Headlights upgrade

  1. Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2013 Space Posts: 873 JuliustoogyJD
    #1
    So I have been looking at a number of different sets to go for from standard. I have just got me some

    Osram Headlight Bulb (Nightbreaker UNLIMITED - Performance Bulbs - H4s



    Can you get any brighter within legal limits, as I was thinking to go HID but seen very mixed reviews on HIDs

    I have also tried some of the off road h4 rally ones that are 100w but checked them compared to the Osrams and seemed more dull. I can see good with the Osrams in but wanted to know if theirs any brighter or to go HID conversion?
  2. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #2
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaCrazyOne View Post
    as I was thinking to go full retard but seen very mixed reviews on HIDs
    you bought the bulbs, fit them. can't stand chav cars with retrofitted ADHDs
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  3. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 3593
    #3
    As Manu said, don't fit HID's into standard units as you'll blind everyone. Although, don't angel eyes have projectors compatible with HIDs?

    Other than that there isn't much you can do. Nightbreakers seem to be a popular choice but I've never tried them. Also make sure the inside and outside of the lense is clean as that will affect it too.
  4. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #4
    Nothing wrong with nightbreakers i've got them no need to go any brighter.
  5. Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2013 Space Posts: 873 JuliustoogyJD
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Nothing wrong with nightbreakers i've got them no need to go any brighter.
    I am using and do seem better than the standard I had in. Is their a way to check the voltage coming upto them as I feel as tho its not enough and might be reason why looks only a little better than standard originals that where in.
  6. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project
    #6
    I've got the nightbreakers and think they are a good bulb and give a good amount of visibility, they are more than bright enough and have lasted well so far. Don't think theres any need to go brighter unless you want to be one of those annoying people that blind everyone within a few miles!
  7. Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2015 Naestved, Denmark Posts: 281 ex-Blue 106 Rallye 1.6 '97 Black 106 Gti '99
    #7
    I use them aswell, best headlights you can get before you go HID
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  8. L-plater Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 66
    #8
    I have nightbreakers in my vtr. Visibility is sheer doodoo but i think its more a problem wirh my headlights. Think the saxo has had a bump at the front and the light is directed about 8feet from the bumper even after i have adjusted the height as far as i can. What is the other grey knob attached to the headlight unit
  9. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jun 2006 Wirral Posts: 13584 Wickerd red VTS MK2, Two tone VTS MK2,vvc Metro..
    #9
    Had them in my vvc metro,but just wasn't enough light out put.
    So went for HID.
  10. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #10
    You can always do a headlight restoration - you'll be really surprised how much light you get back with a sand and compound treatment on the surface. My 206 had yellowing scratched lights and a restoration treatment and nightbreaker bulbs probably doubled the light output - was staggering how much better they got!
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  11. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #11
    Take the headlights apart & using a tootbrush & tooth paste clean them.Even just putting car wax on them & then buffing them you'll be amazed at how much muck comes off.
  12. Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2015 Naestved, Denmark Posts: 281 ex-Blue 106 Rallye 1.6 '97 Black 106 Gti '99
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ross View Post
    You can always do a headlight restoration - you'll be really surprised how much light you get back with a sand and compound treatment on the surface. My 206 had yellowing scratched lights and a restoration treatment and nightbreaker bulbs probably doubled the light output - was staggering how much better they got!
    Did the same on my moms Getz.
    She complained about the lack of lights at night and wanted some new bulbs.
    Simply cleaned the headlights, gave them a proper polish and adjusted them.

