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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums Regional Forums UK HID Conversion
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      06-07-2013, 02:22 PM   #1
ECBMW
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HID Conversion

Im considering upgrading my current lights with this product http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h7-...=car&end=front and wondering if anyone has carried this out if so how hard/easy was it?

Any before and after pics?

Thanks
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      06-08-2013, 05:18 AM   #2
billythetidd
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Don't think that they will pass an mot matey. There was a whole thing about HID in the press a while back. You need the headlight washers and a leveller to make it legal.
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      09-08-2013, 01:52 PM   #3
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The above is actually not correct, I am a specialist BMW dealer and have 2-3 MOT's done per week....

Headlamp washers only need to work if they are fitted, Xenon light from a projector lense (which yours will have) is perfectly fine and I have had 10+ cars with this setup pass without problems.

If you are looking for genuine retrofit I wouldn't bother, it is a Massive job, a decent quality HID kit should do the job fine although I have heard of electrical issues developing after fitting one of these kits
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      09-08-2013, 02:19 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by horizonbmws View Post
The above is actually not correct, I am a specialist BMW dealer and have 2-3 MOT's done per week....

Headlamp washers only need to work if they are fitted, Xenon light from a projector lense (which yours will have) is perfectly fine and I have had 10+ cars with this setup pass without problems.

If you are looking for genuine retrofit I wouldn't bother, it is a Massive job, a decent quality HID kit should do the job fine although I have heard of electrical issues developing after fitting one of these kits
Be interested to know who's passing the cars then because the MOT rules changed regarding washers and levellers regarding HID's.
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      09-08-2013, 02:41 PM   #5
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You have to bear in mind that when HID emits from a projector lense (whether it is factory xenon or an upgraded halogen to hid kit) the MOT tester only has to check the light pattern and beam angle etc, it is not up to them to determine whether the light is produced from a halogen bulb or xenon bulb, and when it comes to headlamp washers they only have to work if they are fitted, the same as front foglamps - not all cars are fitting with front foglamps but if they are present they have to be working
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      09-09-2013, 07:13 AM   #6
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I thought they now did specific tests for self-levelling. I can't remember who posted the revised MOT for retro-fitted HIDs but it was very clear that washers and self-levelling must be present and working.
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      09-09-2013, 12:47 PM   #7
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http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...-headlamps.pdf

Do you think it might be the 2 - 3 MOT's you're throwing their way influencing the outcome somewhat?
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      09-09-2013, 03:00 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B33M3R View Post
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...-headlamps.pdf

Do you think it might be the 2 - 3 MOT's you're throwing their way influencing the outcome somewhat?

Usually it is the opposite, they are very aware that my cars are being sold to the general public and that there is a very high chance of "comeback" if/when their car develops a problem of some sort.

In a real world situation I would bet that the beam produced from a Xenon burner in a Halogen projector (on the F10) would be just as good as the Xenon factory beam. Where people have gone badly wrong is fitted a HID kit to a headlamp type that bounces the beam around the headlamp to produce a light pattern.

There is also the question as to whether the MOT tester can tell whether the light type is Xenon or Halogen, alot of these Ice white halogen bulbs will give a similar look to Xenon from a projector lamp, and it is a 100% fact that the MOT tester will not make any effort to find out which type of lighting a car has.

I would do it and make sure the beam is ok and safe before deciding to stick with it, at the end of the day the only reason you are doing it is for better vision in the dark and therefore safety.
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      09-09-2013, 04:38 PM   #9
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So are you saying it's legal to fit after market non OEM HID lights or not?

You seem to infer it is because you have had cars successfully pass their MOT's with aftermarket kits fitted, but then also seem to suggest it is because the MOT tester is passing them as, he either isn't aware or actually checking what bulbs are in fact fitted.

It may well be that the cars are passing the beam spread pattern test and I don't doubt that in the case of projector lenses they work perfectly fine, but technically they are not conforming to EU standards if not truly compliant with the regs and if someone gets pulled by VOSA they may well be subject to a fine etc.

In regards to a car passing an MOT with the odd minor indiscretion, it's quite easy and not unlikely for an MOT tester to, dare I say show leniency, if they are getting a good volume of work from one customer putting a number of cars their way each week. Especially if they are a known quantity and not likely to be trading standards checking on his work!

In any case it would be quite easy to say that the car simply didn't have them on when the test was carried out some weeks / months after if it should ever actually become an issue.
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      09-10-2013, 01:46 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by horizonbmws View Post
at the end of the day the only reason you are doing it is for better vision in the dark and therefore safety.
Generally people do it for the look, rather than safety. Whilst I agree that putting a HID burner into a parabolic reflector is an absolute no, but even putting them in projector lenses without auto-levelling can cause dangerous dazzle and hence why the construction & use regs demand that a levelling system is fitted. It's surprising to see a "dealer" condoning such action.
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      09-29-2013, 12:13 AM   #11
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does the F10 need replacement HID compatible bulb holders?
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      10-10-2013, 09:38 AM   #12
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So does anyone make an HID/Xenon kit that includes necessary things to make the lights level?
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      10-18-2013, 10:00 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baazinakon View Post
So does anyone make an HID/Xenon kit that includes necessary things to make the lights level?
Yes, BMW. You buy the lights, washers and level parts and retro fit and code. Total cost somewhere around £1800.
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