To HID or not to HID

28th February 2013, 22:12

hiya, so ive got the clio mk3 and im trying to decide wether or not to install a hid kit

firstly how do I tell if I have projector or reflector light units?

Secondly how legal/wat problems could I have with HIDs fitted??

Finaly are there any other bulbs/ ways of getting a similar look??

thanks in advance this will be the first time ive used or seen hids upclose so ive just been reading things online which always bounce form one to the other ha!

1st March 2013, 10:35

Don't do it.

1st March 2013, 10:45

Just buy Osram Nightbreaker + bulbs and do it legally and as good as possible within the law.

1st March 2013, 11:28

Iirc you can buy all parts for the clio mk3 to convert to factory hid's

1st March 2013, 17:02

This is wat i was thinking do osram night breakers give off enough light?? Ive had a few exeon bulbs and things that look blue but really are crap to drive with.

13th June 2013, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilbenchy9192

hiya, so ive got the clio mk3 and im trying to decide wether or not to install a hid kit

firstly how do I tell if I have projector or reflector light units?

Secondly how legal/wat problems could I have with HIDs fitted??

Finaly are there any other bulbs/ ways of getting a similar look??

thanks in advance this will be the first time ive used or seen hids upclose so ive just been reading things online which always bounce form one to the other ha!

HIDs are not legal but effective. I am using them and hope laws does not catch me.. Hids are surely nice

13th June 2013, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuanMullins

HIDs are not legal but effective. I am using them and hope laws does not catch me.. Hids are surely nice

Yep until i`m blinded by an on coming car with them fitted.

13th June 2013, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuanMullins

HIDs are not legal but effective. I am using them and hope laws does not catch me.. Hids are surely nice

HID's are legal as long as there not emitting a blue light, so 6k and under.

13th June 2013, 19:08

unless you are doing it properly dont do it at all

14th June 2013, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtr91

HID's are legal as long as there not emitting a blue light, so 6k and under.

Wrong.

14th June 2013, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtr91

HID's are legal as long as there not emitting a blue light, so 6k and under.

Nope, not true. HID bulbs (even if the pattern and light is correct) are still illegal as they are not type approved for fitting into H4 bulb housings (or any other standard bulb housing)

You can add lights though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

Wrong.

Not really a chav thing. Chavs just fit awful chrome looking lights and lower using shit ebay springs and think their car handles well.

14th June 2013, 09:26

Everytime I see poor mans HIDs on the road, they're blindingly badly fitted and there's a chav car around them. And of course a chav at the wheel, with a fast and furious driving position. You know, reclined as far back as possible, one hand on top of the steering.

14th June 2013, 09:37

Stereotypes being thrown all around here, I drive with hand on top of the wheel as I find it most convenient. oh and because my other hand is usually on my cock.

14th June 2013, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuanMullins

HIDs are not legal but effective. I am using them and hope laws does not catch me.. 492_645_653.html"]cheap hid headlight kits are surely nice

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if HID is legal then there is no best option

14th June 2013, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtr91

HID's are legal as long as there not emitting a blue light, so 6k and under.

HIDs are illegal. End of.

Only pond life fit HIDs that blind everyone else. I don't care if people say "Mine don't". They do.

14th June 2013, 10:59

Mine genuinely didn't though lol, we'll in the swift. Angled right and had friends double checking if they were bad. All comments went down to its no worse than a range rover coming from behind.

14th June 2013, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadoryu

All comments went down to its no worse than a range rover coming from behind.

because it's no worse than some other car makes it all right. Chav logic?

14th June 2013, 11:47

Had hids for a long time and ive never been pulled or flashed so imo just put them in and get on with it

if you do get pulled just say they come with the car and you will look into changing them the next day because it takes 2 secs! And there not that bright compared to the idiots who drive around with fogs on and people who go alien spotting because apparently they can't see

14th June 2013, 12:06

Seen one of those idiots last week, glanza starlet tin can with HIDs shooting upwards during daytime. Looks ever so slightly gay, good luck telling the traffic office they came with the car and not getting a producer and a tag on the car.

14th June 2013, 12:41

As I said earlier (people seem to be avoiding this fact) it's illegal regardless of the beam pattern as it's not type approved.

As manu pointed out there, if the Police stop you and make you go to VOSA for a check, I can guarantee they'll find more than just wrong bulbs fitted - unless your car is in showroom condition.

14th June 2013, 14:09

I have just come back from the VOSA training centre in Watford.
what makes you think there illegal?

They don't have to be type approved or anything, the rules that came in are applicable to cars already fitted with HID's with a washwipe system and self levelling.
Nothing says HID's are illegal in the MOT, there just not allowed to emit blue light from the front.

If your car is not fitted with a wash wipe system on your lights, you cant test it.

What criteria says its illegal?

14th June 2013, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtr91

I have just come back from the VOSA training centre in Watford.
what makes you think there illegal?

They don't have to be type approved or anything, the rules that came in are applicable to cars already fitted with HID's with a washwipe system and self levelling.
Nothing says HID's are illegal in the MOT, there just not allowed to emit blue light from the front.

If your car is not fitted with a wash wipe system on your lights, you cant test it.

What criteria says its illegal?

For what, your level 2?

As long as they are the right height and not dirty/clouded it would pass an MOT. With or without washers or self levelling.

Just, what's the point in them if you only fit the same colour as a normal bulb. just more expense when it breaks. Who want's to see further with dipped beam anyway? I got spot lights if I want to see further.

Knobbers fit coloured HID's and don't align their lights. and that's what fucks me off because they get dodgy MOT's and think that "oh yeah well my car is legal cos it has an mot" and it fucking isn't.

In most EU countries, it's illegal if it's not type approved for that lighting unit. France and Germany for example. I just can't quote the DfT here but I have read into it.
in fact, even in NI same criteria as here but you HAVE to fit washers to pass.

edit: I had someone tell me they see further with dipped beam. dunno about you but I only use dipped beam when there's oncoming traffic, and if there's oncoming traffic you're probably not on a back road with no cats eyes or street lighting.

14th June 2013, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

. You know, reclined as far back as possible, one hand on top of the steering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brettles1986

Stereotypes being thrown all around here, I drive with hand on top of the wheel as I find it most convenient.

Same, i like my seat back because i cant drive with it right upwards lol. my dad does too, does that make him a chav too? lol.

Level your self out abit Manu, ay.

And HID's.. well i cba to go there with them

14th June 2013, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtr91

I have just come back from the VOSA training centre in Watford.
what makes you think there illegal?

<snip>

What criteria says its illegal?

The Department for Transport make me think they're illegal when they say explicitly "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."

They summarize:

Quote:

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

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.