Paul Goff
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2017
- Messages
- 176
- Reaction score
- 46
- Your Mercedes
- 2002 C220CDi CD Estate
TrueBlue,
Lost Kiwi and Craig have both outlined the legal position regarding the fitting of HID lamps into Halogen headlights and I can add;
I have heard that, as of very soon, non homolognated lamps will be a non discretionary MOT failure.
But, if you are going to take the chance, here is some practical advice.
You need the complete HID kit, including ballasts, lamps, wiring, connectors, the lot. But only for the dip beams, don't bother with the Mains, HIDs take too long to warm up.
Get a kit designated H7R, NOT just H7. H7R lamps are for Reflector lights, H7 are for projector lights and do not produce, in reflector lights, ANY sort of cut off in the dip beam pattern. H7 HIDs are what the "tuning boys" are dazzling us with in their "race cars"!
Get the LOWEST frequency ones you can, 4K if possible.
Be aware that, even the H7R lamps, will not give the super sharp dip cut off that you get with Halogen lamps. You will need to aim them lower.
My last car was fitted with an illegal H7R HID kit dip beam and legal Osram NightBreaker main beam, and never caused other drivers any form of nuisance that I was aware of in the seven years I had it.
My present car, a W203 220CDi, is now fitted with Nightbreakers all round, so completely legal but the dip is nowhere near as good as the HID in the previous encumbent! And of course it lacks the "bling" that some like ;-), I am much too old to be bothered by that.
More generally, try the NightBreaker route first, cheaper, easier, and legal, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Lost Kiwi and Craig have both outlined the legal position regarding the fitting of HID lamps into Halogen headlights and I can add;
I have heard that, as of very soon, non homolognated lamps will be a non discretionary MOT failure.
But, if you are going to take the chance, here is some practical advice.
You need the complete HID kit, including ballasts, lamps, wiring, connectors, the lot. But only for the dip beams, don't bother with the Mains, HIDs take too long to warm up.
Get a kit designated H7R, NOT just H7. H7R lamps are for Reflector lights, H7 are for projector lights and do not produce, in reflector lights, ANY sort of cut off in the dip beam pattern. H7 HIDs are what the "tuning boys" are dazzling us with in their "race cars"!
Get the LOWEST frequency ones you can, 4K if possible.
Be aware that, even the H7R lamps, will not give the super sharp dip cut off that you get with Halogen lamps. You will need to aim them lower.
My last car was fitted with an illegal H7R HID kit dip beam and legal Osram NightBreaker main beam, and never caused other drivers any form of nuisance that I was aware of in the seven years I had it.
My present car, a W203 220CDi, is now fitted with Nightbreakers all round, so completely legal but the dip is nowhere near as good as the HID in the previous encumbent! And of course it lacks the "bling" that some like ;-), I am much too old to be bothered by that.
More generally, try the NightBreaker route first, cheaper, easier, and legal, you might be pleasantly surprised.