[rogerxp]

Sorry, I'm out of touch with all this, but my neighbour is keen on getting a highly specced 62 plate E90 330d but the only thing it's got missing are Xenons.

What's the score with upgrading them?? Properly I mean not just be sticking new bulbs in.

This mod used to cost way more than the option in the first place but have things changed?? Is it simply pick up a pair of Xenon units and get them programmed in??

Thanks.

[rogerxp]

Sorry chaps, just realised a 62 plate will be a new shape (forget the new F??), I'll post elsewhere but if anyone happens to know that'd be great.

[xenon]

Same thing applies: you need the lamp units, headlamp washers (if not fitted) and the headlamp-levelling sensors (front and rear) and the associated loom. Then it all needs coding.

Do-able but still way more expensive than the option at the factory.

[rogerxp]

Cheers Ian. Thought as much.

Some interesting stuff here FYI...
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=932065

[Jase 320d]

You only need to fit the xenon headlamp units and bulbs / ballasts

Auto levelling and headlight washers are not required to pass an MOT

They only become an MOT fail if they are fitted and fail to operate

[Robin330i]

^^^ not correct.

Mot states that if xenons are fitted then you will need to have washer jets and levelling fitted and working.

[Jase 320d]

Originally Posted by Robin330i

^^^ not correct.

Mot states that if xenons are fitted then you will need to have washer jets and levelling fitted and working.

Wrong please re-read MOT legislation on xenon headlights

Clearly states 'if fitted or may be fitted' something like that, they are not mandatory, but if they are fitted then they need to work. Its similar to the bald spare tyre.

You have a bald spare tyre (mot fail)
Before you go you discard the spare (mot pass)

Totally bonkers but thats how it is


So if you have xenon headlamps but do not have washers or level sensor its a pass

I am 100% on this

[Jase 320d]

Some VAG cars can now be specced from new with xenon's that do not require headlight washers as their lumen rating is within a certain level that headlight washers are not needed.

But if your retrofitting xenon's, headlight washers and level sensors are not needed to pass an MOT

I have passed the last 2 mots with cars with xenon headlight retrofits with no levelling or washers

[Alex.J]

Originally Posted by Jase 320d

Some VAG cars can now be specced from new with xenon's that do not require headlight washers as their lumen rating is within a certain level that headlight washers are not needed.

But if your retrofitting xenon's, headlight washers and level sensors are not needed to pass an MOT

I have passed the last 2 mots with cars with xenon headlight retrofits with no levelling or washers

You shouldn't have! It is a legal requirement

Copied from the department of transport and road safety website:

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

[Jase 320d]

Legal requirement maybe but it can still pass an MOT test!

As i have said some brand spanking new cars come with xenon headlights without washers and levelling units!

I can't remember which ones but i think its skoda / seat

[Jase 320d]

Article


http://new.skoda-auto.com/en/news/2013-07-04-rapid


Snippet

As an option, the ŠKODA Rapid received xenon headlights. The xenon lamp has a luminous flux up to 2,000 lumen. This system requires no headlamp leveling and headlamp cleaning system yet. Advantage: a lower price compared to xenon headlamps with higher lumen output at roughly comparable intensity.

[Jase 320d]

Imo retrofitting xenon's is fine without levelling / washers. It is infinitely better than these clowns that used HID's in halogen headlights

[Alex.J]

Originally Posted by Jase 320d

Imo retrofitting xenon's is fine without levelling / washers. It is infinitely better than these clowns that used HID's in halogen headlights

Agreed bit I did a full oem installation with washers and levellers is no problems or arguments ever with mine!

[Jase 320d]

It all depends how far you want to go.

I guarantee the OP that they will pass an MOT and you wont have any issues from the 5-0.

Even if the MOT station do be funny about it you can still change them out for the MOT.

I ran xenon's without both washers / levellers and never ever got flashed from oncoming road users.

[Adam-r]

What about if you have xenons but have pulled the fuse because the damn washers fail to come out of the bumper and therefore spray washer fluid god knows where?

(Sorry for the thread hijack)

[Jase 320d]

They dont check headlight washers in an mot. (They should but dont)

I pulled the guts of mine out on my old fabia vrs and glued the covers in place. Lets face it a whopping fmic is waay more important than pointless headlight washers

[tmarshall57]

I searched on some of the text posted above by Alex J. There are numerous references to the VOSA rules including this one

http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forum...light-upgrade?

This is worded as though "we would like you to comply with x, y and z etc but no government inspection will take place to check that you have"

Tightening of the MOT rules appears to be an annual event (as per latest news on DPF "presence" checks) so although it seems that washers and levellers are not required now for retrofits, they could be in future.

My headlamp washer do not work and are not checked as part of the MOT (halogen lamps). On my motorbike there is no requirement to have hazard warning lights but, if fitted, they have to work.

[Icekube]

they are required, its just whether the MOT station your at is actually going to pull you up on it. most of them wont...

[xenon]

It's a legal requirement under construction & use regulations for all cars registered and supplied in the UK. The Skoda option referred to is not available in the UK.

As far as the MOT goes, it is correct that the systems [washing / levelling] are only required to work if fitted and there is nothing that specifically prevents you from installing HID lamps without washers and levelling. This will change in time, no doubt.

The real problem is wankers who fit re-based D1S xenon burners into H7 parabolic reflectors and blind everyone. Should be shot.

[Hennessey]

For an MOT you can only test was is there? as in if you have washers fitted they must work, if you do not have them fitted then they are not a testable item. like the guy who mentioned the spare tyre, if its there its testable, if not then it doesn't come into it.

its surprising the amount of 'loop holes' you find out when becoming a tester.
e.g - if you have a steel wheel with only 2 out of the 5 wheel nuts...put a wheel trim on it lol, its illegal to remove anything on an mot even the check testable items.
again about the washers, if you have them fitted and they are not wired up, this is also not testable, but must be stated and shown to tester before the test commences.