Stupid Question?

MrFunex · 14 Feb 2008 at 10:40

How do I tell if I've got HID headlights on my car? They seem pretty bright and white... Do the bulbs look any different? It's a mk3 mondeo btw.

Please don't laugh at me!

coolpunkskater · 14 Feb 2008 at 10:43

there will be a box at the back of the light as HID kits run at a diffent voltage to normal lights so there will also be lots of leads running out the back off the lights

u can buy HID type bulbs thou ive got halfords £14.99 ones and they clain 50% more light

HID kits are much more then this at about £300-500

MrFunex · 14 Feb 2008 at 10:45

ah right, thanks!

<goes off to have a look>

Clarkey · 14 Feb 2008 at 12:00

coolpunkskater said:
HID kits are much more then this at about £300-500

You can get a half decent kit for 100 these days.

IceAx · 14 Feb 2008 at 12:06

or for under £50 - Diane-Shop i believe

Andy

Firestar_3x · 14 Feb 2008 at 12:11

Aye only the ones with horrid light scatter and ballasts that discharge 40,000 volts into your arm when you touch them.

Like most things is life you get what you pay for.

task · 14 Feb 2008 at 12:56

Might want to check the legality of retrofit HID kits too

Can, worms, opened...

Rich1988 · 14 Feb 2008 at 13:04

taske said:
Might want to check the legality of retrofit HID kits too

Can, worms, opened...

how can the be illegal if some cars come standard/as an option with them ??

markk · 14 Feb 2008 at 13:09

Rich1988 said:
how can the be illegal if some cars come standard/as an option with them ??

Something to do with you needing self-levelling suspension?

Rich1988 · 14 Feb 2008 at 13:12

markf said:
Something to do with you needing self-levelling suspension?

Oh really? if thats the case I didnt know that! oops cant really see how that would make much of a difference? i thought the lights themselves angled up and down?

MrFunex · 14 Feb 2008 at 13:39

It wont be self levelling suspension, surely... self levelling lights would suffice...

coolpunkskater · 14 Feb 2008 at 13:40

-=BAF=-AXE said:
or for under £50 - Diane-Shop i believe

Andy

but surely that cant be a very good kit?

IceAx · 14 Feb 2008 at 13:53

its gets ok reviews from what i've read.

Im not asying its a bosch standard or anyting but they seem decent enough kits
ppl keep buying them over on astrasport.

Andy

task · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:01

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps

IAmATeaf · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:05

Seems you need to change the entire headlamp unit and have some form of self levelling for an after market unit to be legal according to the link above.

task · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:07

IAmATeaf said:
Seems you need to change the entire headlamp unit and have some form of self levelling for an after market unit to be legal according to the link above.

Or self levelling suspension

Richard_16v · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:49

I thought you needed washer jets that squirted the lights aswell. My car has Xenons and has self levelling lights, they always look like they need to be a little bit higher though.

*edit just read link and yes you have to have some form of headlight washer.

nicRob · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:56

Only on factory-fitted kits I believe

[TW]Fox · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:57

-=BAF=-AXE said:
its gets ok reviews from what i've read.

Yes, ok reviews from chavs in Astras who think they are PROPER BO INNIT becuase they now have AMAZING WHITE LIGHTS M8 LOL.

Reviews from the poor guys driving in the opposite direction are harder to find.

You get what you pay for.

task · 14 Feb 2008 at 14:58

nicRob said:
Only on factory-fitted kits I believe

According to DFT after market kits have to stand up to the same regulation as factory fitted kits.