HID headlight retrofit

[Greer85]

Hello,

Could anyone recommend a HID Xenon conversion kit (h7) for my 2007 VW Golf?
I've been looking for a while but there are that many and they all range in price I want to be sure that I'm buying the best possible kit for my money. I've been looking at the 6000k kits for a crisp clear xenon look but any advice or recommendations welcome 😁

[Gazwould]

Not sure how that works , factory xenon are 4300K .

I'd say 5000K is more pure , 6000K you usually get a blue tinge and loss of lumens .

[Greer85]

Thanks for the response Gaz. I wouldn't go any higher than the 6000k as don't want it to look too blue. I'll bare the 4300k in mind 👍

[Crasher]

A few days ago when I had an A3 cabrio come in with now wipers, I noticed this TPI in the VAG workshop manual ElsaWin regarding Golf 5, 6, A3 8P etc (all PQ35 platform) with LIN bus wipers



PS: Post moved from Golf 6 to Golf 5

[Greer85]

Thanks for the response Crasher!

I've read that myself about the wiper motor failing after fitting HID kits. That's why I've put off buying one until I've had a few recommendations.

[Crasher]

Even if you find one that works it's still illegal.

[Greer85]

How is it illegal?

[djl78]

Have a search on this and other forums and you'll see that unless they are factory fit they are illegal. Yes chances are they'll pass an MOT but they're still illegal.
The only way around it is to fit genuine xenon headlights that are accompanied with headlight washers and auto levelling but even then I'm not certain of the legality.

[Greer85]

Thanks for your reply djl78. I bought a set of used R32 projector headlights just before Christmas that didn't come with the factory HID kit fitted, not sure why, they have levelling motors tho. The seller did say I'd be able to add the kit at a later date. What if I purchased another set of R32 headlights with the kit fitted from the factory, I still wouldn't have headlight washers unless I changed the whole bumper. Seems to be a lot of conflicting information online as to if they are illegal or not 😤

[Crasher]

There’s huge amounts about it ont tinterweb and it basically comes down to that you could argue the toss because the rules are ambiguous but it is quite clear that for other road users they are unpleasant, ANYONE who drives at night should have realised this by now. Last night I had to take home a customer’s 3C Passat to check the work we had done, as soon as I turned on the lights I thought “ohh bugger, HID conversion”. On the way home I was flashed at by oncoming cars twice in the space of two miles… it is pretty clear, only the thick skinned and selfish amongst us would pursue this course knowing full well it is distressing other road users, using the ambiguity of the rules to “get away with it”.

EU law says that HID headlights which emit more than 2,000 lumens of light, and all LED headlights, must be fitted with washers and self-levelling,

Under our MOT rules it is a little ambiguous

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...920/13_013.pdf

Section 1.7.2 Method of Inspection.

Test:- Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted.

Reason for Rejection:- A headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.

In Northern Ireland they make it clearer “must have washers and self-levelling when HIDs are fitted”

A point I found today that I didn’t know “HID dipped beams must stay on while your main beam is on, this isn’t always the case with factory incandescent lights”

Some other links

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...-headlamps.pdf

Dangers of illegal HID headlight conversion kits explained | Auto Express