What options I haven't got!

[Deleted member 2227]

I swapped mine from pre facelift to facelift xenons, they are plug and play if you don't want the auto leveling and wash . They will need to be coded after you have them fitted.

I was going to look into the leveling but quite a bit of wiring needed. If you do the swap don't forget to block the vacuum line or you will get a hiss from the dash.

Can you explain what hiss and what vacuum line? cheers

 

[Deleted member 2227]

A little poll to collect views-feel free to comment as well.

Hmm just read this. http://www.kenrockwell.com/bmw/540notxenon.htm

 

[MBManInKen]

MHeated seats I've had but hardly used.

With leather, heated seats are great and do make a real difference in comfort terms IMHO. For cloth seats, I would not bother.

The sunroof is the most useless extra IMO with aircon. Had it. Opened it once. hated the noise. Shut it. Never opened again. Had it on several cars. Never used it.

Each to their own . While I don't use the sunroof often while driving, it does come in handy while I'm sitting somewhere waiting in the car. But also, the glass sunroof on my s-class lets in a lot of extra daylight which I absolutely love.

 

[Flash]

Flash, I see!

But the lenses are as clear, its the reflector that gives the "distorted" image.

I agree with you as well.

 

[Flash]

R2D2: Just go for the bi xenons if funds let you.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

R2D2: Just go for the bi xenons if funds let you.

The poll is 7:5 against at the moment.

 

[hawk20]

The poll is 7:5 against at the moment.

Seven yes and eleven against at the moment.

Cab anyone confirm that self levelling is compulsory with Xenons. I certainly hope it is. They are a curse without to all othe road users.

 

[Shude]

Seven yes and eleven against at the moment.

Cab anyone confirm that self levelling is compulsory with Xenons. I certainly hope it is. They are a curse without to all othe road users.

self-levelling and headlamp wash is compulsory for manufacturers to fit on new vehicles, it is advised for use with retrofitted headlamps as well.

Regarding the hissing/vacuum leak: has anyone checked if the manual-levelling motor in the halogen headlamps can be swapped for the automatic-levelling motor in the HIDs? If they can be swapped then you're sorted.

IMHO if there is only ever one or two passengers in the car (esp sitting in the front, and no luggage) then there is little chance the HIDs will blind any oncoming traffic. If you change the number of passengers or add luggage then adjust to suit. This is true for all european cars with adjustable headlamp level.

Also, if you have a car with self-levelling headlamps then you must stop your engine and restart it if the vehicle load is changed, for example if you pick up two rear passengers you will blind oncoming traffic because the headlamps will be aimed too high! Now imagine you also popped the boot open and put a big suitcase in there...

As for headlamp wash it's an odd requirement, IMHO halogens need it more as they're dimmer to start off with.

 

[MBManInKen]

self-levelling and headlamp wash is compulsory for manufacturers to fit on new vehicles, it is advised for use with retrofitted headlamps as well.

That's just not true. The DfT website gives more details.

It boils down to:
- In a very strict interpretation of the law, HID retrofits are not allowed at all;
- However, many new cars have HID. The UK cannot ban them as they are legal in Europe and EU law supersedes UK law in this area;
- Because they are allowed on new cars, DfT deems it unreasonable to ban HID conversion kits based on the strict interpretation of the first bullet above.

BUT! The conversion must meet the same stringent criteria of new cars fitted with HID. This means all of the below:

(1) You cannot convert an existing halogen lamp to a HID one; rather the entire unit must be replaced.
(2) The conversion must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling.

There are other requirements as well that are listed on the DfT website.

As for liability:

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

 

[MBManInKen]

Cab anyone confirm that self levelling is compulsory with Xenons. I certainly hope it is.

It is.

Not that this legal requirement seems to bother too many .

 

[kwakdonut]

It is.

Not that this legal requirement seems to bother too many .

Yes, the curse of our 'modern' society unfortunately.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

I asked at Mercedes and they said retrofitting without washers and self levelling was fine???? I am quite confused-I love the look but don't want to break the law. This particular bit of law seems rather vague. I' ll ring my MOT centre.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

I've just come off the phone from my MOT test centre and they look up "The Magic Book". He is going to check that the headlights are a pair of the same shape and similiar light colour, correctly aligned and thats it. He doesn't check what they are or if they washers or anything else-as far as he is concerned the vehicle is road legal if the lights meet the criteria above.

 

[whitenemesis]

Self levelling isn't too much of a job. A couple of sensors & brackets with some wiring and coding.

I did cost it out for the parts IIRC was about £200...

I really want xenons, dipped beam on my car is crap, but I wouldn't do it without the self levelling. The washers I can do without and as they are maually operated (on my year/model) there is no garrantee that they would get used anyway?

 

[Alfie]

To properly retrofit Xenons, including the ballasts, looms, washers, bumpers etc and coding (yes dont forget they MUST be coded otherwise they will just flash), costs a small fortune.

 

[hawk20]

I asked at Mercedes and they said retrofitting without washers and self levelling was fine???? I am quite confused-I love the look but don't want to break the law. This particular bit of law seems rather vague. I' ll ring my MOT centre.

There is nothing confusing. It is on the DfT website as MBmaninKen posted. Neither your local MOT centre, nor a Merc dealer are the best source of the law. Parliament and the Ministries are.

Anyone modding needs to be really careful to meet the law (or their insurance can be null and void) and needs to notify their insurance company of any changes. The small print often/usually requires that you notify of any modifications/alterations. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

16:12 against adding bi xenons!

 

[hawk20]

Eighteen to twelve at the moment.

Great pics. Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Didn't hear a canon

 

[kjay]

Didn't hear a canon

LOL.


It's actualy even at the mo!

13 in total (9&4) say fit with/without all the kit.

13 say just change bulbs.

6 say leave it alone.


It's a dear mod - no doubt. But dont they look good?!