    No lights in the world would even come close to the results from those 30min of work
  13. Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2013 Space Posts: 873 JuliustoogyJD
    #13
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ross View Post
    You can always do a headlight restoration - you'll be really surprised how much light you get back with a sand and compound treatment on the surface. My 206 had yellowing scratched lights and a restoration treatment and nightbreaker bulbs probably doubled the light output - was staggering how much better they got!
    What is actually used to treat them as I have after market glass ones in right now.
  14. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 Posts: 4857
    #14
    You can always add driving lights. These are just basically another set of hi beams. You can just bolt a extra set on rally style or remove your fog lights from the bumper and replace them with a set of driving lights. The idea behind them is you wire them up so they only come on with your hi beams. That way they do not negatively effect other road users. The Peugeot 205 GTI for example came with this setup as standard.
  15. L-plater Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 70
    #15
    My Dads got 500k HIDS in his vectra 2 t sri..no blue,adjusted correctly and excellent night vision.
  16. Established Member Joined: Dec 2011 Derby Posts: 1021 Posi saxo, flatty, Peugeot bipper, Vauxhall vectra
    #16
    Mtec super white are brilliant imo. The light is so much whiter than anything else I've tried and light output is brilliant!
  17. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 3593
    #17
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cairoc View Post
    My Dads got 500k HIDS in his vectra 2 t sri..no blue,adjusted correctly and excellent night vision.
    Swnds sik m8
  18. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #18
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cairoc View Post
    My Dads got 500k HIDS in his vectra 2 t sri..no blue,adjusted correctly and excellent night vision.
    Yes great vision for him & total blindness for other motorists.
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  19. L-plater Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 70
    #19
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Yes great vision for him & total blindness for other motorists.
    Did you read the post?..i said they were set up correctly, and have also gone through 7 mots.
  20. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #20
    Doesn't make it legal.
  21. L-plater Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 70
    #21
    Aftermarket HID kikts aint legal?..as far as I know if they are set up correctly and are passed by an mot station they is legal. BUT im happy to be wrong.

    Dont get me wrong,I've seen lots of blue,chaved up HID setups that deserve to be knicked, bit like peeps who drive with fog lights on, those who drive like freeking idiots and have no regard for others etc.

    Peace and love
  22. L-plater Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 70
    #22
    I have a Vectra C which i have retro fitted HIDs. The question I have is regarding Headlight washers.

    In the MOT manual section 1.7 it says


    "Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers"


    This suggests to me, in the word may, that some cars fitted with HID's come without headlight washers, so therefore it is not possible to fail a car not fitted with headlight washers, and the only reason to fail a car would be if the headlight washer were fitted but did not work?




    Regards
    Dear Mr *******,

    Thank you for your email enquiry dated 21st August, 2013 concerning a
    headlight washer enquiry.

    You are correct if aftermarket HID lights are fitted and headlight washers
    are not then there is no reason to fail. Where they are fitted they must
    work.

    I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have
    any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

    Kind Regards

    Christina M Joseph
    VOSA Customer Service Centre
    Operations Directorate
    Tel: 0300 123 9000 Reply Reply With Quote
  23. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #23
    Hid lamps also require automatic self levelling or to be fitted on a car with self levelling suspension. Amongst other things.
  24. L-plater Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 70
    #24
    mot pass works for me.
    im outta this one.
  25. Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2013 Space Posts: 873 JuliustoogyJD
    #25
    Well after seeing HIDs and some tests in shops compared to what I got at the min sticking to night ones. As blue tints look ok to some degree but also very blinding when seeing others id rather have legal lights not blinding other road users and to in danger others. Given them a good clean also found where out of alignment too so since got that done and work a lot better now.
  26. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 Posts: 4857
    #26
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cairoc View Post
    Aftermarket HID kikts aint legal?..as far as I know if they are set up correctly and are passed by an mot station they is legal. BUT im happy to be wrong.

    Dont get me wrong,I've seen lots of blue,chaved up HID setups that deserve to be knicked, bit like peeps who drive with fog lights on, those who drive like freeking idiots and have no regard for others etc.

    Peace and love
    It is a bit more complicated than that. Your average car as most of us use have to comply with a list of requirements before they can legally be used on the road. Vehicle lights are covered under said regulations. If you have a relatively modern vehicle such as the Saxo and it is registered for day and night time road use then it has to comply with one of two sets of regulations. It can comply with British standards or European standards.

    The British standard is a relatively old one and does not permit HID lighting. So there is no way to legally use HID lights under such regulations.

