Headlight bulbs

[Callum89]

Hello guys,
This has probably been asked before but I can't find the thread. I've got a 2005 3.0i sport, My dipped beam is really bad they don't light up anything. Any recommendations for bulbs or a fix for this ?
Cheers

[grumpywurzel]

You have several options, depending on what you want to do to the car.

Halfrauds (other shops available) sell the super/ultra bright halogens (guessing halogens  is what you have fitted) which offer a possible improvement over bog standard ones.

The other option is to fit HIDS, this will need you to cut a hole in the back of the headlight unit but the kit normally comes with a grommet to seal the unit back up.

[grumpywurzel]

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/categories ... lb-type/h7

Almost positive ours are H7, if you decide on the HID route, go for the 55w systems.

[Dazzler3693]

Are these hid kits legal in the uk guys?

[henrym3]

from a legal point of view I think you are supposed to have a level sensor fitted to pass an MOT. I don't think though that they pay to much attention to the level sensor. I have HIDs fitted to my  E30 M3 and never even had level sensors even mentioned at MOT in the last 14 years

[X5Sport]

Factory systems need auto-levelling and washers but the MOT manual only says that if fitted then they must work.  Most cars fitted with aftermarket upgrades will have neither, hence it not being an MOT failure.

The common reason for MOT failures (I am told) is use of incorrect lamp types for the headlight mirror - you should use 'R' as in D2R instead of 'S' as the latter is for projector light units - so leading to glare from a badly focussed beam.  'R' bulbs have a cover over the end of the bulb.  Given the number of cars on the road with misaligned non-OEM HID kits I doubt you will have any issues.

You will have to declare it as a mod to your insurers.

If not going HID then both Philips and Osram make highly regarded upgrades - as they do for their OEM used HID offerings.  Osram are 'Nightbreaker' series from memory.

[henrym3]

I have heard lots of peoples interpretation of the MOT rules on HIDs but never that one, I sincerely hope your version is right (usually is) I can stop sweating now when I take the E30 for MOT.
I declared every mod on the E30 I could think of but never thought of Headlights??

[Horizon]

I fitted the HIDS direct 55w 6000K slimeline ballast kit. Massive improvement ( night and day , if you pardon the pun ) you have to drill a 25 mm hole ( hole saw ) in the plastic headlight cover at the side of the access plate. Don't panick it's easy, to allow the wires to the ballasts which live outside the headlight enclosure.
1 hr job.

[X5Sport]

Here you go - current MOT Manual Section 1.7


This inspection applies to all obligatory headlamps fitted. Inspection of headlamp levelling and cleaning devices and the main beam tell-tale do not apply to Class 3 vehicles.
1. Check the presence, security and operation of the headlamp switch.
Headlamps are not required to be fitted to
2. Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted.
vehicles used only during the hours of daylight, which are fitted with neither front nor rear position lamps, etc. (See 1.1.A).
3. Check that the vehicle is securely fitted with obligatory headlamps, as follows:
Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system
 a matched pair of main beam headlamps, and
Where such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
 a matched pair of dipped-beam headlamps Note: Main and dipped-beam functions may be
Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam headlamps are switched on) or by a separate switch.
provided by a single pair of headlamps.

Reason for Rejection
2.  A headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.

[henrym3]

Now that you have put it on paper, so to speak, it seems quite clear, if it's fitted it must work, if an old car like my E30 which won't have it fitted it's still a pass. Makes me wonder why all the vast discussions on various other forums.

[X5Sport]

I think it is because 'technically' under the Vehicle Construction & Use Regs you should have auto-levelling and cleaning systems. 

But the DfT chickened out a couple of years back with the cop outs above, and didn't force it on the MOT inspectors to enforce as the MOT simply requires you have lights of the right colour and beam pattern.

ECE R98 is the kicker because it states the requirements and that to breach them makes a vehicle fitted with non-E approved (and marked thusly) parts (lamp & headlight unit) illegal on the road, but leaves it for the Courts to decide.  So it's a Police matter or a DVSA matter but not an MOT issue.

[Turks]

[quote="Horizon"]
I fitted the HIDS direct 55w 6000K slimeline ballast kit. Massive improvement ( night and day , if you pardon the pun ) you have to drill a 25 mm hole ( hole saw ) in the plastic headlight cover at the side of the access plate. Don't panick it's easy, to allow the wires to the ballasts which live outside the headlight enclosure.
1 hr job.

[strummer]

What are your headlight lens's like?My were very yellowed and when I cleaned them the difference in the headlight beam was surprising

[X5-D-Sport]

Worzel & Strummer's words need to be re-read - take NOTE.

If your plastic outer lenses are milky or yellowed, the HID Bulbs / 55Watt verions WILL be capable of MELTING dirty lenses, as the dirt absorbs the heat & passes it into the plastic... then melts it if you are stationary a while.
Get the lenses clear & shiney.

HID's Direct will supply a reliable 55Watt kit. You may need to additional ballast resistors as I found out... but NORMALLY the items built into the kit are fine.. (the computer in my D-Sport is unusually fussy)..

As Worzel says... 6 Kelvin Color Temperature may be TOO White... advise & suggest 5K>5.5K  this will give a good white light, but still a warm enough colour to illuminate well in poorly lit roads.

The lower the K rating, the Warmer the colour.... when you go above 6K, the color goes into Blue/Purple ranges & is totally useless except for looking like a chavvy twat.

The Color K temp for good all round is around 5>5.5K as it brings out the greens/reds/yellows in the reflected surfaces - ie people & hedges etc...... Ultra White basically turns your view into Black & White..

When fitting, ensure the inside of the lenses is moisture free, & NEVER touch the bulb itself, the silicone from your fingers will rapidly kill the bulb.
I did buy a spare pair of bulbs, but they have sat as spares for the last 3 years... but never say never lol

regards
Grant B

[X5Sport]

Are you sure about that melting?  Standard Halogen lamps are 55W and have no ill effects, even if you are main beam with two heat sources running and with milky lenses.  I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm a bit surprised that's all.

The colour temperature is key.  Is not just that they go purple as above, but your eyes are less sensitive to the higher temperatures so the scene appears darker.  Try driving with 8,000K lamps and you will see what I mean.

Over time the higher °K will damage the clear plastics too as they have a higher UV component despite supposedly being filtered for it.  Cheap bulbs are less well filtered, and the arc focus is less well formed or positioned.