HID converstion kit from ECP offer

[A1EK]

HI Guys

Just bought a special offer from ECP for 8000K HID conversion kit for £35 plus the mbclub discount of 20% so about £26 !

My question is I think if you install these they will fail the MOT as the light scatters too much?

Is this true or have anyone found that the light passed the MOT test?

Thanks

 

[whitenemesis]

Interesting that ECP are happy to offer these without any disclaimers? Are they not breaking the law?

"In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern. - Department for Transport (2006)"

Are Xenon HID kits legal? | PowerBulbs

 

[andy27168]

Interesting to note they only have 8k sets left as well, as I thought you were not allowed higher than 5k on the road.
Regarding passing the MOT it depends on the tester and how he interprets the rules regarding auto levelling and head light wash, how well he tests the beam pattern, and if you have projector style light fittings.

 

[martyz]

no no no no no,not good for driver or others on the road, ecp hold your head in shame

 

[Spinal]

There are two issues here...

Legality and MOT.

In terms of passing the MOT, it will depend on the tester and how they interpret the requirements. (and on your headlamp lenses, some of which are more flexible for "non-standard light sources" than others) So it may pass, it may fails.

In terms of legality, the DfT is quite clear that these are illegal unless you change the entire light assembly, fit headlamp washers and have self-levelling suspension.

M.

 

[A1EK]

My thoughts were to make a plug that will enable the normal 12v bulbs to be swapped over for MOT

 

[whitenemesis]

Still hugely inconsiderate toward other road users.

 

[Sp!ke]

A1EK

Please dont fit these. For the sake of every other road user, please take them back for a refund.

 

[ivan1983]

I looked at these and was very tempted then did a a bit of digging on here and various forums and decided it was a bad idea.

I was going to stick them on my bike as the lower power consumption would be appreciated by the bikes pathetic charging circuit.

The consensus seems too be;

Anything higher thank about 5000K and your making light to look cool rather than see.

Very bad if you are using "normal" glass lights

A little better if using projectors.

Then there is the whole argument of people thinking they can see more due to the fact that its a whiter light.

Also there is this which may or may not be true

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

 

[martyz]

xenon illuminates in a completely different way to conventional halogen,so to put xenon bulbs in a reflector unit designed for halogen is a nonsense.

 

[V12]

They are useless. Don't touch them with a barge pole unless you have a mk.1 Corsa.

 

[Tan]

I was very tempted to add these to my Boxster as the lights are not great. Since they are not being recommended and upgrading to OEM xenons is cost prohibitive, what buld upgrades are recommended these days.

 

[ivan1983]

Some of the brighter bulbs seem to be recommend

Osram nightbreakers I believe.

Although I dont know how long these bulbs last, the old addadge "The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long" comes to mind


Dont buy higher wattage bulbs as these can melt the headlight housings and the higher current draw can melt the cables

 

[JasM]

I see you are from Glasgow as well

 

[Spinal]

I swear by osram nightbreakers... getting them on amazon they work out to around £10 a pair.

That said, they don't last too long... I've found that after around 18 months or so, I get a bulb blown (keep in mind I have 6+ cars - so that's one bulb out of 12+)

M

 

[martyz]

Philips extreme 2yrs+ no problems.

 

[chris200]

I swear by osram nightbreakers... getting them on amazon they work out to around £10 a pair.

That said, they don't last too long... I've found that after around 18 months or so, I get a bulb blown (keep in mind I have 6+ cars - so that's one bulb out of 12+)

M

Six cars and only one are......now that is extravagant!! lol

 

[chris200]

I swear by osram nightbreakers... getting them on amazon they work out to around £10 a pair.

That said, they don't last too long... I've found that after around 18 months or so, I get a bulb blown (keep in mind I have 6+ cars - so that's one bulb out of 12+)

M

Six cars and only one bum......now that is extravagant!! lol

 

[yorkshiregit]

I fitted hid's to my projector units & they're great, no problems with mot, & if you do they're easy to change back.

 

[brigadier]

Aftermarket HID 4200-5000k max, fitted in projector headlights, adjusted correctly is not bad for oncoming traffic. But should't be able to pass MOT anyway.