Im setting this thread up to clear up the majority of questions asked
Are HID's illegal?
Yes and No. This is a very grey area and is down to the headlights you currently have.
If you have halogen headlights (see pic above), it IS illegal.
"In summary it is not permitted to convert a halogen headlamp unit for use with hid bulbs..... The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs"
It is also because the beam pattern cannot be aimed properly and cause glare (See pics below)
What about these H7R bulbs made for halogen headlights, and stop glares?
While these are made to stop glares, they still don't focus the beam properly and scatter light. In reality, they're just a bodge to try and fit HID's in halogen headlights. HID bulbs are brighter than "off roading" bulbs, which are illegal for road use because they are so bright. So theres no argument regarding the legality of HID's in reflector headlights.
And at the end of the day….
"In summary it is not permitted to convert a halogen headlamp unit for use with hid bulbs..... The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs"
I already have HID's fitted (properly!), but i want to change the colour
OEM HID's are around the 4300K mark. If you wish to make the light whiter, 5000k-6000K is what you should be aiming for. The higher the Kelvin rating, the bluer the light output is. (Cool blue lights!) While you can make your headlights blue, you risk yourself being pulled by the police and possibly failing the MOT as the front lights must be white. Also 6000K onwards, your actually losing usable light and making your headlights worse.
What HID's are people using on here?
Quite an easy one, most users are using this kit (with depo headlights) which doesn't throw up can bus errors
I currently have halogen headlights and want HID's, what can i do?
There are two options:
Fit OEM xenons (£1500+)
Contact
Or (what most have done) is buy Depo headlights and use the HID kit previously recommended. While its still not technically legal, it will stop you from blinding every driver and attracting the attention of the police. Plus you won't look like a Chav in a MaxPower Corsa!
What are Depo's and what do they offer?
Depo's are a brand of headlight that gives you angel eyes without the cost of fitting Xenon headlights. You can use halogen bulbs in them, however light output isn't great. Due to this, HID's are used to get a better light output. The light output with the HID's fitted is roughly the same as OEM halogen headlights.
V1
V2
The difference between V1 Depos and V2 Depo's is the halo rings. The V2 Depos have LED's built in giving it a crisp white light, however if a LED fails, it isn't replaceable. The V1 Depo's take 4 small bulbs in each ring. They are a tad yellow and dim, but upgradable to LED. The benefit of V1 Depos over V2, is if a LED/Bulb fails in the V1, you can simply change the offending bulb. With the V2, you have to buy a new headlight
Fitting Depos
Simple Delivery is slow but worth the wait. When you fit them, make sure you get the + and - right as they only work one way
5000K
6000K
If i fit HID's, do i need self levelling and headlight washers
Technically you should. However you will NOT fail an MOT if you don't have them at the moment (Nov 2013). However in time, this could be clamped down on in the future. So be prepared…
How do i know if i have headlight washers and self levelling
Headlight washers are simple to spot
Static
Pop up
Self levelling is harder to spot. You can look for the lever connected to the wishbone which monitors the pitch of the wishbone, however theres no real test to check whether it is working correctly. You could try a bumpy road, but I'm not sure how effective or accurate that test is
Are HID's illegal?
Yes and No. This is a very grey area and is down to the headlights you currently have.
If you have halogen headlights (see pic above), it IS illegal.
"In summary it is not permitted to convert a halogen headlamp unit for use with hid bulbs..... The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs"
It is also because the beam pattern cannot be aimed properly and cause glare (See pics below)
What about these H7R bulbs made for halogen headlights, and stop glares?
While these are made to stop glares, they still don't focus the beam properly and scatter light. In reality, they're just a bodge to try and fit HID's in halogen headlights. HID bulbs are brighter than "off roading" bulbs, which are illegal for road use because they are so bright. So theres no argument regarding the legality of HID's in reflector headlights.
And at the end of the day….
"In summary it is not permitted to convert a halogen headlamp unit for use with hid bulbs..... The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs"
I already have HID's fitted (properly!), but i want to change the colour
OEM HID's are around the 4300K mark. If you wish to make the light whiter, 5000k-6000K is what you should be aiming for. The higher the Kelvin rating, the bluer the light output is. (Cool blue lights!) While you can make your headlights blue, you risk yourself being pulled by the police and possibly failing the MOT as the front lights must be white. Also 6000K onwards, your actually losing usable light and making your headlights worse.
What HID's are people using on here?
Quite an easy one, most users are using this kit (with depo headlights) which doesn't throw up can bus errors
I currently have halogen headlights and want HID's, what can i do?
There are two options:
Fit OEM xenons (£1500+)
Contact
Or (what most have done) is buy Depo headlights and use the HID kit previously recommended. While its still not technically legal, it will stop you from blinding every driver and attracting the attention of the police. Plus you won't look like a Chav in a MaxPower Corsa!
What are Depo's and what do they offer?
Depo's are a brand of headlight that gives you angel eyes without the cost of fitting Xenon headlights. You can use halogen bulbs in them, however light output isn't great. Due to this, HID's are used to get a better light output. The light output with the HID's fitted is roughly the same as OEM halogen headlights.
V1
V2
The difference between V1 Depos and V2 Depo's is the halo rings. The V2 Depos have LED's built in giving it a crisp white light, however if a LED fails, it isn't replaceable. The V1 Depo's take 4 small bulbs in each ring. They are a tad yellow and dim, but upgradable to LED. The benefit of V1 Depos over V2, is if a LED/Bulb fails in the V1, you can simply change the offending bulb. With the V2, you have to buy a new headlight
Fitting Depos
So i have Depo's (V1) and want to upgrade the rings to LEDBen GT said:
Simple Delivery is slow but worth the wait. When you fit them, make sure you get the + and - right as they only work one way
5000K
6000K
If i fit HID's, do i need self levelling and headlight washers
Technically you should. However you will NOT fail an MOT if you don't have them at the moment (Nov 2013). However in time, this could be clamped down on in the future. So be prepared…
How do i know if i have headlight washers and self levelling
Headlight washers are simple to spot
Static
Pop up
Self levelling is harder to spot. You can look for the lever connected to the wishbone which monitors the pitch of the wishbone, however theres no real test to check whether it is working correctly. You could try a bumpy road, but I'm not sure how effective or accurate that test is