Xeons

MarkF

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Does anybody know if its possible to have xeon lights fitted to my ML 2002.
I think they would make a great diff for the wife to drive in the dark.

Mark
 

Alex M Grieve

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Does anybody know if its possible to have xenon lights fitted to my ML 2002.
I think they would make a great diff for the wife to drive in the dark.

Mark

I'm sure it will be Mark. I had aftermarket xenons fitted to my W220 S Class and the man who did it was offering xenons on most makes of car - he offered to do my R 129 SL but I don't use it enough at night to warrant the cost.
 

Miffy

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please bear in mind your supposed to also change the glass to cut down stray light, and fit washe/wipers and self levelling
 

television

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It is the whole lamps that have to be changed along with the rest
 

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please bear in mind your supposed to also change the glass to cut down stray light, and fit washe/wipers and self levelling

You're not "supposed" to retrofit them at all. Lots of people do, of course, but they are technically illegal.
 

whitenemesis

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You can legally retro-fit xenons, as long as you fit type approved xenon lighting units. What's illegal is fitting HiDs into unit designed for halogen bulbs.
 

Rory

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You can legally retro-fit xenons, as long as you fit type approved xenon lighting units. What's illegal is fitting HiDs into unit designed for halogen bulbs.

To be near-enough legal you'd have to also fit the washing and self-leveling systems - if the car wasn't factory fitted with those then that's probably not a practical proposition.

Even then it's still strictly speaking illegal because HID's in themselves aren't legal - they're only permitted here because if they're factory fitted then they're covered by EU whole vehicle type approval. This can't be granted after the vehicle has left the factory. Indeed changing anything on the car technically nullifies the ECWVTA
 

whitenemesis

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To be near-enough legal you'd have to also fit the washing and self-leveling systems - if the car wasn't factory fitted with those then that's probably not a practical proposition.

Even then it's still strictly speaking illegal because HID's in themselves aren't legal - they're only permitted here because if they're factory fitted then they're covered by EU whole vehicle type approval. This can't be granted after the vehicle has left the factory. Indeed changing anything on the car technically nullifies the ECWVTA

Inerpretation but retrofits don't require the wash and level, just the correct lighting unit. The full conversion is completely practical, in fact even MB official, just very expensive!
 

Rory

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Inerpretation but retrofits don't require the wash and level, just the correct lighting unit. The full conversion is completely practical, in fact even MB official, just very expensive!

I think this is the latest from the DfT, and this is updated from their previous guidance which used to just say that you can't retrofit at all: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps

A lot of people do fit them though, and get through MOT's. I've never heard of anyone being prosecuted for fitting HID's.
 

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whitenemesis

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Yes, so new glass, wash/wipe required

No, link states new light unit, so lens and reflector. And leveling too, unless car has self-leveling rear suspension
 

Miffy

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No, link states new light unit, so lens and reflector. And leveling too, unless car has self-leveling rear suspension

when I said glass, i did mean the whole unit, as I dont think you can buy just the front glass on its own :)
 

Alex M Grieve

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No, link states new light unit, so lens and reflector. And leveling too, unless car has self-leveling rear suspension

Thank you Peter.

I console myself on the fact that I installed new light units on a car which already has headlamp washers and self leveling suspension.

I accept that passing an MOT is not proof of excellence, but it is so easy to fail an MOT on a technicality, I think that the test centre (and oncoming motorists) would have found me out by now.
 

television

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Thank you Peter.

I console myself on the fact that I installed new light units on a car which already has headlamp washers and self leveling suspension.

I accept that passing an MOT is not proof of excellence, but it is so easy to fail an MOT on a technicality, I think that the test centre (and oncoming motorists) would have found me out by now.

The MOT rules are not interested in what the car has, only checking the components that are fitted,,for instance there are no rules that say the headlamp washer must work, but the screen washer and wiper must be in good working order
 
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MarkF

MarkF

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  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Guy's,

Thnaks for this I will ask my indi and if he say's its ok to fit then that will do for me, he MOT's the car anyway and I have no intention of going anywhere else.

The important thing for me is improving the driving quality for my wife at night and as long as Lyn is ok with it from a MOT point of view that will do for me.

Thanks once again
 


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