203 coupe and HID's.

[ash59fifty-uk]

There is but at £190 a light, I'm not prepared to spend that kind of money. £50, yea... I have just restored the lights.

Not to mention probably needing a lot of coding and a new front SAM

Honestly though in the right headlamp units they look the dogs mods, or check out some nice projectors like some Morimotos or something. Quite a few companies can do a proper conversion on the pair for that same price

 

[BTB 500]

HID's are not illegal if set up properly

Have you read this?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aftermarket-hid-headlamps

In the Department for Transport's (DfT) view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Have you read this? https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aftermarket-hid-headlamps

In the Dft's "View", on this same document it also states this isn't a legal law

However I do agree with their view. Projector based headlights should be used in the correct casing

 

[BTB 500]

In the Dft's "View", on this same document it also states this isn't a legal law

Yup it's their interpretation of the law and has a pretty standard disclaimer

The information in this document is a summary of the Department’s understanding of what the law requires. However, ultimately the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts based on individual facts of any particular case. You are therefore advised to consult the relevant legislation and, if necessary, seek independent advice.

But I suspect they know more about it than the average forum poster does

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Yup it's their interpretation of the law and has a pretty standard disclaimer But I suspect they know more about it than the average forum poster does

True, but if done right the OP could have quality, fully legal lights with an amazing (and safe) output... and not necessarily down the OEM route

 

[gIzzE]

There is a huge difference between someone using a proper 35w H7R hid and ***** who put a regular H7 in a reflector headlight.

I bet those moaning about aftermarket HIDs have driven passed loads of correctly fitted H7R fitted cars and never even realised.

Buy the right bulb, right power, right colour temperature and get it aligned properly and you will not dazzle oncoming road users any more than someone using an extra bright halogen, and less so than some of the cheap extra bright halogens.

 

[renault12ts]

Wow, Some people think just because they have seen the mot guidelines that they are an MOT tester....


HID's are not illegal if set up properly and will pass mot's. It's the Barry boys that don't bother getting set up properly and go over 6k where the problem lies.

I have fitted plenty of kits to mine and other cars, never had a problem.

My question was not about the legality, it was about whether I needed a specialist holder. Which I do not.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

You don't need a special holder? So, which HID/Xenon are you fitting?

 

[renault12ts]

In compatable headlights, yes.

I'm not sure what you mean. My car has standard Xenons, or HIDs if you like.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I'm not sure what you mean. My car has standard Xenons, or HIDs if you like.

Your standard setup will consist of a proper projector and housing for use with the lights

It's people throwing HID bulbs into standard halogen bases that cause that horrid dazzle, thought it was cool ten years ago then you see it now on cars on the road it looks terrible, compared to the correct equipment

 

[renault12ts]

Your standard setup will consist of a proper projector and housing for use with the lights

It's people throwing HID bulbs into standard halogen bases that cause that horrid dazzle, thought it was cool ten years ago then you see it now on cars on the road it looks terrible, compared to the correct equipment

I know that...but antc220 said he hated HIDs but not Xenons...as if there's a difference.

 

[bob6600]

There is but at £190 a light, I'm not prepared to spend that kind of money. £50, yea... I have just restored the lights.

Agreed, it is a lot to pay out however the car is not new so a decent second hand set will be half the price or less. This is what I did and it was plug and play for my W210, although may be different for the W203. No coding was required but yes it may be required for other models.

I guess if you want to do it properly (oem retrofit) then coding and self leveling sensors are required however they can be adjusted correctly without and will not glare

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I know that...but antc220 said he hated HIDs but not Xenons...as if there's a difference.

Xenons contain xenon gas, light up immediately but require a higher voltage to power up

HID's are brighter but take longer to warm up, however last longer

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I guess if you want to do it properly (oem retrofit) then coding and self leveling sensors are required however they can be adjusted correctly without and will not glare

He'd get away without levelling sensors, would only need manual adjustment from within the car

 

[renault12ts]

Xenons contain xenon gas, light up immediately but require a higher voltage to power up

HID's are brighter but take longer to warm up, however last longer

For goodness sake...they are one and the same.

An arc through Xenon gas. HID = High intensity discharge.

And I'm the one being called ignorant!!

Read the bit about HID:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#High-intensity_discharge_.28HID.29

 

[gIzzE]

Xenons contain xenon gas, light up immediately but require a higher voltage to power up

HID's are brighter but take longer to warm up, however last longer

Behave.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

For goodness sake...they are one and the same. An arc through Xenon gas. HID + High intensity discharge. And I'm the one being called ignorant!!

No.

HID's require a ballast to power up the Arc

Xenon filled bulbs just plug into any source like a H7 socket, and wallah.

This is the difference he was talking about, I'm guessing meaning those ridiculous xenon gas filled bulbs which are the silly side of 6000K requiring a higher voltage (probably 55w) that people like to stick in their cars. The ones marked for 'off-road use'. I'm sure you've seen them advertised.

I'll excuse your ignorance.

 

[renault12ts]

No.

HID's require a ballast to power up the Arc

Xenon filled bulbs just plug into any source like a H7 socket, and wallah.

This is the difference he was talking about, I'm guessing meaning those ridiculous xenon gas filled bulbs which are the silly side of 6000K requiring a higher voltage (probably 55w) that people like to stick in their cars. The ones marked for 'off-road use'. I'm sure you've seen them advertised.

I'll excuse your ignorance.

We'll agree to differ then on what he meant.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Gizze & Renault

... These things

 

[whitenemesis]

All well any good but if you fit hid bulbs into headlamp units, projector or not, that are not type approved for using hid type bulbs the car effectively becomes illegal for road use as it no longer complies with its type approval. It also becomes uninsurable for the same reason.

Often retailers of these type kits will have disclaimers on the website stating the kits are for off road use only.

But like many things that are technically illegal most if not all go unchallenged, will pass MoT etc.. Worth keeping in mind the MoT is primarily a safety based assessment.

 

[camerafodder]

Gizze & Renault

... These things

View attachment 54481

What on earth are those supposed to be? They claim to be Halogen, Xenon, HID all in one go. They will just be halogen lamps with a silly blue filter on the envelope.