HID Kits

[jang150]

Can anyone recommend a good HID kit (xenons) for my Passat B5.5. There's a couple on ebay

has anyone used this ebay member
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=140282171006&Category=72235null

If so are you happy with the results?

Thanks

[Col]

Fitted that exact set from that seller to the old mans Passat yesterday.

Go for it.

[tyreman1]

Hi,i improved the headlamps on my passat for a third of that cost,cant remember the name of the kit but bought the bulb kit from Euro Car Parts for £18 came with two h7 bulbs and 2 blue tint sidelight bulbs (straight in the bin) improved the headlamp visiblity on dip beam by 50%,just a tip get your headlamp aim checked as well,if its set too low visibility will be dreadfull

[Ben]

i agree with the alignment test. With my HIDS, there is a definate line between what is and is not illuminated.

[charlescampion]

After some research discovered that no "after market" HID's are road legal... Also there seems to be further problems with both quality & compatability to the extent that there has been a ruling by the Department of Transport (or whatever they call themselves) such that if your vehicle has passed an MOT it is only because the tester did not notice. In addition to which look carefully at the manufacturers name spelling etc as it is not always what it seems...

So far as I can determine it is sufficient to invalidate your insurance so be careful...

If its of any interest my research lead me to H7 Philips X-tream & (because they do not make an H3 yet) H3 Osram Nightbreakers. The increase in light output is very noticable when driving but of course I cannot measure it. Some people may be disapointed that they give a white light rather than with a blue tinge however Philips also make those but the light output is a little less. The company I used has a web site "PowerBulbs" they were most helpful & provide blue side lights with your order if you require them FOC.

[richard@thebrae]

This guy is correct :- NO aftermarket modification to HID lamps is legal in the UK.. See this http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps

[jang150]

thanks for the replies. I'll think again about getting HID kits. My mate has the x-treme bulbs on his passat '98. Although better they were not great. Obviously the headlamps have been updated. How much of an improvement are they on the revised headlamps on b5.5?

I used to have a BMW with standard halogen lights. The visibility on them was much better. Makes you think VW have diffussed the headlamps a bit too much.:zx11:

[jang150]

Is it possible to fit proper xenons using OEM parts from VW. I presume you would need new headlight lenses for a start or is this an expensive option?

[caldirun]

After some research discovered that no "after market" HID's are road legal... Also there seems to be further problems with both quality & compatability to the extent that there has been a ruling by the Department of Transport (or whatever they call themselves) such that if your vehicle has passed an MOT it is only because the tester did not notice. In addition to which look carefully at the manufacturers name spelling etc as it is not always what it seems...

So far as I can determine it is sufficient to invalidate your insurance so be careful...

If its of any interest my research lead me to H7 Philips X-tream & (because they do not make an H3 yet) H3 Osram Nightbreakers. The increase in light output is very noticable when driving but of course I cannot measure it. Some people may be disapointed that they give a white light rather than with a blue tinge however Philips also make those but the light output is a little less. The company I used has a web site "PowerBulbs" they were most helpful & provide blue side lights with your order if you require them FOC.
Beware, higher output means shorter life, my Nightbreakers were good but lasted only 9 months over the summer mostly, back on bog standard now!