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amondeggs



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Telford
Posts: 452

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 HT Woodcote Green
HID headlights a good option ?
I'm considering upgrading to a HID headlight system. I currently have standard lights with phillips extreme bulbs but still find them poor.

Have been looking at kits like this one on eBay item number eBay Item No. 310407648743 which appear to be a reasonable price and simple to fit.

Anybody used these?

A good option or not?

Thanks in advance Thumbs Up
Post #345219 14th Jul 2014 8:34pm
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
They're illegal but many still use them
Post #345231 14th Jul 2014 8:57pm
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amondeggs



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Telford
Posts: 452

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 HT Woodcote Green
Oh right Shocked

Was not aware of that,

I got the idea from one of the wheeler dealer episodes where ed china fitted a set to a car Shocked

Oh well you live and learn Thumbs Up
Post #345234 14th Jul 2014 9:01pm
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

United Kingdom 
Basically ILLEGAL

If you have 10 minutes to spare read THIS Depart of Transport view on legal situation

The important bit reads

Quote:
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.


Also I believe HID need self levelling and wash wipe fitted

Just checked and DoT says it needs self levelling and cleaning. Also need E marking as a complete unit

Brendan


Last edited by leeds on 14th Jul 2014 9:27pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #345238 14th Jul 2014 9:11pm
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munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558

England 
apart from being illegal

the lens reflector is not set up for that type of bulb , and I was told you get a cr@p pattern
Post #345240 14th Jul 2014 9:15pm
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Naks



Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Stellenbosch, ZA
Posts: 2645

South Africa 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
Re: HID headlights a good option ?
amondeggs wrote:
A good option or not?


definitely NOT!

I have had 2 different sets fitted to my Puma, and guess what, I have recently spent the money to get a set of Truck-Lite LED lights.

You say you have standard light, why not do the Wipac upgrade?

If you do not want to go that route, then your only real option is LED Thumbs Up --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged



Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9
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Post #345268 15th Jul 2014 5:43am
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

United Kingdom 
Quote:

If you do not want to go that route, then your only real option is LED Thumbs Up





Now which forum sponsor is doing a Defender 2 special offer on Truck-Lites and Nolden lights at the moment? Whistle

Nolden 7" Bi Led HED headlight the best road legal LED headlight by far Thumbs Up



Brendan
Post #345295 15th Jul 2014 8:11am
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jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055

Try Wipac Crystal headlamps with Osram nightbreakers (90% or 110%) and headlamp loom upgrade,(the new loom will also save your headlamp switch from melting).I got mine from here, but you can buy cheaper or make your own.It's a good cheap mod if you cant afford led's,you could add spot/foglamps if you need extra light.
HIDs are a fu**in nuisance to other drivers when they're not fitted properly,there is good reason why they need the correct reflector/lens, self levelling AND headlamp washers.

https://shop.landreiziger.nl/modificatie/m...toren.html Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #345341 15th Jul 2014 12:55pm
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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Munich
Posts: 4731

Germany 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Baltic Blue
All of the above plus I've had a couple of similar HID kits off eBay for non-car projects and they are basically a waste of money. In one of the kits one bulb was defective and in the other the ballast blew two bulbs and then died completely.
"Proper/approved" HID kits for specific models are a lot more expensive, often £200+ and there's a reason for it. Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #345359 15th Jul 2014 1:37pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20453

United Kingdom 
If your not running Crystal light units that'll be your issue regardless of bulb type.
I have Philips bulbs and I'm happy with mine with Crystals.
You either go this route or LED, ones much cheaper and gives a reasonable light output. (Acceptable)
Over standard that are poor.
Or there is the LED route, although I've never used or seen them they are meant to be the best.
Theft is a worry though and I don't like light guards..
As previously mentioned wiring upgrade can help but I've not done this myself.
If I really need light output the spots come on, other than that just dipped, the roads are never quiet enough hardly.
Saying all this I don't do much night driving anyway.
Post #345361 15th Jul 2014 1:48pm
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Mdm



Member Since: 11 Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 1625

United Kingdom 
If you want some non road legal hid kits I have two sat in the garage

Need you ask why

Nice and bright

Ideal for spotlights or off road lights or that chav look on your boy racer corsa Saxo etc
Post #345628 16th Jul 2014 6:19pm
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amondeggs



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Telford
Posts: 452

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 HT Woodcote Green
Thanks for all the replies Thumbs Up

I did not know that they were illegal but I do now,

shall be considering other options Thumbs Up
Post #345653 16th Jul 2014 8:01pm
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
leeds wrote:
Also I believe HID need self levelling and wash wipe fitted

Just checked and DoT says it needs self levelling and cleaning. Brendan


I think there was a guidance note from VOSA that stated that self levelling was not required if the vehicle was stiffly sprung or did not have a large pitch range, e.g. a sports car.
Post #345833 17th Jul 2014 2:09pm
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