in excess of 3000 lumens. It should not pass an MoT

And as usual an aftermarket HID thread becomes a battle of the clans.

 

/grabs popcorn

What is solution to get a bit of decent light tho I can't see properly to the point I sometimes feel too alert and unsafe, if anything come running from the side of the road let's say a deer for example I wouldn't be able to see it untill it's too late,

 

Halogen range is ok I would have liked it to be a bit further, but side illumination is rubbish can't even see road signs untill I am too close to be able to read them!

 

I fitted osram night breakers halogens they are only very slightly better, I could see road signs with them but then I would get flashes from other road users if I aim them high enough to read signs!

 

I have driven cars and even bikes that had better road illumination out of the box than this car, and driving my octavia I still get a bit blinded by oncoming road users anyway only for a brief second or two untill my eye adjusts regardless of their vehicle light type but it's obviously more so with the blatant ones can't see at all untill they pass!

 

Now I understand fitting a LED into a projector housing is very bad.

 

So if someone out here know of a decent light bulbs HID or not that ticks all the boxes better view and safe for other road users without breaking the bank.. please note my preFL MKII is only worth £700 in a dealer px so there is no point of buying headlight kit for £300!

7 hours ago, Dzoser said:

What is solution to get a bit of decent light tho I can't see properly to the point I sometimes feel too alert and unsafe, if anything come running from the side of the road let's say a deer for example I wouldn't be able to see it untill it's too late,

 

Halogen range is ok I would have liked it to be a bit further, but side illumination is rubbish can't even see road signs untill I am too close to be able to read them!

 

I fitted osram night breakers halogens they are only very slightly better, I could see road signs with them but then I would get flashes from other road users if I aim them high enough to read signs!

 

I have driven cars and even bikes that had better road illumination out of the box than this car, and driving my octavia I still get a bit blinded by oncoming road users anyway only for a brief second or two untill my eye adjusts regardless of their vehicle light type but it's obviously more so with the blatant ones can't see at all untill they pass!

 

Now I understand fitting a LED into a projector housing is very bad.

 

So if someone out here know of a decent light bulbs HID or not that ticks all the boxes better view and safe for other road users without breaking the bank.. please note my preFL MKII is only worth £700 in a dealer px so there is no point of buying headlight kit for £300!

 

I have 55w LED bulbs in a projector housing. Same beam pattern as the halogen. Passed at least 2 MOT's. Just make sure they are adjusted properly so they are not too high. I adjusted mine to the same height as the halogens. Never had a problem. No errors, no flashes.

Moved to a MK2 Octavia from a MK1, I fitted both with new LHD headlights correctly adjusted for use in France, the MK1 had better illumination than the old lights it replaced because the silver on the reflector was shinier and the perspex virgin.

 

The MK2 was appalling and driving the same country roads I take at night for the last 5 years was downright dangerouns by comparison. I was expecting an improvement with the new LHD lights (OEM like the MK1 ones) but aside from the correct dipped beam cut off they were equally appalling, a dim yellow light from where the BCM reduces the bulb voltage to extend life.

 

I fitted a 35 watt (might have been 55) Ali-Express HID conversion and the light output was absolutely stunning.

 

However with the same alignment (done on MOT rig) as the halogens it was dazzling oncoming motorists, not all but one is one too many, I had to progressively drop the beam aim till Ino longer got flashed, it no longer lights up the road 2km ahead like a rally car but is still a million times better than the halogen bulbs.

 

I cannot understand how Skoda got it so wrong, they were downright dangerous.

 

I expected to have to do the same on the Yeti, it has the same type of halogen projector lamps but they are really really good which makes the MK2 Octavia set up all the more frustrating.