    The European system does allow HID lighting systems under there approval system. This is how some new cars come already fitted with HID lighting. There are NO approved HID bulbs that simple drop in to systems originally designed for Halogen bulbs. So all those kits you see are not road legally. There is simply no way for them to be so.

    You could theoretically at least replace the hole lighting unit and its appropriate sub system with European approved parts to legally retrofit HID lights to a Saxo. Practically speaking however this can get rather complicated.

    The easiest way to fit HIDs legally is to retain Halogen dipped beam. This is as it would be impractical to replace dipped beams. But you can simply fit some HID driving lights perfectly legally. If your using something like morrettes you could potentially replace the Hi beams with a complete approved assembly legally. This is as vehicle Hi beams have far fewer restrictions than dipped beams so all you really have to get is approved optics, bulbs, electrics and fit as required to legally have Hi beams.

    As for the MOT test, it is important to understand it is not a comprehensive test of a vehicle legality. Don't be fooled in to thinking just because a vehicle has passed a MOT it is road legal or even legal at all. So your lights may pass a MOT but can still not be road legal. Same is true with other aspects of your car such as window tints for example. Your MOT tester may think some tints are ok but if the police pull you for having illegal tints your MOT certificate is not going to help you.
  27. Newbie Joined: Mar 2015 Walsall Posts: 1 Saxo forte
    #27
    I know it's probably not good, but I got some upgrades from halfords that project a blue white light, cheap and pretty good
  28. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2011 Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 7779 Phase 2 VTS , E61 M5
    #28
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JackyBoy94 View Post
    I know it's probably not good, but I got some upgrades from halfords that project a blue white light, cheap and pretty good
    from the bottom of your sideskirts onto the floor?
    1 user thanked this post:
  29. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #29
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JackyBoy94 View Post
    I know it's probably not good, but I got some upgrades from halfords that project a blue white light, cheap and pretty good
    That should read cheap & pretty nasty.
  30. L-plater Joined: Feb 2017 Somerset Posts: 36 Citroen Saxo Furio VTS 1.4 2002
    #30
    Had Nightbreakers 110% in my old 99 Corsa. Fitted them one evening at my mates place. Left his place near midnight in heavy driving rain, having to drive on high ground and through some tricky corners on a 60mph road. What a difference! Was able to do just over 50mph (fairly safely) on the more straight parts, eyes not straining instead of about 40mph with standard bulbs and struggling a bit to see!
    Although I did slow right down for the known aquaplaning areas!
  31. L-plater Joined: Feb 2017 Somerset Posts: 36 Citroen Saxo Furio VTS 1.4 2002
    #31
    P. S. Will be getting a set of 110% Nightbreakers for my Furio very soon!
    Standard hi-beam is adequate, but low-beam is a struggle!
  32. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #32
    thread from the dead.

    I'm running Philips Xtreme vision 130%, lol at the old Osrams.
  33. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge
    #33
    Let's wake the thread!

    After May this year, any non standard bulb will be a fail for MOT.

    If your car came from the factory with Haolgen lights, it must have halogen lights fitted.

    So NO retrofits will be a pass, even with a good pattern. These will become "major" fails.
  34. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #34
    About time, I'm tired of seeing those chav boxes with shitty blinding lights. There's one in my street with the old blue 1.4 mg, he's got police blue bulbs front and back, rags it day and night as if he was in a hurry to finish that head gasket.
  35. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 Posts: 4857
    #35
    Interesting, I did not realize they were including this in the MOT.
  36. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge
    #36
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AXracing View Post
    Interesting, I did not realize they were including this in the MOT.
    Since the rules are now in effect, I'll ask my pal who's an MOT tester to see if those made it into the final manual.

    I'm pretty sure they did.
    1 user thanked this post:
  37. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #37
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Manu View Post
    About time, I'm tired of seeing those chav boxes with shitty blinding lights. There's one in my street with the old blue 1.4 mg, he's got police blue bulbs front and back, rags it day and night as if he was in a hurry to finish that head gasket.
    either failed the MOT or got pulled over, the shitty lights have disappeared.